Efficacy of Liposomal Bupivacaine in Reducing Opioid Use After Posterior Lumbar Spinal Decompression and Fusion.

Background: Despite improvements in drug therapy and treatment of lumbar spinal disorders, dependence on opioid medication for postoperative pain control remains a concern nationwide. This study assessed the ability to diminish the reliance on opioid medication postoperatively with the Food and Drug Administration-approved local anesthetic liposomal bupivacaine in open posterior lumbar decompression and fusion procedures. In addition, the possible effects of this modality on other parameters were studied regarding patients and their recovery.

Evaluation of a novel pedicle probe for the placement of thoracic and lumbosacral pedicle screws.

Background: Pedicle screw instrumentation is common in the lumbar spine and is gaining acceptance in the thoracic spine. The pedicle is generally cannulated with a gearshift probe or curette. SafePath (Mekanika, Boca Raton, FL) is an alternative pedicle probe designed for pedicle cannulation.