Value of procalcitonin as a marker of surgical site infection following spinal surgery.

Aim: To compare the value of Procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker of surgical site infection to other inflammatory markers, including C-Reactive Protein (CRP), White Cell Count (WCC) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) in patients undergoing a number of spinal procedures. This study also aims to describe the biokinetic profile of the above-named markers in patients developing surgical site infection and those remaining infection-free post-operatively.

Methods: 200 patients undergoing four routine elective spinal procedures were included for analysis.

Effect of epidural methylprednisolone on post-operative pain and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy.

Background & Aim: Intraoperative epidural corticosteroids have been used to decrease post-operative pain post-discectomy. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of epidural corticosteroids on post-operative pain and length of post-operative hospital stay in patients undergoing unilateral lumbar microdiscectomy.

Methods: 150 consecutively treated, comparable patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation were prospectively allocated randomly to receive either a sponge soaked in epidural corticosteroids or saline at the end of the operative procedure.

Inguinal uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary associated with adult Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

Objective: To report a case of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) with a utero-ovarian inguinal hernia, and to present a review of the pertinent literature.

Design: Case report and literature review.

Setting: Hospital clinic.