Recently, PL excision has been described with rather high implant failure and revision rates. There are no studies comparing outcomes of AP and PL hemivertebra excision in 1 center. In addition, studies reporting health-related quality of life after surgery

for congenital scoliosis are few.

Methods. Between 2001 and 2008, this website 12 AP and 11 PL hemivertebra excisions were conducted in 21 patients (16 males) with congenital scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis due to unbalanced hemivertebrae in our hospital. The average age at surgery was 4.0 years (range, 1.2-11.4) and the mean follow-up time 2.5 years (range, 1-7 years).

Results. Before surgery, the mean Cobb angle of the main curve was 33 degrees (range, 25 degrees-45 degrees) in the AP group and 43 degrees (range, 26 degrees-87 degrees) in the PL group. At the

final follow-up visit, the main curve had been corrected to a mean of 12 degrees (range, 2 degrees-27 degrees) and 15 degrees (range, 6 degrees-28 degrees), respectively (P = NS). Baf-A1 The Scoliosis Research Society-24 total scores were similar, 101 (range, 89-109) for the AP and 100 (range, 85-106) for the PL group at the final follow-up visit. Any complication was observed in 8% (1/12) of patients in the AP group and, whereas the PL group had 40% (4/10) complication rate with 2 temporary neurologic deficits, no implant failures were observed. All patients underwent spinal fusion during follow-up.

Conclusion. PL resection is technically more demanding and slightly faster method for hemivertebral resection. It has nearly as good correction rate as the AP-method but more minor complications. Hemivertebrectomy seems to provide a controllable untethering effect DNA Damage inhibitor in patients with a symptomatic tethered cord.”
“Recipients of extended criteria donor (ECD) kidneys are at increased risk for graft dysfunction/loss, and may benefit from immunosuppression

that avoids calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity. Belatacept, a selective costimulation blocker, may preserve renal function and improve long-term outcomes versus CNIs. BENEFIT-EXT (Belatacept Evaluation of Nephroprotection and Efficacy as First-line Immunosuppression Trial-EXTended criteria donors) is a 3-year, Phase III study that assessed a more (MI) or less intensive (LI) regimen of belatacept versus cyclosporine in adult ECD kidney transplant recipients. The coprimary endpoints at 12 months were composite patient/graft survival and a composite renal impairment endpoint. Patient/graft survival with belatacept was similar to cyclosporine (86% MI, 89% LI, 85% cyclosporine) at 12 months. Fewer belatacept patients reached the composite renal impairment endpoint versus cyclosporine (71% MI, 77% LI, 85% cyclosporine; p = 0.002 MI vs. cyclosporine; p = 0.06 LI vs. cyclosporine). The mean measured glomerular filtration rate was 4-7 mL/min higher on belatacept versus cyclosporine (p = 0.008 MI vs. cyclosporine; p = 0.1039 LI vs.