Neurosurg Focus
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Comparative Study
Endoscopic transnasal resection of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas.
The extended transnasal approach, a recent surgical advancements for the ventral skull base, allows excellent midline access to and visibility of the anterior cranial fossa, which was previously thought to be approachable only via a transcranial route. The extended transnasal approach allows early decompression of the optic canals, obviates the need for brain retraction, and reduces neurovascular manipulation. ⋯ The technique offers a minimally invasive route to the midline anterior skull base, allowing the surgeon to avoid using brain retraction and reducing manipulation of the large vessels and optic apparatus; hastens postoperative recovery; and improves patient compliance. Further assessment and refinement are required, particularly because of the potential risk of CSF leakage. Other studies and longer follow-up periods are necessary to ascertain the benefits of the technique.
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Spine surgery has seen parallel interest and development in the areas of motion preservation and minimally invasive surgery. Posterior microendoscopic laminoforaminotomy (MELF) allows for neural decompression while maintaining motion via a minimally invasive approach. ⋯ The ideal indications for posterior MELF include unilateral radiculopathy secondary to "hard disc" or spondylosis, as well as soft disc herniations. The authors present a modified surgical technique for posterior MELF as well as a case study illustrating its synergy with anterior arthroplasty.
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The author presents his personal perspective on ablative neurosurgical techniques used to perform bilateral anterior cingulotomy (BACI) and bilateral anterior capsulotomy (BACA) for ameliorating the symptoms of refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and treatment refractory depression (TRD). With depression predicted to be the second most common cause of disability in the world by the year 2020 and the birth of electric neurostimulation representing an attractive alternative treatment option for TRD and OCD, it is desirable to revisit the pros and cons of these treatment options. ⋯ There is still place for BACI and BACA in modern neurosurgery for mental disorders, at least in the short term for those who do not want to commit to lifelong device programming and maintenance.
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Review Case Reports
Minimally invasive image-guided direct repair of bilateral L-5 pars interarticularis defects.
Lower back pain from spondylolysis historically has been treated with a variety of options ranging from conservative care to open fusion. The authors describe the novel technique of minimally invasive bilateral pars interarticularis screw placement by utilizing intraoperative 3D imaging and frameless navigation in a 17-year-old male athlete. This technique is a modification of the open technique first described in 1970 by Buck and has the advantages of minimal dissection requirements with improved screw trajectory visualization. The patient's postoperative course is discussed, followed by a brief literature review of pars interarticularis defect treatment.
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Review Comparative Study
Perioperative results following lumbar discectomy: comparison of minimally invasive discectomy and standard microdiscectomy.
Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy is a refinement of the standard open microsurgical discectomy technique. Proponents of the minimally invasive technique suggest that it improves patient outcome, shortens hospital stay, and decreases hospital costs. Despite these claims there is little support in the literature to justify the adoption of minimally invasive discectomy over standard open microsurgical discectomy. In the present study, the authors address some of these issues by comparing the short-term outcomes in patients who underwent first time, single-level lumbar discectomy at L3-4, L4-5, or L5-S1 using either a minimally invasive percutaneous, muscle splitting approach or a standard, open, muscle-stripping microsurgical approach. ⋯ In this retrospective study, patients who underwent minimally invasive discectomy were found to have similar perioperative results as those who underwent open microsurgical discectomy. The differences, although statistically significant, are of modest clinical significance.