So far, there is no widely accepted classification system based on objective findings that can serve as a guide in selecting the treatment method for spinal tuberculosis. This retrospective study evaluates patients with spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease) treated with different surgical procedures. Our aim was to outline a new classification of spinal tuberculosis. A retrospective review of 76 cases (55 male and 25 female patients) of spinal tuberculosis was conducted. Five of the patients were treated medically, and the others who were treated surgically were classified into three types

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and wound complications in coccygectomy with or without subperiosteal resection. This retrospective study included 25 patients who underwent coccygectomy. Resection of all mobile coccygeal segments including the periosteum was performed in 11 patients (group 1) and resection was performed subperiostally sparing the periosteum in the remaining 14 patients (group 2). A visual analogue scale was used for pain assessment before and after the surgery both in sitting and standing positions. A questionnaire to evaluate subjective patient satisfaction was also used. The two groups were statistically similar in terms of age, sex, aetiology, duration of symptoms before surgery and follow-up time. Both surgical techniques resulted in a statistically similar clinical outcome. Overall, 84% of patients who underwent coccygectomy benefited from surgery. We observed four wound infections (two superficial and two deep) that caused delayed wound healing in group 1. The rate of infection in group 1 was statistically higher than in group 2. The results of this study suggest that periosteal preservation and closure are related to low risk of infection.

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This article reports an analysis of 75 consecutive lower limb amputees who developed painful neuroma requiring surgical excision after lower limb amputation following landmine explosions. This retrospective study analyses the results of 75 patients who were treated for painful neuroma after lower limb amputation following landmine explosions between the years 2000 and 2006. The average time period from use of prosthesis to start of symptoms suggesting neuroma was 9.6 months. The average time period from start of pain symptoms to neuroma surgery was 7.8 months. All clinically proven neuromas were surgically resected. In the mean follow-up of 2.8 years, all patients were satisfied with the end results and all were free of any pain symptoms. Painful stump with clinical diagnostic findings of neuroma described above may be regarded as neuroma without requiring any further imaging modalities and is an indication for surgery if conservative measures fail.

This study investigates efficacy and safety of routine cell salvage system use in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing primary posterior spinal fusion surgery with segmental spinal instrumentation. Forty-five consecutive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion by two surgeons at a single hospital were studied. Intraoperative cell salvage system was used in 23 patients, and the control group was 22 patients who underwent surgery without cell salvage system. The cell salvage system was the Haemonetics Cell Saver 5. The primary outcome measures were intraoperative and perioperative allogeneic transfusion rate, difference between preoperative and discharge Hg and Hct levels. Average patient age was 14.65 ± 1.49 in cell saver group and 13.86 ± 2.0 in control group. In cell saver group, average intraoperative autotransfusion was 382.1 ± 175 ml. Average perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion need was 1.04 ± 0.7 unit in cell saver group and 2.5 ± 1.14 unit in control group. No transfusion reactions occurred in either group. Average hemoglobin level in cell saver group was 10.7 ± 0.86 and average hemoglobin level in control group was 10.7 ± 0.82 on discharge. Cell saver reduces perioperative transfusion rate in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.