Minimally Invasive Endoscopic-Assisted Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Technical Report and Preliminary Results.

Objective: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a highly useful lumbar fusion surgical technique for degenerative spinal disease. However, many complications have already been reported. The purpose of this study is to report the concept, surgical technique, and clinical results of the first 70 consecutive cases treated with a safer and minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted LLIF (ELLIF).

Ultrasound-guided single shot caudal block anesthesia reduces postoperative urinary catheter-induced discomfort.

Background: Urinary catheter-induced discomfort during the postoperative period can be distressing, and sometimes results in severe restlessness and agitation, especially in middle-aged and elderly male patients. Recent advances in ultrasound technology have increased the consistency, safety, and ease of a caudal block even in older patients. We speculated that an ultrasound-guided caudal block would be reliable and safe as treatment for such postoperative discomfort.