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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The purpose of this combined study was to evaluate the stability and safety of a new monocortical screw-plate system for anterior cervical fusion and plating (ACFP) according to Caspar in comparison with classical bicortical fixation. In the biomechanical part of the study two groups, each comprising six fresh human cadaveric spines (C4-C7), matched for bone mineral density, additionally resulting in almost the same mean age, were used. Range of motion and neutral zone were analyzed in flexion-extension, rotation (left, right) and lateral bending (left, right) using pure moments of +/- 2.5 Nm for each specimen in the intact state, after discectomy at C5/6 and after discectomy at C 5/6 followed by bone grafting plus plating (Caspar plates), with either monocortical or bicortical screws. ⋯ Following these findings monocortical screw fixation can be recommended for the majority of anterior cervical fusion and plating procedures in degenerative disease, making the procedure quicker, easier, and safer. Bicortical screw fixation still has specific indications for multilevel stabilization, poor bone quality (osteoporosis, rheumatoid disease - as bicortical oversized rescue screw), unstable spines (trauma, tumour) and in particular for the realignment of kyphotic deformities (restoration of the normal lordotic curve). Due to the design of the study the results apply only to surgical treatment of monosegmental degenerative disc disease at the time.
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The Modular Type SB Charite disc prosthesis has been developed as a device for artificial disc replacement (ADR) in patients with symptomatic discopathies. Here, we report on our first series of 50 (out of 350) patients, who had a satisfactory clinical result in 70% of cases (2 years' follow-up). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with an isolated discopathy without previous spinal operations or other pathology at the same or other spinal level benefitted more from the surgery. ⋯ We conclude that in patients with severe isolated symptomatic discopathies that are resistant to conservative treatment, a mobile disc prosthesis is worth considering as a real alternative to a spondylodesis. However, accurate patient selection is imperative. With these criteria we were encouraged by our results to continue the implantation of this artificial disc.
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An unusual case of vertical atlantoaxial dislocation without medulla oblongata or spinal cord injury is reported. The pathogenic process suggested occipito-axial dislocation. The case was treated surgically with excellent results on mobility and pain.
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To evaluate the effect of brace treatment on self-image in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 54 consecutive patients admitted for brace treatment were interviewed before bracing. A prevalidated questionnaire including the following five aspects of self-image was used: (1) body-image, (2) self-perception of skills and talents, (3) emotional well-being, (4) relations with family, and (5) relations with others. As a control group, the answers of 3465 normal school children were used. ⋯ Neither were there any statistically significant differences between the answers of the scoliosis patients in the pre-bracing and follow-up interviews. This was valid for the total score as well as for each subscale item score. It is concluded that wearing the brace does not affect the self-image of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis negatively.
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Case Reports
The 'MW' sacropelvic construct: an enhanced fixation of the lumbosacral junction in neuromuscular pelvic obliquity.
Fixation to the lumbosacral spine to correct pelvic obliquity in neuromuscular scoliosis has always remained a surgical challenge. The strongest fixation of the lumbosacral junction has been achieved with either a Galveston technique with rods or screws or with iliosacral screws. We have devised a new fixation system, in which iliosacral screws are combined with iliac screws. ⋯ The whole sacropelvis is thus encompassed by a maximum width (MW) fixation, which gives an 'M' appearance on the pelvic radiographs and a 'W' appearance in the axial plane. We report on our surgical technique and the early results where such a technique was used. We feel that this new means of fixation (by combining the strongest fixation systems) is extremely solid and should be included in the wide armamentarium of sacropelvic fixation.