Vertebroplasty - minimally invasive treatment for vertebral fractures

Interventional Radiology Department, University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, “Carol Davila” University, Neurosurgery Clinic, University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, “Carol Davila” University, Radiology and Medical Imaging Clinic, University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Al VIII-lea Congres Naţional de Ortopedie și Traumatologie cu participare internaţională 12-14 octombrie 2016Background and purpose: Vertebral fracture is the most common complication of osteoporosis and sometimes also in osteolytic methastasis, active hemangiomas or multiple myelomas. We present the indications, technique, complications, etc. Methods: Vertebroplasty is the percutaneous placement of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into vertebral compression fractures for relief of pain, performed under fluoroscopic guidance while the exact mechanism of pain relief is unknown, it is believed that the delivery of the ciment into the fracture stabilizes the vertebral body, obtaining an analgesic effect. Results: We present our experience of 14 years in percutaneous vertebroplasty (and kyphoplasty) with common indications, results, complications, new indications, tips and tricks, etc. Conclusions: Vertebroplasty is an alternative to spinal surgery. In experienced centers, percuta-neous vertebroplasty is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with painful vertebral com-pression fractures

Minimally invasive treatments for disk hernia

Interventional Radiology Department, University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, “Carol Davila” University, Neurosurgery Clinic, University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Neurosurgery Clinic, University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, “Carol Davila” University, Radiology and Medical Imaging Clinic, University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Al VIII-lea Congres Naţional de Ortopedie și Traumatologie cu participare internaţională 12-14 octombrie 2016Background and purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the common reasons for people to seek treatment from a physician, especially in modern society. We present the indications, technique, complications, etc. of the different minimally invasive interventions. Methods: A multitude of therapies are available to treat disc herniation, ranging from conserva-tive methods (medication and physical therapy) to minimally invasive (chemonucleolysis, O₂-O₃ therapy, mechanical nucleoplasty, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, etc) and surgery. Results: We present our experience of 10 years in minimally invasive interventions with common indications, results, complications, tips and tricks, etc. Conclusions: Percutaneous disk interventions are an alternative therapy situated between medical treatment and spinal surgery. Patients selection is very important and lead to the successful of the intervention

Biocompatibility Analysis of GelMa Hydrogel and Silastic RTV 9161 Elastomer for Encapsulation of Electronic Devices for Subdermal Implantable Devices

The natural differences between human-made electronics and biological tissues constitute a huge challenge in materials and the manufacturing of next-generation bioelectronics. As such, we performed a series of consecutive experiments for testing the biofunctionality and biocompatibility for device implantation, by changing the exterior chemical and physical properties of electronics coating it with silicone or hydrogels. In this article, we present a comparison of the main characteristics of an electronic device coated with either silicone or hydrogel (GelMa). The coating was performed with a bioprinter for accurate silicone and hydrogel deposition around different electronic chips (Step-Down Voltage Regulator U3V15F5 from Pololu Corporation). The results demonstrate that the hydrogel coating presents an augmented biomechanical and biochemical interface and superior biocompatibility, lowers foreign body response, and considerably extends the capabilities for bioelectronic applications