Cortical Trajectory Pedicle Screws for the Fixation of Traumatic Thoracolumbar Fractures.

Objective Cortical bone trajectory pedicle screws (CBT) have a different trajectory compared to traditional pedicle screws (PS) and they may confer biomechanical advantages in some patient populations. We hypothesize that the placement of CBT in traumatic thoracolumbar fractures could be an alternative technique to the traditional utilization of PS. Methods Single surgeon, retrospective study was performed at a Level 1 Trauma Center from 2013 to 2017.

Timing of carotid endarterectomy after recent minor to moderate stroke.

Objective: Early carotid endartectomy is generally favored by vascular surgeons in patients after a minor to moderate stroke. Herein, we compared the results of early versus delayed carotid endartectomy in patients presenting with similar National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale findings after a recent minor to moderate stroke.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 101 patients undergoing carotid endartectomy after a recent stroke in the distribution of the branches of the middle cerebral artery with >70% internal carotid artery stenosis from 2000 to February 2018 was performed.

Rupture of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Patients with and without Antecedent Endovascular Repair.

Background: Reported results of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) in patients with antecedent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) to those presenting with de novo rupture show a similar or slightly improved outcome. The aim of this study was to compare differences in the presentation and outcomes of rAAA with and without prior EVAR.

Methods: A retrospective review of 121 patients with rAAA, ruptured identified 2 groups.

Selective shunting for carotid endarterectomy in patients with recent stroke.

Objective: Many surgeons favor routine shunting during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with recent stroke who otherwise prefer selective shunt placement for other indications of CEA. We analyzed the results of CEA in this group of patients with the strategy of selective shunting.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 59 patients (group A) undergoing CEA ≤8 weeks of a stroke (2000-2014) from two midsized teaching hospitals with stroke certification; of these, 38 patients had CEA ≤2 weeks and 21 other had CEA >2 weeks but <8 weeks.