Spine
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A prospective follow-up study to detect the early neurological improvement after decompression surgery and to clarify its correlation with the late neurological outcome in patients with cervical compression myelopathy. ⋯ Because the number recorded 24 hours after surgery was significantly correlated with both the maximum gain in the number on the 15-second test and the gain in the Japan Orthopaedic Association score, it could be used as a prognostic factor for neurological outcome in patients with cervical myelopathy.
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Prospective cohort study. ⋯ This study indicates that factors increasing the load on the lumbar spine are associated with hospitalization for lumbar disc disease. Occupational biomechanical factors seem to be important, and a taller stature was consistently associated with an increased risk.
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A prospective follow-up study. ⋯ Lamina closure did not significantly impact the long-term surgical outcomes of laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy. Although not statistically significant, the recovery rate tended to decline in the closure group compared with the nonclosure group during the long-term follow-up period, and the utilization of a laminar retention device to prevent the laminar closure should be considered.
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Retrospective analysis. ⋯ Used individually, diagnosis-related group, current procedural terminology, and ICD-9 codes cannot completely capture a patient population. Using an algorithm combining all 3 coding systems to generate both inclusion and exclusion criteria, we were able to analyze a specific population of spinal surgery patients within a high-volume medical center. Within that group, risk factors found to increase infection rates were isolated and can serve to focus hospital-wide efforts to decrease surgery-related morbidity and improve patient outcomes.
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Case report. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first description of an anterior cervical reconstruction approach, using pedicle screws and fibular strut grafting after a 4-level corpectomy. It is likely that this technique will result in better clinical outcomes with fewer complications in the treatment of patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy.