Radiographic Study of L5-S1 Transforaminal Endoscopic Access in a Sample from the Brazilian Population.

 This study evaluated lumbar spine radiographs using the Choi and Patgaonkar classifications to verify parameters potentially influencing the L5-S1 transforaminal approach.  We studied 167 lumbosacral spine radiographs from patients over 18 years old with no history of surgeries, tumors, fractures, or scoliosis to measure the iliac crest height and rim angle. We categorized the cases per pelvic morphology, mega-apophysis presence, and Choi and Patgaonkar classifications.

Comparison of Bone Graft Preparations to Treat a Critical Bone Defect on a Rodent Animal Model.

 Although autologous bone grafting is the most widely used treatment for bone defects, the most effective preparation remains unclear. This animal study aimed to compare different autologous bone grafting preparation for the treatment of rat́s calvaria critical bone defect.  122 rats were randomly allocated into three groups: Simulado, Macerated and Chopped.

Comparative Analysis of Learning Curve, Complexity, Psychological Stress, and Work Relative Value Units for CPT 62380 Endoscopic Lumbar Spinal Decompression vs Traditional Lumbar Spine Surgeries: A Paired Rasch Survey Study.

Background: Effective 1 January 2017, single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy received a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 62380. However, no work relative value units (RVUs) are currently assigned to the procedure. An international team of endoscopic spine surgeons conducted a study, endorsed by several spine societies, analyzing the learning curve, difficulty, psychological intensity, and estimated work RVUs of endoscopic lumbar spinal decompression compared with other common lumbar spine surgeries.

Polytomous Rasch Analyses of Surgeons' Decision-Making on Choice of Procedure in Endoscopic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Decompression Surgeries.

Background: With the growing prevalence of lumbar spinal stenosis, endoscopic surgery, which incorporates techniques such as transforaminal, interlaminar, and unilateral biportal (UBE) endoscopy, is increasingly considered. However, the patient selection criteria are debated among spine surgeons.

Objective: This study used a polytomous Rasch analysis to evaluate the factors influencing surgeon decision-making in selecting patients for endoscopic surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar pain. Evaluation in a Brazilian population.

The study intended to evaluate the incidence and evolution of sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD). To reach 50 patients with SIJD diagnosis, 192 patients with low back pain and failure in conservative approach were consecutively examined (26% incidence). Initially patients underwent intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid sacroiliac joint (SIJ) block followed, if necessary, by cooled SIJ radiofrequency or referred to surgical intervention, in order of complexity.