Biomechanical effect of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and axial interbody threaded rod on range of motion and S1 screw loading in a destabilized L5-S1 spondylolisthesis model.

Study Design: A cadaveric lumbosacral spondylolytic spondylolisthesis model was used to evaluate the biomechanical function of 2 different interbody spacers.

Objective: To analyze and compare the reduction in pedicle screw strain and spine range of motion (ROM) between transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and an axial interbody threaded rod (AxialITR) in a destabilized L5-S1 spondylolisthesis model.

Summary Of Background Data: Symptomatic spondylolytic spondylolisthesis is often treated with posterior instrumented fusion augmented by a variety of different interbody devices.

Biomechanical analysis of sacral screw strain and range of motion in long posterior spinal fixation constructs: effects of lumbosacral fixation strategies in reducing sacral screw strains.

Study Design: A cadaveric biomechanical experiment was conducted to assess the range of motion (ROM) and screw strain at S1 in a long instrumented spinal fusion construct to compare the effects of various surgical strategies for L5-S1 stabilization.

Objective: To directly quantify and compare S1 screw strains and lumbosacral ROM for 4 different L2-S1 posterior segmental instrumented fusion constructs: an L2-S1 pedicle screw (PS) construct alone and PS with each of 3 different augmentations, anterior lumbar intebody fusion (ALIF), anterior axial interbody threaded rod (AxiaLITR), or iliac screws.

Summary Of Background Data: Iliac screws and anterior interbody devices are commonly used as augmentation to reduce the incidence of S1 screw loosening in long fusion constructs.

New operative method for fundal variceal bleeding: fundectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization.

Cirrhotic patients with gastric fundal bleeding occasionally require operative intervention. Fundal variceal bleeding may be controlled by performing a fundectomy in addition to periesophagogastric devascularization. For 23 patients with cirrhosis, preoperative nonsurgical intervention alone could not achieve definitive control of variceal bleeding from the gastric fundus, and periesophagogastric devascularization with the fundectomy--specifically resection of the varix-bearing lesion in the fundus--was performed.

Laparoscopy-assisted D2 subtotal gastrectomy in early gastric cancer.

The purpose of this study is to prove the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection using 4 ports and an EEA stapler with a Billroth I anastomosis. From 1999 to 2001, 20 patients with EGC located in the distal stomach underwent laparoscopy-assisted Billroth I gastrectomy (LABIG). A 4-port-technique was performed for omentectomy, vascular ligation, and D2 lymph node dissection.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

Although the standard method to manage gastric cancer is still radical gastrectomy, minimally invasive surgery is of great interest in early gastric cancer because of its potential impact on improving the quality of life, if the disease is curable. With its degree of technical difficulty, laparoscopic total gastrectomy has not yet met with widespread acceptance. However, using a hand-access device, a total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy with a D1 plus alpha lymph node dissection and omentectomy with an Ultrashear was performed in its entirety.