World Neurosurg
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Stent-assisted coiling technique has been more and more adopted in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms and has been shown to improve long-term angiographic results; however, the treatment is relatively contraindicated in acutely ruptured aneurysms for its ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. Staged stenting after conventional coiling has emerged as a potential treatment strategy for ruptured wide-neck aneurysms. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of coiling in the acute phase followed by delayed stenting for ruptured wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. ⋯ Staged treatment of ruptured wide-neck aneurysms with coiling in the acute phase followed by delayed stenting is safe and effective.
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The authors describe a modified technique for placement of the C1 lateral mass screw using a Steinmann pin as a guide. This technique minimizes dissection and provides atlantoaxial stabilization during arthrodesis. ⋯ The use of Steinmann pins to guide the placement of C1 lateral mass screws is safe and effective in C1-2 arthrodesis. Limiting dissection minimizes blood loss and injury, maintains efficient operative time, and assists in accurate placement of the screws. Furthermore, with less manipulation and retraction of the C2 nerve root, postoperative occipital neuralgia and the need for C2 root transection are avoided.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Transfer of Learning from Practicing Microvascular Anastomosis on Silastic Tubes to Rat's Abdominal Aorta.
Learning to perform microvascular anastomosis is difficult. Laboratory practice models using artificial vessels are frequently used for this purpose. However, the efficacy of such practice models has not been objectively assessed for the performance of microvascular anastomosis during live surgical settings. This study was conducted to assess the transfer of learning from practicing microvascular anastomosis on tubes to anastomosing rat abdominal aorta. ⋯ The skill of microvascular anastomosis is transferred from practicing on Silastic tubes to rat's abdominal aorta. Considering the relative advantages of Silastic tubes to live rodent surgeries, such as lower cost and absence of ethical issues, our results support the widespread use of Silastic tubes in training programs for microvascular anastomosis.
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There is a significant burden of unmet surgical need in many low- and middle-income countries (>80% in parts of Africa). This need is even larger for specialties such as neurosurgery. Surgical capacity tools have been developed and used to assess needs and plan for resource allocation. This study piloted a new tool to assess neurosurgical capacity and describes its use. ⋯ NeuroPIPES survey scores were in keeping with the number of neurosurgeons and respective caseloads of each hospital. However, the variation in scores between respondents at the same hospital suggests that adaptations could be made to the tool that may improve reliability and validity. The methodology used to create NeuroPIPES may be successfully applied to a variety of other surgical subspecialties for similar assessments.
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It was believed that Chiari type II malformation (CM-II) was always present in a myelomeningocele (MMC). In fact, it is associated in about 80% of cases. Improvement of the hindbrain herniation after prenatal closure of MMC has challenged the idea that this condition was irreversible. Only 2 studies report ascent of the cerebellar tonsil after postnatal closure. This work aimed to study a large group of patients with MMC who benefited from a postnatal repair to evaluate the rate of long-term total reversibility of CM-II. ⋯ MMC is not always associated with CM-II. The outcome of CM-II has improved. Postnatal closure can reverse the CM-II. This must be kept in mind when analyzing the result of prenatal series.