Biomedical subjects

B A Ferree

Publications and source records attributed to B A Ferree.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Deep venous thrombosis following lumbar laminotomy and laminectomy.

Sixty consecutive patients undergoing lumbar laminotomy or laminectomy underwent preoperative and postoperative compression ultrasonography of the lower extremities to detect acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Compression stockings were the only method of prophylaxis. Three patients (5%) developed postoperative calf DVT. Despite continued treatment with only compression stockings, serial scanning failed to detect propagation of the thrombus proximal to the knee in any patient. The average age of patients who developed DVT, 62 years, was significantly greater (P < .05) than the age of patients who did not, 45 years. There were no statistically significant differences in DVT rates when compared by: sex, addition of one- or two-level fusion, length of procedure, or number of days of bedrest.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Deep venous thrombosis following posterior lumbar spinal surgery.

Postoperative duplex scans were performed on 185 patients undergoing posterior lumbar spinal surgery in order to identify deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Elastic compression stockings were used for prophylaxis in 74 patients (Group E.S.); intermittent pneumatic compression was used in the remaining 111 patients (Group P.C.). High-risk patients were not eliminated from either group. Laminectomy was performed on 84 patients (40 from Group E.S. and 44 from Group P.C.), and spinal fusion, on 101 patients (34 from Group E.S. and 67 from Group P.C.). A total of four patients, all from Group E.S., developed acute postoperative DVT. Intermittent pneumatic compression significantly reduced the incidence of acute postoperative DVT (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of DVT in relation to the type of spinal procedure, length of procedure, duration of bed rest, or age of the patient. In conclusion, considering the low rate of DVT (2%) following posterior lumbar surgery and the potential complications of prophylactic anticoagulation, we continue to use intermittent pneumatic compression rather than elastic stockings for prophylaxis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Deep venous thrombosis after spinal surgery.

Eighty-six consecutive patients undergoing spinal surgery were studied with preoperative and postoperative compression ultrasonography of the lower extremities to identify acute deep venous thrombosis. Compression stockings were the only method of prophylaxis. Postoperative deep venous thrombosis developed in five patients (6%). Serial ultrasound scanning revealed propagation of the thrombus proximal to the knee in one patient, who was the only patient to be anticoagulated. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of deep venous thrombosis compared to the type of procedure, age, sex, length of operation, or duration of bed rest. In conclusion, deep venous thrombosis distal to the inguinal ligament is unusual after spinal surgery. Given the potential complications of anticoagulation, we recommend only mechanical prophylaxis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Morphometric characteristics of pedicles of the immature spine.

The morphometric characteristics of pedicles from T12 to S1 were measured from a review of 203 computerized tomographic scans of children 3 to 20 years of age. The pedicles of the lower lumbar spine (L4, L5, and S1) reached transverse extracortical pedicle diameters of 1 cm by the time the child reached 7 years of age. The pedicles of the upper lumbar spine (T12, L1, L2, and L3) did not reach similar size until the child reached 12 years of age. The data from this study suggest pedicular screw insertion, especially of the L5 and S1 vertebrae, is technically possible in young children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Aortic injuries in thoracolumbar spine fracture-dislocations: report of three cases.

Patients with thoracolumbar fractures and fracture-dislocations of the spine often have associated injuries. One rare and potentially life-threatening concomitant injury is aortic trauma. In cases of fracture-dislocation at the thoracolumbar junction, injuries to the thoracic aorta must be diagnosed early and treated appropriately in conjunction with posterior fixation of the unstable spine.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Hyperextension spinal fracture.

Hyperextension thoracolumbar spinal fractures are unusual and occur primarily in patients with ankylosed spines. Early diagnosis to avoid neurologic deterioration requires a high index of suspicion, given the paucity of radiographic findings. The biomechanics of the fracture and its treatment differ from more typical spinal fractures in several important aspects.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1989

Spinal epidural abscess. A case report and literature review.

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare infectious disorder often subject to a delayed diagnosis. This delay can be disastrous, resulting in permanent neurologic dysfunction or death. Surgeons treating patients with spinal disorders must be aware of this condition to avoid confusing it with more frequent spinal problems, eg, herniated lumbar disk. This case report is presented to acquaint or refresh the occasional spinal surgeon with this condition.

Abscess↗