Minimally invasive lumbar decompression: long-term outcome, morbidity, and the learning curve from the first 50 cases.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Objective: To describe our experience with the first 50 cases of minimally invasive lumbar canal decompression in terms of patient outcome up to 2 years, the learning curve incurred, and complications when compared with our most recent 50 cases.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar canal stenosis is a common condition in the elderly population, the symptoms of which respond well to surgical decompression.

Safety and efficacy of intradural extramedullary spinal tumor removal using a minimally invasive approach.

Background: Although minimally invasive surgery for intradural tumors offers the potential benefits of less postoperative pain, a quicker recovery, and the avoidance of long-term instability from multilevel laminectomy, there are concerns over whether one can safely and effectively remove intradural extramedullary tumors in a fashion comparable to open techniques and whether the advantages of minimally invasive surgery are clinically significant.

Objective: To review our early experience with minimally invasive techniques for intradural extramedullary tumors of the spine.

Methods: Thirteen intradural tumors (1 cervical, 6 thoracic, 6 lumbar) in 11 patients were operated on using a muscle-splitting, tube-assisted paramedian oblique approach with hemilaminectomy to access the spinal canal while preserving the spinous process and ligaments.

Promoting fusion in minimally invasive lumbar interbody stabilization with low-dose bone morphogenic protein-2--but what is the cost?

Background: Using bone morphogenic protein (BMP) to augment fusion in spine surgery is widespread and lends itself in particular to minimally invasive lumbar fusion, where the surface area for fusion is significantly less than the equivalent open procedure.

Purpose: Here we described the use of very low-dose BMP in promoting fusion in minimally invasive lumbar interbody fixation but also highlight some of the potential complications of BMP-2 use and techniques available to reduce or avoid them.

Study Design: Prospective observational study of consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion with percutaneous pedicle screws.

Epidemiological aspects of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage in Queensland, Australia.

Aims: To examine the epidemiology of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) within the population of Queensland, Australia in 2002.

Methods: A retrospective population and hospital-based survey of all cases of spontaneous SAH occurring within the population of Queensland (3.7 million) during the calendar year 2002 was performed.

Approach and considerations regarding the patient with spinal injury.

Spinal trauma often results in a complex interaction of injuries to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. This combination of biomechanical and neurological considerations provides a unique challenge to those dealing with the spinally injured patient. Proper assessment of the injuries sustained by the patient remains the initial, yet key, step in determining appropriate management.

Assessment of the learning curve for lumbar microendoscopic discectomy.

Objective: An understanding of the learning curve of a new surgical procedure is essential for its safe clinical integration, teaching, and assessment. This knowledge is currently deficient for lumbar microendoscopic discectomy (MED). The present article aims to profile the learning curve for MED of an individual surgeon in a hospital not previously exposed to this procedure.