Controversies in Spine Surgery

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Massachussets, UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester, MA, USA

Drawing on the expertise of world-renowned orthopedic and neurological spine surgeons, Controversies in Spine Surgery: Best Evidence Recommendations compiles, summarizes, and synthesizes the most relevant scientific literature available in the field today.

Each succinct, problem-oriented chapter addresses a different controversial issue where there is a lack of consensus about the best possible course of action. The authors provide guidance and objective recommendations for each scenario based on the most relevant data found in the literature to give surgeons the background they need to make fully informed treatment decisions.

Features:
- Concise outline format enables rapid reading for the busy spine surgeon
- Invaluable synopses of highly practical evidence-based literature
- Detailed coverage of commonly disputed issues, such as how to manage vertebral compression fractures, surgery for axial back pain, minimally invasive lumbar fusion, the use of prophylactic antibiotics in spine surgery, and much more
- "Grading of Best Evidence" feature in which the authors rate the viability of the data presented
- Numerous summary tables throughout the text emphasize the main conclusions of published studies
- Pearls highlight important points in each chapter

This cutting-edge clinical reference will help every resident, fellow, and spine surgeon in orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery streamline their medical decision making process and improve their patient care.

Thieme Publishers New York 2010 im Thieme Verlag

Section I - Introduction 1.1 Introduction Section II - Trauma Cervical Spine 2.1 Clearing cervical spine injuries MRI, dynamic x-rays, CT 2.2 Type II odontoid fractures surgery versus conservative, anterior versus posterior approach, role of Halo 2.3 Management of cervical facet fractures surgical indications and approach 2.4 Management of cervical facet dislocations role of MRI, timing of reduction, anterior versus posterior approach Thoracolumbar Spine 2.5 Thoracolumbar burst fracture surgery versus conservative care 2.6 Vertebral compression fracture surgery versus conservative care, does augmentation increase future fracture risk, vertebroplasty vs. kyphoplasty Spinal Cord Injury 2.7 Use of steroids for spinal cord injury 2.8 Role of early surgical decompression for spinal cord injury Section III Degenerative Cervical Spine 3.1 Cervical myelopathy anterior versus posterior approach, timing of surgery, meaning of MRI signal changes 3.2 Adjacent level cervical degeneration effect of fusion, sagittal alignment, plate position Thoracolumbar Spine 3.3 Adult low grade spondylolisthesis conservative versus surgery, surgical approach, role of fusion, role of instrumentation 3.4 Surgery for low back pain surgical approach, discogram, facet injections 3.5 Recurrent lumbar disk herniation repeat discectomy vs. fusion 3.6 Management of thoracic disk herniation Section IV Technology 4.1 Rigid versus dynamic cervical plates indications and efficacy 4.2 BMP in the cervical spine efficacy and associated risks 4.3 Role of cervical disk replacement - Does it avoid the shortcomings of a fusion? 4.4 Role of lumbar disk replacement - Does it avoid the shortcomings of a fusion? 4.5 Minimally invasive lumbar fusion results and complications compared to open techniques 4.6 The meaning of MRI findings with regards to posterior ligamentous disruption and stability in the setting of trauma 4.7 Use of neuromonitoring in spinal surgery - indications Section V Infection 5.1 BMP in the setting of infection indications, risks and efficacy 5.2 Spine infections medical vs. surgical treatment options