Objective To review the progress in the features, early cl inical outcomes, and cl inical appl ication of axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF) for the minimally invasive treatment of lumbosacral degenerative diseases. Methods The l iterature about the features, early cl inical outcomes, and cl inical appl ication of AxiaLIF for the minimally invasive treatment of lumbosacral degenerative diseases in recent years was reviewed. Results Almost 9 000 procedures performed globally in recent years, AxiaLIF has shown its safety and effectiveness because of high fusion rates, short hospital ization days, and less iatrogenic compl ications in comparison with standard fusion procedures. ConclusionPostoperative long-term outcomes, biomechanics stabil ity, and extended appl ication of AxiaLIF still need a further study,though it suggests an original minimally invasive treatment of lumbosacral degenerative diseases.
ObjectiveTo share the experience of treating special cardiac malformations by applying minimally invasive techniques.MethodsEight children with special cardiac malformations admitted to our hospital from July 2014 to September 2020 were recruited, including 3 males and 5 females, aged 0.8-1.2 (1.1±0.4) years, and weighted 7.8-11.5 (9.6±2.9) kg. There were 2 patients of huge muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD), 3 perimembranous cribriform VSD, 1 right coronary-right atrial fistula, 1 right coronary-right ventricular fistula, and 1 young, low-weight child with large aortopulmonary. All were treated with minimally invasive techniques using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as a guiding tool. All children received intraoperative TEE immediately to evaluate the curative effect of the surgery, and all went to outpatient clinic for reexamination of echocardiography, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray after discharge.ResultsEight children underwent minimally invasive surgery successfully without any incision infection, intracardiac infection, arrhythmia or pericardial effusion. None of the 8 children were lost to follow-up, and the results of all reexaminations were satisfactory.ConclusionThe application of minimally invasive techniques is a bold and innovative attempt for the treatment of a few special types of cardiac malformations. It has significant advantages in reducing trauma and medical costs in some suitable patients, and has certain clinical reference values.
Objective To compare the cl inical results of two plating osteosynthesis techniques, open reduction and plating ostosynthesis (ORPO) and minimal invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO), in surgical treatment of mid-distal humeralshaft fractures. Methods From March 2004 to October 2006, 40 cases of closed unilateral mid-distal humeral shaft fractures were surgically treated with MIPO or ORPO. In the MIPO treated group (n=19), there were 14 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 39.05 years. Fractures involved in middle humeral shaft in 10 cases and distal fragment in 9 cases. According to OTA classification, there were 3 cases of type A, 13 cases of type B and 3 cases of type C. Four cases compl icated by radial nerve palsies. In the ORPO treated group (n=21), there were 13 males and 8 females with a mean age of 39.05 years, including 14 cases of type A and 7 cases of type B fractures according to OTA classification. The fractures involved in middle humeral shaft in 13 cases and distal fragment in 8 cases. Five cases compl icated by radial nerve palsies. The time from injury to operation in both groups were 2 to 14 days. For patients in the MIPO group, fractures were closely reduced and fixated with an anterior placed plate inserted through two small incisions made at the anterior side of arm, away from fracture sites. The radial nerves were not exposed. For patients in the ORPO group, fractures were exposed, reduced, and fixated with an anterolateral or a posterior positioned plate after careful dissection and protection of radial nerve through an anterolateral or a posterior approach. The operation time, the occurrence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy and the bone heal ing time were recorded. The functions of the affected shouldersand elbows were evaluated with UCLA end-result score and Mayo elbow perform index (MEPI), respectively. Results All the wounds in both groups healed primarily. There was no iatrogenic radial nerve palsies in the MIPO group after surgery; however, 5 cases of transient iatrogenic radial nerve palsies were identified in the ORPO group after surgery, and the function of radial nerve recovered in these cases at the last follow-up. Eighteen cases were followed up 14-44 months (mean 25.44 months) in MIPO group, and 19 cases were followed up 13-48 months (mean 32.11 months) in ORPO group. The mean bone heal ing time was 17.06 (12-32) weeks in MIPO group and 16.11 (8-58) weeks in ORPO group, showing no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). There was no nonunion and hardware failure in both groups. The mean forward flexion of the shoulder was 166.94° (150-170°) in MIPO group and 164.74° (130-170°) in ORPO group. The mean UCLA shoulder score was 34.78 (33-35) points in MIPO group and 34.42 (30-35) points in ORPO group. The mean range of motion of the elbow in MIPO and ORPO groups was 133.33° (120-140°) and 136.7° (120-140°), respectively. The MEPI in these two groups was 99.44 (90-100) and 99.74 (95-100) points, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in all indexes mentioned above. Conclusion The good results could be obtained when ORPO and MIPO technique are appl ied to treat mid-distal humeral shaft fractures. MIPO technique has advantages to not expose the radial nerve and to decrease the occurrence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsies.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of flexor hallucis longus tendon harvested using a minimally invasive technique in reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Methods Between July 2006 and December 2009, 22 patients (22 feet) with chronic Achilles tendon rupture were treated, including 16 males and 6 females with a median age of 48 years (range, 28-65 years). The disease duration was 27-1 025 days (median, 51 days). Twenty-one patients had hoofl ikemovement’s history and 1 patient had no obvious inducement. The result of Thompson test was positive in 22 cases. The score was 53.04 ± 6.75 according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score system. MRI indicated that the gap of the chronic Achilles tendon rupture was 4.2-8.0 cm. A 3 cm-long incision was made vertically in the plantar aspect of the midfoot and a 1 cm-long transverse incision was made in a plantar flexor crease at the base of the great toe to harvest flexor hallucis longus tendon. The flexor hallucis longus tendon was 10.5-13.5 cm longer from tuber calcanei to the end of the Achilles tendon, and then the tendon was fixed to the tuber calcanei using interface screws or anchor nail after they were woven to form reflexed 3-bundle and sutured. Results Wound healed by first intention in all patients and no early compl ication occurred. Twenty-two patients were followed up 12-42 months (mean, 16.7 months). At 12 months after operation, The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was 92.98 ± 5.72, showing significant difference when compared with that before operation (t= —40.903, P=0.000). The results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 90.9%. No sural nerve injury, posterior tibial nerve injury, plantar painful scar, medial plantar nerve injury, and lateral plantar nerve injury occurred. Conclusion Chronic Achilles tendon rupture reconstruction with flexor hallucis longus tendon harvested using a minimally invasive technique offers a desirable outcome in operative recovery, tendon fixation, and complications.
Objective To evaluate the security and effectiveness of minimal invasive fixation with fluoroscopybased navigation in the management of pelvic fractures. Methods From April 2007 to June 2008, 22 patients with pelvic fractures were treated with percutaneous screw fixation under the guidance of a fluoroscopy-based navigation system after closed reduction. There were 13 males and 9 females, aged 21-65 years old. Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 17 cases, andfall ing from height in 5 cases. According to AO classification, there were 2 cases of A2.2 type, 2 cases of A2.3 type, 7 cases of B1.2 type, 3 cases of B2.2 type, 1 case of B3.3 type, 2 cases of C1.2 type, 3 cases of C1.3 type, and 2 cases of C2.3 type. The interval from injury to hospital ization was 4 hours to 3 days (mean 1.2 days). After 3-13 days of skeletal traction through tibial tubercle, the operation was performed. Results Totally 42 screws were inserted. The average time for operation was 20.4 minutes per screw. Forty-one screws were inserted correctly with a successful insertion rate of 97.6%, only 1 hollow screw was reinserted for deviation. No incision problem and implant failure occurred. All 22 patients were followed up 7 to 21 months with an average of 14.5 months. At last follow-up, fracture union was achieved in all patients with satisfactory screw fixation. According to Majeed functional scoring, the results were excellent in 18 cases and good in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The minimal invasive fixation with fluoroscopy-based navigation makes the surgery for the pelvic fracture more precise and time-saving, and improves cl inical results without an increasing rate of compl ications.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness difference between titanium elastic intramedullary nail internal fixation and bone plate internal fixation in the treatment of adult Galeazzi fracture.MethodsNinety-seven patients of Galeazzi fracture according with the selection criteria were divided into 2 groups by prospective cohort study, who were admitted between January 2012 and November 2015. In the patients, 59 were treated with open reduction and bone plate internal fixation (plate group), and 38 with titanium elastic intramedullary nail internal fixation (minimally invasive group). There was no significant difference in the gender, age, cause of injury, fracture site, type of fracture, and time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded and compared between 2 groups, and the forearm function was evaluated by Anderson score.ResultsAll the patients were followed up 12-23 months (mean, 17 months). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time of minimally invasive group were significantly less than those in plate group (P<0.05). There were 1 case of fracture nonunion, 1 case of wound infection in plate group, and 1 case of nail tail slight infection in minimally invasive group, which were all cured after the corresponding treatment. The remaining patients had good fracture healing, and no vascular injury, internal fixation failure, deep infection, or other complications occurred. According to Anderson score at 12 months after operation, the forearm function results were excellent in 46 cases, good in 12 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 98.3% in plate group; and the results were excellent in 26 cases, good in 11 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 97.4% in minimally invasive group; showing no significant difference (χ2=0.10, P=0.75).ConclusionMinimally invasive fixation with titanium elastic nail has such advantages as small damage, quick recovery, no skin scarring, etc. As long as the correct indication is selected, minimally invasive titanium intramedullary nail internal fixation of Galeazzi fractures can also get good effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of channel-assisted minimally invasive repair (CAMIR) for acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures. MethodsBetween January 2011 and June 2012, 30 patients (30 sides)with acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures were treated with CAMIR technique. Among 30 patients, 18 were male and 12 were female with an average age of 30.4 years (range, 22-50 years); the locations were left side in 10 cases and right side in 20 cases. All the causes were sports injury. B-ultrasound was used to confirm the diagnosis, with the average distance from the rupture site to the Achilles tendon insertion of 4.4 cm (range, 2-8 cm). The time from injury to operation was 3 hours to 9 days (median, 4 days). All injuries were repaired by CAMIR technique. ResultsThe average operation time was 17.0 minutes (range, 10-25 minutes), and the mean incision length was 2.0 cm (range, 1.5-2.5 cm). All the incisions healed by first intention. There was no complication of wound problem, deep vein thrombosis, re-rupture, or sural nerve injury. All cases were followed up 12-24 months with an average of 16 months. At last follow-up, the patients could walk normally with powerful raising heels and restored to normal activity level. MRI imaging suggested the continuity and healing of ruptured tendon. The circumference difference between affected leg and normal leg was less than 1 cm, and the ankle dorsi-extension was 20-30°, plantar flexion was 20-30°. Arner Lindholm score showed that the surgical results were excellent in 28 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. ConclusionCAMIR is a safe and reliable method to repair acute closed Achilles tendon rupture, with many advantages of minimal injury, low re-rupture and infection. Sural nerve injury can be minimized using CAMIR by carefully placing the suture channel with a stab incision and special trocar based on a modified Bunnel suture technique.
ObjectiveTo review the latest progress in minimally invasive treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). MethodsRelevant literature on minimally invasive treatment of OVCF was reviewed, different minimally invasive technologies were analyzed, compared, and future prospected. ResultsThere are various minimally invasive technologies for treatment of OVCF to aim at analgesia, deformity correction, and vertebral stabilization, thus improving the patients' quality of life. Percutaneous vertebroplasty as the classical technology has a good effectiveness on analgesia, while percutaneous kyphoplasty has a better performance in vertebral height restoration and a lower complication of cement leakage. Obvious deformity correction can be achieved by skyphoplasty, with a risk of endplate damage and uncertain vertebral height maintenance. With OptiMesh vertebroplasty, physiological environment within the fractured vertebra is less likely to be disturbed, but paravertebral tissues are more vulnerable due to a bigger working cannal. Compared with traditional bone cement, Cortoss has advantages of less toxicity, less heat release, and proper stiffness. In addition, the combination use of different minimally invasive technologies has greatly extended the surgical indications of OVCF and improved the success rate. ConclusionMinimally invasive treatment of OVCF is becoming more safety and efficacy with the development of new material and technology, however, further studies are required for quality confirmation and better improvement.