Early experience treating thoracic disc herniations using a modified transfacet pedicle-sparing decompression and fusion

Object Symptomatic thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are relatively uncommon and are typically treated with an anterior approach. Various posterior surgical approaches have been developed to treat TDH, but the gold standard remains transthoracic decompression. Certain patients have comorbidities and herniation aspects that are not optimally treated with an anterior approach. A transfacet pedicle-sparing approach was first described in 1995, but outcomes and complications have not been well described. The objective of this study was to assess outcomes and complications in a consecutive series of patients with TDH undergoing posterior transfacet decompression and discectomy with posterior instrumentation and fusion. Methods Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing operative management of TDH were identified from a tertiary care referral database. All patients underwent a transfacet pedicle-sparing decompression and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion. Outcomes and complications were retrospectively assessed in this patient series. Clinical records were scrutinized to assess levels and types of disc herniation; blood loss; pre- and postoperative motor scores, Nurick grades, and visual analog pain scale scores; and complications such as wrong-level surgery, infection, seroma, and neurological changes. Pre- and postoperative imaging studies were reviewed to assess levels and types of herniation, alignment, and accuracy of instrumentation. Results Of the 18 patients, 9 had TDHs at multiple levels. The patients presented with symptoms including myelopathy, axial back pain, urinary symptoms, and radiculopathy and radiological evidence of 29 compressive TDHs ranging from T1–2 to T12–L1. Discs were classified as central (10) or paracentral (19). All discs were successfully removed with no incidence of wrong-level surgery or CSF leak. The mean estimated blood loss was 870 ml with no dural tears. Nurick grades improved on average from 2.5 to 1.9. All patients reported improvement in symptoms compared with preoperative status. The mean visual analog scale score improved from 59 to 21. Sixteen of the 18 patients spent an average of 4.2 days in the hospital; the 2 other patients spent 58 and 69 days. The average duration of follow-up was 12.2 months in 14 patients; 4 patients were lost to follow-up. Twelve patients had no complications. Five patients developed postoperative wound infections or seromas requiring additional operative debridement. One patient had a misplaced screw and suboptimally positioned interbody graft requiring revision. One transient neurological deterioration (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] D to ASIA B) occurred postoperatively associated with an inferior segment fracture 20 days after surgery. This necessitated extending the fusion caudally; the patient subsequently experienced a full return to better-than-baseline neurological status. Conclusions A modified transfacetal pedicle-sparing approach combined with short segmental fusion offers a safe means of achieving concurrent decompression and segmental stabilization and is an option for certain subtypes of TDH. Although 6 patients required additional surgery for postoperative complications, all patients experienced improvement relative to their preoperative status.

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Thoracic discectomy by posterior pedicle-sparing, transfacet approach with real-time intraoperative ultrasonography

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2014.6.spine13682 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 568-576 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Yusuke Nishimura ◽

Nova B. Thani ◽

Satoru Tochigi ◽

Henry Ahn ◽

Howard J. Ginsberg

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Blood Loss ◽

Real Time ◽

Intraoperative Ultrasonography ◽

Surgical Time ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

The Mean ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Thoracic Discectomy ◽

Thoracic Disc

Object Symptomatic thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are relatively uncommon, and the technical challenges of resecting the offending disc are formidable due to the location of spinal cord that has relatively poor perfusion characteristics within a narrow canal. The majority of disc herniations are long-standing calcified discs that can be adherent to the ventral dura. Real-time intraoperative ultrasound (RIOUS) visualization of the spinal cord during the retraction and resection of the disc greatly enhances the safety and efficacy of disc resection. The authors have adopted the posterior laminectomy with pedicle-sparing transfacet approach with real-time ultrasound guidance in their practice, and they present the clinical outcome in their patients to illustrate the safety profile of this technique. Methods Sixteen consecutive patients undergoing operative management of TDHs were identified from the authors' database. All patients underwent microdiscectomy through a posterior transfacet pedicle-sparing approach under RIOUS. Outcomes and complications were retrospectively assessed in this patient series. Clinical records and pre- and postoperative imaging studies were scrutinized to assess levels and types of disc herniation, blood loss, surgical time, pre- and postoperative Nurick grades, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and complications. Results All patients had single-level symptomatic TDHs. The patients presented with symptoms including thoracic myelopathy, axial back pain, urinary symptoms, and thoracic radiculopathy. Thoracic disc herniations involved levels T2–3 to T12–L1. Discs were classified as central or paracentral, and as calcified or noncalcified. All discs were successfully removed with no incidence of neural injury or CSF leak. The mean estimated blood loss was 523 ml, and the mean surgical time was 159 minutes. Nurick grades improved on average from 3.3 to 1.6. The mean JOA scores improved from 5.7 to 8.3 out of 11. The mean Hirabayashi recovery rate of the JOA score was 57%. All patients reported improvement in symptoms compared with preoperative status except for 1 patient with an American Spinal Injury Association Grade A spinal cord injury prior to surgery. The average duration of follow-up was 10.5 months. One patient developed postoperative wound infection that required additional operative debridement and revision of hardware. Conclusions Thoracic discectomy via a posterior pedicle-sparing transfacet approach is an adequate method of managing herniations at any thoracic level. The safety of the operation is significantly enhanced by the use of realtime intraoperative ultrasonography.

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The Mini-Open transpedicular thoracic discectomy: surgical technique and assessment

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/foc/2008/25/8/e5 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. E5 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

John H. Chi ◽

Sanjay S. Dhall ◽

Adam S. Kanter ◽

Praveen V. Mummaneni

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Clinical Results ◽

Minimally Invasive Technique ◽

Invasive Technique ◽

Disc Space ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

Thoracic Disc ◽

Mini Open

Object Thoracic disc herniations can be surgically treated with a number of different techniques and approaches. However, surgical outcomes comparing the various techniques are rarely reported in the literature. The authors describe a minimally invasive technique to approach thoracic disc herniations via a transpedicular route with the use of tubular retractors and microscope visualization. This technique provides a safe method to identify the thoracic disc space and perform a decompression with minimal paraspinal soft tissue disruption. The authors compare the results of this approach with clinical results after open transpedicular discectomy. Methods The authors performed a retrospective cohort study comparing results in 11 patients with symptomatic thoracic disc herniations treated with either open posterolateral (4 patients) or mini-open transpedicular discectomy (7 patients). Hospital stay, blood loss, modified Prolo score, and Frankel score were used as outcome variables. Results Patients who underwent mini-open transpedicular discectomy had less blood loss and showed greater improvement in modified Prolo scores (p = 0.024 and p = 0.05, respectively) than those who underwent open transpedicular discectomy at the time of early follow-up within 1 year of surgery. However, at an average of 18 months of follow-up, the Prolo score difference between the 2 surgical groups was not statistically significant. There were no major or minor surgical complications in the patients who received the minimally invasive technique. Conclusions The mini-open transpedicular discectomy for thoracic disc herniations results in better modified Prolo scores at early postoperative intervals and less blood loss during surgery than open posterolateral discectomy. The authors' technique is described in detail and an intraoperative video is provided.

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Transforaminal Approach in Thoracal Disc Pathologies: Transforaminal Microdiscectomy Technique

Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽

10.1155/2014/301945 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sedat Dalbayrak ◽

Onur Yaman ◽

Kadir Öztürk ◽

Mesut Yılmaz ◽

Mahmut Gökdağ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Canal ◽

Minimal Invasive ◽

Surgical Approaches ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Transforaminal Approach ◽

Minimal Invasive Approach ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

The Mean ◽

Thoracic Disc

Objective. Many surgical approaches have been defined and implemented in the last few decades for thoracic disc herniations. The endoscopic foraminal approach in foraminal, lateral, and far lateral disc hernias is a contemporary minimal invasive approach. This study was performed to show that the approach is possible using the microscope without an endoscope, and even the intervention on the discs within the spinal canal is possible by having access through the foramen.Methods.Forty-two cases with disc hernias in the medial of the pedicle were included in this study; surgeries were performed with transforaminal approach and microsurgically. Extraforaminal disc hernias were not included in the study. Access was made through the Kambin triangle, foramen was enlarged, and spinal canal was entered.Results.The procedure took 65 minutes in the average, and the mean bleeding amount was about 100cc. They were mobilized within the same day postoperatively. No complications were seen. Follow-up periods range between 5 and 84 months, and the mean follow-up period is 30.2 months.Conclusion.Transforaminal microdiscectomy is a method that can be performed in any clinic with standard spinal surgery equipment. It does not require additional equipment or high costs.

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Long-term outcomes of lumbar microdiscectomy in the pediatric population: a large single-institution case series

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2019.6.peds18716 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 549-557

Author(s):

Malia McAvoy ◽

Heather J. McCrea ◽

Vamsidhar Chavakula ◽

Hoon Choi ◽

Wenya Linda Bi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conservative Management ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Case Series ◽

Csf Leak ◽

Single Institution ◽

The Mean

OBJECTIVEFew studies describe long-term functional outcomes of pediatric patients who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy (LMD) because of the rarity of pediatric disc herniation and the short follow-up periods. The authors analyzed risk factors, clinical presentation, complications, and functional outcomes of a single-institution series of LMD patients over a 19-year period.METHODSA retrospective case series was conducted of pediatric LMD patients at a large pediatric academic hospital from 1998 to 2017. The authors examined premorbid risk factors, clinical presentation, physical examination findings, type and duration of conservative management, indications for surgical intervention, complications, and postoperative outcomes.RESULTSOver the 19-year study period, 199 patients underwent LMD at the authors’ institution. The mean age at presentation was 16.0 years (range 12–18 years), and 55.8% were female. Of these patients, 70.9% participated in competitive sports, and among those who did not play sports, 65.0% had a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Prior to surgery, conservative management had failed in 98.0% of the patients. Only 3 patients (1.5%) presented with cauda equina syndrome requiring emergent microdiscectomy. Complications included 4 cases of postoperative CSF leak (2.0%), 1 case of a noted intraoperative CSF leak, and 3 cases of wound infection (1.5%). At the first postoperative follow-up appointment, minimal or no pain was reported by 93.3% of patients. The mean time to return to sports was 9.8 weeks. During a mean follow-up duration of 8.2 years, 72.9% of patients did not present again after routine postoperative appointments. The total risk of reoperation was a rate of 7.5% (3.5% of patients underwent reoperation for the same level; 4.5% underwent adjacent-level decompression, and one patient [0.5%] ultimately underwent a fusion).CONCLUSIONSMicrodiscectomy is a safe and effective treatment for long-term relief of pain and return to daily activities among pediatric patients with symptomatic lumbar disc disease in whom conservative management has failed.

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Microscopic extra-laminar sequestrectomy (MELS) for the treatment of hidden zone lumbar disc herniation: report of the surgical technique, patient selection, and clinical outcomes

BMC Surgery ◽

10.1186/s12893-021-01255-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chunxiao Wang ◽

Yao Zhang ◽

Xiaojie Tang ◽

Haifei Cao ◽

Qinyong Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Learning Curve ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Lumbar Disc Herniation ◽

Disc Herniation ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Operation Time ◽

Operation Duration ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background The area which located at the medial pedicle, posterior vertebral body and ventral hemilamina is defined as the hidden zone. Surgical management of hidden zone lumbar disc herniation (HZLDH) is technically challenging due to its difficult surgical exposure. The conventional interlaminar approach harbors the potential risk of post-surgical instability, while other approaches consist of complicated procedures with a steep learning curve and prolonged operation time. Objective To introduce microscopic extra-laminar sequestrectomy (MELS) technique for treatment of hidden zone lumbar disc herniation and present clinical outcomes. Methods Between Jan 2016 to Jan 2018, twenty one patients (13 males) with HZLDH were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent MELS (19 patients underwent sequestrectomy only, 2 patients underwent an additional inferior discectomy). The nerve root and fragment were visually exposed using MELS. The operation duration, blood loss, intra- and postoperative complications, and recurrences were recorded. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Postoperative stability was evaluated both radiologically and clinically. Results The mean follow-up period was 20.95 ± 2.09 (18–24) months. The mean operation time was 32.43 ± 7.19 min and the mean blood loss was 25.52 ± 5.37 ml. All patients showed complete neurological symptom relief after surgery. The VAS and ODI score were significantly improved at the final follow-up compared to those before operation (7.88 ± 0.70 vs 0.10 ± 0.30, 59.24 ± 10.83 vs 11.29 ± 3.59, respectively, p < 0.05). Seventeen patients (81%) obtained an “excellent” outcome and the remaining four (19%) patients obtained a “good” outcome based the MacNab criteria. One patient suffered reherniation at the same level one year after the initial surgery and underwent a transforaminal endoscopic discectomy. No major complications and postoperative instability were observed. Conclusions Our observation suggest that MELS is safe and effective in the management of HZLDH. Due to its relative simplicity, it comprises a flat surgical learning curve and shorter operation duration, and overall results in reduced disturbance to lumbar stability.

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Promising medium-term results of anterior approach with an anatomical short stem in primary hip arthroplasty

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology ◽

10.1186/s10195-021-00567-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fabrizio Rivera ◽

Alessandro Bardelli ◽

Andrea Giolitti

Keyword(s):

Operating Room ◽

Anterior Approach ◽

Direct Anterior Approach ◽

Short Stem ◽

Medium Term ◽

Operating Room Table ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Standard Operating ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background In the last decade, the increase in the use of the direct anterior approach to the hip has contributed to the diffusion of the use of short stems in orthopedic surgery. The aim of the study is to verify the medium-term clinical and radiographic results of a cementless anatomic short stem in the anterior approach to the hip. We also want to verify whether the use of the standard operating room table or the leg positioner can affect the incidence of pre- and postoperative complications. Materials and methods All total hip arthroplasty patients with a 1-year minimum follow-up who were operated using the MiniMAX stem between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in this study. Clinical evaluation included the Harris Hip Score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Hip Outcome Assessment (WOMAC) Score, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires. Bone resorption and remodeling, radiolucency, osteolysis, and cortical hypertrophy were analyzed in the postoperative radiograph and were related to the final follow-up radiographic results. Complications due to the use of the standard operating room table or the leg positioner were evaluated. Results A total of 227 patients (238 hips) were included in the study. Average age at time of surgery was 62 years (range 38–77 years). Mean follow-up time was 67.7 months (range 12–120 months). Kaplan–Meier survivorship analysis after 10 years revealed 98.2% survival rate with revision for loosening as endpoint. The mean preoperative and postoperative HHS were 38.35 and 94.2, respectively. The mean preoperative and postoperative WOMAC Scores were 82.4 and 16.8, respectively. SF-36 physical and mental scores averaged 36.8 and 42.4, respectively, before surgery and 72.4 and 76.2, respectively, at final follow-up. The radiographic change around the stem showed bone hypertrophy in 55 cases (23%) at zone 3. In total, 183 surgeries were performed via the direct anterior approach (DAA) on a standard operating room table, and 44 surgeries were performed on the AMIS mobile leg positioner. Comparison between the two patient groups did not reveal significant differences. Conclusion In conclusion, a short, anatomic, cementless femoral stem provided stable metaphyseal fixation in younger patients. Our clinical and radiographic results support the use of this short stem in the direct anterior approach. Level of evidence IV.

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Early surgical intervention for active thoracic spinal tuberculosis patients with paraparesis and paraplegia

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04078-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Weiwei Li ◽

Zheng Liu ◽

Xiao Xiao ◽

Zhenchao Xu ◽

Zhicheng Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Spinal Tuberculosis ◽

Thoracic Spinal ◽

Cobb’S Angle ◽

Perioperative Complication ◽

The Mean ◽

Early Surgical Intervention ◽

Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis

Abstract Background To explore the therapeutic effect of early surgical intervention for active thoracic spinal tuberculosis (TB) patients with paraparesis and paraplegia. Methods Data on 118 active thoracic spinal TB patients with paraparesis and paraplegia who had undergone surgery at an early stage (within three weeks of paraparesis and paraplegia) from January 2008 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The operation duration, blood loss, perioperative complication rate, VAS score, ASIA grade and NASCIS score of neurological status rating, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), kyphotic Cobb’s angle, and duration of bone graft fusion were analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of surgery. Results The mean operating time was 194.2 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 871.2 ml. The perioperative complication rate was 5.9 %. The mean preoperative VAS score was 5.3, which significantly decreased to 3.2 after the operation and continued decreasing to 1.1 at follow up (P<0.05). All cases achieved an increase of at least one ASIA grade after operation. The rate of full neurological recovery for paraplegia (ASIA grade A and B) was 18.0 % and was significantly lower than the rate (100 %) for paraparesis (ASIA grade C and D) (P<0.05). On the NASCIS scale, the difference in the neurological improvement rate between paraplegia (22.2 % ± 14.1 % in sensation and 52.2 % ± 25.8 % in movement) and paraparesis (26.7 % ± 7.5 % in sensation and 59.4 % ± 7.3 % in movement) was remarkable (P<0.05). Mean preoperative ESR and CRP were 73.1 mm /h and 82.4 mg/L, respectively, which showed a significant increase after operation (P>0.05), then gradually decreased to 11.5 ± 1.8 mm/h and 2.6 ± 0.82 mg/L, respectively, at final follow up (P<0.05). The mean preoperative kyphotic Cobb’s angle was 21.9º, which significantly decreased to 6.5º after operation (P<0.05) while kyphotic correction was not lost during follow up (P>0.05). The mean duration of bone graft fusion was 8.6 ± 1.3 months. Conclusions Early surgical intervention may be beneficial for active thoracic spinal TB patients with paraparesis and paraplegia, with surgical intervention being more beneficial for recovery from paraparesis than paraplegia.

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Bifurcated bypass in severe chronic limb threatening ischaemia

Vascular ◽

10.1177/1708538121999856 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 170853812199985

Author(s):

Daniele Adami ◽

Michele Marconi ◽

Alberto Piaggesi ◽

Davide M Mocellin ◽

Raffaella N Berchiolli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

Primary Patency ◽

Free Survival ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Bypass Patency ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Endovascular Approach ◽

The Mean ◽

Clinical Records

Objectives Revascularization according to the angiosome concept is of proven importance for limb salvage in chronic limb threatening ischaemia but it is not always practicable. Bifurcated bypasses could be considered as an option when an endovascular approach is not feasible or has already failed and a single bypass would not allow direct revascularization of the ischaemic area. Bifurcated bypasses are characterized by landing on two different arteries, the main artery (in direct continuity with the foot vessels) and the secondary one (perfusing the angiosome district). The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of bifurcated bypass in chronic limb threatening ischaemia. Methods Thirty-five patients were consecutively treated with a bifurcated bypass for chronic limb threatening ischaemia from January 2014 to December 2019 in a single vascular surgery centre. Data from clinical records and operative registers were collected prospectively in an electronic database and retrospectively analysed. Primary and primary assisted bypass patency, amputation-free survival, morbidity and mortality rates at 12 and 24 months were analysed. Results Mean follow-up period was 25.1 months (range 2–72 months). Thirty-six bifurcated bypasses were performed on 35 patients (age 75.3 ± 7.2 years; 69.4% were male). According to Wound, Ischemia, foot Infection classification 22.2% belonged to stage 3 and 77.8% to stage 4 and the mean Rutherford’s class was 5.1 ± 0.7. Immediate technical success was 100%. Early mortality and morbidity rates were respectively 5.5%, and 33.3%; foot surgery was performed in 50% of cases with wound healing in all patients. Primary patency and primary assisted bypass patency were 96.7% and 100% at 6 months; 85.2% and 92% at 12 months, 59.9% and 73.4% at 24 months, respectively. Amputation-free survival at 12 and 24 months was, respectively, 95.6% and 78.8%. Overall survival rates at 12 and 24 months were respectively 94.4% and 91.6%. Conclusions Bifurcates bypass can provide good results in patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia without endovascular option, especially in diabetic ones. Bifurcated bypass is a complex surgical solution, both to be planned and performed, and it is quite invasive for frail patients that should be accurately selected.

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Outcomes of endoscopic suturectomy with postoperative helmet therapy in bilateral coronal craniosynostosis

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2016.2.peds15693 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 281-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

S. Alex Rottgers ◽

Subash Lohani ◽

Mark R. Proctor

Keyword(s):

Hospital Stay ◽

Head Circumference ◽

Major Complication ◽

Csf Leak ◽

Perioperative Morbidity ◽

Syndromic Craniosynostosis ◽

Duration Of Surgery ◽

Coronal Synostosis ◽

The Mean

OBJECTIVE Historically, bilateral frontoorbital advancement (FOA) has been the keystone for treatment of turribrachycephaly caused by bilateral coronal synostosis. Early endoscopic suturectomy has become a popular technique for treatment of single-suture synostosis, with acceptable results and minimal perioperative morbidity. Boston Children's Hospital has adopted this method of treating early-presenting cases of bilateral coronal synostosis. METHODS A retrospective review of patients with bilateral coronal craniosynostosis who were treated with endoscopic suturectomy between 2005 and 2012 was completed. Patients were operated on between 1 and 4 months of age. Hospital records were reviewed for perioperative morbidity, length of stay, head circumference and cephalic indices, and the need for further surgery. RESULTS Eighteen patients were identified, 8 males and 10 females, with a mean age at surgery of 2.6 months (range 1–4 months). Nine patients had syndromic craniosynostosis. The mean duration of surgery was 73.3 minutes (range 50–93 minutes). The mean blood loss was 40 ml (range 20–100 ml), and 2 patients needed a blood transfusion. The mean duration of hospital stay was 1.2 days (range 1–2 days). There was 1 major complication in the form of a CSF leak. The mean follow-up was 37 months (range 6–102 months). Eleven percent of nonsyndromic patients required a subsequent FOA; 55.6% of syndromic patients underwent FOA. The head circumference percentiles and cephalic indices improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS Early endoscopic suturectomy successfully treats the majority of patients with bilateral coronal synostosis, and affords a short procedure time, a brief hospital stay, and an expedited recovery. Close follow-up is needed to detect patients who will require a secondary FOA due to progressive suture fusion or resynostosis of the released coronal sutures.

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Diamond-Shaped Mini-Craniotomy: A New Concept in Neurosurgery

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A Central European Neurosurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1730942 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Giuseppe Emmanuele Umana ◽

Gianluca Scalia ◽

Marco Fricia ◽

Giovanni Federico Nicoletti ◽

Domenico Gerardo Iacopino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly Patients ◽

Temporal Muscle ◽

Brain Computed Tomography ◽

Computed Tomography Scans ◽

The Mean ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Dural Opening ◽

Traditional Approaches ◽

Scalp Incision

Abstract Background We describe, step by step, a modified, less invasive, diamond-shaped mini-craniotomy that optimizes dural opening and can be performed in elderly patients affected by acute subdural or intracerebral hematomas, in therapy with antiplatelets or anticoagulants. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 67 patients (mean age of 78.5 years) treated in our institution, during a period of 10 years, with this novel diamond-shaped craniotomy. Seventeen patients were treated for intracerebral hemorrhage and 50 patients for acute subdural hematomas. All the patients were in therapy with antiplatelets or anticoagulants. Results Approach-related complications were not detected. Ten of 67 patients (14.9%) presented temporal muscle atrophy; there was no scar deformity, paresthesia, hyperalgesia, or ramus frontalis palsy around the scalp incision. Thirty-day mortality was 22%. The mean follow-up was 1.3 years. One-month postoperative brain computed tomography scans showed a satisfactory hematoma evacuation in 57 of 67 patients (85%). Conclusions The diamond-shaped mini-craniotomy for acute subdural and intracerebral hematomas is safe and effective, and it should be considered as an alternative to traditional approaches, particularly in elderly patients.

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