Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the semi-quantitative, pre-operative assessment of patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery.

Purpose: To compare measurements of motor evoked potential latency stimulated either magnetically (mMEP) or electrically (eMEP) and central motor conduction time (CMCT) made pre-operatively in conscious patients using transcranial and intra-operatively using electrical cortical stimulation before and after successful instrumentation for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods: A group initially of 51 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis aged 12-19 years was evaluated pre-operatively in the outpatients' department with transcranial magnetic stimulation. The neurophysiological data were then compared statistically with intra-operative responses elicited by transcranial electrical stimulation both before and after successful surgical intervention.

Effect of locally administered ciliary neurotrophic factor on the survival of transected and repaired adult sheep facial nerve.

Objective: to determine whether the administration of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) at the site of repaired facial nerve enhances regeneration in the adult sheep model.

Methods: Ten adult sheep were divided into 2 groups: control and study group (CNTF group). In the CNTF group, the buccal branch of the facial nerve was transected and then repaired by epineural sutures.

Sutureless repair of the facial nerve using biodegradable glass fabric.

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare a sutureless method of facial nerve repair using a biodegradable glass fabric with the standard method of microsurgical suture.

Study Design: The facial nerve was transected in groups of six sheep and repaired by either entubulation with a biodegradable glass fabric or standard microsurgical epineurial suture repair.

Methods: Both methods of repair were compared with each other and with a normal control group using electrophysiological and morphometric analysis.

Cardiovascular and autonomic nervous effects of edrophonium and atropine combinations during neuromuscular blockade antagonism in sheep.

Objective: To study heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (BP) and autonomic nervous (AN) effects of edrophonium-atropine combinations during neuromuscular blockade (NMB) antagonism in sheep.

Experimental Design: Randomized, prospective and experimental study.

Animals: Seventy-eight Scottish blackface ewes; mean age: 4.

Lung function in congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis.

Objective: To quantify the respiratory compromise in patients with a congenital kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis in whom the major deformity is the kyphosis.

Methods: Forty-one patients with congenital vertebral anomalies resulting in a kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis, in which the kyphosis was the major deformity, and requiring spine surgery were studied retrospectively. The preoperative respiratory function and radiographic spinal assessments were compared.

Use of a static magnetic field to promote recovery after peripheral nerve injury.

Object: While pulsed electromagnetic stimulation has been shown to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration, the effect of a static magnetic field on nerve repair is less clear. The aim of this study was to establish what effect an imposed exogenous static magnetic field has on peripheral nerve regeneration after transection and repair.

Methods: Three groups of six adult sheep were used.

An in vivo study of peripheral nerves in continuity: biomechanical and physiological responses to elongation.

Using an animal model, the in vivo visco-elastic properties of peripheral nerve in continuity were examined. The nerves were stretched by either 1 cm - Group A (8.8% strain) or 2 cm - Group B (16.