Impact of implant removal on quality of life and loss of correction in the treatment of traumatic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.

Background: Benefit of implant removal in spine surgery remains unclear. While there is mostly consensus about necessity of implant removal in posterior-only stabilized patients, the effect of this measure in cases with combined anterior-posterior stabilization is undetermined. With this work we present a retrospective analysis of 87 patients with traumatic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures concerning quality of life (QOL), loss of correction (LOC) and range of motion (ROM).

The Implementation of a Complication Avoidance Care Bundle Significantly Reduces Adverse Surgical Outcomes in Orthopedic Trauma Patients.

Background: Surgical complications are associated with a significant burden to patients and hospitals and are increasingly discussed in recent literature. This cohort study reviewed surgery-related complications in a Level I trauma center. The effect of a complication avoidance care bundle on the rate of surgical complications was analyzed.

A minimally invasive, 3D-fluoroscopy-navigation-guided, 3D-controlled pedicle approach in spine surgery: first reliable results and impact on patient safety.

Purpose: Safe pedicle screw placement is a daily challenge to every spine surgeon. Introduction of minimally invasive approaches in spinal surgery led to an impaired facility of inspection of the surgical field increasing the importance of intraoperative imaging and navigation. During the past years, we established a minimally invasive, navigated approach in our clinical setting.