Dr. Kota Watanabe (Tokyo, Japan) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Surgical and Functional Outcomes of Expansive Open-Door Laminoplasty for Patients With Mild Kyphotic Cervical Alignment.” In this article, the authors discuss the current therapeutic concept of expansive laminoplasty as a useful surgical option for patients even if they present mild kyphotic cervical angles. Dr. Dongwook Son (Busan, Korea) provides an editorial about the role of neuromuscular compensation in cervical spine surgery.

Dr. Victor E. Staartjes (Zurich, Switzerland) and colleagues present an article entitled “Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test Performance in Healthy Individuals: Reference Values and Predictors From 2 Prospective Cohorts” In this article, the authors investigate reference values for this test, as well as factors predicting 5R-STS performance in healthy adults (age, body mass index, height, male sex, and house worker status).

Dr. Anthony Sin (Shreveport, USA) and colleagues present an article entitled “Spinal Fractures in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Patterns, Management, and Complications in the United States – Analysis of Latest Nationwide Inpatient Sample Data.” In this article, the authors investigate the complications and treatment patterns in the United States in AS patients with spinal fractures, using the latest Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Dr. Bo Li and Dr. Dean Chou (San Francisco, USA) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Utility of the MISDEF2 Algorithm and Extent of Fusion in Open Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.” This article provides results that show an important role of MISDEF2 algorithm in guiding open ASD surgical decision making.

Dr. Wei Tian (Beijing, China) and colleagues present an article entitled “Risk Factors of Unsatisfactory Robot-Assisted Pedicle Screw Placement: A Case-Control Study.” In this article, the authors conclude that in patients with severe obesity, osteoporosis, and segments three levels away from the tracker, vigilance should be maintained during surgery to avoid postoperative complications due to unsatisfactory screw position. Dr. Jun Ho Lee (Seoul, Korea) provides editorial commentary on this article.

Dr. Kern Singh (Chicago, USA) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Change in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures as Predictors of Revision Lumbar Decompression Procedures.” They conclude that PROMIS-PF may play a role in predicting who is at risk of revision surgery.

Dr. Sang-Kyu Son (Busan, Korea) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy for Decompression of Extraforaminal Stenosis at the Lumbosacral Junction: Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes.” Dr. Son and colleagues identify compression factors (pseudoarthrosis within the transverse process of L5 and ala of the sacrum, disc bulging with or without osteophytes, and the thickened lumbosacral and extraforaminal ligament) and good clinical outcomes after UBE. Dr. Chang Kyu Lee (Seoul, Korea) and Dr. InSoo Kim (Daegu, Korea) provide an editorial about the role of UBE in spinal stenosis of the lumbosacral junction.

Dr. Jong-Min Baik (Incheon, Korea) and colleagues contribute a technical note entitled “Double Dome Laminoplasty: A Novel Technique for C2 Decompression.” The authors conclude that double dome laminoplasty for treating patients with cervical myelopathy involving the C2 area to avoid C2 laminectomy reduces postoperative neck pain and maintains lordotic cervical spine alignment. Dr. K. Daniel Riew (New York, USA) provides an editorial about the indications for double dome laminoplasty.

Neurospine Open access articles are now available at  http://www.e-neurospine.org