Spine Surgeons Social Dilemma: Benefits and Risks of Social Media for Spine Surgery Practice in the 21st Century.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational.

Background: The use of social media by providers can enhance patient education, complement offline information, facilitate patient support, stimulate brand building, and strengthen the organization's market position. Risks of social media include, but are not limited to, a lack of quality, reliability, misrepresentation of credentials, influence of hidden and overt conflicts of interest, content that may jeopardize patient privacy, HIPAA regulations, and physicians' credentials and licensure.

The Effect of Esophageal Temperature Probes on Postoperative Dysphagia Following Primary Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Randomized Prospective Study.

Background: The anterior approach to the cervical spine is associated with postoperative dysphagia. It is difficult to predict which patients are most at risk for dysphagia. The objective of this study was to determine if placing an esophageal temperature probe preoperatively would affect the severity and length of postoperative dysphagia.

Keeping casts dry: A comparison of commercially available cast protectors using a mechanized short arm cast model.

Background: Upper extremity fractures requiring cast immobilization are exceedingly common, especially in the pediatric population. Studies have shown improved outcomes when patients can participate in water-based activities while casted. However, waterproof cast material is not feasible in all clinical settings and wet cast complications remain a source of morbidity and expense.

Analysis of the OITE Oncology Section: An Updated Review of Years 2013 to 2019.

Objectives: The importance of the Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) is well documented. The purpose of this study is to provide an updated analysis of the oncology section compared to the review by Frassica et al. from 2002 to 2006, as a means to provide insight into more focused resident study.

Cervical Spine Injury Following Thoracic Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can have many potential complications, including spinal cord injury. Most often, spinal cord injury occurs in the region of surgery due to direct mechanical trauma. Vascular compromise in this area may also occur due to a high degree of correction or excessive distraction of the spine.

The Effect of Alendronate on Subsidence After Lateral Transpsoas Interbody Fusion: A Preliminary Report.

Background: Success after lateral transpsoas interbody fusion (LLIF) partially depends on avoidance of subsidence to maintain spinal alignment, disc space height, and indirect neural decompression. Techniques for preventing subsidence have focused largely on surgical and biomechanical properties of spinal reconstruction; however, medical management may also affect subsidence rates as well. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of alendronate on minimally invasive LLIF patients with regard to radiographic and catastrophic subsidence.

Far-lateral Disc Herniation Treated by Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion without Complete Fragment Excision: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Symptomatic far-lateral lumbar disc herniation is a less common causes of lumbar radiculopathy than paracentral or central disc herniation. Treatment of far-lateral disc herniation with a retroperitoneal, transpsoas approach and disc fragment excision has been described. However, treatment of far-lateral disc herniation using lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) without neural manipulation has not been described.