By Dr. Kingsley Chin
Scientific Paper
Chin KR1, Boselli K, Cairone S.
Interested medical professionals can read through the full paper, as published in the Spine Journal, here.
Background Context
Of the injuries involving the lumbar spine, pedicle fractures are among the least common; those involving bilateral pedicles are rare.
Purpose
The aims of the study were to provide the first documentation of bilateral pedicle fractures at two consecutive levels after a gunshot, to review the mechanism of injury, and to evaluate a nonfusion treatment option for pedicle fractures.Summary of Background Data
Study Design
This is a technical note and case report.
Outcome Measure
The outcome measures were lumbar range of motion, return of motor and sensory functions, and return to normal activities.
Methods
A 20-year-old male sustained bilateral pedicle fractures at L4 and L5 with a massive dural tear, progressive neurologic deficits, and urinary incontinence. He underwent repair of the dural tear and lag screw fixation of the pedicle fractures without fusion.
Results
The patient had full range of motion of his lumbar spine, full strength in his lower extremities, and bladder control.
Conclusions
This is the first report of bilateral multilevel lumbar pedicle fractures after a single penetrating gunshot wound. The case documents this injury pattern after a gunshot, reviews the mechanism of injury, and presents the successful application of a nonfusion treatment option.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Dr. Kingsley R. Chin, Founder of philosophy and practice of The LES Society and The LESS Institute
About Author Dr. Kingsley R. Chin
Dr. Kingsley R. Chin is a board-certified Harvard-trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and Professor with copious business and information technology exposure. He sees a niche opportunity where medicine, business and info. tech meet – and is uniquely educated at the intersection of these three professions. He has experience as Professor of Clinical Biomedical Sciences & Admissions Committee Member at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Visiting Spine Surgeon & Professor at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and Adjunct Professor of Clinical Biomedical Sciences at the University of Technology, Jamaica.
Learn more about Dr. Chin here and connect via LinkedIn.
About Less Exposure Surgery
Less Exposure Surgery (LES) is based on a new philosophy of performing surgery, leading the charge to prove through bench and clinical outcomes research that LES treatment options are the best solutions – to lowering the cost of healthcare, improving outcomes and increasing patient satisfaction. Learn more at LESSociety.org.
The LES Society philosophy: “Tailor treatment to the individual aiding in the quickest recovery and return to a pain-free lifestyle, using LES® techniques that lessen exposure, preserve unoffending anatomy and utilize new technologies which are safe, easy to adopt and reproducible. These LES®techniques lessen blood loss, surgical time and exposure to radiation and can be safely performed in an outpatient center. Less is more.” – Kingsley R. Chin, MD
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The above study utilized LES Technology from SpineFrontier – leading provider of LES Technologies and instruments – offering surgeons and patients superior technology and services.
Scientific Paper Author & Citation Details
Authors
Chin KR1, Boselli K, Cairone S.
Author information
The Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. kingsleychin@imissurgery.com