Dynamics of improvement following total lumbar disc replacement: is the outcome predictable?

Study Design: Prospective clinical study of total lumbar disc replacement (TDR) with ProDisc II (Synthes, Paoli, PA).

Objectives: To examine whether baseline variables VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) correspond with late and final postoperative outcome parameters and to identify early predictors of late outcome following total lumbar disc replacement (TDR).

Summary Of Background Data: Previously published TDR studies reported on the pooled data averages collected from various cohort sizes.

Strategies for prevention and operative treatment of aortic lesions related to spinal interventions.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of a case series was performed.

Objective: To give recommendations for the prevention and operative treatment of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic lesions in association with spinal interventions.

Summary Of Background Data: Aortic lesions after spinal interventions for traumatic vertebral fractures, segmental spondylodiscitis, or vertebral metastasis are fortunately rare, but associated with a high perioperative mortality rate and absolute numbers are unknown.

Combined Abdominal and Spine Injuries after High Energy Flexion-Distraction Trauma.

Combined abdominal (AT) and spine (ST) trauma in the multiply traumatized patient (MT) requires optimal clinical management. At the Traumacenter Murnau, Germany all multiply injured patients (injury severity score ≥ 16) are registered in a large prospective database (DGU-Tramaregister). From 1 January 2002 until 31 December 2004, 731 multiply injured patients (ISS ≥ 16) were admitted to the Trauma Center Murnau.