Clinical experiences with a PEEK-based dynamic instrumentation device in lumbar spinal surgery: 2 years and no more.

Background: Dynamic spine implants were developed to prevent adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) and adjacent segment disease (ASDi). Purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of "topping off" devices following lumbar spinal fusion procedure using a PEEK-based dynamic rod system. Moreover, this study focused on the hypothesis that "topping off" devices can prevent ASD.

[Influencing factors on the length of stay in lumbar spine surgery : analysis of the German spine registry].

Introduction: Spinal disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis are known to be leading causes of lumbar back pain. The cost of low back pain management and related operations are continuously increasing in the healthcare sector. There are many studies regarding complications after spine surgery but little is known about the factors predicting the length of stay in hospital.

[Rotating physician in CHIR-Net. Evaluation of the curriculum].

Background: Conduction of and participation in clinical trials is a major challenge for surgical departments especially as job performance in hospitals has increased immensely during the last few years due to economic aspects. Only 11.7 % of published clinical studies are randomized controlled trials.

Percutaneous interspinous spacer versus open decompression: a 2-year follow-up of clinical outcome and quality of life.

Purpose: Percutaneous interspinous stand-alone spacers offer a simple and effective technique to treat lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. Nonetheless, open decompressive surgery remains the standard of care. This study compares the effectiveness of both techniques and the validity of percutaneous interspinous spacer use.

Complications of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral fractures: results of a questionnaire study.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) are minimally invasive procedures performed to stabilize vertebral fractures. With continuing expansion in clinical use, a broad spectrum of complications has been reported for both interventions. The goal of the current study was to compare the safety of these procedures using a questionnaire completed by practitioners.