The Safety and Efficacy of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusions in the Outpatient Setting.

Introduction Outpatient surgical procedures have shown reduced costs, improved patient outcomes, and decreased postoperative complications. Interest in moving orthopedic and neurosurgical spine procedures to the outpatient setting has grown in recent years because of these factors. Studies investigating open posterior lumbar interbody fusions (PLIFs) in the outpatient setting are sparse.

Effects of spine loading in a patient with post-decompression lumbar disc herniation: observations using an open weight-bearing MRI.

Purpose: Our objective was to use an open weight-bearing MRI to identify the effects of different loading conditions on the inter-vertebral anatomy of the lumbar spine in a post-discectomy recurrent lumbar disc herniation patient.

Methods: A 43-year-old male with a left-sided L5-S1 post-decompression re-herniation underwent MR imaging in three spine-loading conditions: (1) supine, (2) weight-bearing on standing (WB), and (3) WB with 10 % of body mass axial loading (WB + AL) (5 % through each shoulder). A segmentation-based proprietary software was used to calculate and compare linear dimensions, angles and cross sections across the lumbar spine.

A finite element analysis of sacroiliac joint ligaments in response to different loading conditions.

Study Design: A finite element analysis of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and its associated ligaments utilizing a three-dimensional model constructed from computed tomography scans.

Objective: To characterize the sacroiliac ligament strains in response to flexion, extension, and axial rotation loads and quantify the changes in SIJ stress and angular displacement in response to changes in ligament stiffness.

Summary Of Background Data: The SIJ may be a major contributor to low back pain in up to 13% to 30% of patients.

Seven-year follow-up of vertebral excision and reconstruction for malignant hemangioendothelioma of bone.

Study Design: This study reports the 7-year follow-up of an L5 vertebral hemangioendothelioma treated with tumor excision and allograft reconstruction stabilized with transpedicular fixation.

Objectives: A review of vertebral hemangioendotheliomas is provided to outline the rationale for surgical excision in such cases.

Summary Of Background Data: Radiation therapy has been the mainstay of therapy in surgically inaccessible lesions of the spine.

Endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel release: clinical results.

This article reviews the results of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery. Comparison with a matched population of patients undergoing standard open carpal tunnel release was performed with respect to safety and return to work times. The newer technique was found to be safe because no surgical complications were noted in the study group.