Open-Door Laminoplasty Using Lateral Mass Anchoring Screws and Nonabsorbable Sutures in Patients with Multilevel Cervical Myelopathy.

BACKGROUD: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of open-door laminoplasty using lateral mass anchoring screws and nonabsorbable sutures (ODLLM) for multilevel cervical myelopathy. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 30 patients who underwent ODLLM. Clinical evaluations were performed using a visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) preoperatively, at 1 year postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Radiographic evaluation was done using cervical spine radiographs to measure changes in the lordotic angle and range of motion (ROM) preoperatively, at 1 year postoperatively, and at the last follow-up and computed tomography at 1 year postoperatively to measure the opening angle and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal. RESULTS: Significant improvement in VAS, JOA, and NDI was seen overall at 1 year after operation. However, there was no significant difference between 1 year after operation and the last follow-up. There were no significant changes in the lordotic angle and neck ROM. The mean opening angle of the opened lamina was measured as 39.04°. The mean anteroposterior diameter was significantly increased from 7.51 ± 1.79 mm before surgery to 13.98 ± 1.80 mm at 1 year of operation. Complications such as laminar reclosure and screw loosening were not observed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The ODLLM was technically easy to perform and showed good results comparable to those of conventional techniques. It can be suggested that ODLLM is an appropriate treatment option for multilevel cervical myelopathy.

Does posterior tibial slope affect the results of conservative treatment for anterior cruciate ligament tears?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between posterior tibial slope (PTS) and the short-term results of conservative treatment for the patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (37 knees: male 33, female 4) who were managed with the same treatment protocols for ACL tears were included. All patients applied ACL brace and underwent standardized rehabilitation protocol. Group A consisted of 14 patients with successful results after conservative management and group B consisted of 23 patients who received operative treatments due to failed conservative management. For each group, a plain radiograph was used to measure the PTS. The demographic data of patients and differences of PTS between each group were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 33.2 years in group A and 29.7 years in group B, respectively (p = 0.8). There was no significant difference between each group in terms of gender, body mass index, and injury mechanism. There was no significant difference between each group in the classification according to the isolated or combined injury (p = 0.83). The mean PTS was 8.3° in group A and 10.2° in group B. The mean PTS in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with successful results after conservative management had a lower mean PTS than those with failed conservative treatment (8.3° vs. 10.2°, p = 0.03). The failure of conservative treatment after ACL tear was found to be associated with increased PTS.

Autogenous Bone Grafts versue Metal Cage with Allogenic Bone Grafts for Post-Corpectomy Anterior Column Reconstruction in Patients with Infectious Spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic features of 25 patients with infectious spondylitis treated with anterior debridement and reconstruction using autogenous bone grafts vs. a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts. METHODS: The study analyzed 25 patients diagnosed with infectious thoracolumbar spondylitis who underwent anterior radical debridement and reconstruction. Autogenous bone grafts were used in 13 patients (group 1), and a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts was used in 12 patients (group 2). Clinical outcomes were assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and neurological status. Additionally, the serological results and the radiographic results using the sagittal Cobb angle were compared. Fusion was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) imaging at 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant decrease in the postoperative mean VAS scores; however, only, group 1 patients showed a significantly higher VAS score than group 2 patients, 1 month postoperatively (p=0.002). The postoperative neurological status significantly improved. Elevated C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values returned to normal limits at the 2-year follow-up without recurrent infection. No significant intergroup difference was observed in Cobb angle. Bony fusion was confirmed in all patients at CT 24 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Although the use of a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts for anterior column reconstruction remains controversial, our results suggest that it can be considered as an effective treatment of option for anterior column reconstruction in patients with infectious spondylitis.

Ferroelectric Tunnel Junction for Dense Cross-Point Arrays.

Cross-point array (CPA) structure memories using a memristor are attracting a great deal of attention due to their high density integration with a 4F2 cell. However, a common significant drawback of the CPA configuration is crosstalk between cells. To date, the CPA structure using a redox-based memristor has restrictions to minimize the operating current level due to their resistive switching mechanism. This study demonstrates suitable characteristics of a ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) for the memristor of the CPA structure using an electrostatic model. From the FTJ of the Au/p-type Pr0.98Ca0.02MnO3 (4 nm)/BaTiO3 (4.3 nm)/n-type Ca0.98Pr0.02MnO3 (3 nm)/Pt(111) structure, which has a higher and thicker potential barrier, a good memristive effect for the CPA structure with a high nonlinear current-voltage curve and low current operation, was obtained by Δ Fowler-Nordheim tunneling with effectively blocked direct tunneling and thermionic emission. The FTJ demonstrated reduced sneak current and the possible for high nonlinearity.