Segmental and global lordosis changes with two-level axial lumbar interbody fusion and posterior instrumentation.

Background: Loss of lumbar lordosis has been reported after lumbar interbody fusion surgery and may portend poor clinical and radiographic outcome. The objective of this research was to measure changes in segmental and global lumbar lordosis in patients treated with presacral axial L4-S1 interbody fusion and posterior instrumentation and to determine if these changes influenced patient outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, multi-center review of prospectively collected data in 58 consecutive patients with disabling lumbar pain and radiculopathy unresponsive to nonsurgical treatment who underwent L4-S1 interbody fusion with the AxiaLIF two-level system (Baxano Surgical, Raleigh NC).

Clinical and radiographic outcomes with L4-S1 axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF) and posterior instrumentation: a multicenter study.

Introduction: Previous studies have confirmed the benefits and limitations of the presacral retroperitoneal approach for L5-S1 interbody fusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of the minimally invasive axial lumbar interbody approach (AxiaLIF) for L4-S1 fusion.

Methods: In this retrospective series, 52 patients from four clinical sites underwent L4-S1 interbody fusion with the AxiaLIF two-level system with minimum 2-year clinical and radiographic follow-up (range: 24-51 months).

Newer lumbar interbody fusion techniques.

The purpose of this review is to update the reader on more recent, less invasive lumbar interbody fusion procedures. The article contains a brief history on the development of lumbar interbody fusion methods, as well as the indications and descriptions of the various open and minimally invasive procedures, their complications, and outcomes. In contrast to the more traditional open methods of performing anterior and posterior interbody fusions, surgeons doing the less invasive techniques of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, extreme lateral and direct lateral interbody fusion, and the presacral axial approach are reporting less morbidity, shorter hospital stays, high rates of fusion, and improved patient outcomes.

Retrospective analysis of L5-S1 axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF): a comparison with and without the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2.

Background Context: Since approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002, use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to promote spinal fusion is increasing.

Purpose: In this comparative analysis, the authors assess fusion rates and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent a presacral axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF) (TranS1 Inc., Wilmington, NC, USA) at L5-S1 with posterior instrumentation, with or without rhBMP-2.

Axial presacral lumbar interbody fusion and percutaneous posterior fixation for stabilization of lumbosacral isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Case series.

Objective: To describe a minimally invasive surgical technique for treatment of lumbosacral spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: Traditional surgical management of lumbosacral spondylolisthesis is technically challenging and associated with significant complications.

Minimally invasive axial presacral L5-S1 interbody fusion: two-year clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate and report the 2-year clinical and radiographic outcomes associated with a L5-S1 interbody fusion procedure that employs an axial presacral surgical approach.

Summary Of Background Data: There are a number of lumbar interbody fusion procedures used to treat painful, degenerated discs.

Ground-based demonstration of the European Laser Timing (ELT) experiment.

The development of techniques for the comparison of distant clocks and for the distribution of stable and accurate time scales has important applications in metrology and fundamental physics research. Additionally, the rapid progress of frequency standards in the optical domain is presently demanding additional efforts for improving the performances of existing time and frequency transfer links. Present clock comparison systems in the microwave domain are based on GPS and two-way satellite time and frequency transfer (TWSTFT).

Cervical radiculopathy: current diagnostic and treatment options.

Cervical nerve root compression, in contrast to nerve root irritation, results in an objective neurologic deficit of the affected nerve root. The purpose of this article is to highlight current diagnostic and treatment options that have proven efficient and safe in managing cervical root compression. The natural history of cervical disc disease and the clinical patterns and causes of cervical radiculopathy are reviewed.

The ESA payloads for Columbus--a bridge between the ISS and exploration.

As part of the European contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) Programme, ESA has developed a number of complex, pressurised and unpressurised payloads for conducting scientific investigations in a variety of disciplines, such as the life and physical sciences, technology and space science. The majority of these payloads will already be installed in ESA's Columbus Laboratory when it is launched in 2006. Many of them are ready for flight, whilst the others are approaching final acceptance.

EPM - The European Facility for human physiology research on ISS.

The European Physiology Modules (EPM) Facility is one of the four major Space Station facilities being developed within the framework of ESA's Microgravity Facilities for Columbus (MFC) programme. In order to allow a wide spectrum of physiological studies in weightlessness conditions, the facility provides the infrastructure to accommodate a variable set of scientific equipment. The initial EPM configuration supports experiments in the fields of neuroscience, bone & muscle research, cardiovascular research and metabolism.

Lumbar spinal stenosis: surgical considerations.

Spinal stenosis is an acquired or congenital narrowing of the spinal or nerve-root canals. Surgical treatment is often effective. Acquired spinal stenosis most commonly occurs in those with degenerative disk disease and arthritic facets.

Natural killer cells as potential tools in melanoma metastatic spread control.

A large basic knowledge is now available on natural killer (NK) cell biology in mice and humans. Intensive research during the 1990s has clarified many aspects on the specificity and receptors of NK cells. It is now possible to apply this knowledge to the study of NK cell responses in important medical problems.

Intervertebral spacer as an adjunct to anterior lumbar fusion. Part II. Six-month implantation in baboons.

Failure of interbody fusions in the lumbar spine are common due to reliance on the graft for structural support during healing by creeping substitution. Support of the interspace with an implant should result in improved fusion success. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of the implant in vivo and its potential as an adjunct to promote interbody arthrodesis.

Intervertebral spacer as an adjunct to anterior lumbar fusion. Part I. Design, fabrication, and testing of three prototypes.

Failure of anterior lumbar fusions are common, because the bone graft is required to provide mechanical stability during creeping substitution and replacement with host bone. Support of the interspace with mesh, cages, plates, and rods results in an improved rate of fusion. The objective of this study was to develop an anterior interbody implant to stabilize adjacent vertebral segments during spinal fusion.

Evaluation of cryopreserved bone and synthetic biomaterials in promoting spinal fusion.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of cryopreserved allograft bone and tricalcium phosphate in promoting spinal fusion. Nine 20-30 lb swine underwent posterior spinal fusion at T5-T6, T13-T14, and L2-L3. Autogenous bone, cryopreserved allograft bone, or equal parts of allograft bone and tricalcium phosphate were added to the decorticated posterior elements.

Knodt rod distraction instrumentation in lumbosacral arthrodesis.

Review of 40 patients undergoing lumbosacral fusions over a 4-year period was done to determine the value, efficiency, and safety of Knodt rod distraction instrumentation. The age range was 30-80 years. Mean age was 51 years.