Publications by authors named "Felix C Stengel"
Background Context: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate.
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis.
Background: Accurate assessment of a patient's functional status is crucial for determining the need for treatment and evaluating outcomes. Objective functional impairment (OFI) measures, alongside patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), have been proposed for spine diseases. The Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test, typically administered by healthcare professionals, is a well-studied OFI measure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Transforaminal anterior release (TFAR) is a technical extension of the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedure with deliberate release of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL).
Methods: In a retrospective, single-center observational cohort study, consecutive adult patients undergoing TLIF surgery at L4/L5 and/or L5/S1 between 01/2018 and 12/2022 for degenerative disc disease or deformity were considered. The TFAR group (with ALL release) was compared to a standard TLIF group (without ALL release), matched in a 1:3 ratio.
Article Synopsis
- Imposter syndrome (IS) is a common psychological issue affecting many professionals, particularly in competitive fields like neurosurgery, where a European survey found 94% of young neurosurgeons show symptoms of IS.
- The survey involved 232 participants and assessed demographics, IS levels using the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Survey (CIPS), and possible compensatory behaviors.
- Results indicated that IS was linked to experience level and sex, with male neurosurgeons being less likely to experience intense IS, while reading more than five articles weekly increased the risk, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to support affected individuals.
Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) based large language models (LLM) contain enormous potential in education and training. Recent publications demonstrated that they are able to outperform participants in written medical exams.
Research Question: We aimed to explore the accuracy of AI in the written part of the EANS board exam.
Introduction: Technological advancements provided several preoperative tools allowing for precise preoperative planning in cranial neurosurgery, aiming to increase the efficacy and safety of surgery. However, little data are available regarding if and how young neurosurgeons are trained in using such technologies, how often they use them in clinical practice, and how valuable they consider these technologies.
Research Question: How frequently these technologies are used during training and clinical practice as well as to how their perceived value can be qualitatively assessed.
Article Synopsis
- Anterior-only multilevel cervical decompression and fusion surgery (AMCS) is complex due to potential complications and unclear outcome predictors, particularly in patients with mild to moderate cervical kyphosis.
- The study analyzed 244 patients undergoing AMCS, identifying key measurements like cervical lordosis (CL) and sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) to assess clinical outcomes.
- Results showed that improving fusion angle (FA) and cSVA were linked to better outcomes, with higher rates of non-union in patients with worse preoperative alignment; overall, 41% of patients achieved the best outcomes.
Introduction: Modern technologies are increasingly applied in neurosurgical resident training. To date, no data are available regarding how frequently these are used in the training of neurosurgeons, and what the perceived value of this technology is.
Research Question: The aim was to benchmark the objective as well as subjective experience with modern- and conventional training technologies.
Study Design: Retrospective, single-center case study.
Objective: Postoperative cervical imbalance with cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) >4 cm can be predicted in 3-level to 5-level anterior-only cervical multilevel fusion surgery (ACMS).
Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies established correlations between cervical kyphosis (CK) correction and postoperative balance (cSVA ≤4 cm) with improved clinical outcomes.