World Neurosurg
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The surgical technique of orbitozygomatic craniotomy reported by Zabramski et al. is an excellent procedure, facilitating wide surgical exposure, easy orbital reconstruction, and a satisfactory postsurgical aesthetic outcome; however, it is anatomically complicated and technically difficult. We introduce a simplified technique of Zabramski's orbitozygomatic craniotomy and present the anatomic and clinical findings with cadaveric photos, illustrations, and a video. ⋯ With this modified technique, Zabramski's ideal orbitozygomatic craniotomy could be achieved easily with only minimal complications, while realizing all advantages of the technique.
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National databases are used with increasing frequency in spine surgery literature to evaluate patient outcomes. The differences between individual databases in relationship to outcomes of lumbar fusion are not known. We evaluated the variability in standard outcomes of posterior lumbar fusion between the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) database and the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample (NIS). ⋯ NIS and UHC databases had similar demographic patient populations undergoing posterior lumbar fusion. However, the UHC database reported significantly higher complication rate and longer LOS. This difference may reflect academic institutions treating higher-risk patients; however, a definitive reason for the variability between databases is unknown. The inability to precisely determine the basis of the variability between databases highlights the limitations of using administrative databases for spinal outcome analysis.
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Troubleshooting of deep brain stimulators (DBSs, Activa SC/PC/RC Medtronic PLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) sometimes results in a decision to replace a tunneled stretch-coil extension cable. We present a simple technique to accomplish this atraumatically without a tunneling tool. ⋯ A less expensive and faster technique for passing pulse generator extension cables may be the use of a sternal wire. Using the described technique, pulse generators may be quickly and safely adjusted from side to side and site to site as the clinical situation dictates.
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Indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VA) after clipping can be misleading in evaluating aneurysm exclusion when the dye is injected before clipping. This is due to indocyanine green (ICG) entrapment by the clip blades in the aneurysm dome. ⋯ The "ICG entrapment sign" can be used intraoperatively as an indirect sign of excluded aneurysm and can be helpful in the decision-making process for aneurysm treatment when ICG-VA is performed before clipping.
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Primary lactotroph disinhibition, or stalk effect, occurs when mechanical compression of the pituitary stalk disrupts the tonic inhibition by dopamine released by the hypothalamus. The resolution of pituitary stalk effect-related hyperprolactinemia postoperatively has not been studied in a large cohort of patients. We performed a retrospective review to investigate the time course of recovery of lactotroph disinhibition after transsphenoidal surgery. ⋯ Transsphenoidal surgery can provide durable normalization of serum prolactin levels and related symptoms caused by pituitary stalk compression-related lactotroph disinhibition.