World Neurosurg
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Meeting patient expectations is believed to impact satisfaction scores; however, the influence of achieving a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is scarcely reported. This study aims to evaluate meeting patient expectations or MCID achievement for pain and disability as predictors of patient satisfaction. ⋯ Meeting preoperative expectations and achievement of an MCID for pain and disability measures was significantly associated with satisfaction. Achievement of MCID may be a more consistent and suitable replacement as a predictor of satisfaction over meeting patient expectations.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of percutaneous kyphoplasty and pedicle screw fixation for treatment of thoracolumbar severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with kyphosis.
Pedicle screw fixation (PSF) has been considered the preferred surgery for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (sOVCF), and sOVCF was traditionally regarded as a relative contraindication to minimally invasive percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). Debate has continued regarding the selection of the best surgical method for sOVCF. In the present study, we compared the efficacy and safety between PKP and PSF. ⋯ The results of the clinical and radiological evaluations showed that PKP is comparable to PSF for the treatment of sOVCF with kyphosis, with PKP having the advantages of minimal invasion, quick postoperative pain relief, and functional recovery.
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Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, medical students training in neurosurgery relied on external subinternships at institutions nationwide for immersive educational experiences and to increase their odds of matching. However, external rotations for the 2020-2021 cycle were suspended given concerns of spreading COVID-19. Our objective was to provide foundational neurosurgical knowledge expected of interns, bootcamp-style instruction in basic procedures, and preinterview networking opportunities for students in an accessible, virtual format. ⋯ Feedback on seminar quality and improvements in confidence in neurosurgical topics suggest that an interactive virtual course may be an effective means of improving students' foundational neurosurgical knowledge and providing networking opportunities before application cycles. Comparison with in-person rotations when these are reestablished may help define roles for these tools.
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Few studies have examined a possible correlation between cervical disc degeneration and disc height. The aim of this study was to establish age-related changes and sex-specific differences of cervical disc height using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate the relationship between degree of cervical disc degeneration and disc height in asymptomatic subjects. ⋯ This large-scale cross-sectional analysis of cervical spine MRI data in healthy subjects demonstrated that cervical disc height narrowing progresses with age. Cervical disc height narrowing is highly correlated with the progression of disc degeneration.
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Despite its widespread use, much is left to understand about the repercussions of parent artery temporary clipping in neurosurgery. This study seeks a better comprehension of the subject by aiming at the online measurement of brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO2) during such events. ⋯ The effects of temporary arterial occlusion on temporal lobe oxygenation demonstrate a high degree of singularity, highlighting the potential benefits of assessing individual available collateral circulation intraoperatively. The "PbtO2 steepest slope" predicted the severity of PbtO2 decrease and was available within the first minute.