9 %) to 27.1A degrees (56.0 % correction) with an average loss of correction of 2.2A degrees. The secondary lumbar curve measured 47.7A degrees preoperatively (40-56A degrees, average correction on reverse bending films 66.2 %) and corrected spontaneously

to 30.1A degrees (36 % SLCC) and remained stable without any cases of deterioration or decompensation during follow-up. Lumbar apical vertebral translation increased minimally by an average of 4 mm directly, postoperatively, and returned to an average of preoperative values during follow-up. All but two curves remained as type C lumbar modifier at follow-up. Preoperatively, three patients showed a marked coronal imbalance of more than 3 cm (all left, average 4.0 cm); at follow-up, two patients were still out of balance selleck chemical by more than 3 cm (all to the left, average 3.4 cm). Preoperatively, a marked shoulder imbalance of more than 1.0 cm was found in 11 patients; this was corrected in all patients to < 1.0 cm at follow-up. The apical vertebral rotation measured according to Perdriolle was corrected from 23.5A degrees to 15.0A degrees in the thoracic spine (36.2 % correction) with an average clinical reduction of the rib hump of 63.2 %. In the lumbar spine, there was no relevant radiological derotation; however, clinically, the lumbar hump corrected spontaneously by 44.3 %. Thoracic kyphosis AZD8186 chemical structure measured 28.5A degrees preoperatively and 32.3A degrees at follow-up. All six

patients with a preoperative hypokyphosis (< 20A degrees) of an average of 9.5A degrees BYL719 were successfully corrected to an average thoracic kyphosis of 23.8A degrees at follow-up. There were no cases of junctional thoracolumbar kyphosis. There were neither reoperations nor implant failures with pseudarthrosis.

Selective anterior correction and fusion in primary thoracic curves with lumbar modifier type Lenke C resulted in a reliable and satisfactory SLCC. Advantages of anterior versus posterior techniques are the

true segmental derotation with excellent rib hump correction and a superior restoration of thoracic kyphosis.”
“Background: This report summarizes initial tests of an emphysematous lung synthetic polymer sealant (ELS) designed to reduce lung volume in patients with advanced emphysema. Objectives: The primary study objective was to define a therapeutic strategy to optimize treatment safety and effectiveness. Methods: ELS therapy was administered bronchoscopically to 25 patients with heterogeneous emphysema in an open-label, noncontrolled study at 6 centers in Germany. Treatment was performed initially at 2-4 subsegments. After 12 weeks, patients were eligible for repeat therapy to a total of 6 sites. Safety and efficacy were assessed after 6 months. Responses were evaluated in terms of changes from baseline in lung physiology, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life. Follow-up is available for 21 of 25 patients. Results: Treatment was well tolerated. There were no treatment-related deaths (i.e.