European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Patients with signs and/or symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy are frequently encountered in spinal practice. Exact numbers of prevalence or incidence are not known. ⋯ Surprisingly, an extensive search of the literature did not reveal exact data about the incidence or prevalence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The prevalence of surgically treated cervical spondylotic myelopathy was estimated as 1.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. Although the population adherence to the surgical practice is reasonably fixed and referral patterns are known, this estimate will still be too low for various reasons. At best, this estimate is the minimal prevalence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy that has been operated upon. To address the exact incidence or prevalence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in general or needing surgical treatment, other investigations are warranted.
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Dynamic implants have been developed to address potential adjacent level effects due to rigid instrumentation. Rates of revision surgeries may be reduced by using improved implants in the primary surgery. Prior to clinical use, implants should be rigorously tested ex vivo. The objective of our study was to characterize the load-sharing and kinematic behavior of a novel low-stiffness spinal implant. ⋯ The novel implant behaved similarly to the medium-stiffness implant in both load-sharing and translation despite having a different design and stiffness. Complex implant design and specimen-implant interaction necessitate pre-clinical testing of novel implants. Further in vitro testing in axial rotation and flexion-extension is recommended as they are highly relevant loading directions for non-rigid implants.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparison of unilateral versus bilateral pedicle screw fixation with cage fusion in degenerative lumbar diseases: a meta-analysis.
To compare the results between unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw (PS) fixation for the patients with degenerative lumbar diseases. ⋯ As compared to bilateral PS fixation with cage fusion, unilateral PS fixation with cage fusion achieves a similar VAS, ODI and SF-36 scores, fusion rate, complications and smaller surgical trauma. However, it is still uncertain whether unilateral pedicle screw fixation with cage fusion is as effective and safe as bilateral pedicle screw fixation with cage fusion.
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Posterior decompression by laminoplasty and anterior decompression/fixation have been widely accepted, and they provide sufficient results for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. However, combined procedure of posterior decompression and reconstruction is favorable for some patients accompanying local kyphosis, segmental instability, previously operated conditions on the cervical spine, etc. ⋯ Combined procedure of posterior reconstructive surgery using a pedicle screw fixation provides better clinical outcomes than laminoplasty alone for cervical spondylotic myelopathy accompanying local kyphosis or segmental instability. Further development of supporting tools for cervical pedicle screw insertion including aiming device, navigation system and neuromonitoring procedure are expected for safer screw insertion.
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This article examines the incidence and management of vascular injury during Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF). The details of the mini-open access technique are presented. ⋯ The mini-open lateral access technique for LLIF provides for minimal risk of vascular injury to the lumbar spine. In the rare event of minor vascular injury, the mini-open access approach allows for immediate visualization, confirmation and repair of the vessel with no long-term sequelae.