Removal or Nonremoval of the Rib During a Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion Relative to Postoperative Pain.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Objective: To determine whether there was a difference in postoperative pain among patients undergoing direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) who had rib removal compared with those who did not.

Background: DLIF is a minimally invasive, lateral transpsoas surgical approach for spinal fusion that has a lower 2-year pain rating when compared with an open procedure.

Day one versus day zero postoperative physical therapy among patients with lumbar spinal fusion: a length of stay comparison.

Background Context: Postoperative physical therapy (PT) following lumbar spinal fusion is an effective form of postoperative rehabilitation. However, it is unknown when a postoperative PT protocol should be optimally initiated.

Purpose: This study sought to compare lengths of stay between patients on a day zero PT protocol and those on a day one PT protocol.

New diagnosis of conversion disorder following anterior lumbar interbody fusion: a case report.

Neurologic deficit after lumbar spine surgery is a rare and serious complication that must be promptly diagnosed and treated to avoid long-term neurologic disability. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is an effective technique for the treatment of recurrent disc herniation and lumbar disc degeneration. This case report describes a 20-year-old female with L5-S1 recurrent disc herniation and lumbar degeneration.

Patient Controlled Analgesia and an Alternative Protocol: A Comparison of Outcomes After Thoracic and Lumbar Surgery.

Introduction: Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) is a common form of pain management after spine surgeries, in which patients get custom control of their opioid dose. PCA has been demonstrated as a safe form of analgesia; however, use of PCA comes with risks that can be mitigated by opting for alternative pain management. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of patients using PCA to those with an alternative analgesia protocol that does not involve PCA.

Spinal subdural hygroma as a post-operative complication in revision spine fusion: a case report.

Lumbar spine fusion has become a common and effective procedure in orthopedic practice, and a spinal subdural hygroma development is a rare complication following this procedure. We report here the case of a revision lumbar spine fusion at levels L4-5, L5-S1, where the patient subsequently developed cauda equina syndrome 2 days post-operatively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a subdural, extra-arachnoid fluid collection from T12-L2, cephalad to the site of spine fusion.

Functional Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Junction Spine Fractures.

Introduction: Few studies have evaluated the functional outcomes of traumatic thoracic and lumbar vertebral body fractures. This study evaluated the functional and clinical outcomes of patients, who sustained a fracture to the thoracolumbar area of the spine (T10 to L2 region), with ≥ 25° kyphosis versus those with less kyphotic curvature.

Methods: The trauma registry records of two level 1 trauma centers using ICD-9 codes for fracture to the thoracolumbar juncture (T10 to L2 region) were reviewed.

Therapeutic effects of naringin on degenerative human nucleus pulposus cells for discogenic low back pain.

Background: Over half the population of the world will suffer from moderate or severe low back pain (LBP) during their life span. Studies have shown that naringin, a major flavonoid in grapefruit and an active compound extracted from a Chinese herbal medicine (Rhizoma Drynariae) possesses many pharmacological effects.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of naringin on the growth of degenerative human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, and its repair effects on protein and gene expressions of the cells.

Stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine: results with a 2-year follow-up.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Objective: To report outcomes of a consecutive series of patients diagnosed with degenerative disc disease (DDD) between L4 and S1, treated with stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF, either 1 or 2 levels) and use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 for bony fusion with instrumented fixation.

Summary Of Background Data: Degeneration of the lumbar spine is described as lumbar spondylosis, or DDD.

Heterotopic ossification associated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (infuse) in posterolateral lumbar spine fusion: a case report.

Study Design: A case of heterotopic ossification in the lumbar spine associated with the off-label use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is reported.

Objective: To highlight a previously unreported complication of rhBMP-2 use and to review the literature pertinent to the topic.

Summary Of Background Data: There is no report in the literature regarding a large mass of rhBMP-2-associated heterotopic ossification surrounding the paraspinal musculature.

Perioperative halo-gravity traction in the treatment of severe scoliosis and kyphosis.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of patients that underwent perioperative halo-gravity traction as an adjunct to modern instrumentation methods in the treatment of severe scoliosis and kyphosis.

Objective: To review the clinical and radiographic results of perioperative halo-gravity traction in several time periods.

Summary Of Background Data: Few reports to our knowledge review the use of perioperative and intraoperative halo-gravity traction in this patient population.

Hyperkyphosis as an indicator of syringomyelia in idiopathic scoliosis: a case report.

Study Design: A case of thoracic hyperkyphosis is reported as an atypical presentation of otherwise typical adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that showed a large syringomyelia on magnetic resonance imaging. OBJECTIVE To review atypical curve patterns that indicate the need for more intensive preoperative workup including a magnetic resonance imaging scan.

Summary Of Background Data: The literature on atypical curve patterns of adolescent "non-idiopathic" scoliosis is reviewed.