Minimally invasive spinopelvic "crab-shaped fixation" for unstable pelvic ring fractures: technical note and 16 case series.

Background: Unstable sacral fractures are high-energy injuries and comprise polytrauma. Internal fixation to enable withstanding vertical loads is required to get up early from the bed after an unstable sacral fracture. We developed a new minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedure for unstable pelvic ring fractures and reported it in Japanese in 2010.

Nutritional assessment using stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in the scalp hair of geriatric patients who received enteral and parenteral nutrition formulas.

Background & Aims: The δC and δN values in the scalp hair of geriatric patients in Japan who received the enteral or parenteral nutrition formula were measured to assess nutritional status.

Methods: The relations among δC, δN, calorie intake, BMI, albumin concentration, total cholesterol (T-CHO) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in the patients were investigated. Furthermore, the enrichment of δC and δN from the nutrients to the hair was investigated.

Increased Segmental Range of Motion Is Correlated With Spondylolisthesis in the Cervical Spine After Laminoplasty.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of increased segmental range of motion (ROM) after laminoplasty and to clarify whether increased ROM is associated with spondylolisthesis. Finally, we explored the effect of increased segmental ROM on clinical results.

Incidence of gastroesophageal reflux associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy contrast agent viscosity: a randomized controlled crossover trial.

Background/objectives: Semisolid formulae are increasingly used in Japan to reduce the risks of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and aspiration pneumonia in patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). We compared the incidences of GER after the use of liquid or semisolid contrast agents during PEG.

Subjects/methods: Patients who planned to undergo PEG were randomly assigned to the liquid-first (LF) group (liquid contrast agent on day 1 after PEG and a semisolid contrast agent on day 2) or the semisolid-first (SF) group (reversed order).