A Simple New Cost-Effective Retractor System for Exposure in Lumbar Microdiscectomy: 1-Year Outcome Analysis.

Objective: To introduce a new technique for retraction in lumbar microdiscectomy, the rubber band technique (RT), and compare 1-year clinical outcomes of the technique with standard microdiscectomy (SM).

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, 81 consecutive patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation underwent lumbar microdiscectomy by either RT or SM. The primary outcome was Oswestry Disability Index score 1 year after surgery.

Management of odontoid fractures with anterior screw fixation.

Type II odontoid fractures are prone to undergo nonunion. Stabilization of such fractures with anterior screw fixation provides rigid internal fixation and preserves C1-C2 motion. During a 5-year period, 17 patients with displaced type II fractures of the odontoid were treated Thirteen were male and four were female with a mean age of 38.