Surg Neurol
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Lower back pain is extremely common; most patients' symptoms improve with conservative treatment. This leaves only a small percentage of patients with persistent symptoms that are amenable to surgery. Various decompressions have been performed to remedy compressive conditions of the spine, with a wide range of results. ⋯ We believe that less radical resection of laminae and spinous processes better preserves the spine's natural architecture and may contribute to improved postoperative stability. This may reduce the number of patients needing concomitant or subsequent fusion, with its associated morbidity. As surgeons push for less radical or less invasive surgical techniques to obtain the same or better postoperative results, the bilateral partial laminectomy is a good alternative to total laminectomy.
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We studied the change of brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbrO2) value within 24 hours after trauma and during moderate hypothermia in patients with severe head injury. The PbrO2 value was used to differentiate patients at risk of brain ischemia and to predict outcome. ⋯ The PbrO2 values were low in severe head injury, but hypothermia may improve these values. The technique of continuously monitoring brain tissue oxygen pressure may give better insight into cerebral oxygenation and warn of impending ischemia of brain tissue, especially in patients treated with hyperventilation. It will help to improve the management and final outcome of patients with severe head injuries.