World Neurosurg
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Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) implementation in spinal surgery has expanded rapidly over the past decade. This systematic review summarizes the use of AR/VR technology in surgical education, preoperative planning, and intraoperative guidance. ⋯ AR/VR technologies have the potential to usher in a paradigm shift in spine surgery. However, the current evidence indicates there is still a need for 1) defined quality and technical requirements for AR/VR devices, 2) more intraoperative studies that explore usage outside of pedicle screw placement, and 3) technological advancements to overcome registration errors via the development of an automatic registration method.
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Neurosurgical capacity building efforts attempt to address the shortage of neurosurgeons and lack of neurosurgical capacity in low- and middle-income countries. This review sought to characterize neurosurgical capacity building efforts in low- and middle-income countries and the challenges they face, and identify factors that predict higher engagement, better training, and performance of high-impact activities. ⋯ Training and twinning programs are more engaged, offer better training, and are more likely to perform high-impact activities compared to mission trips and training camps, suggesting that these types of programs offer the greatest chance of producing substantial and sustainable improvements to neurosurgical capacity.
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Multicenter Study
A Multicenter Study Investigating the Surgeon Experience with a Robotic-Assisted Exoscope as Part of the Neurosurgical Armamentarium.
Improvement of visualization tools in neurosurgery such as the exoscope has raised the question of how this technology compares to the conventional microscope for surgeon ergonomics, discomfort, and patient outcomes. Exoscopes have the advantage of greater optical zoom, resolution, and illumination at a lower light intensity. Heads-up display for both the primary surgeon and other assistants permits neutral positioning of the surgeons while placing the camera in more angled positions. In a survey sample, this study assesses the surgeon experience utilizing 3D exoscope in general neurosurgery cases. ⋯ The exoscope provides excellent delineation of tissue with high resolution. Surgeon pain was markedly reduced with the robotic exoscope when compared with conventional technology, which may reduce work-related injury and fatigue, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
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Meta Analysis
Opioid versus non-opioid analgesia for craniotomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Despite the use of intraoperative opioid analgesia, postoperative pain is often reported by patients undergoing craniotomies. Opioids also cause undesirable side effects in neurosurgical patients. Hence, the role of nonopioid analgesia has been explored for craniotomies in recent years. ⋯ There were no important differences in clinical outcomes between the groups in our review. The GRADE certainty of evidence was rated low for most outcomes. Available evidence does not suggest superiority of intraoperative nonopioid over opioid analgesia for postoperative pain in patients undergoing craniotomy. More studies are needed to firmly establish the role of nonopioid intraoperative analgesics as an alternative to opioids in this population.
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In patients with Chiari malformation type 1 (CMI) presenting with low intracranial compliance (ICC), foramen magnum decompression (FMD) often fails and the complication rate may be higher. We therefore routinely perform a preoperative assessment of ICC from intracranial pressure measurement. Patients with low ICC are treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) before FMD. In this study, we assess the outcome of patients with low ICC, compared with patients with high ICC treated with FMD alone. ⋯ By identifying patients with CMI associated with low ICC and tailoring their treatment by VPS before FMD, we achieved favorable clinical and radiologic outcomes comparable to those with high ICC.