Early Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes Study Evaluating an Integrated Screw and Interbody Spacer for One- and Two-Level ACDF.

Background: Multiple techniques and implants can be used in ACDF, the newest of which are integrated cage and screw constructs. These devices may be beneficial over anterior plate constructs due to a negligible anterior profile that may reduce dysphagia. The goal of this study is to review the early radiographical and clinical results associated with a low profile integrated intervertebral cage in one- and two-level anterior column fusions.

Postero-lateral disc prosthesis combined with a unilateral facet replacement device maintains quantity and quality of motion at a single lumbar level.

Background: Mechanically replacing one or more pain generating articulations in the functional spinal unit (FSU) may be a motion preservation alternative to arthrodesis at the affected level. Baseline biomechanical data elucidating the quantity and quality of motion in such arthroplasty constructs is non-existent.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to quantify the motion-preserving effect of a posterior total disc replacement (PDR) combined with a unilateral facet replacement (FR) system at a single lumbar level (L4-L5).

Biomechanical analysis of an interbody cage with three integrated cancellous lag screws in a two-level cervical spine fusion construct: an in vitro study.

Background Context: Despite an increase in the clinical use of no-profile anchored interbody cages (AIC) for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures, there is little published biomechanical data describing its stabilizing effect relative to the traditional anterior plating technique over two contiguous levels.

Purpose: To biomechanically compare the acute stability conferred by a stand-alone interbody fusion device with three integrated fixation screws ("anchored cage") with a traditional six-hole rigid anterior plate in a two contiguous levels (C4-C5+C5-C6) fusion construct. We hypothesized that the anchored cage would confer comparable segmental rigidity to the cage and anterior plate construct.

Biomechanical analysis of impending femoral neck fractures: the role of percutaneous cement augmentation for osteolytic lesions.

Background: Management of impending pathologic femoral neck fractures includes internal fixation, arthroplasty and megaprostheses. The study aim was to determine the augmentative effect of cement injection for minimally invasive treatment of femoral neck lesions.

Methods: Twenty-seven cadaveric femora received a simulated osteolytic lesion previously shown to decrease the femur's failure load by 50%.

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty in severely obese patients.

We conducted a study of outcomes of modern hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) in severely obese patients. Patients who had undergone HRA and been followed for a minimum of 2 years were divided into 2 groups, those with body mass index under 35 (control, 366 hips) and those with body mass index of 35 or above (study, 63 hips). At mean follow-up of 41 months, there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to postoperative Harris Hip Scores, complication rates, and need for revision.

Biomechanics of an integrated interbody device versus ACDF anterior locking plate in a single-level cervical spine fusion construct.

Background Context: No profile, integrated interbody cages are designed to act as implants for cervical spine fusion, which obviates the need for additional internal fixation, combining the functionality of an interbody device and the stabilizing benefits of an anterior cervical plate. Biomechanical data are needed to determine if integrated interbody constructs afford similar stability to anterior plating in single-level cervical spine fusion constructs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to biomechanically quantify the acute stabilizing effect conferred by a single low-profile device design with three integrated screws ("anchored cage"), and compare the range of motion reductions to those conferred by a standard four-hole rigid anterior plate following instrumentation at the C5-C6 level.

Regeneration of a discoid meniscus after arthroscopic saucerization.

We report the case of a 5-year-old girl who presented to the clinic with recurrent knee pain after meniscal repair and saucerization at age 3. The finding of a regenerated discoid meniscus was confirmed arthroscopically and radiographically. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature to confirm regeneration of a discoid meniscus after saucerization.

Brain natriuretic peptide is not reno-protective during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 30% of patients undergoing complex cardiovascular surgery, and renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is often a contributing factor. A recent meta-analysis observed that perioperative natriuretic peptide administration was associated with a reduction in AKI requiring dialysis in cardiovascular surgery patients. This study was designed to further clarify the potential reno-protective effect of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) using an established rat model of renal I/R injury.