Bacteriology of degenerated lumbar intervertebral disks.

Study Design: A prospective microbiological analysis of intervertebral disk material in surgically treated patients presenting lumbar disk degeneration.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and species of bacteria in degenerated lumbar disks, their eventual role in the pathophysiology, and the possible influence of risk factors.

Summary Of Background Data: Intervertebral disk degeneration results from biochemical, mechanical, genetic, and toxic factors.

Is preoperative embolization a prerequisite for spinal metastases surgical management?

Background: Preoperative embolization decreases the intraoperative risk of hemorrhage in spinal decompression surgery of hypervascular metastases such as renal cell carcinoma. There is no consensus concerning embolization in other metastases. The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative amount of blood loss in embolized versus non-embolized patients, seeking for differences depending on the primary tumor and the extent of surgery.

Influence of 2 different dynamic stabilization systems on sagittal spinopelvic alignment.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To analyze and compare the sagittal spinopelvic alignment variation after implantation of purely dynamic and hybrid pedicle screw-based stabilization systems, seeking for its clinical implication.

Summary Of Background Data: Numerous studies have investigated the kinematic features of pedicle screw-based dynamic stabilization systems since their clinical application.

[Pedicle closing-wedge osteotomy for the treatment of fixed sagittal imbalance].

Purpose Of The Study: The aim of this study was to analyze x-ray results in patients who underwent pedicle subtraction osteotomy for complex deformations (flat back, kyphosis) leading to fixed sagittal imbalance.

Material And Methods: Thirty-four patients underwent surgery between 1996 and March 2003 in two centers, the orthopedic surgery unit devoted to spinal surgery and sports traumatology at the Strasbourg University Hospitals and the spinal surgery unit at the Chenove Clinic (Dijon). The series included 20 women and 14 men, mean age 46.

Thoracolumbar fractures surgically treated by "in situ contouring".

This is a retrospective study on a series of 70 patients with thoracolumbar fractures (TL), surgically treated by the in situ bending technique (ISB). Its purpose is to show the performances and limits of the ISB technique for the early correction of post-traumatic spine deformities as well as to estimate the overall outcome in this series and to discuss the indications for anterior grafting. Although the management of limbs fractures is a cleared issue today, spine fractures management is still a matter of debate.