English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Foraminotomia cervical posterior en el tratamiento de conflictos foraminales
Date of publication: 08-Dec-2012
Introducción:La foraminomotima cervical posterior es un procedimiento utilizado para la descompresion radicular por via posterior y constituye una alternativa a la via clásica anterior. En este trabajo evaluamos nuestra serie de pacientes tratados por esta via.
The value of “another” opinion for spinal surgery: A prospective 14-month study of one surgeon's experience
Date of publication: 26-Nov-2012
Background:Neck or back problems are experienced at some time by many Americans and many patients receive recommendations for spinal surgery. Patients naturally seek another opinion to confirm the need for surgery, or for the particular procedure recommended.
Extent of intraoperative muscle dissection does not affect long-term outcomes after minimally invasive surgery versus open-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery: A prospective longitudinal cohort study
Date of publication: 26-Nov-2012
Background:Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) versus open TLIF, addressing lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) or grade I spondylolisthesis (DS), are associated with shorter hospital stays, decreased blood loss, quicker return to work, and equivalent short- and long-term outcomes. However, no prospective study has assessed whether the extent of intraoperative muscle trauma utilizing creatinine phosphokinase levels (CPK) differently impacts long-term outcomes.
Mini-open transpedicular lumbar vertebrectomy reconstructed with double cages and short segment fixation
Date of publication: 26-Nov-2012
Background:The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using dual expandable cages plus short segment posterior fixation for reconstruction of vertebral bodies following a mini-open transpedicular approach.
Negative effects of smoking, workers’ compensation, and litigation on pain/disability scores for spine patients
Date of publication: 26-Nov-2012
Background:When initiating treatment for patients with spinal disorders, we examined the impact of smoking, workers compensation, and litigation on disability and pain scores.
Epidural infection: Is it really an abscess?
Date of publication: 26-Nov-2012
Background:We reviewed the literature regarding the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of spinal epidural abscess (SEA).
Morbidity and mortality conferences: Their educational role and why we should be there
Date of publication: 26-Nov-2012
Background:This article examines the value of morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences, and the multiple factors that contribute to their efficacy. Physicians’ morbidity and mortality conferences (M&MCs) focus on education by reviewing individual adverse events (AE), M&M. Alternatively, Quality Assurance (QA) conferences better examine system-wide issues (e.g., the role institutions play) in attaining or maintaining acceptable levels of patient care. Other issues examined in this review include: whether prospective vs. retrospective M&M data collection are more accurate, and how most states offer ‘nondiscovery’ of M&M proceedings.
How much medicine do spine surgeons need to know to better select and care for patients?
Date of publication: 26-Nov-2012
Background:Although we routinely utilize medical consultants for preoperative clearance and postoperative patient follow-up, we as spine surgeons need to know more medicine to better select and care for our patients.
Influence of the brain function through the peripheral nerves
Date of publication: 31-Oct-2012
Central mechanisms of cranial nerve stimulation for epilepsy
Date of publication: 31-Oct-2012
Abstract
Stimulation of peripheral cranial nerves has been shown to exert anticonvulsant effects in animal models as well as in human patients. Specifically, stimulation of both the trigeminal and vagus nerves has been shown in multiple clinical trials to be anticonvulsant, and stimulation of these nerves at therapeutic levels does not cause pain or negatively affect brain function. However, the neuronal mechanisms by which such stimulation exerts therapeutic effects are not well understood. In this review, the possible locations of action for trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are explored. Additionally, the multiple time scales on which TNS and VNS function are discussed.
