Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
Multicenter StudyPercutaneous surgical treatment in lumbar spinal stenosis with Aperius-PercLID: indications, surgical technique and results.
Interspinous spacers have recently been used in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. In vitro studies have demonstrated a reduction in facet joint forces by 68% and annulus pressures by 63%. MRI studies have demonstrated increased canal and neural foraminal area after implantation of these devices. ⋯ The average VAS pain score improved from 8.2 to 3.6 (scale of 1 to 10). The overall patient satisfaction rate was 76%. No complications were detected at 6 months' follow-up.
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
O-arm guided balloon kyphoplasty: preliminary experience of 16 consecutive patients.
Balloon kyphoplasty is now widely used for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Excellent pain relief is achieved with cement injection, but the safety of the procedure relays on excellent radiological exposure. The balloon kyphoplasty technique is usually performed using one or two C-Arm devices to allow correct antero-posterior (AP) and lateral view throughout the surgical procedure. ⋯ We prospectively evaluate on 16 consecutive patients, the feasibility of the O-Arm guided kyphoplasty procedure with the original, usual tools, and we measured the fluoroscopy time and the X-ray exposure. We didn't experience any device related problem and demonstrated a significant reduction of X-ray exposure and time of fluoroscopy. We believe that using this new intraoperative system, the overall time of surgery and fluoroscopy could still be reduced in a near future.
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The main goal of improving pain and neurological deficit in the practice of spine surgery is changing for a more ambitious goal, namely to improve the overall quality of life and the future of patients through three major actions (1) preserving the vertebral anatomical structures; (2) preserving the paravertebral anatomical structures; and (3) preserving the functionality of the segment. Thus, three new concepts have emerged (a) minimal surgery; (b) minimal access surgery; and (c) motion preservation surgery. These concepts are covered in a new term, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) The term "MISS" is not about one or several particular surgical techniques, but a new way of thinking, a new philosophy. ⋯ In most cases, the only evidence one can find in the literature is the lack of evidence (Resnick D (2007) Spine 32:S15-S19.), however, the lack of evidence does not mean its absence. Only then, with a rigorous self-analysis, we may take a clear path towards a new philosophy in spine surgery. Of course, feedback from patients through satisfaction and clinical scales can guide our direction and provide the energy needed to maintain the enthusiasm (Fig. 12).
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Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2011
The effectiveness of endoscopic epidurolysis in treatment of degenerative chronic low back pain: a prospective analysis and follow-up at 48 months.
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic epidurolysis in the treatment of degenerative chronic low back pain. Two hundred and thirty four patients affected by chronic low back pain, with VAS ≥ 5 and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index (ODI) from 0 to 60% (0-20%, group A; 20-40%, group B; 40-60%, group C) were enrolled and treated prospectively with endoscopic epidurolysis by means of a flexible fiberoptic endoscope introduced into the caudal epidural space and by the intermittent instillation of saline solution added with 150 UI hyaluronidase. Targeted application of ozone (8 ml; 38 γ/ml) and 50 mg ciprofloxacin close to the abnormal areas was also performed. ⋯ The treatment significantly reduced VAS score in all three groups of patients starting from the first week and throughout the entire follow-up period (P < 0.001). Disability Index (ODI) too showed encouraging results (P < 0.001) that was particularly evident at 3 months and maintained up to long-term follow-up intervals. Epiduroscopy by mechanical adhesiolysis and administration on targeted areas of ciprofloxacin and ozone seems to be, in this prospective study, an effective technique to provide a sensible and persisting pain relief and act of improving ODI in chronic low back pain.