Texas Neurosurgicare

02/11/2026

The image depicts a medical illustration of a lumbar spine segment showing a Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF), a surgical procedure that relieves lower back and leg pain by removing a damaged spinal disc and fusing the vertebrae from the back.

It involves placing bone graft and spacers (cages) with screws/rods to stabilize the spine, treating conditions like disc herniation and spondylolisthesis. Recovery usually takes several months, and while it carries risks like infection or nerve injury, it generally offers high success rates for alleviating pain.

➡️ Procedure Highlights

• Approach: Performed from the back, involving the removal of the lamina (bone) and temporary retraction of nerve roots.

• Technique: Damaged discs are removed and replaced with spacer cages, followed by stabilization using pedicle screws and rods.

• Minimally Invasive Option: Modern approaches (MIS) use smaller incisions, causing less tissue damage, reduced pain, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

➡️ Recovery and Success

• Recovery Time: Full recovery takes several months, as it requires bone fusion to fully occur, though initial recovery allows for walking within days.

• Success Rate: PLIF is generally safe with high success rates for treating lumbar instability and disc pain, particularly when non-surgical treatments fail.

➡️ Potential Complications

• Common Risks: Infection, nerve damage, blood clots, or failure of the bones to fuse (nonunion).

• Risk Factors: Higher risk of nonunion is associated with smoking, obesity, or previous spinal surgeries.

02/05/2026

09/23/2025

Today’s White House event on autism was filled with dangerous claims and misleading information that sends a confusing message to parents and expecting parents and does a disservice to autistic individuals.

We know autism is complex, highly variable and increasingly linked to genetics. Individualized plans, often involving a combination of developmental, behavioral, educational and social-relational strategies, can help improve outcomes that are meaningful to individuals and families. We also need and welcome additional investments in federally funded research to better support families of autistic children.

Families who have questions about their child’s medications, autism care plans or other health care should consult with their pediatrician or health care provider.
https://bit.ly/4gBDNEc

09/20/2025

Today is World Hydrocephalus Day. Please join the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, the nation’s leader in the Pediatric Hydrocephalus community, as we Raise Awareness. 💙

09/09/2025

4 Spondys of the Spine 💥

09/06/2025

09/02/2025

Using the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network, the authors featured on this week's found significant healthcare disparities in treatment based on race and ethnicity.

Read more here: https://thejns.org/pediatrics/view/journals/j-neurosurg-pediatr/35/6/article-p554.xml?tab_body=fullText

08/26/2025

For this : New data from shows that despite more women entering medical school and a rising interest in , poor retention rates in residency are driven by gender bias, poor work-life balance, and limited mentorship.

Please click here for the abstract and full text: https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2025.2535414

08/22/2025

Chiari decompression surgery removes bone at the back of the skull to widen the foramen magnum and create space for the brain. Sometimes the dura overlying the herniated tonsils is opened and a patch is sewn to expand the space, similar to letting out the waistband on a pair of pants. The goals of surgery are to control the progression of symptoms, relieve compression, and restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The surgery takes about 2 to 5 hours and recovery in the hospital usually lasts 2 to 6 days.

What is Chiari decompression?
Posterior fossa decompression is a surgical procedure that removes bone at the back of the skull and spine to widen the space for the tonsils and brainstem.
Posterior fossa decompression surgery removes a small portion of the occipital bone to create more space for the brainstem and tonsils (suboccipital craniectomy).
In some cases the bony arch of the C1 vertebra may be removed (laminectomy). These steps expose the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord called the dura. Bone removal may relieve compression of the tonsils.
A dura patch may sewn to expand the space for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the tonsils.

Many patients ask about minimally invasive or endoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive can mean different things: shorter skin and muscle incision, no dura opening, no shrinkage of the tonsils, or use of ultrasound and endoscopes. Despite what the words "minimally invasive" suggest, the amount of bone removal needed to effectively restore normal CSF flow depends on the individual patient's anatomy and size of Chiari. The amount of bone removal should be the same in any procedure, endoscopic or standard "open" technique. It's also important to understand that some minimally invasive techniques used for children (whose skulls are still growing) may or may not be appropriate for adults.

Spinal fusion may be performed in addition to posterior fossa decompression surgery in certain patients with spine instability due to scoliosis, Ehler-Danlos syndrome, or other bone abnormality. Rods and screws are inserted to structurally reinforce the skull and neck vertebrae.

08/16/2025