Minim Invas Neurosur
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Minim Invas Neurosur · Aug 2008
Spinous process splitting laminectomy for lumbar canal stenosis: a critical appraisal.
Spinous process splitting laminectomy (SPSL) is a surgical technique for lumbar canal stenosis, which aims to preserve the paraspinal muscles. Twenty-five patients with lumbar canal stenosis who consecutively underwent SPSL from June 2005 to December 2005 were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI). ⋯ However, a significant improvement (> 50% of their initial VAS/ODI score) of back pain, leg pain, and functional status was observed in only 65.2, 65.2, and 52.2%, respectively. Complications occurred in 4 patients (16%). Although SPSL for lumbar canal stenosis yielded relatively good clinical outcomes, the percentage of patients showing significant improvements in back pain, leg pain, and functional status were less than expected at one year after surgery.
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Minim Invas Neurosur · Aug 2008
Treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease with uncoforaminotomy--intermediate clinical outcome.
Anterior cervical uncoforaminotomy (uncoforaminotomy) is an operative method intended to preserve the functional motion segment of the cervical spine while removing the underlying pathology. Controversy exists concerning the patients best suited for this treatment modality. Furthermore, no long-term outcome analyses have been published. ⋯ Uncoforaminotomy, especially in patients with soft-disc pathologies, is a good operative method for the treatment of radicular pain.
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Minim Invas Neurosur · Aug 2008
Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery using a skull reference array and laser surface scanning.
Lesions of the skull base are increasingly being resected via the endoscopic, endonasal, transphenoidal approach. We have successfully treated 33 consecutive patients with pituitary lesions using this technique in combination with BrainLAB skull reference array and laser surface scanning for surgical navigation. ⋯ This is particularly important as extension and flexion of the head provide greater exposure to the clivus and anterior skull base respectively. Also, this technique obviates the need for additional preoperative MRI, thereby reducing cost and delays.