World Neurosurg
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Assessment of Patients' Willingness to Participate in a Randomized Trial of Spinal versus General Anesthesia for Lumbar Spine Surgery.
Prospective nonrandomized studies have found less postoperative fatigue and improved quality of life in patients undergoing awake spine surgery under spinal anesthesia compared with general anesthesia. Randomized trials are needed to validate these findings. ⋯ Sixty percent of patients stated that they were either definitely or probably willing to participate in the randomized trial. Subjects lacking strong preferences for the anesthesia technique stated a greater willingness to enroll than those with strong preference.
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Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a widely recognized complication of adult spinal deformity surgery, and various PJK prevention strategies have been reported in recent years. The goal of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the PJK prevention strategies, report on their effectiveness, and delineate future directions for investigation regarding PJK prevention. ⋯ The reports of PJK prevention strategies were heterogeneous, and high-level evidence regarding any particular technique remains limited. Further development of additional PJK prevention techniques and validation of their efficacy in clinical practice are needed to optimize the outcomes of adult spinal deformity surgery.
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Social media is becoming increasingly prominent in neurosurgery. However, the specifics of using social media as a tool for patient education have not yet been synthesized. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of opportunities, challenges, and best practices in the use of social media for patient education in neurosurgery. Our findings may guide neurosurgeons, departments, and institutions in developing effective patient education practices using social media. ⋯ Social media can be a transformative force for patient education in neurosurgery.
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Our goal was to investigate the presence of surveys to assess neurosurgical educational content and to propose a novel standardized Neurosurgical Education Outcomes Survey (NEOS) with compatible statistical analyses. ⋯ The NEOS may offer a viable option for comparing in-person and virtual content with respect to learner preferences and subjective and objective feedback. Future studies are needed to explore practical utility in enhancing the quality of neurosurgical educational content.
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Dr. Nathan Rifkinson (1912-2010) was an influential neurosurgeon who dedicated his entire career to the people of Puerto Rico. In 1948, he became the first formally trained neurosurgeon to practice in Puerto Rico. Driven by incredible tenacity and with the help of several other neurosurgery professors, he created a world-class neurosurgery residency training center. ⋯ In Puerto Rico, Dr. Rifkinson discovered a new niche that helped him grow to a unique iconic figure, advising physicians and government leaders on the Island. Together with all the other neurosurgery pillars and their extraordinary dedication, our professors have established an incredible legacy. Without the extreme goodness of our neurosurgery professors, neurosurgery in Puerto Rico would not be what it is now.