World Neurosurg
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The fence post technique, which involves insertion of catheters as fence posts around a tumor, has been widely used to demarcate the tumor border for maximal resection of intraparenchymal tumors, such as gliomas. However, a standard procedure for fence post insertion has not been established, and there are some limitations. To overcome this problem, a simple microscopic navigation-guided fence post technique was developed. The feasibility and efficacy of this novel technique during glioma surgery were assessed. ⋯ Clinical experience indicated that the microscopic navigation-guided fence post technique, in which fence posts can be placed without requiring the surgeon to take their eyes off the microscope, is safe and useful in glioma surgery.
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Single-position surgery in prone position is a novel technique for lateral interbody fusion with pedicle screw fixation. We performed a radiographic comparison of patients treated for spondylolisthesis using the prone lateral (PL) transpsoas approach versus the traditional dual position (DP) approach (lateral decubitus then prone). ⋯ This is the first study to our knowledge to demonstrate an improvement in segmental lordosis for patients with single-level spondylolisthesis using the PL approach.
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Effectiveness of a Standardized External Ventricular Drain Placement Protocol for Infection Control.
Placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is a common procedure routinely completed at bedside by neurosurgical residents. A standardized protocol for placement and maintenance of an EVD is potentially useful. ⋯ Adherence to a standard EVD placement protocol is useful in maintaining a low risk of ERI regardless of the duration of catheter utilization. Replacement of the catheter through the same access hole as the original catheter is associated with an increased risk of ERI.
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Thoracolumbar corpectomy and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation is becoming the standard method for correcting and stabilizing malalignment of spine, as is often seen in osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Nowadays, this procedure can be performed in a single lateral position with navigation. For an osteoporotic spine, accurate rod bending is necessary to prevent screw back-out. We describe a new technique using the spinal rod-bending system in a single lateral position. ⋯ Minimally invasive surgery thoracolumbar corpectomy using a computer-assisted spinal rod-bending system is a valuable technique to reduce screw back-out for osteoporotic vertebrae. With this new technique, the rod bending becomes easy, even for long PPS fusion with the severe osteoporotic or deformity patient in a single lateral position.
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To review the authors' surgical experience with radical temporal bone resection (TBR) with an emphasis on the classification of skull base osteotomy and transcranial tympanotomy (TCT) that is required for middle ear transection. ⋯ Our newly proposed osteotomy classification of radical TBR is suitable for minute but clinically important adjustment of the osteotomy line. TCT is an indispensable technique for M1 osteotomy; our newly proposed classification expands our understanding of TCT and how to incorporate this technique into radical TBR.