Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Spinal Surgery.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has demonstrated promise in the management of surgical site infections as well as assisting in surgical wound healing. In this manuscript, we describe the mechanisms and applications of NPWT for surgical wounds and existing evidence for NPWT in cardiac, plastic, and general surgery, followed by a discussion of the emerging evidence base for NPWT in spinal surgery. We also discuss the different applications of NPWT for open wounds and closed incisions, and the promise of newer closed-incision NPWT (ciNPWT) devices.

An Anatomy-Informed, Novel Technique for S1 Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Lead Placement.

Objective: A heightened and organized understanding of sacral anatomy could potentially lead to a more effective and safe method of dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) lead placement. The aim of this technical note is to describe a standardized access method for S1 DRG-S lead placement.

Design: Technical note.

Secondary encephalocele in an adult leading to subdural empyema.

Brain abscesses are an uncommon but potentially fatal infection. They can spread directly from an adjacent source or hematogenously from a distant source. Encephaloceles represent a rare form of neural tube defects that can potentially be complicated by the development of meningitis or brain abscess.

Fatal intraoperative cardiac arrest after application of surgifoam into a bleeding iliac screw defect.

Study Design: Case report.

Objective: To describe the presentation, management, and autopsy findings in a case of a fatal intraoperative cardiac arrest after application of an absorbable hemostatic agent into a bleeding iliac bone screw defect.

Summary Of Background Data: To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first reported complication of intraoperative death associated with Surgifoam (Ethicon) thromboembolization to the heart and lung microcirculation after its application into a bleeding bone defect.

Pituitary disorders during pregnancy.

The pituitary gland undergoes much anatomic and physiologic variation during pregnancy. Pituitary disease may have a significant impact on a patient prior to conception as well as throughout her pregnancy. It is imperative to provide care to patients affected by pituitary disease with a multidisciplinary approach involving endocrinologists, obstetricians and, when appropriate, neurosurgical care, as this group of disorders can represent a substantial level of morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus.