The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Older patients are often advised that their age is a contraindication to lumbar fusion surgery. There is, however, limited available data to support or contradict this assertion. Although prior studies of surgical treatment for lumbar degenerative disease suggest that older patients obtain symptomatic pain relief, an evaluation of fusion outcomes based on modern Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) measures is lacking. ⋯ The results of this study support the efficacy of lumbar decompression and fusion in selected patients over 65 years of age. Occurrence of a perioperative complication did not adversely affect clinical outcome. Patients undergoing a revision procedure should be counseled with regard to the more limited benefits seen with revision surgery.
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Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rh-BMP-2) is frequently used in an off-label fashion. Its application for posterior interbody fusion appears intuitive because its use obviates the need for iliac crest bone graft and shows higher fusion rates than with the use of local autologous bone graft. To date, there is no report of adverse outcomes with such use of rh-BMP-2. ⋯ Vertebral osteolysis can occur with the use of rh-BMP-2 in posterior lumbar interbody fusions. Violation of the end plate during decortication may be a contributing factor. Symptoms often resolve spontaneously.
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Spinal manipulation (SM) is a form of manual therapy used clinically to treat patients with low back and neck pain. The most common form of this maneuver is characterized as a high-velocity (duration <150 ms), low-amplitude (segmental translation <2 mm, rotation <4 degrees , and applied force 220-889 N) impulse thrust (high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation [HVLA-SM]). Clinical skill in applying an HVLA-SM lies in the practitioner's ability to control the duration and magnitude of the load (ie, the rate of loading), the direction in which the load is applied, and the contact point at which the load is applied. Control over its mechanical delivery is presumably related to its clinical effects. Biomechanical changes evoked by an HVLA-SM are thought to have physiological consequences caused, at least in part, by changes in sensory signaling from paraspinal tissues. ⋯ The results indicate that the duration and amplitude of a spinal manipulation elicit a pattern of discharge from paraspinal muscle spindles different from slower mechanical inputs. Clinically, these parameters may be important determinants of an HVLA-SM's therapeutic benefit.
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Comparative Study
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery compared with thoracotomy: early and late follow-up of radiographical and functional outcome.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a new technique that allows for access to anterior spinal pathology using a minimally invasive approach. Proponents of this procedure argue that anterior thoracic spine surgery can be performed with the same accuracy and completeness as is possible by the conventional open approach but through much smaller skin and muscle incisions. Advantages of VATS include decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and improved cosmesis. ⋯ VATS is equally effective as thoracotomy with respect to fusion rate, major curve correction, and functional outcome scores. Although a decrease in operative blood loss was seen in the VATS patients, this was not clinically significant.