Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Neurospine 2020 Jun 30;17(2):443-452. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea.

Objective: The ''disc degeneration precedes facet joint osteoarthritis'' hypothesis and multidimensional analysis were actively discussed in lumbar spine. However, in cervical spine degeneration, the multifactorial analyzes of disc degeneration (DD), Modic changes (Mcs), facet degeneration, and endplate degeneration (ED) is still limited. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to analyze the prevalence and interrelationship of cervical DD parameters. Read More

Neurospine 2020 Jun 30;17(2):374-376. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Neurospine 2020 Jun 30;17(2):365-373. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.

Objective: To evaluate whether anterior cervical spine surgery offers sustained (7 years) relief in patients with cervicogenic headaches (CGHs), and evaluate the difference between cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for 1 and 2-level surgeries from a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Methods: A post hoc analysis was performed of 575 patients who underwent one or 2-level CDA or ACDF for symptomatic cervical spondylosis as part of a prospective randomized clinical trial. Assessment of pain and functional outcome was done with the Neck Disability Index (NDI) in the trial. Read More

J Orthop Translat 2020 Sep 18;24:32-38. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Spine Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China.

Purpose: Although there are many researches that focus on the relationship between the vertebral artery and uncinate process (UP), there were no publications concerning difference in the dimensions of the UP between the normal spine and degenerative spine, especially in Chinese patient. The purpose of this study is to determine the anatomic parameters that can be used as a guide for the procedure in intervertebral foramen decompression and for analysis of the morphometric change in the UP of the cervical spondylosis patients.

Methods: Forty patients from January 2016 to January 2019 were enrolled in this study. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 Jul 1;21(1):422. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Furano Kyokai Hospital, Furano, Japan.

Background: Age-related height loss is a normal physical change that occurs in all individuals over 50 years of age. Although many epidemiological studies on height loss have been conducted worldwide, none have been long-term longitudinal epidemiological studies spanning over 30 years. This study was designed to investigate changes in adult spinal deformity and examine the relationship between adult spinal deformity and height loss. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 Jun 30;21(1):416. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Division of Rheumatology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510630, China.

Backgroud: This study is to explore the prevalence of different stages of bone loss and the potential risk factors in rheumatic patients.

Method: A cross-sectional study recruits 1398 rheumatic patients and 302 healthy subjects. Demographic data, blood, and bone mineral density (BMD) tests are collected. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jun 26;10(1):10455. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama, Japan.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of cervical spondylolisthesis according to age and vertebral level and its association with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). This study included 959 participants (319 men and 640 women; mean age, 66.4 years) in the Wakayama Spine Study from 2008 to 2010. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of Veterinary, Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to diagnose degenerative lumbosacral stenosis; however, studies show limited correlation between imaging and clinical signs. The purpose of this prospective observer agreement study was to use dynamic MRI of the lumbosacral (LS) spine of healthy dogs to determine reliable reference ranges. Twenty-two healthy large breed dogs were prospectively enrolled. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2020 Jun;33(6):524-9

Fangta Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Songjiang Branch, Shanghai 201699, China.

Objective: To study the therapeutic effects of the ultramicro needle-knife combine with cervical spine fine adjusting on youth cervical curvature abnormality case.

Methods: From November 2016 to October 2018, 88 young patients with abnormal curvature of cervical spine were treated. Due to loss of follow up, 86 cases were actually completely including 37 males and 49 females, ranging in age from 20 to 40 years old, with an average of (30. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jun;99(25):e20538

Clothing Center, Jinan Zhangqiu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Objective: We undertook a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of single versus double door posterior cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating single and double door posterior cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The Mantel-Haenszel method with the fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to calculate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Read More

J Craniovertebr Junction Spine 2020 Jan-Mar;11(1):51-54. Epub 2020 Apr 4.

Department of Neurosurgery, KEM Hospital and Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai , Maharashtra, India.

Aim: We report adjacent-segment "central" or "axial" atlantoaxial instability and C2-C3 instability as the cause of delayed neurological worsening following multisegmental cervical spinal stabilization.

Materials And Methods: Three male patients aged 34, 56, and 70 years had been operated earlier for cervical spondylosis by multilevel C3-C6 cervical interbody fusion 6-11 years earlier. After an initial improvement for few years, the patients observed relatively rapid clinical deterioration. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jun;99(24):e20743

Department of Orthopedics, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Chongqing.

Micoendoscopic discectomy (MED) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) has become alternatives of the traditional open decompression surgery alone and decompression plus fusion surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). To date, there is no study focusing on the comparison of clinical outcomes after MED and MIS-TLIF for LSS without spondylolisthesis.Four hundred ninety-seven patients who underwent MED (236 cases) or MIS-TLIF (261 cases) for LSS without spondylolisthesis were included in this study. Read More

Global Spine J 2020 Apr 28;10(2 Suppl):61S-64S. Epub 2020 May 28.

Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.

Study Design: Special Issues MIS/Navigation.

Objectives: Over the past decade, cervical total disc replacement has been established in numerous randomized clinical trials as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the long-term outcomes after cervical arthroplasty. Read More

JMIR Res Protoc 2020 Jun 11;9(6):e15922. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Background: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is widely accepted as the most common cause of adult myelopathy worldwide. Despite this, there is no specific term or diagnostic criteria in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision and no Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) or an equivalent in common literature databases. This makes searching the literature and thus conducting systematic reviews or meta-analyses imprecise and inefficient. Read More

HSS J 2020 Jul 30;16(2):130-136. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60612 USA.

Background: Adjacent segment disease (ASDz) is a potential complication following lumbar spinal fusion. A common nomenclature based on etiology and ASDz type does not exist and is needed to assist with clinical prognostication, decision making, and management.

Questions/purposes: The objective of this study was to develop an etiology-based classification system for ASDz following lumbar fusion. Read More

HSS J 2020 Jul 6;16(2):126-129. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th St., New York, NY 10021 USA.

Background: Sacral insufficiency fracture (SIF) can cause lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy (LSRP) and is probably under-recognized. Symptoms may include nonspecific lumbar spine or buttock pain that is exacerbated by physical activity and alleviated with rest. The frequency of LSRP secondary to SIF has not been reported. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Oct;32(10):965-970

Department of Orthopaedics, Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China;

Objective: To compare the clinical results between the Wiltse approach and traditional approach in lumbar fusion.

Methods: The clinical data of 70 patients with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spondylolisthesis within Meyerding II degree who underwent lumbar fusion surgery from May 2016 to May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical approach, the patients were divided into Wiltse approach group and traditional approach group. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Oct;32(10):882-885

Department of Orthopaedics, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China;

Objective: To explore related risk factors of postoperative wound infection in lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Methods: The clinical data of 296 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent posterior decompression and fusion from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the wound was infected or not, the patients were divided into infection group and non-infection group. Read More

Sleep Med 2020 Jul 3;71:54-58. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Sleep Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Health Care Administration, College of Management, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Objective: The study objective was to evaluate the association between cervical spondylosis (CS) and a subsequent diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in light of the expected constricting impact of CS-associated cervical spine changes on the pharyngeal airway space, a key contributor to OSA.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Dataset. A total of 98,234 patients who newly received a diagnosis of OSA were identified. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jun;99(23):e20519

Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Background: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of silver acupuncture in treatment of myofascitis.

Methods: Electronic databases of all silver acupuncture for myofascitis will be searched at PubMed, Cochrane Library, Springer, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Chinese Biological Medical disc from inception to March 31, 2020, with language restricted in Chinese and English. The primary outcome is visual analog scale, a short pain scale with sensitivity and comparability. Read More

Orthop Clin North Am 2020 Jul 19;51(3):423-425. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, 1211 Union Avenue, Suite 510, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.

When the guidelines of the North American Spine Society concerning deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis were followed, only 2 (0.63%) of 315 patients with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions developed DVT complications over a 9-year period. Based on these findings, mechanical DVT prophylaxis appears to be adequate in patients undergoing elective spinal surgery, with no current support for pharmacologic prophylaxis. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2020 9;11:100. Epub 2020 May 9.

Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: The surgical management of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) attributed to os odontoideum (OO with atlantoaxial instability atlantoaxial instability) and subaxial kyphosis together pose significant surgical challenges.

Case Description: An elderly male presented with CSM/myelopathy and severe quadriparesis attributed to an unstable OO and 87° fixed, subaxial cervical kyphosis. After performing a 540° spinal cord decompression with atlantoaxial fixation, the patient did well. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Lateral recess stenosis is a common cause of lumbar radiculopathy in adults. A lumbar nerve root travels in the lateral recess prior to exiting the spinal canal via the neural foramen. In the lateral recess, the traversing nerve root is susceptible to compression by the degenerative hypertrophy of the medial facet in addition to hypertrophied ligamentum flavum and herniated intervertebral disc. Read More

Complement Ther Med 2020 May 6;50:102392. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Centre for Evidence Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Objective: This bibliometric study aimed to systematically and comprehensively summarize the volume, breadth and evidence for clinical research on Qigong. And this bibliometric analysis also can provide the evidence of this field.

Design: Bibliometric analysis. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(20):e20216

Department of Spine Surgery, Guizhou Orthopedics Hospital, Guiyang, China.

To determine the short-term clinical outcomes of single-segment cervical spondylotic radiculopathy treated with posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PPECD).Data of a total of 24 patients who underwent PPECD and local anesthesia for single-level segmental cervical spondylotic radiculopathy between March 2016 and December 2017 were reviewed. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association, visual analog scale (VAS), and neck disability index scores at preoperative 1 day, postoperative 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were recorded. Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2020 Mar 9;4(3). Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY.

Brachioradial pruritus is a rare condition characterized by chronic localized itching of the dorsolateral upper extremities. Although the exact pathophysiology is still unknown, cervical nerve compression is thought to be a cause. We present the case of a 56-year-old man with a 6-year history of disabling chronic bilateral upper extremity pruritus and pain as well as concurrent neck pain. Read More

Global Spine J 2020 Jun 12;10(4):476-485. Epub 2019 Jun 12.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Study Design: Scoping review.

Objective: To describe activity, themes and trends in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) research over the past 20 years with a view to considering DCM research inefficiency.

Methods: A systematic review of MEDLINE and Embase for "Cervical" AND "Myelopathy" was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Read More

Global Spine J 2020 Jun 26;10(4):425-432. Epub 2019 Jun 26.

Neuroorthopedic Center and Department of Radiology, Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, Sweden.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of sagittal malalignment including kyphosis following cervical laminectomy without fusion as treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy and to assess any correlation between malalignment and clinical outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: In all, 60 patients were followed up with conventional radiography at an average of 8 years postoperatively. Read More

Neurosurgery 2020 May 14. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Background: It remains unclear if minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) is comparable to traditional, open TLIF because of the limitations of the prior small-sample-size, single-center studies reporting comparative effectiveness.

Objective: To compare MI-TLIF to traditional, open TLIF for grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in the largest study to date by sample size.

Methods: We utilized the prospective Quality Outcomes Database registry and queried patients with grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent single-segment surgery with MI- or open TLIF methods. Read More

Ayu 2019 Apr-Jun;40(2):79-88. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Department of Shalyatantra, IPGT and RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.

Background: (therapeutic heat burns) and (therapeutic bloodletting) are the treatment modalities mentioned in Ayurveda texts to combat the clinical condition of (osteoarthritis) which occurs due to provoked and/or overlapped with . Lumbar spondylosis is a degenerative disorder presenting with lower back pain, stiffness, numbness, difficulty in movement etc., with evidence of osteophytes and reduced disc height in plain film radiograph. Read More

Laryngoscope 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

School of Health Care Administration, College of Management, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Objectives/hypothesis: This study aimed to assess the association of prior cervical spondylosis (CS) with peripheral vertigo.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. Read More

Nurs Clin North Am 2020 Jun;55(2):175-192

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitative Services, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Electronic address:

The spine is an anchoring structure that is the base for mechanical motion of the body and a protector of neuroelements. Spinal disorders continue to plague generations with issues. Management options continue to evolve, allowing for operative and nonoperative pathways to treat underlying causes. Read More

J Headache Pain 2020 May 6;21(1):46. Epub 2020 May 6.

Department of Health Care Administration, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St, Taipei, 110, Taiwan.

Background: Tinnitus due to hyperactivity across neuronal ensembles along the auditory pathway is reported. We hypothesized that trigeminal neuralgia patients may subsequently suffer from tinnitus. Using nationwide, population-based data and a retrospective cohort study design, we investigated the risk of tinnitus within 1 year following trigeminal neuralgia. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2020 Jul 30;77:181-184. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Academic Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosurgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address:

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is a common condition which causes significant disability and reduces health-related quality of life. The only evidence-based treatment and current management guidance is surgery to decompress the spinal cord and stop further damage in moderate to severe cases. However, this guidance is mainly informed by studies that only include first time surgery and/or single level disease, but DCM can reoccur after primary surgery and affect multiple levels of the spine. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(18):e0037s

Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

Background: Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is one of the most common public health concerns in the world. Baduanjin is very widely and popularly practiced for the management of CSR. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of Baduanjin exercise for patients with CSR. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2020 May 1:1-8. Epub 2020 May 1.

1Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Objective: Cigarette smoking has been known to increase the risk of pseudarthrosis in spinal fusion. However, there is a paucity of data on the effects of smoking in dynamic stabilization following lumbar spine surgery. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and the incidence of screw loosening among patients who smoked. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2020 Apr 9;195:105828. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Objectives: To identify risk factors for reoperation in patients who have undergone posterior cervical fusion (PCF).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed of patients undergoing PCF during a 12-year period at a single institution. Demographic and surgical characteristics were collected from electronic medical records. Read More

Zhongguo Yi Liao Qi Xie Za Zhi 2020 Jan;44(1):33-37

School of Biological Science&Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096. ##Email#.

Accompanied by changes in modern work and lifestyle, the incidence of cervical spondylosis has increased year by year. In view of the fact long-term fixed posture of the head and neck is one of the main causes of cervical spondylosis, a set of wearable cervical spondylosis prevention system is developed. The system comprises a head and neck movement collection module based on the acceleration sensor and a head and neck motion recognition module based on artificial intelligence. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Apr 25;139:274-280. Epub 2020 Apr 25.

Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A; Division of Spine, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Split cord malformation (SCM) is a developmental disorder that is usually symptomatic and diagnosed in childhood. The majority of these lesions are in the thoracic and lumbar spine, with only 1%-3% of cases found in the cervical spine. This is a case report of a 55-year-old female patient with an unremarkable medical history who presented with neck pain. Read More

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020 Jun 22;106:103735. Epub 2020 Mar 22.

Center for NeuroTrauma Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Surgical treatment for spinal disorders, such as cervical disc herniation and spondylosis, includes the removal of the intervertebral disc and replacement of biological or artificial materials. In the former case, bone graft is used to fill the space, and this conventional procedure is termed anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The latter surgery is termed as artificial disc replacement ADR) or cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). Read More

Somatosens Mot Res 2020 Apr 22:1-5. Epub 2020 Apr 22.

Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan.

Reduced proprioception affects fall risks in elderly people with lumbar spondylosis. The decrease in proprioception in the trunk or lower legs may contribute to a decline in postural stability. We aimed to investigate the association between proprioceptive postural stability and fall risks in elderly individuals with lumbar spondylosis. Read More

J Spine Surg 2020 Mar;6(1):290-301

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Emory Spine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Cervical laminoplasty is a non-fusion, decompression procedure for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). It is most commonly indicated for patients with multilevel stenosis who have preserved sagittal alignment and minimal to no axial neck pain related to spondylosis. Expansion of the laminar arch can allow for direct and indirect decompression of the spinal canal. Read More

J Spine Surg 2020 Mar;6(1):233-242

Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Portugal.

Background: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is a valid option for single-level cervical disc disease (CDD) as an alternative to fusion. However, the use in 3- and 4-level disc disease is under scrutiny with scarce data published so far. Our aim was to study clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroplasty in patients with multilevel CDD. Read More

J Spine Surg 2020 Mar;6(1):217-232

Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is an effective treatment for cervical spondylosis. A limitation of ACDF is the risk of adjacent-segment degeneration (ASD), owing to arthrodesis of a motion segment. Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has hence garnered significant attention; yet, compelling evidence of reduction in ASD requiring surgery is lacking. Read More

J Spine Surg 2020 Mar;6(1):18-25

Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.

Background: Post-surgical changes in adjacent segment motion are considered a factor in further development of degeneration and cervical radiculopathy. The objective was to examine the extent of correlations between physiological motion of cervical foramina and long-term patient reported outcomes (PRO).

Methods: Biplane X-ray imaging and CT-based markerless tracking were used to measure 3D static and dynamic dimensions during neck axial rotation and extension from 18 patients treated for C5-6 radiculopathy with fusion or arthroplasty. Read More

Surg Technol Int 2020 May;36:457-463

Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery Section, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.

Introduction: Chronic low back pain can be due to many different causes, including degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). For patients who do not respond to conservative management, surgery remains the most effective treatment. Open laminectomy alone and laminectomy and fusion (LF) for DS have been widely investigated, however, no meta-analyses have compared minimally invasive decompression with posterior elements preservation (MID) techniques and LF. Read More

Orthop Surg 2020 Jun 14;12(3):717-726. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of the postoperative long-term effect of the treatment of single-level cervical spondylosis through anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and artificial cervical disc replacement (ACDR).

Methods: This is a retrospective contrastive study, which was conducted for the period of January 2007 and January 2009 at the Department of Spine Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. A total of 113 patients were divided into two groups depending on the operation method: ACDF group (fusion group, n = 66) and ACDR group (replacement group, n = 47). Read More

Clin Orthop Relat Res 2020 Apr 8. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

G. S. Goh, Y. W. A. Tay, C. M. Guo, J. L-T. Chen, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore W.-M. Yue, The Orthopaedic Centre, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore S.-B. Tan, Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore.

Background: The number of young patients with degenerative lumbar spondylosis is expected to increase, and with it, the number of younger patients seeking surgical treatment is likely to rise. The goals of young patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis may differ from those of older patients, but little is known about the levels of pain and function, complication rates, or radiographic union that young patients achieve after interbody fusion.

Questions/purposes: (1) How likely were patients younger than 50 years to achieve a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in improvement on any of several validated patient-reported outcomes scores after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis at a minimum of 2 years after surgery? (2) What proportion developed complications or underwent reoperations? (3) What proportion achieved radiographic fusion or developed adjacent-segment degeneration?

Methods: Longitudinally maintained institutional registry data of patients undergoing primary, single-level, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis at a single institution from 2006 to 2013 were studied in this retrospective case series. Read More

Eur Spine J 2020 Apr 10. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Center for Disc Replacement at Texas Back Institute, 6020 W. Parker Rd. #200, Plano, TX, 75093, USA.

Introduction: One important factor in evaluating the safety of an implant is the rate of subsequent surgery and the reasons for surgery, particularly those that are related to possible problems with the implant. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall re-operation rate (including revisions, removals, device-related, procedure-related, adjacent segment, and others) for a large consecutive series of cervical TDR patients beginning with the first case experience, using a single device at a single institution.

Methods: Surgery records were reviewed to identify cervical TDR patients and those who underwent subsequent surgery. Read More