Silicate-substituted calcium phosphate ceramic bone graft replacement for spinal fusion procedures.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To assess the clinical and radiographical outcomes in spinal fusion procedures using silicate-substituted calcium phosphate (Si-CaP).

Summary Of Background Data: Si-CaP is a newer-generation synthetic ceramic designed to maximize osteoinduction and osteoconduction.

Minimally invasive lateral approach for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation: initial multicenter clinical experience.

Object: Symptomatic herniated thoracic discs remain a surgical challenge and historically have been associated with significant complications. While neurological outcomes have improved with the abandonment of decompressive laminectomy, the attempt to minimize surgical complications and associated morbidities continues through less invasive approaches. Many of these techniques, such as thoracoscopy, have not been widely adopted due to technical difficulties.

Lumbar juxtafacet cyst resection: the facet sparing contralateral minimally invasive surgical approach.

Study Design: A retrospective review.

Objective: To report our approach and results using a contralateral minimally invasive spinal surgical muscle splitting approach that allows visualization of the cyst without extensive removal of the adjacent facet joint.

Summary Of Background Data: The use of tubular retractors for spinal surgery can potentially minimize tissue injury.

Hydrogen sulfide protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in an in vitro model of cutaneous tissue transplantation.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a source of morbidity and mortality in many clinical scenarios, and has as one of its many consequences the induction of cellular apoptosis. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may decrease cellular metabolism in a reversible, nontoxic manner. An in vitro model of cutaneous tissue transplantation was developed to assess whether H2S could ameliorate cellular injury caused by IRI.