Objective To investigate the effect of the sequence of intermediate instrumentation with long screws and distraction-reduction on mild to moderate thoracolumbar fractures treated by posterior open and short-segmental fixation. MethodsThe clinical data of 68 patients with mild to moderate thoracolumbar burst fractures who met the selection criteria between January 2016 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into group ISDRF (intermediate screws then distraction-reduction fixation, 32 cases) and group DRISF (distraction-reduction then intermediate screws fixation, 36 cases) according to the different operation methods. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, body mass index, fracture segment, cause of injury, and preoperative load-sharing classification score, thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score, vertebral canal occupational rate, back pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, anterior height of fractured vertebra, and Cobb angle (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. The vertebral canal occupational rate, anterior height of fractured vertebra, kyphosis Cobb angle, and back pain VAS score before and after operation were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and operation time between the two groups (P>0.05). No vascular or spinal nerve injury and deep infections or skin infections occurred in both groups. At 1 week after operation, the vertebral canal occupational rate in the two groups was significantly improved when compared with that before operation (P<0.05), no significant difference was found in the difference of vertebral canal occupational rate before and after operation and improvement between the two groups (P>0.05). The patients in both groups were followed up 18-24 months, with an average of 22.3 months. All vertebral fractures reached bone union at 6 months postoperatively. At last follow-up, there was no internal fixation failures such as broken screws, broken rods or loose screws, but there were 2 cases of mild back pain in the ISDRF group. The intra-group comparison showed that the back pain VAS score, the anterior height of fractured vertebra, and the Cobb angle of the two groups were significantly improved at each time point postoperatively (P<0.05); the VAS scores at 12 months postoperatively and last follow-up were also improved when compared with that at 1 week postoperatively (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the anterior height of fractured vertebra in the ISDRF group was significantly lost when compared with that at 1 week and 12 months postoperatively (P<0.05), the Cobb angle had a significant loss when compared with that at 1 week postoperatively (P<0.05); the anterior height of fractured vertebra and Cobb angle in DRISF group were not significantly lost when compared with that at 1 week and 12 months postoperatively (P>0.05). The comparison between groups showed that there was no significant difference in the remission rate of VAS score between the two groups at 1 week postoperatively (P>0.05), the recovery value of the anterior height of fractured vertebra in ISDRF group was significantly higher than that in DRISF group (P<0.05), the loss rate at last follow-up was also significantly higher (P<0.05); the correction rate of Cobb angle in ISDRF group was significantly higher than that in DRISF group at 1 week postoperatively (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the loss rate of Cobb angle between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). ConclusionIn the treatment of mild to moderate thoracolumbar burst fractures with posterior short-segment fixation, the instrumentation of long screws in the injured vertebrae does not affect the reduction of the fracture fragments in the spinal canal. DRISF can better maintain the restored anterior height of the fractured vertebra and reduce the loss of kyphosis Cobb angle during the follow-up, indicating a better long-term effectiveness.
Objective To evaluate the cl inical effectiveness and advantages of one-stage posterior debridement, bone graft, and internal fixation for thoracic tuberculosis. Methods The data were retrospectively analysed, from 21 cases of thoracic tuberculosis undergoing one-stage posterior debridement, bone graft, and internal fixation between June 2007 andNovember 2009. There were 16 males and 5 females with an average age of 42.2 years (range, 22-73 years). The average disease duration was 13.2 months (range, 7-21 months). The lesions were located at the level of T5, 6 (1 case), T6, 7 (1 case), T8, 9 (4 cases), T9, 10 (3 cases), T10, 11 (5 cases), T11, 12 (6 cases), and T9-11 (1 case). According to the Frankel grading criterion, the neurological function was rated as grade B in 2 cases, grade C in 6 cases, grade D in 10 cases, and grade E in 3 cases. The preoperative Cobb angle was (26.3 ± 9.2)°. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was (35.9 ± 11.2) mm/ 1 hour. Results Thoracic tuberculosis was confirmed in postoperative pathological examination in all 21 cases. All incisions healed primarily without fistules formation. The average follow-up time for 21 patients was 16.2 months (range, 1-3 years). Bony fusion was achieved within 7-12 months (mean, 9 months) without pseudoarthrosis. No loosening and breakage of internal fixation were found, and no local recurrence occurred. The ESR decreased to (25.1 ± 8.9) mm/1 hour at 1 week postoperatively, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=5.935, P lt; 0.01); it decreased to (14.1 ± 4.6) mm/1 hour at 3 months postoperatively. According to Frankel grade, the neurological function was significantly improved at 1 year after operation (χ2=13.689, P=0.003). The average Cobb angle was (17.1 ± 4.5)° at 1 years postoperatively, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=7.476, P lt; 0.01). Conclusion One-stage posterior debridement, bone graft, and internal fixation has a good cl inical effectiveness for thoracic tuberculosis with less injury and complete focal cleaning, as well as a goodeffectiveness of spinal canal decompression and kyphosis deformity correction.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience in management of occult cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSFL) in posterior thoracolumbar surgeries, and to explore the best drainage duration, as well as to analyse the ways to reduce the risk of CSFL. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 26 patients with occult CSFL in posterior thoracolumbar surgeries between January 2011 and January 2013. There were 15 males and 11 females, with the average age of 48.7 years (range, 36-59 years). Headache occurred in 19 cases, and 5 cases had nausea with 3 cases also having vomiting after operation. Drainage tube unobstructed and no CSFL from the skin incision were observed in 23 cases at the postoperative 2nd day, and the drainage pipe clamp test was performed at the 3rd day. Twenty-one patients had no CSFL and were given extubation; 2 cases having CSFL were given extubation after conservative treatments for 10 days. Three patients had CSFL with ineffective conservative treatments at the postoperative 2nd day, then received reoperation, incision suture, and drainage. At the postoperative 3rd day, if no CSFL was observed, these patients were given extubation and stayed in bed for 3-5 days. ResultsAll incisions healed and the healing time was 7-15 days (mean, 8 days). No incision infection, persistent CSFL, and other complications occurred. After extubation, headache, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms were alleviated immediately. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 16 months). MRI at the postoperative 6th month showed no subcutaneous epidural pseudocyst. ConclusionThe quality of suturing is the key factor to prevent occult CSFL in posterior thoracolumbar surgery. Under the premise of good suture quality, extubation can be given at the postoperative 3rd day. Before extubation, the drainage pipe clamp test can be performed to make sure no CSFL and to reduce the risk of CSFL from the surgical incision after extubation.
目的 探讨前路小切口顶椎切除联合后路矫形手术治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸的可行性及疗效。 方法 2009 年7月－2010年9月，采用前路小切口顶椎切除联合后路矫形手术治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸18例。其中男9例，女9例，年龄10～24岁，平均14.5岁。其中15 例特发性脊柱侧凸（Lenke 2型6例，Lenke 3型1例，Lenke 4型8例），2 例脊髓空洞合并脊柱侧凸，1 例Chiari畸形合并脊柱侧凸。术前剃刀背高度（6.8 ± 2.3）cm，主胸弯Cobb角（99.6 ±10.0）°，主胸弯顶椎偏距（7.3 ± 1.3）cm。 结果 前路手术切口10～13 cm，平均（11.4 ± 1.0）cm；前路手术时间170～300 min，平均（215.3 ± 36.8）min；失血量300～1 300 mL，平均（662.5 ± 274.8） mL。所有患者随访25～39个月，平均30.7个月。末次随访时，剃刀背高度（1.0 ± 0.6）cm，矫正率86.7%；主胸弯Cobb角（31.4 ± 11.4）°，矫正率68.7%；主胸弯顶椎偏距（2.2 ± 0.9） cm，矫正率69.6%。上胸弯、胸腰弯/腰弯的Cobb 角及顶椎偏距亦明显矫正，冠状面及矢状面平衡与术前相比，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。未发生神经系统并发症，1例患者在前路手术后入ICU行呼吸支持治疗12 h，1例患者出现椎弓根螺钉穿透椎弓根上壁，2例患者出现钛网位置不佳，随访未见钛网位置改变。 结论 采用前路小切口顶椎切除联合后路矫形治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸安全可行，矫形效果满意。
ObjectiveTo analyze the postoperative drainage volume and its influencing factors in lumbar posterior surgery.MethodsA total of 158 patients undergoing lumbar posterior surgery in West China Hospital, Sichuan University between October 2018 and June 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The data about general information and perioperative drainage were collected retrospectively according to recording tables and analyzed by SPSS (version 22) software. The drainage volume was presented with median (lower quartile, upper quartile).ResultsThe final average drainage volume was 360 (200, 650) mL, and the length of time for drainage tube placement was from 9 to187 hours with the median (lower quartile, upper quartile) of 61 (40, 86) hours. The result of multiple linear regression showed that immediate drainage volume when returning to the ward [non-standardized partial regression coefficient (b)=0.268, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.191, 0.345), P<0.001], length of time for drainage tube placement [b=0.554, 95%CI (0.338, 0.769), P<0.001], intra-operative bleeding volume [b=0.161, 95%CI (0.044, 0.277), P=0.007], and surgical methods [Method 3 as the reference, Method 1: b=0.599, 95%CI (0.369, 0.828), P<0.001; Method 2: b=0.574, 95%CI (0.336, 0.812), P<0.001] were the main factors affecting the final drainage volume.ConclusionsThe final drainage volume of lumbar posterior surgery is so large that it should be paid attention to. It is also necessary to take effective interventions according to different surgical methods, intraoperative bleeding, immediate drainage when returning to the ward, length of time for drainage tube placement, and other different circumstances to reduce the drainage to achieve enhanced recovery after surgery.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of one-stage posterior retaining part facet joint in laminectomy, bone graft and debridement combined with short segmental pedicle screw fixation for lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis. MethodsBetween January 2010 and December 2014, 32 cases of lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis (L4-S1) were treated by one-stage posterior retaining part facet joint in laminectomy, bone graft and debridement combined with short segmental pedicle screw fixation. There were 20 males and 12 females, aged 17-62 years (mean, 43 years). The disease duration was 12-48 months (mean, 18 months). The involved segments included L5, S1 level in 19 cases and L4, 5 level in 13 cases. The effectiveness was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI) and imaging parameters (lumbar-sacral angle correction and Bridwell classification and CT fusion criteria) after operation. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in all patients; the average operation time was 180 minutes, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 400 mL. All cases were followed up 12 to 67 months (mean, 15.6 months). At last follow-up, common toxic symptom of tuberculosis disappeared, and no internal fixation failure occurred. Neurological function was recovered to normal in 7 patients with neurological symptoms, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale was improved to grade E from grade C (2 cases) and grade D (5 cases) before operation. At 1 year and last follow-up, the ODI scores were significantly improved when compared with preoperative score (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between at 1 year and last follow-up (P>0.05). The lumbarsacral angle was significantly increased at 7 days, 1 year and last follow-up when compared with preoperative one (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between different time points after operation (P>0.05). The bone graft fusion time was 9-24 months (mean, 12 months). At 1 year after operation and last follow-up, X-ray Bridwill bone fusion rates were 87.50% (28/32) and 93.75% (30/32) respectively, and CT fusion rates were 87.50% (28/32) and 90.63% (29/32) respectively; and there was significant difference in interbody fusion between at 1 year and last follow-up (P < 0.05). Drug resistance was observed in 4 cases; Bridwill gradeⅢand gradeⅣfusion was shown in 3 cases and 1 case after adjusting the anti-tuberculosis scheme after 1 year. ConclusionOne-stage posterior retaining part facet joint in laminectomy and debridement can effectively clear the tuberculose focus, intervertebral bone graft combined with short segment pedicle screw fixation can maintain postoperative spinal reliable stability and get satisfactory bone fusion rate, so it is an effective method for the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis.
ObjectiveTo observe the medium-term clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior release internal distraction in treatment of severe and rigid scoliosis. MethodsBetween March 2009 and March 2012, 26 patients with severe and rigid scoliosis were treated with anterior release, posterior internal distraction, and two stage posterior spinal fusion. There were 11 males and 15 females with an average age of 19.6 years (range, 14-25 years). The average disease duration was 13.6 years (range, 3-24 years). All cases were idiopathic scoliosis. Of 26 cases, 2 cases were rated as Lenke type I, 8 as type Ⅱ, 13 as type IV, 1 as type V, and 2 as type VI. The apical vertebrae located at T6 in 1 case, at T7 in 3 cases, at T8 in 7 cases, at T9 in 13 cases, and at T10 in 2 cases. The average 4 vertebral bodies were released by anterior approach, and average 14 vertebral bodies were fused after posterior surgery. Fourteen patients received 2 times distraction. Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire was used to access health-related quality of life. The radiological parameters were measured, including coronal plane Cobb angel of major curve, apical vertebral translation (AVT), C7 plumb line-center sacral vertical line (C7PL-CSVL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and thoracic kyphosis (TK) at pre-and post-operation. ResultsThe average total operation time was 592.7 minutes; the average total blood loss volume was 1 311.2 mL; and total hospitalization cost was (14.7±1.4)×104 yuan RMB. The coronal plane Cobb angle of major curve was (55.7±16.5)°, and the TK was (43.2±16.2)° after first distraction. The patients were followed up 2-5 years (mean, 3.8 years). Temporary dyspnea and pleural effusion occurred in 1 case respectively after distraction, and symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. Screw loosening and pseudoarthrosis formation was observed in 1 case at 6 months after fusion, good recovery was achieved after revision. No infection or neurological complication was found. The coronal plane Cobb angel of major curve, TK, and AVT after fusion and at last follow-up were significantly lower than preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at post-fusion and last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in C7PL-CSVL and SVA between at pre-and post-operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, SRS-22 questionnaire scores were 4.32±0.42 for active degree, 4.54±0.58 for mental health, 3.97±0.76 for self-image, 4.09±0.64 for pain, and 4.03±0.83 for satisfaction degree. ConclusionAnterior release internal distraction can provide satisfactory correction results for severe and rigid scoliosis with higher safety and lower incidence of complication.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety of ultrasonic osteotome used in posterior cervical laminectomy decompression surgery and its effect on surgical outcome. Methods A clinical data of 52 patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of cervical spine (C-OPLL) undergoing posterior cervical laminectomy decompression and fusion (PCLDF) between April 2013 and April 2017 was retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether using the ultrasonic osteotome during operation: group A (20 cases, ultrasonic osteotome group) and group B (32 cases, traditional gun-clamp decompression group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body weight, height, preoperative hemoglobin, and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospitalization time, complications, hemoglobin at 1 day after operation, and JOA score at 6 months after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups, and the improvement rate of JOA was calculated. Results The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the drainage volume and hospitalization time between the two groups (P>0.05). The hemoglobin of group B was slightly higher than that of group A at 1 day after operation, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=–1.260, P=0.214). All the patients were followed up 6-10 months (mean, 7.6 months). No serious complications such as C5 nerve paralysis, dural tear, infection, epidural hematoma, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, transfusion allergy, or shock occurred during and after operation. The JOA scores of the two groups were significant improved at 6 months after operation when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in JOA score and improvement rate between the two groups at 6 months after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with the traditional gun-clamp decompression, the effectiveness of PCLDF in treatment of C-OPLL by using ultrasonic osteotome is comparable, but the latter can effectively reduce the operation time and blood loss.
【Abstract】 Objective To study the effectiveness of computer assisted pedicle screw insertion in osteoporotic spinalposterior fixation. Methods Between December 2009 and March 2011, 51 patients underwent pedicle screw fixation using the computer assisted navigation (navigation group), while 41 patients underwent the conventional technique (traditional group). All patients had osteoporosis under the dual-energy X-rays absorptiometry. There was no significant difference in age, gender, bone mineral density, involved segment, preoperative complications, and other general status between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The amount of blood loss, the operation time, the rate of the pedicle screw re-insertion, and the postoperative complication were observed. The state of the pedicle screw location was assessed by CT postoperatively with the Richter’s classification and the fusion state of the bone graft was observed using three-dimensional (3-D) CT scans during follow-up. Results A total of 250 screws were inserted in navigation group, and 239 were inserted successfully at first time while the other 11 screws (4.4%) were re-inserted. A total of 213 screws were inserted in traditional group, and 190 were successful at first time while 23 screws (10.8%) were re-inserted. There was significant difference in the rate of screws re-insertion between 2 groups (χ2=6.919, P=0.009). Both the amount of blood loss and the operation time in navigation group were significantly less than those in traditional group (P lt; 0.05). According to Richter’s classification for screw location, the results were excellent in 240 screws, good in 10 screws innavigation group; the results were excellent in 191 screws, good in 21 screws, and poor in 1 screw in traditional group. Significant difference was noticed in the screw position between 2 groups (χ2=7.566, P=0.023). The patients were followed up (7.8 ± 1.5) months in navigation group and (8.7 ± 1.5) months in traditional group. No loosening, extraction, and breakage of the pedicle screw occurred in navigation group, and all these patients had successful fusion within 6 months postoperatively. While in traditional group, successful fusion was shown in the other patients by 3-D CT, except the absorption of bone graft was found in only 1 patient at 6 months after operation. And then, after braking by adequate brace and enhancing the anti-osteoporotic therapy, the bone graft fused at 9 months postoperatively. Conclusion The computer assisted navigating pedicle screw insertion could effective reduce the deviation or re-insertion of the screws, insuring the maximum stabil ity of each screw, mean while it can reduce the exposure time and blood loss, avoiding complication. The computer assisted navigation would be a useful technique which made the pedicle screw fixation more safe and stable in patients with osteoporosis.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) by unilateral fenestration and bilateral decompression with ultrasounic osteotome and traditional tool total laminectomy decompression PLIF in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods The clinical data of 48 patients with single-stage degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis between January 2017 and June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 27 patients were treated with unilateral fenestration and bilateral decompression PLIF with ultrasonic osteotome (group A), and 21 patients were treated with total laminectomy and decompression PLIF with traditional tools (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, stenosis segment, degree of spinal canal stenosis, and disease duration between the two groups (P>0.05), which was comparable. The time of laminectomy decompression, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and the occurrence of operation-related complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Bridwell bone graft fusion standard was applied to evaluate bone graft fusion at last follow-up. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the patients’ lumbar and back pain at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was used to evaluate the patients’ lumbar and back function improvement before operation and at 6 months after operation. Results The time of laminectomy decompression in group A was significantly longer than that in group B, and the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). There was no nerve root injury, dural tear, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and hematoma formation during and after operation in the two groups. All patients were followed up after operation, the follow-up time in group A was 6-18 months (mean, 10.5 months) and in group B was 6-20 months (mean, 9.3 months). There was no complication such as internal fixation fracture, loosening and nail pulling occurred during the follow-up period of the two groups. There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at 3 days after operation (t=1.448, P=0.154); the VAS score of group A was significantly lower than that of group B at 3 and 6 months after operation (P<0.05). The ODI scores of the two groups were significantly improved at 6 months after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in ODI scores between the two groups before operation and at 6 months after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, according to Bridwell criteria, there was no significant difference in bone graft fusion between the two groups (Z=–0.065, P=0.949); the fusion rates of groups A and B were 96.3% (26/27) and 95.2% (20/21) respectively, with no significant difference (χ2=0.001, P=0.979 ). Conclusion The treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with unilateral fenestration and bilateral decompression PLIF with ultrasonic osteotome can achieve similar effectiveness as traditional tool total laminectomy and decompression PLIF, reduce intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage, and reduce lumbar back pain during short-term follow-up. It is a safe and effective operation method.