[The use of intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring in patients with decompression of the ulnar nerve near the elbow joint].

At the elbow, the ulnar nerve may be compressed either in the retrocondylar groove, in the cubital tunnel, or compressed by Osborne's band. Optimal surgical therapy should be directed at the specific site of involvement. It is more difficult to identify the level of ulnar nerve compression. Anatomical variations may make it difficult to identify the causes of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. The data obtained by inspection, probing, or electroneurography do not allow one to reliably identify the compression level. Intraoperative electroneuromyography performed in conjunction with 14 ulnar nerve explorations helped localize the precise site of compression in 12 cases. Intraoperative studies helped identify compression by Osborne band in 8 patients. We conclude that intraoperative electroneuromyography identifies compression levels of ulnar neuropathy more accurately than the conventional examination methods do.

[Prevention of cicatricial adhecions using biodegradable membrane in lumbar microdiscectomy].

Article focuses on the efficiency improvement of lumbar microdiscectomy by preventing epidural fibrosis. Cicatricial adhesions are known to occur in all operated patients. Clinically significant changes are 5-38%. 90 patients with herniated disk at the lumbar level were operated, of whom 30--with the prevention of adhesions using biodegradable membrane, 30--with the prevention of adhesions using autologous fat tissue and 30--without cicatricial adhesions prophylaxis. The results allows to conlude on the safety of the use of biodegradable membrane ElastoPOB in lumbar microdiscectomy. Based on dynamics of the visual analogue scale and MRI is possible to make an assumptions about effectiveness of biodegradable material in prevention of cicatricial adhecions.

[Clinico-experimental basis of application of biodegradable implants in surgical treatment of peripheral nerve lesions].

Aim of this study was to provide clinico-experimental basis of application of biodegradable implants in surgical treatment of peripheral nerve lesions. Experimental investigations were performed on non-pedigree female rats with body weight of 200-250 grams. 10 animals were used, 20 sciatic nerves were operated. Morphological examinations were done on 21st and 101st days after surgery. Clinical part of the study was performed after finishing of experimental block and included 20 patients with peripheral nerve lesions. Information about patients included: sex, age, type and localization of lesion, preoperative neurological status, data of electrophysiological and ultrasonographic studies and MRI. Follow-up period varied between 3 and 12 months. The series included 13 male and 7 female patients, age was 20-63 years. Injection of "Sphero(r)Gel" in the area of nerve suture enables more effective regeneration of axons and their growth through the injury site. Application of "ElastoPOB(r)" membrane favors demarcation of peripheral nerve from surrounding scar tissues in the wound. Acquired data demonstrate decreased influence of scarring process on the nerve trunk in the postoperative period according to neurological examination, electroneuromyography, ultrasonography and MRI.