European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Pre-curved peek rods to support posterior lumbar fusion have been available in the market since 4 years. Potential advantages using this new technology are increased load sharing on the anterior column promoting interbody fusion, reduced stress on bone-screw interface decreasing the rate of screw mobilization and, in the long term, reduced incidence of adjacent level disc degeneration. ⋯ The semi-rigid systems can now be considered a viable option in the lumbar degenerative disease, although clinical evaluations are necessary in the longer term.
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Vertebroplasty and more recently kyphoplasty are recognized as techniques in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and in case of pathological fracture like in secondary tumors. The recent introduction of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) that offers, at least theoretically, an osteointegrative capacity, absent in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), has generated interest for its use in the treatment of traumatic fractures (type A) even in young patients. ⋯ While kyphoplasty with the use of CPC in the treatment of type A traumatic fractures was effective in the treatment of pain, it has not been so far effective concerning the maintenance of the reduction obtained intra-operatively and its osteointegrative effect.
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The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and accuracy of posterior screw fixation for unstable Hangman's fracture using intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy-based navigation. ⋯ This case series demonstrates that intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy-based navigation is a safe, accurate, and effective tool for screw placement in patients with unstable Hangman's fracture.
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To assess if the evaluation of the spino-pelvic balance can be effective in the surgical decision making of the high-grade high dysplastic developmental spondylolisthesis (HDDS). ⋯ The analysis of the spino-pelvic sagittal balance allows to identify two types of HDDS: the balanced deformities, which do not need reduction, and the unbalanced deformities, in which correction is needed.
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To evaluate fracture healing, functional outcomes, complications, and mortality associated with rigid cervical collars. ⋯ Odontoid nonunion and instability are high in geriatric patients treated with a rigid cervical collar. Fracture healing and stability did not correlate with improved outcomes. Outcomes did not differ significantly from age-matched cohorts.