Clinical Research Directory

NuVasive® ACP System Study

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and performance of anterior cervical spine surgery using the NuVasive anterior cervical plate (ACP) System as measured by reported complications, radiographic outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Effectiveness of AlloWrap® for the Reduction of Inflammation in ACDF Procedures

The primary objective of this study is to obtain evidence of the effectiveness of AlloWrap Amniotic Membrane in the reduction of soft tissue swelling in two-level ACDF procedures.

Laminoplasty Versus Laminectomy With Lateral Mass Fixation in Management of Degenerative Cervical Canal Stenosis

Cervical canal stenosis (CCS) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal in the cervical spine, leading to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. This can result in a variety of neurological deficits, including myelopathy, radiculopathy, and motor dysfunction. The primary goal of treatment is to relieve neural compression and improve or preserve neurological function. Surgical decompression, such as laminoplasty, is a common procedure to treat this condition, as it decompresses the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Laminectomy with lateral mass fixation is another option of management.

Salt Water Gargling on Swallowing Following ACDF

The goal of this randomized control trial is to collect sufficient preliminary data on the efficacy of sodium chloride, hereafter referred to as "saltwater" or "saline" in reducing the difficulty of swallowing following multi-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures. The study population will consist of generally healthy adults ages 18 - 80. The main question it aims to answer is: If the symptomatology and severity of swallowing difficulties following ACDF surgery can be reduced by gargling with warm salt water. Researchers will compare the control and interventional arms to see if the proposed intervention of gargling with warm salt water improves difficulty swallowing following surgery. Patients in the control arm will be asked to: \- Complete three (3) questionnaires at specified intervals (preoperative, postoperative day (POD) 1, 2, and 7; and at 1-month postoperatively). Patients in the experimental/interventional arm will be asked to: * Complete three (3) questionnaires at specified intervals (preoperative, postoperative day (POD) 1, 2, and 7; and at 1-month postoperatively). * Gargle with a warm saltwater solution once on POD 0, and thrice daily from POD 1 to POD 7.

Minimally Invasive Posterior Decompression of the Cervical Spine

Degenerative stenosis of the cervical spinal canal may be caused by the compression of the posterior part of the dural sac and spinal cord by the hypertrophied ligamentum flavum and facet joints, by the compression of the anterior part of the dural sac and spinal cord by the posterior longitudinal ligament, vertebral osteophytes and protrusion/ herniation. The choice of surgical treatment in such cases is challenging. Posterior decompression and fixation is often proposed, but it is associated with a traumatic posterior approach, a large wound, and blood loss, a high risk of surgery site infections, and also instability of the metal fixation is possible. Also important is the increase in the surgical procedure cost due to the use of metal implants. An excellent alternative to standard posterior decompression and fixation is a method with isolated decompression of the cervical canal via posterior approach, which does not require any metal fixation.

Recording of Intraoperative Spinal Cord Stimulation and Monitoring

Opioid overdose suppresses brainstem respiratory circuits, causes apnea, and may result in death. Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) at the cervical spinal cord facilitated motor activity in rodents and humans, and we hypothesized that EES of the cervical spinal cord could antagonize opioid-induced respiratory depression in humans. In this study, we will stimulate the spinal cord during surgery and assess its effects on respiratory function in human patients.