Neurosurgery
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Multiple studies have established the safety and efficacy of surgical intervention for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Although the main goal of surgery is symptom stabilization, a subset of patients achieves remarkable improvements. ⋯ In this study, T1W-hypointensity on MRI and longer walking time were found to predict a less likelihood of achieving return to normal neurological function after surgery for moderate or severe DCM. These findings may provide useful information for patient counseling and perioperative expectations.
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Peripheral nerve reconstruction is a difficult problem to solve. Acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) have been widely tested and are a promising alternative to the autologous gold standard. However, current reconstructive methods still yield unpredictable and unsuccessful results. Consequently, numerous studies have been carried out studying alternatives to plain ANAs, but it is not clear if nerve regeneration potential exists between current biological, chemical, and physical enrichment modes. ⋯ ANAs cellular enhancement demonstrated positive effects on recovery of nerve function. Future research should include clinical translation, in order to increase the level of evidence available on peripheral nerve reconstruction.
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Multicenter Study
Association of Surgical Overlap during Wound Closure with Patient Outcomes among Neurological Surgery Patients at a Large Academic Medical Center.
Several studies have explored the effect of overlapping surgery on patient outcomes, but impact of surgical overlap during wound closure has not been studied. ⋯ Surgical overlap during wound closure (STO) is associated with improved or at least noninferior patient outcomes, as it pertains to readmissions and wound revisions.
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Contemporary surgical approaches to pituitary pathologies include transsphenoidal microsurgical and, more recently, endoscopic techniques. Data reporting direct costs in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery are limited. ⋯ Higher overall total and hospital/facility costs are associated with endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery compared to microsurgery. In contrast, physician reimbursements are similar between techniques. Whereas LOS was the strongest predictor of overall total and hospital/facility costs, health plan was the strongest predictor of differential physician reimbursements.