Does vertebral body tethering cause disc and facet joint degeneration? A preliminary MRI study with minimum two years follow-up.

Background Context: Vertebral body tethering (VBT), a flexible compression-based growth modulation technique, was claimed to prevent disc degeneration due to its less rigid nature compared to other growth-friendly techniques. Yet, the consequences of VBT surgery on discs and facet joints have not been precisely acknowledged.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in the intermediate and adjacent levels at least 2 years after surgery.

The effect of modified ultrafiltration duration on pulmonary functions and hemodynamics in newborns and infants following arterial switch operation*.

Objectives: Modified ultrafiltration is used to ameliorate the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. The ideal duration of modified ultrafiltration has not been established yet. We investigated the effects of extended duration of modified ultrafiltration on pulmonary functions and hemodynamics in the early postoperative period in newborns and infants who had transposition of great arteries operations.

The effects of different ventilator modes on cerebral tissue oxygen saturation in patients with bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection.

Aims And Objectives: We used near-infrared spectroscopy to document changes in cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) in response to ventilation mode alterations after bidirectional Glenn (BDG; superior cavopulmonary connection) procedure. We also determined whether spontaneous ventilation have a beneficial effect on hemodynamic status, lactate and SctO2 when compared with other ventilation modes.

Materials And Methods: 20 consecutive patients undergoing BDG were included.