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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical properties of pedicle screw reinsertion along the same trajectory in a previously validated synthetic bone model. METHODS: Twenty identical acrylonitrile butadiene styrene models of a lumbar vertebrae were 3D-printed. Screws were placed in the standard fashion into each pedicle. Models were separated into two equal groups, control and experimental. Experimental group screws were completely removed from their testing block and reinserted once. All screws in both groups were then forcibly removed. Continuous torque monitoring was collected on screw insertion (IT), removal (RT), and reinsertion (RIT). Pullout strength (PO), screw stiffness (STI), and strain energy (STR) were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between control and experimental groups for PO (p = 0.26), STI (p = 0.55), STR (p = 0.50), or IT (p = 0.24). There was a significant decrease in RIT (54.5 N-cm ± 8.2 N-cm) from control IT (62.9 N-cm ± 8.4 N-cm, p = 0.045) and experimental IT (67.5 N-cm ± 7.6 N-cm, p = 0.0026). Strong correlations (Pearson's r > 0.80) were seen between control IT against STR and PO, between each of the experimental torque measurements, and between experimental PO and STI. CONCLUSION: Despite a significant decrease in insertion torque, there is no significant loss of pedicle screw performance when a screw is removed and reinserted along the same trajectory.
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Background Skull base approaches are utilized to improve microsurgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Advantages include early proximal and distal control, increased visualization, and minimal brain retraction. Orbitozygomatic (OZ) craniotomies via pterional incision are commonly used for the treatment of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. A smaller, less invasive OZ craniotomy performed through an eyebrow incision may provide several advantages over a standard OZ approach. Objective We compare surgical outcomes of the standard and eyebrow OZ for the treatment of ACoA aneurysms. Design All patients who underwent microsurgical treatment for ACoA aneurysms by a single surgeon over an 8-year period were included in this retrospective analysis. Patient demographics and clinical data were collected. Participants Thirty-seven consecutive patients were identified, with 15 receiving eyebrow OZ and 22 receiving standard OZ. Main Outcome Measures Data were collected on patient demographics, pathology, intraoperative and perioperative data, and 30-day morbidity. Results A total of 100% of the eyebrow OZ group and 95.5% of the standard OZ group had complete aneurysmal occlusion. Four eyebrow OZ and six standard OZ patients had an intraoperative rupture. All were managed without complication. Two eyebrow OZ and one standard OZ patient died within 30 days of surgery. No patients in either group had aneurysm recurrence, required retreatment, or were limited intraoperatively by exposure. Conclusions The OZ approach via an eyebrow incision has similar outcomes to a standard OZ approach and is a safe option for the treatment of ACoA aneurysms.
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OBJECTIVE: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement requires a concurrent abdominal procedure. For peritoneal access laparoscopic or open approach may be utilized. Our aim was to compare patient/procedure characteristics and outcomes by peritoneal approach for VP shunts in children. METHODS: NSQIP-Pediatric procedure targeted cerebral spinal fluid shunt Participant Use Data Files from 2016 to 2020 were queried. Patients were grouped into laparoscopic vs open abdominal approach. Patient demographics, procedure characteristics and 30-day outcomes were compared. RESULTS: 7742 NSQIP-Pediatric patients underwent VP shunt placement. Patients undergoing laparoscopic approach were older and required less preoperative support. Mean operative time was longer with laparoscopy (mean(SD): 74.2(48.1) vs. 64.6(39) minutes, p â< â0.0001) but had shorter hospital LOS. There was no difference in SSI, readmissions, or reoperation rates. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing laparoscopy for distal VP shunts are older with less support needs preoperatively. While laparoscopic approach had a shorter hospital LOS, there was no demonstratable difference in SSI, readmissions or reoperations between approaches. Further studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes.
