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Objective. To analyze the 50 most cited articles related to the diagnosis, classification and surgical treatment of injuries of the thoracolumbar junction, which influenced the study of this problem. Material and Methods. The Web of Science database was searched for keywords to detect articles related to thoracolumbar junction surgery. Articles were selected taking into account the title, abstract and the used methods, and then evaluated by the total number of citations to identify the fifty most cited. Characteristics of publications were analyzed. Results. The United States of America, Thomas Jefferson University and A.R. Vaccaro were the most productive country, institution and author, respectively, dealing with the subject. The 2000s was the most active decade in terms of the number of publications. The greatest attention of scientists dealing with the problems of thoracolumbar injury was attracted by the article by McLain et al. analyzing the causes of the failures of short-segment transpedicular systems in the early postoperative period. The article by Laursen et al. presenting the results of using recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-7 in combination with metal fixation is at the top of the list in terms of average citation index. Most articles are well-designed randomized studies with the evidence level II. Conclusion. Citation analysis allowed to identify the most relevant articles, the authors of which have made a significant contribution to the problem of surgery of the thoracolumbar junction. Study of the information field through the prism of the most cited articles allows seeing the mainstream and future development of diagnostics, classification and treatment of the injuries of this localization.

Introduction. Nowadays it’s recommended to perform carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in up to 14 days after nondisabling stroke; the procedure is aimed at the prevention of recurrent stroke.The objective of this research was the comparison of short-term and long-term (12 months) outcomes with early (in up to 30 days) and delayed (30-180 days) CEA in patients who suffered strokes of various severities.Materials and methods. The research involved 88 patients who underwent CEA in the early stage (Group 1) and 88 patients who underwent CEA in their late period (Group 2). We assessed primary endpoints: ipsilateral stroke, myocardial infarction, 30-day Lethality, 30-day lethality after the surgery, any stroke or infarction (MACE). Secondary endpoints: the same parameters within 12 months after the surgery, post-surgery local or systemic complications, restenosis, changes in neurologic or cognitive status.Results. In 30 days we observed ipsilateral strokes in 3 patients in Group 1 (3.4 percent), it was lethal in 1 patient (1.1 percent). 170 of 176 (96 percent) patients were followed up for 12 months. One lethal stroke was registered in the group of late interventions (1.1 percent). No statistically significant differences were observed between the outcomes in early and late treatment groups. The severity of disability (mRS) in patients of the early intervention group was significantly smaller at discharge and in 12 months after surgery.Conclusion. The advisability of early CEA performance was proven by the absence of differences in post-surgery 30-day and longterm lethality as well as the progress of stroke or infarction with early or late CEA. In 12 months after the surgeries, significant improvement in neurologic status by mRS was only observed in the group of early interventions.

Brachial plexus traction injury is common and is an important socioeconomic issue with surgical outcomes being essential for neurosurgery, neurology, trauma, orthopaedic and rehabilitation specialists. The objective was to compare short-term surgical outcomes in patients with closed brachial plexus traction injuries. Material and methods The study involved 61 patients with closed brachial plexus traction injuries who were divided into two homogeneous groups according to sex, age and severity of neurological deficit. Patients of Group I (n = 33) underwent microsurgical neurolysis as a surgical treatment and patients of Group II (n = 28) underwent microsurgical neurolysis in combination with single-level electrical stimulation. Clinical and functional status of the upper limb was assessed in dynamics using scales and electrophysiological monitoring. Results Short-term results of surgical treatment were significantly better in Group II compared to Group I. Discussion A more apparent recovery of the upper limb function was observed in patients of Group II that indicated advantages of microsurgical neurolysis in combination with electrical stimulation to repair closed brachial plexus traction injuries. Conclusion The combination of microsurgical neurolysis and single-level electrical stimulation improves short-term surgical outcomes of patients with closed brachial plexus traction injuries due to a faster pain relief in the postoperative period and positive dynamics in clinical and electrophysiological parameters.

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