Object Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy is a refinement of the standard open microsurgical discectomy technique. Proponents of the minimally invasive technique suggest that it improves patient outcome, shortens hospital stay, and decreases hospital costs. Despite these claims there is little support in the literature to justify the adoption of minimally invasive discectomy over standard open microsurgical discectomy. In the present study, the authors address some of these issues by comparing the short-term outcomes in patients who underwent first time, single-level lumbar discectomy at L3–4, L4–5, or L5–S1 using either a minimally invasive percutaneous, muscle splitting approach or a standard, open, muscle-stripping microsurgical approach. Methods A retrospective chart review of 172 patients who had undergone a first-time, single-level lumbar discectomy at either L3–4, L4–5, or L5–S1 was performed. Perioperative results were assessed by comparing the following parameters between patients who had undergone minimally invasive discectomy and those who received standard open microsurgical discectomy: length of stay, operative time, estimated blood loss, rate of cerebrospinal fluid leak, post-anesthesia care unit narcotic use, need for a physical therapy consultation, and need for admission to the hospital. Results Forty-nine patients underwent minimally invasive discectomy, and 123 patients underwent open microsurgical discectomy. At baseline the groups did differ significantly with respect to age, but did not differ with respect to height, weight, sex, body mass index, level of radiculopathy, side of radiculopathy, insurance status, or type of preoperative analgesic use. No statistically significant differences were identified in operative time, rate of cerebrospinal fluid leak, or need for a physical therapy consultation. Statistically significant differences were identified in length of stay, estimated blood loss, postanesthesia care unit narcotic use, and need for admission to the hospital. Conclusions In this retrospective study, patients who underwent minimally invasive discectomy were found to have similiar perioperative results as those who underwent open microsurgical discectomy. The differences, although statistically significant, are of modest clinical significance.

Background: The treatment of type 1 Chiari malformation (CM-1) with posterior fossa decompression without (PFD) or with duraplasty (PFDD) is controversial. The authors analyze both options in a national sample of pediatric patients. Methods: Utilizing the Kids' Inpatient Database, CM-1 patients undergoing PFD or PFDD from 2000 through 2009 were analyzed. Results: 1,593 patients with PFD and 1,056 with PFDD were evaluated. The average age was 10.3 years, slightly younger in PFD (9.8 vs. 10.9 years, p = 0.001). PFDD patients were more likely White (81.2 vs 75.6%, p = 0.04) and less likely admitted emergently (8.4 vs. 13.8%, p = 0.007). They also underwent more reoperations (2.1 vs. 0.7%, p = 0.01), had more procedure-related complications (2.3 vs. 0.8%, p = 0.003), a longer length of stay (4.4 vs. 3.8 days, p = 0.001) and higher charges (USD 35,321 vs. 31,483, p = 0.01). Conclusions: This large national study indicates that PFDD is performed more often in Caucasians, less so emergently, and associated with significantly more complications and immediate reoperations, while PFD is more frequent in those with syringomyelia and more economical, requiring fewer hospital resources. Overall, PFD is more favorable for CM-1, though it would be prudent to conduct a prospective trial, as this analysis is limited by data on preoperative presentations and long-term outcomes.

Near-drowning predisposes one to infection by the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum, and brain abscess is the most common consequence. Vertebral osteomyelitis due to this organism is exceedingly rare. The authors report on a 43-year-old man who developed fungal spondylodiscitis several weeks after a near-drowning event. The rare nature of this infection led to a delay in diagnosis. A combination of surgical debridement, instrumentation, and antifungal therapy resulted in an excellent outcome at 1 year of follow-up.