Effect of forced-air warming blanket position in elective lumbar spine surgery: Intraoperative body temperature and postoperative complications.

Background: Perioperative hypothermia is linked to multiple postoperative complications including increased surgical bleeding, surgical site infection, myocardial events, and increased length of hospital stay. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of forced-air warming blanket position, above the shoulders versus under the trunk/legs, on intraoperative core body temperature and perioperative complications in elective lumbar spine surgery.

Methods: After IRB approval, patients were enrolled in a consecutive fashion and randomized to either upper body (Group I) or lower body (Group II) groups.

A biomechanical comparison of subscapularis repair techniques in total shoulder arthroplasty: lesser tuberosity osteotomy versus subscapularis peel.

Background: The subscapularis peel (SP) and the lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO) are 2 common exposure techniques for total shoulder arthroplasty. Although some biomechanical studies have suggested a higher resistance to failure with the LTO, clinical studies have demonstrated no difference in repair failure or tendon healing. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in biomechanically tested repair strength between our SP technique and the previously tested LTO technique.

Intravenous and Oral Tranexamic Acid Are Equivalent at Reducing Blood Loss in Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Study Design: A prospective randomized trial of patients enrolled at a university affiliated tertiary medical center between February and December 2017.

Objective: To compare perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing elective posterior thoracolumbar fusion who were treated with intravenous (IV) versus oral (PO) tranexamic acid (TXA).

Summary Of Background Data: The use of antifibrinolytic agents such as TXA to decrease operative blood loss and allogenic blood transfusions is well documented in the literature.

Facet Sparing Foraminal Decompression Using the Flexible Shaver Foraminotomy System: Nerve Safety, Pain Relief, and Patient Satisfaction.

Background: A number of surgical options exist for decompressing lumbar foraminal stenosis. Flexible shaver foraminotomy is a recent addition to this armamentarium. While the foraminotomy device has been incorporated into clinical practice, the literature on its safety and efficacy remain limited.

Origins of eponymous instruments in spine surgery.

Every day, spine surgeons call for instruments named after surgical pioneers. Few know the designers or the histories behind their instruments. In this paper the authors provide a historical perspective on the Penfield dissector, Leksell rongeur, Hibbs retractor, Woodson elevator, Kerrison rongeur, McCulloch retractor, Caspar pin retractor system, and Cloward handheld retractor, and a biographical review of their inventors.

Assessment of radiographic and clinical outcomes of an articulating expandable interbody cage in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVE The inability to significantly improve sagittal parameters has been a limitation of minimally invasive surgery for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Traditional cages have a limited capacity to restore lordosis. This study evaluates the use of a crescent-shaped articulating expandable cage (Altera) for MIS TLIF.

Sacroiliac stabilization for sacral metastasis: A case series.

Background: The sacrum is a rare location for spinal metastasis. These lesions are typically large and destructive by the time of diagnosis, making treatment difficult. When indicated, surgical stabilization offers pain relief and preserves independence in patients with impending and acute pathological sacral fractures.

Lateral Atlantoaxial Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Literature Review.

Lateral atlantoaxial osteoarthritis (AAOA), or C1-C2 lateral mass arthritis (LMA), is an unfamiliar degenerative cervical disease with a clinical presentation that markedly differs from subaxial spondylosis. The prevalence of LMA in the nonsurgical outpatient setting is 4%. Risk factors include age and occupation.

Chronic thoracolumbar subdural empyema: Case report and surgical management.

Background: Spinal cord abscesses and spinal subdural empyemas are rare and difficult to treat.

Case Description: A 35-year-old male presented to an outside institution with 2 months of progressive low back pain, weakness, and bowel incontinence; he was diagnosed with an L4 epidural abscess that was poorly managed. When the patient presented to our institution, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-organized chronic subdural abscess at the thoracolumbar junction.