Incidence, Risk Factors, and Functional Outcomes of Symptomatic Postoperative Spinal Epidural Hematoma: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Symptomatic postoperative spinal epidural hematomas (PEDHs) are rare complications, with significant implications on patients' functional outcomes. Strategies for PEDH prevention are poorly understood. This study sought to evaluate preoperative and intraoperative variables predicting the risk of PEDH and patients' functional outcomes after PEDH evacuation.

Minimally invasive robot-assisted direct pars repair: illustrative cases.

Background: Robot-assisted techniques are increasingly integrated into the field of spine surgery, with the potential benefits of increased accuracy and reduced radiation exposure. The objective of this study was to describe the technique of minimally invasive robot-assisted direct pars repair with 2 case illustrations.

Observations: An 18-year-old male and a 42-year-old male, both with bilateral L5 spondylolysis, underwent successful minimally invasive L5 direct pars repairs with robotic assistance after conservative measures failed, and their cases are presented herein.

The contribution of E3D imaging integrated with robotic navigation: analysis of the first 80 consecutive posterior spinal fusion cases.

Eighty consecutive complex spinal robotic cases utilizing intraoperative 3D CT imaging (E3D, Group 2) were compared to 80 age-matched controls using the Excelsius robot alone with C-arm Fluoroscopic registration (Robot Only, Group 1). The demographics between the two groups were similar-severity of deformity, ASA Score for general anesthesia, patient age, gender, number of spinal levels instrumented, number of patients with prior spinal surgery, and amount of neurologic compression. The intraoperative CT scanning added several objective factors improving patient safety.

Use of a Smartphone Application for Spine Surgery Improves Patient Adherence with Preoperative Instructions and Decreases Last-minute Surgery Cancellations.

Background: Smartphone applications (apps) are being increasingly utilized in the health care arena to improve patient care and outcomes.

Objective: To further demonstrate the ability of a smartphone app to improve patient compliance with preoperative instructions and to decrease the number of last-minute surgery cancellations.

Methods: Patients undergoing spine surgery were prospectively accrued.

Unilateral C1 Sagittal Split Fractures: An Unusual Entity Revisited.

Background: An isolated, unilateral fracture of the C1 lateral mass is a rare condition that has been only minimally described in the literature. Historically, these fractures have predominantly been managed conservatively with either external immobilization or traction.

Case Description: We review the literature and present 2 patients that presented after failing conservative management, but demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes after surgical treatment.

Implementation and Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for the Perioperative Care of Neurosurgery Patients at an Academic Medical Center: Implications for Patient Satisfaction, Surgery Cancelations, and Readmissions.

Background: Smartphone applications (apps) in the health care arena are being increasingly developed with the aim of benefiting both patients and their physicians. The delivery of adequate instructions both before and after a procedure or surgery is of paramount importance in ensuring the best possible outcome for patients.

Objective: To demonstrate that app-based instructions with built-in reminders may improve patient understanding and compliance and contribute to reducing the number of surgery cancellations and postoperative complications and readmissions.

Complication Rate in Minimally Invasive Revision Lumbar Discectomy: A Case Series and Technical Note.

Revision lumbar discectomy, given the disruption of anatomic planes, can be a more technically complicated operation. Historically, it may have higher complication rates than first-time microdiscectomy. Recently, minimally invasive tubular discectomy (MITD) has been reported as an equivalent treatment to traditional approaches and may have better utility for revision surgery.

Relief of Lumbar Symptoms After Cervical Decompression in Patients with Tandem Spinal Stenosis Presenting with Primarily Lumbar Pain.

Objective: Tandem cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis (TSS) is classically described as intermittent claudication, gait disturbance, and clinical findings of mixed myelopathy and polyradiculopathy. Rarely, patients can present with TSS manifesting in isolated lumbar pain. Several reports have demonstrated improved lumbar back pain and radiculopathy after decompressive cervical spine procedures.

The emergent dynamics of isotype switch.

The supplanting of the 1° IgM response by the 2° isotype-switched response is one of the best known phenomena of immune system dynamics. Given that the conditions determining which B cells will switch isotype and which ones will not are intrinsic to the entities of the immune system, it should be possible to predict the effects that the small-scale (e.g.