Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jul 2011
Clinical TrialAccuracy of freehand fluoroscopy-guided placement of C1 lateral mass and C2 isthmic screws in atlanto-axial instability.
The C1 lateral mass and C2 isthmic stabilization, as introduced by Goel and Laheri and by Harms and Melcher, is a well-known fixation technique. We present the clinical and radiographic results with freehand fluoroscopy guided C1 lateral mass and C2 isthmic fixation in a consecutive series of 28 patients, evaluating the accuracy of screw placement. ⋯ Freehand fluoroscopy-guided insertion of C1 lateral mass and C2 isthmic screws can be safely and effectively performed.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jul 2011
Long-term clinical and radiological outcomes following stand-alone PLIF surgery using expandable cylindrical threaded cages in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease.
Although posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using stand-alone cages was a popular arthrodesis method, the effectiveness of using such cages has been questioned. We assessed retrospectively the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of PLIF surgery using stand-alone cages for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disease, the incidences of pseudoarthrosis, and its risk factors. ⋯ The use of PLIF with stand-alone threaded cages in degenerative lumbar disease patients resulted in a long-term clinical success rate of 74.4%. Although the radiological fusion rate was 85.2%, continuous reduction of disc height and poor alignment preservation were observed. We conclude, therefore, that PLIF using only stand-alone cages is a poor surgical option for achieving good alignment and disc height restoration in patients with degenerative lumbar disease.