Neurosurg Focus
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Comparative Study
Complications related to instrumentation in spine surgery: a prospective analysis.
Prospective examination of perioperative complications in spine surgery is limited in the literature. The authors prospectively collected data on patients who underwent spinal fusion at a tertiary care center and evaluated the effect of spinal fusion and comorbidities on perioperative complications. ⋯ Using a prospective methodology with a broad definition of complications, the authors report a significantly higher perioperative incidence of complications than previously indicated after spinal fusion procedures. Given the increased application of instrumentation, especially for degenerative disease, a better estimate of clinically relevant surgical complications could aid spine surgeons and patients in an individualized complication index to facilitate a more thorough risk-benefit analysis prior to surgery.
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Comparative Study
Minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion and transpsoas approach-related morbidity.
Recently, the minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal, transpsoas approach to the thoracolumbar spinal column has been described by various authors. This is known as the minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the approach-related morbidity associated with the minimally invasive transpsoas approach to the lumbar spine. To date, there have been only a couple of reports regarding the morbidity of the transpsoas muscle approach. ⋯ The minimally invasive, transpsoas muscle approach to the lumbar spine has a number of advantages. The data show that a percentage of the patients undergoing the transpsoas approach will have temporary sensory and motor symptoms related to this approach. The majority of the symptoms are thought to be related to psoas muscle inflammation and/or stretch injury to the genitofemoral nerve due to the surgical corridor traversed during the operation. No major injuries to the lumbar plexus were encountered. It is important to educate patients prior to surgery of the possibility of these largely transient symptoms.
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Comparative Study
Pedicle screw loosening in dynamic stabilization: incidence, risk, and outcome in 126 patients.
The long-term outcome of lumbar dynamic stabilization is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with screw loosening in a dynamic stabilization system. ⋯ Screw loosening in dynamic stabilization systems is not uncommon (4.7% screws in 19.8% patients). Patients of older age or those with diabetes have higher rates of screw loosening. Screw loosening can be asymptomatic and presents opportunity for osseous integration on later follow-up. Although adverse effects on clinical outcomes are rare, longer-term follow-up is required in cases in which screws become loose.
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Comparative Study
Management of incidental durotomy in minimally invasive spine surgery.
Unintended durotomy is one of the most common complications in spine surgery that may lead to serious complications if not recognized or treated properly. There are few reports on the management of durotomies incurred during minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). The authors describe their experience in a series of consecutive MISS patients with unintended durotomies. ⋯ In the authors' consecutive series of patients undergoing MISS, an unintended durotomy was associated with fewer complications than previously reported for open spinal surgery. The authors propose a simple management algorithm that includes early mobilization and results in excellent clinical outcomes with no incidence of postoperative cutaneous CSF fistula or other complications.
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Case Reports
Abdominal wall paresis as a complication of minimally invasive lateral transpsoas interbody fusion.
The minimally invasive lateral transpsoas approach for interbody fusion has been increasingly employed to treat various spinal pathological entities. Gaining access to the retroperitoneal space and traversing the abdominal wall poses a risk of injury to the major nervous structures. Nerve injury of the abdominal wall can potentially lead to paresis of the abdominal musculature and bulging of the abdominal wall. Abdominal wall nerve injury resulting from the minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach has not been previously reported. The authors describe a case series of patients presenting with paresis and bulging of the abdominal wall after undergoing a minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal approach. ⋯ Abdominal wall paresis is a rare but known potential complication of abdominal surgery. The authors report the first case series associated with the minimally invasive lateral transpsoas approach.