Thermographic assessment of skin temperature after lumbar spine surgery: Useful method for detection of wound complications? A pilot study.

Background: Wound complications after lumbar spine surgery may result in prolonged hospitalization and increased morbidity. Early identification can trigger appropriate management.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of infrared-based wound assessment (FLIR) after lumbar spine surgery in the context of identifying wound healing disorders.

The projected increase of vertebral osteomyelitis in Germany implies a demanding challenge for future healthcare management of aging populations.

Purpose: Since an increase in the occurrence of native vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is expected and reliable projections are missing, it is urgent to provide a reliable forecast model and make it a part of future health care considerations.

Methods: Comprehensive nationwide data provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany were used to forecast total numbers and incidence rates (IR) of VO as a function of age and gender until 2040. Projections were done using autoregressive integrated moving average model on historical data from 2005 to 2019 in relation to official population projections from 2020 to 2040.

Navigation versus fluoroscopy in minimalinvasive iliosacral screw placement.

Introduction: When needed operative treatment of sacral fractures is mostly performed with percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation. The advantage of navigation in insertion of pedicle screws already could be shown by former investigations. The aim of this investigation was now to analyze which influence iliosacral screw placement guided by navigation has on duration of surgery, radiation exposure and accuracy of screw placement compared to the technique guided by fluoroscopy.

Increased stability due to symmetric cement volume in augmented pedicle screws? A biomechanical study.

Pedicle screw instrumentation has become "state of the art" in surgical treatment of many spinal disorders. Loosening of pedicle screws due to poor bone mineral density is a frequent complication in osteoporotic patients. As prevalence of osteoporosis and spinal disorders are increasing with an aging demographic, optimizing the biomechanical properties of pedicle screw constructions and therefore outcome after spinal surgery in osteoporotic patients is a key factor in future surgical therapy.

Is human bone matrix a sufficient augmentation method revising loosened pedicle screws in osteoporotic bone? - A biomechanical evaluation of primary stability.

Introduction: Despite good screw anchorage and safe screw trajectory, screw loosening occurs in several cases, especially in osteoporotic individuals. The aim of this biomechanical analysis was to evaluate the primary stability of revision screw placement in individuals with reduced bone quality. Therefore, revision via enlarged diameter screws was compared to the use of human bone matrix as augmentation to improve the bone stock and screw coverage.

When to remove? Evaluation of postoperative drainage volume after single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: prospective, observational.

Background: Wound drainage's indwelling duration and general use are the centre of ongoing discussion. The aim of our prospective observational study was to evaluate the total drainage volume postoperatively and its course after lumbar interbody fusion surgeries to define an ideal point in time for drainage removal.

Is the rod necessary? Biomechanical comparison of static knee spacers during axial loading.

Background: Knee Spacers are required in two-stage revision surgery of periprosthetic joint infection of the knee. Extended bone and ligamentous defects are often temporarily arthrodised via a static spacer. Regarding their weight-bearing potential and construction, there is no current consent.

The influence of orthopedic surgery on the incidence of post-operative delirium in geriatric patients: results of a prospective observational study.

Background: Postoperative delirium (PD) is a major concern in geriatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. This prospective observational study aims to examine the incidence of PD, to identify intervention-specific risk factors and to investigate the influence of orthopedic surgery on delirium.

Methods: From 2019 to 2020, 132 patients ≥70 years of age with endoprosthetic (Group E) or spinal surgery (Group S) were included.

Omission of tranexamic acid does not increase the amount of perioperative blood transfusions in patients undergoing one-level spinal fusion surgery: a retrospective propensity score-matched noninferiority study.

Introduction: Application of tranexamic acid (TXA) in spine surgery is very frequent even without signs of hyperfibrinolysis, although its beneficial blood-saving effects are offset by harmful adverse events such as thromboembolic incidents. Thus, we investigated whether in relatively less invasive spinal procedures such as one-level posterior spinal fusion, omission of TXA affects the requirement for blood transfusions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective propensity score-matched noninferiority study with 212 patients who underwent one-level posterior spine fusion and who were stratified according to whether they received TXA intraoperatively at our tertiary care center.

Closed-suction drainage in thoracolumbar spinal surgery-clinical routine without evidence? a systematic review.

Purpose: The considered benefit of surgical drain use after spinal surgery is to prevent local accumulation of a haematoma by decompressing the closed space in the approach of the surgical site. In this context, the aim of the present systematic review was to prove the benefit of the routine use of closed-suction drains.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review of the literature according to the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist and algorithm.

Osteoporotic mid-thoracic vertebral body fractures: what are the differences compared to fractures of the lumbar spine?-a systematic review.

Purpose: The aim of this systematically review is to detect differences between fractures located at the mid-thoracic spine compared to fractures of the thoracolumbar junction (TLJ) and the lumbar spine in osteoporotic vertebral body fractures.

Methods: This review is based on articles retrieved by a systematic search in the PubMed and Web of Science database for publications regarding osteoporotic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine with respect to the fracture location. Differences in prevalence, cause of fracture, fracture healing, and outcomes between the mid-thoracic spine and the TLJ and the lumbar spine were considered.

Suggestion of a safe zone for C1 pedicle screws depending on anatomical peculiarities.

Objective: For surgical treatment of instable upper cervical injuries, the Harms technique using lateral mass screws provides rigid fixation and favourable clinical outcomes. The use of the posterior arch of C1 as a "pedicle" allows for screw anchorage, giving improved biomechanical stability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to introduce a bilateral safe zone for C1 pedicle screws, regarding screw angulation and pedicle height.

Scoliosis and Prognosis-a systematic review regarding patient-specific and radiological predictive factors for curve progression.

Introduction: Idiopathic scoliosis, defined as a > 10° curvature of the spine in the frontal plane, is one of the most common spinal deformities. Age, initial curve magnitude and other parameters define whether a scoliotic deformity will progress or not. Still, their interactions and amounts of individual contribution are not fully elaborated and were the aim of this systematic review.

Comparison of Different Approaches in Lumbosacral Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We aimed to systematically review the literature to analyze the differences in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), focusing on the complications, risk factors, and fusion rate of each approach. Spinal fusion surgery is a well-established surgical procedure for a variety of indications, and different approaches developed. The various approaches and their advantages, as well as approach-related pathology and complications, are well investigated in spinal surgery.

Impact of the Vestibular System on the Formation and Progression to Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Review of Literature.

The physiopathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis remains unknown. However, a multifactorial pathogenesis is being assumed. Besides biomechanical, biochemical, and genetic factors, some studies have focused on congenital or acquired abnormalities in the vestibular organ with consecutive development of scoliosis.

Biomechanical effects of posterior pedicle screw-based instrumentation using titanium versus carbon fiber reinforced PEEK in an osteoporotic spine human cadaver model.

Background: Aim of this biomechanical investigation was to compare the biomechanical effects of a carbon fiber reinforced PEEK and titanium pedicle screw/rod device in osteoporotic human cadaveric spine.

Methods: Ten human fresh-frozen cadaveric lumbar spines (L1-L5) have been used and were randomized into two groups according to the bone mineral density. A monosegmental posterior instrumentation (L3-L4) using titanium pedicle screws and rods was carried out in group A and using carbon fiber reinforced PEEK in group B.

Implant-Associated Infection of Long-Segment Spinal Instrumentation: A Retrospective Analysis of 46 Consecutive Patients.

Study Design: This single-center retrospective study analyzed patients with an implant-associated infection of spinal instrumentation (four or more segments) treated between 2010 and 2018.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the treatment of implant-associated infections of long-segment spinal instrumentation and to define risk factors for implant removal.

Overview Of Literature: Implant-associated infection occurs in 0.

Impact of lordotic cages in the restoration of spinopelvic parameters after dorsal lumbar interbody fusion: a retrospective case control study.

Purpose: Aim of this study was to compare the reconstruction of radiological sagittal spinopelvic parameters between lordotic (10°) and normal cages (0°) after dorsal lumbar spondylodesis.

Methods: This retrospective monocentric study included patients who received dorsal lumbar spondylodesis between January 2014 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria were degenerative lumbar diseases and mono- or bi-segmental fusions in the middle and lower lumbar region.

Quality of life and mortality after surgical treatment for vertebral osteomyelitis (VO): a prospective study.

Purpose: Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) has a high mortality and leads to chronic pain and functional disability. Surgical treatment is often necessary. To date, little is known about the consequences of surgery on patient outcome.

Early Spinal Injury Stabilization in Multiple-Injured Patients: Do All Patients Benefit?

Background: Thoracolumbar spine fractures in multiple-injured patients are a common injury pattern. The appropriate timing for the surgical stabilization of vertebral fractures is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of the timing of spinal surgery in multiple-injured patients both in general and in respect to spinal injury severity.

Probe versus drill: A biomechanical evaluation of two different pedicle preparation techniques for pedicle screw fixation in human cadaveric osteoporotic spine.

Background: Aim of this biomechanical study was to investigate the anchorage of pedicle screws in osteoporotic vertebrae using two different preparation techniques (probe versus drill-assisted).

Methods: Twelve thoracic vertebrae were used for the study. The right and left pedicles of the vertebra were prepared with a thoracic probe or a 3.

Anatomical investigation of the segmental vessels for the right-sided anterior surgical approach to the thoracic spine: a human cadaver study.

Purpose: Anterior surgical approaches to the thoracic spine are common procedures for the treatment of many diseases of the thoracic spine. Purpose of this anatomic study is to investigate the course of the segmental vessels of the thoracic spine for the anterior and lateral transthoracic approach from the right side.

Methods: 26 formalin-fixed human cadavers (20 femaless/6 male) with an average age of 84.

The sacral screw placement depending on morphological and anatomical peculiarities.

Purpose: Various pathologies of the lumbosacral junction require fusion of the L5/S1 segment. However, pseudarthroses, which often come along with sacral screw loosening, are problematic. The aim of the present investigation was to elaborate the morphological features of the L5/S1 segment to define a so-called "safe zone" for bi- or tricortical screw placement without risking a damage of the iliac vessels.