Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective, randomized, double-blind study evaluating the efficacy of postoperative continuous local anesthetic infusion at the iliac crest bone graft site after spinal arthrodesis.
Parallel design, prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial composed of two independent groups treated with a continuous infusion catheter (saline vs. Marcaine) placed into the iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) site. ⋯ Continuous infusion of 0.5% Marcaine at the ICBG harvest site reduced postoperative parenteral narcotic usage by 50% and decreased overall pain scores. No complications were attributed to the infusion-catheter system. The use of continuous local anesthetic infusion at the iliac crest may help in alleviating acute graft-related pain, hastening patient recovery and improving short-term satisfaction.
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Comparative Study
In vitro stabilizing effect of a transforaminal compared with two posterior lumbar interbody fusion cages.
An in vitro biomechanical flexibility test on different lumbar interbody fusion cages using monosegmental lumbar spine specimens. ⋯ In terms of its stabilizing effect, TLIF using the MOON cage can be recommended as an alternative to PLIF using the cubic Stryker cages. Compared with the threaded BAK PLIF cages, however, the MOON TLIF cage provides a lower primary stability in lateral bending, flexion, and extension.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Transdermal fentanyl versus sustained release oral morphine in strong-opioid naïve patients with chronic low back pain.
Open, randomized, parallel group multicenter study. ⋯ TDF and SRM provided equivalent levels of pain relief, but TDF was associated with less constipation. This study indicates that sustained-release strong opioids can safely be used in strong-opioid naïve patients.
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Multicenter Study
Dysphagia after anterior cervical decompression and fusion: prevalence and risk factors from a longitudinal cohort study.
Retrospective analysis of the incidence and prevalence of dysphagia after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF). ⋯ Duration of preexisting pain and the number of vertebral levels involved in the surgical procedure appear to influence the likelihood of dysphagia after ACDF.
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Review Case Reports
Acute quadriparesis caused by calcification of the entire cervical ligamentum flavum in a white female--report of an unusual case and a brief review of the literature: case report.
Case report. ⋯ To our knowledge, this unusual case of complete calcification of the entire cervical LF has not previously been described. Multilevel laminectomy and fusion can improve neurologic function but may result in kyphosis.