Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: An Analysis of its Effectiveness on the Reduction of Postoperative Infection in Posterior Spine Surgery.

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been employed for post-surgical wound management across various disciplines, including spinal surgery. However, its efficacy in reducing wound infection rates following posterior thoracolumbar spine surgery remains uncertain.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted at a single institution, examining 266 patients who underwent posterior thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spine surgery performed by one neurosurgeon.

Exploring Spine Surgeons' Perspectives on Salah (Islamic prayer) Performance Post-Surgery. Time for consensus?

Background: Post-surgical recovery following spine surgeries poses challenges for Muslim patients wishing to resume Salah (Islamic prayer), which involves physical movements like kneeling and prostration. This study aims to examine spine surgeons' perspectives on the appropriate timing and conditions for resuming Salah after spine surgery without restrictions.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey study included surgeons in Saudi Arabia who perform spine surgeries.

The translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) ligand etifoxine in an animal model of anxiety: Line- and sex-dependent effects on emotionality, stress reactivity, spine density, oxytocin receptors, steroids, and microbiome composition.

The treatment of stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression is still challenging. One potential therapeutical option are neurosteroids. Their synthesis is promoted by ligands of the mitochondrial translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO).

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Thai version of the core outcome measures index for the back (COMI-back) in patients with low back pain.

Purpose: To translate and culturally adapt the Core Outcome Measures Index for the back (COMI-back) into Thai and to evaluate its psychometric properties in Thai-speaking patients with low back pain (LBP).

Methods: The translation process followed a standardized forward-backward method with two independent translators, followed by synthesis and back-translation. An expert committee reviewed the translations for cultural and conceptual equivalence.

A Case Report Describing the Surgical Removal of Venous and Intracardiac Cement Leakage after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in a Hybrid Operating Room.

Aim: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is generally considered a safe procedure, however, cases of cardioembolism and cardiac perforation have been reported.

Case Presentation: A 69-year-old woman was referred to our emergency department after an outpatient echocardiogram revealed a "thrombus-like" formation involving the right heart. Two weeks before she had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty of the third to fifth lumbar vertebrae due to osteoporotic fractures.

Adjacent Level Canal Area Changes up to 2 years after Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Decompressive Surgery.

Study Design: A secondary analysis of data from the NORDSTEN-spinal stenosis trial (SST).

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of adjacent segments decreases after decompressive surgery due to lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) up to 2 years postoperatively, and to investigate possible associations with baseline variables, including preoperative patient and radiological characteristics, and surgical method used.

Summary Of Background Data: Decompressive surgery for LSS is currently the most common spinal surgery procedure; however, there is limited knowledge on changes in the DSCA over time adjacent to a decompressed segment.

Redefining Clinically Significant Blood Loss in Complex Adult Spine Deformity Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively-collected data.

Objective: This study aims to define clinically relevant blood loss in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.

Background: Current definitions of excessive blood loss following spine surgery are highly variable and may be suboptimal in predicting adverse events (AE).

A prospectively deployed deep learning-enabled automated quality assurance tool for oncological palliative spine radiation therapy.

Background: Palliative spine radiation therapy is prone to treatment at the wrong anatomic level. We developed a fully automated deep learning-based spine-targeting quality assurance system (DL-SpiQA) for detecting treatment at the wrong anatomic level. DL-SpiQA was evaluated based on retrospective testing of spine radiation therapy treatments and prospective clinical deployment.

Temporal Changes in PROMs Improvement and Recovery Kinetics Following Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: to analyze trends in PROMs improvement and recovery kinetics following transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy and foraminotomy (TELD).

Summary Of Background Data: As TELDs become an increasingly common alternative to fusions for lateral disc herniations, it is important to understand patients' postoperative recovery timelines to manage patient expectations.

Optimal Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Primary Osteomyelitis Discitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic Review and Network-Meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to systematically review the literature on management of primary osteomyelitis discitis and perform a network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of different antibiotic treatment durations.

Background: Primary osteomyelitis discitis is a challenging condition with varying management strategies.

Patterns of initial treatment and subsequent care escalation among medicare beneficiaries with neck pain: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To compare long-term care escalation encounters among three care patterns for new episodes of neck pain among Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods: We examined Medicare claims spanning a four-year period for beneficiaries with new episodes of neck pain beginning in 2019. All patients were continuously enrolled under Medicare parts A, B, and D and aged 65-99 years.

Incidence and predictors of readmission following hospitalization for thoracic disc herniation.

Objective: Symptomatic thoracic disc herniations (TDH) are relatively rare and can be discovered incidentally on neuroimaging. Surgical interventions for TDH represent only 4 % of all surgeries performed for intervertebral disc pathologies, which are most commonly indicated for myelopathy and radiculopathy. Given the absence of publications on rates of readmissions following hospitalization for TDH, we aim to establish baseline metrics for the 90-day all-cause readmission rates and pertinent risk factors.

C5 palsy following one- or two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: Incidence and neurological recovery in a retrospective neurosurgical multicenter study.

Background: C5 palsy is a frequent complication following cervical spine surgery, particularly after posterior approaches. Although several risk factors have been proposed, the incidence of C5 palsy after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) remains less well understood. This study aims to elucidate the risk factors and neurological recovery associated with C5 palsy following ACDF.

Improving surgical quality of care: learning from 8,331 surgical medical malpractice cases.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of surgical litigation cases and the risk factors that contribute to catastrophic compensation.

Methods: We downloaded and retrieved all cases related to surgical litigation cases from the China Jufaanli Database between 2008 and 2023. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors that may contribute to catastrophic compensation.

General access to furan-substituted -difluoroalkenes enabled by PFTB-promoted cross-coupling of ene-yne-ketones and difluorocarbene.

Replacement of a carbonyl group with fluorinated bioisostere (, CF[double bond, length as m-dash]C) has been adopted as a key tactical strategy in drug design and development, which typically improves potency and modulates lipophilicity while maintaining biological activity. Consequently, new -difluoroalkenation reactions have undoubtedly accelerated this shift, and conceptually innovative practices would be of great benefit to medicinal chemists. Here we describe an expeditous protocol for the direct assembly of furan-substituted -difluoroalkenes PFTB-promoted cross-coupling of ene-yne-ketones and difluorocarbene.

Semi-segmented lumbar supernumerary hemivertebra resection in congenital scoliosis: a case report.

Background: Congenital scoliosis with progressive potential is a controversial subject in early-onset spinal deformities. The presence of a hemivertebra may produce severe spinal deformities. The evolution of a scoliotic curve in these cases is unpredictable and requires careful follow-up dependent on multiple variables, such as the location of the hemivertebra, the age of the patient at the time of diagnosis, and the degree of deformity already present in both sagittal and frontal planes.

Offset sublaminar hook is an efficient tool for the prevention of distal junctional failure after kyphotic deformity correction.

Purpose: To assess the radiological outcomes and complications focusing on distal junctional failure (DJF) of adult spinal deformity patients who underwent thoracolumbar fixation with the use of offset sublaminar hooks (OSH) distally.

Methods: Retrospective review of a prospective, multicenter adult spinal deformity database (2 sites). Inclusion criteria were age of at least 18 years, presence of a spinal deformity with thoraco-lumbar instrumentation ending distally with OSH (pelvis excluded), with minimum 2 years of follow-up.

Evaluating the use of sublingual sufentanil in patients with buprenorphine treatment who are undergoing ambulatory surgery: A Prospective Case Report.

Introduction: Opioid use disorder is a chronic illness with significant morbidity and mortality. Opioid agonists, like buprenorphine, are commonly used to prevent relapse. Recent changes in buprenorphine legislation are expected to increase prescription and guidelines recommend its continuation during the perioperative period for many patients.

Non-cadaveric spine surgery simulator training in neurosurgical residency.

Background: Spine surgical training faces increasing challenges due to restricted working hours and greater sub specialization. Modern simulators offer a promising approach to teaching both simple and complex spinal procedures. This study evaluated the acceptance and efficacy of spine simulator training using a lumbar herniated disc model tested by 16 neurosurgical residents (PGY-1-6), and compared 3D and 2D teaching methods.

Spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a widely recognized treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), particularly in cases where traditional methods are ineffective. This paper systematically reviews randomized controlled trials to analyze the efficacy of SCS, as well as Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation in treating CRPS, focusing on its long-term effectiveness.

Methods: This systematic review focused exclusively on randomized controlled trials to assess a primary outcome of improvement in pain symptoms in patients diagnosed with CRPS.

Computer-Guided Navigation System Efficiency Evaluation Using Surgical Instruments for Spinal Fusion.

Background: Navigation surgical systems have been widely used in spinal fusion to ensure accuracy and safety during pedicle screw insertion.

Methods: The research was performed under laboratory conditions, using stereotactic navigation, surgical instruments for spinal fusion, development of additional devices and software. During the experiments, all stages of the computed tomography-guided navigation system use were performed-preoperative preparation of patient data and planning to provide visual control of the navigation of surgical instruments during the insertion of screws.

Automatic Pavlov ratio measurement method based on spinal landmarks identification by a deep-learning model.

Background: Cervical canal stenosis is one of the important pathogenic factors of cervical spondylosis. The accuracy of the Pavlov ratio measurement is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical spinal stenosis. Manual measurement is influenced by observer variability, accompanied by its inefficiency, which affects clinical evaluation.

Development of an automated CBCT-based simulation-free platform for expedited palliative radiotherapy on a conventional linear accelerator.

Background: Conventional approaches for emergent or expedited palliative radiotherapy (RT) involve the application of cumbersome vendor-provided solutions and/or multiple patient appointments to complete the RT workflow within a compressed timeframe.

Purpose: This report delineates the clinical development of an in-house, semi-automated Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based simulation-free platform for expedited palliative RT on conventional linacs, intended to supplant existing techniques employed at this institution.

Methods: The internal software, termed SimFree Wizard (SFW), was engineered utilizing a C#-based application programming interface integrated within the treatment planning system (TPS).