Retrospective analysis of medium-term outcomes following anterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery performed in a tertiary spinal surgical centre.

Introduction: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) can treat spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease and pseudoarthrosis. This approach facilitates complete discectomy, disc space distraction, indirect decompression of neural foramina and placement of large interbody devices. Several intra- and postoperative complications can be attributed to the anterior approach: vascular/visceral injury, hypogastric plexus injury and urogenital consequences.

The role of Vertebral Augmentation Procedures in the management of vertebral compression fractures secondary to multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a systemic disorder characterised by proliferation of B-lymphocytes and plasma cells in the bone marrow. The primary aims of the management of spinal lesions in MM are pain control and fracture stabilisation. Vertebral augmentation procedures (VAP) can be subdivided into percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP).

Does titanium cage subsidence affect clinical outcomes in ACDF surgery? A tertiary centre experience.

Background: Cage subsidence after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery has been well documented with rates of up to 40%. Cages fill the void after cervical discectomy and promote fusion. These materials have different biomechanical profiles with differing rates of subsidence.

A Review of the Clinical Utility of Therapeutic Facet Joint Injections in Whiplash Associated Cervical Spinal Pain.

Background And Objective: Whiplash neck injury was described by Crowe in 1928. Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) is defined as a cervical spinal injury following an acceleration-deceleration mechanism. It is a constellation of symptoms due to psychological factors and neural adaptations, with significant social costs.

Is Preexisting Cervical Degeneration a Risk Factor for Poor Prognosis in Whiplash-Associated Disorder?

Background: The term describes the acceleration-deceleration mechanism of injury to the cervical spine. Whiplash injuries present with a variety of clinical and psychological manifestations, collectively termed as (WADs). Although largely self-limiting, some patients may experience long-lasting symptoms.

Chronic Low Back Pain Occurring in Association With Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Background: This review paper outlines recent advances in diagnostic criteria for hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and its association with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), as well as current literature on the association between joint hypermobility syndrome and lumbar back pain. We outline the optimal multidisciplinary management of lumbar back pain in the context of joint hypermobility syndrome, as well as the indications and possible side effects of surgical management of patients with these conditions.Several studies have suggested a link between chronic low back pain and hypermobility.

Lumbar Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Breach Rates: A Comparison of Robotic Navigation Platform Versus Conventional Techniques.

Study Design: Cadaveric study.

Summary Of Background Data: Pedicle screw fixation is an established means of stabilizing the thoracic and lumbar spine. However, there are associated complications including pedicle breach which can result in neurological injury, durotomy, vascular injury, and suboptimal fixation.

The role of artificial intelligence in orthopaedic surgery.

Despite significant advances in orthopaedic surgery, variability still exists between providers and practice locations, and process inefficiencies are found throughout the health care continuum. Evolving technologies, namely artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo by improving patient care in four areas: diagnosis, management, research and systems analysis. Artificial intelligence shows promise in promoting practice efficiency, personalizing patient care, improving institutional research capacity, and expanding high quality orthopaedic care to lower resource settings.

Assessment and management of adult spinal deformities.

Adult spinal deformity is a complex condition, increasing in prevalence, and occurring in a patient population in which it poses unique challenges. This review provides an overview of adult spinal deformity with a particular focus on its clinical evaluation, radiological assessment and classification, reviewing the current literature and amalgamating this with the authors' clinical experience.

Blunt vertebral vascular injury in trauma patients: ATLS recommendations and review of current evidence.

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) encompasses two distinct clinical entities: traumatic carotid artery injury (TCAI) and traumatic vertebral artery injury (TVAI). The latter is the focus of our review. These are potentially devastating injuries which pose a diagnostic challenge in the acute trauma setting.

Review article: Surgical approaches for correction of post-tubercular kyphosis.

This study reviewed the literature regarding the pros and cons of various surgical approaches (anterior, anterolateral, combined, and posterior) for correction of post-tubercular kyphosis. The anterior and anterolateral approaches are effective in improving neurological deficit but not in correcting kyphosis. The combined anterior and posterior approach and the posterior approach combined with 3-column osteotomy achieve good neurological improvement and kyphosis correction.

The routine use of tranexamic acid in hip and knee replacements.

Purpose: Our aim was to determine whether the administration of intravenous tranexamic acid is a safe and effective means of reducing blood loss associated with hip and knee replacement surgery.

Method: Sequential cohort study analysing hemoglobin titers, transfusion rates, and the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing hip and knee replacements with and without the administration of tranexamic acid at the time of induction. Finally, a cost benefit analysis was performed.

Nasu-hakola syndrome: an unusual cause of pathological fractures.

Nasu-Hakola syndrome is a hereditary cause of pathological fractures. Uniquely, patients also develop neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs. The disease is ultimately fatal.

Subaxial cervical juxtafacet cysts: single institution surgical experience and literature review.

Objectives: Juxtafacet cysts (JFCs) of the subaxial cervical spine are rare causes of neurological deficits. Their imaging characteristics, relationship to segmental instability, and potential for inducing acute symptomatic deterioration have only been described in a few case reports and small case series. The objective of the current study was to review the surgical experience at our center and across the literature to better define these variables.

Patterns in neurosurgical adverse events: intracranial neoplasm surgery.

Object: Neurosurgery is a high-risk specialty currently undertaking the pursuit of systematic approaches to measuring and improving outcomes. As part of a project to devise evidence-based safety interventions for specialty surgery, the authors sought to review current evidence in cranial tumor resection concerning the frequency of adverse events in practice, their patterns, and current methods of reducing the occurrence of these events. This review represents part of a series of papers written to consolidate information about these events and preventive measures as part of an ongoing effort to ascertain the utility of devising system-wide policies and safety tools to improve neurosurgical practice.

Patterns in neurosurgical adverse events: open cerebrovascular neurosurgery.

Object: As part of a project to devise evidence-based safety interventions for specialty surgery, we sought to review current evidence concerning the frequency of adverse events in open cerebrovascular neurosurgery and the state of knowledge regarding methods for their reduction. This review represents part of a series of papers written to consolidate information about these events and preventive measures as part of an ongoing effort to ascertain the utility of devising system-wide policies and safety tools to improve neurosurgical practice.

Methods: The authors performed a PubMed search using search terms "cerebral aneurysm", "cerebral arteriovenous malformation", "intracerebral hemorrhage", "intracranial hemorrhage", "subarachnoid hemorrhage", and "complications" or "adverse events.

Patterns in neurosurgical adverse events: endovascular neurosurgery.

As part of a project to devise evidence-based safety interventions for specialty surgery, the authors sought to review current evidence in endovascular neurosurgery concerning the frequency of adverse events in practice, their patterns, and current methods of reducing the occurrence of these events. This review represents part of a series of papers written to consolidate information about these events and preventive measures as part of an ongoing effort to ascertain the utility of devising system-wide policies and safety tools to improve neurosurgical practice. Based on a review of the literature, thromboembolic events appeared to be the most common adverse events in endovascular neurosurgery, with a reported incidence ranging from 2% to 61% depending on aneurysm rupture status and mode of detection of the event.

Patterns in neurosurgical adverse events: cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery.

Object: As part of a project to devise evidence-based safety interventions for specialty surgery, the authors sought to review current evidence in CSF shunt surgery concerning the frequency of adverse events in practice, their patterns, and the state of knowledge regarding methods for their reduction. This review may also inform future and ongoing efforts for the advancement of neurosurgical quality.

Methods: The authors performed a PubMed search using search terms "cerebral shunt," "cerebrospinal fluid shunt," "CSF shunt," "ventriculoperitoneal shunt," "cerebral shunt AND complications," "cerebrospinal fluid shunt AND complications," "CSF shunt AND complications," and "ventriculoperitoneal shunt AND complications.

The effect of operative timing on functional outcome after isolated spinal trauma.

Background: To evaluate the effect of operative timing on functional outcome in patients suffering spinal trauma, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank. By treating time to operation as a categorical variable and limiting our analysis to isolated spinal trauma, we hypothesized that time to operation would not be a predictor of functional outcome.

Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for all patients with isolated spinal trauma who underwent spinal fixation or decompression.