In order to modify the plastic operation for lumbar spinostenosis, [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process was designed. Fifty-six patients with lumbar spinostenosis were treated. There were 36 males and 16 females, age ranged from 32-67 years old (with an average of 48.9 years old). Among them, 8 patients operation on L2-L5 segments, 16 on L3-L5 segments and 22 patients on L4-L5 segments. After operation, 32 cases were followed up from 8 to 27 months. The results were: 1. The result of operation was excellent in 21 cases, good in 8 fair in 2 and poor in 1. The effective rate was 90.6%. 2. The rate of bony union from laminectomy was 95.1%. 3. The sagittal diameter and transverse diameter of the spinal canal were enlarged in an average of 6.4 mm and 3.2 mm, respectively, with a mean enlargement of 37.6%. The conclusion were that the plastic operation with [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process for lumbar spinal canal was easy to handle and it could effectively prevent the lumbar instability and secondary stenosis following operation.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of local laminectomy and interlaminar lumbar instrumented fusion (ILIF) through a small incision for lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods Between November 2009 and January 2011, 16 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were treated by local laminectomy and ILIF through a small incision. Therewere 7 males and 9 females with an average age of 52.8 years (range, 49-67 years). Sixteen patients had lumbar degenerative stenosis with an average disease duration of 4 years and 7 months (range, 2 years-9 years and 4 months). Four cases complicated by lateral recessus stenosis, 3 by lumbar disc herniation. Involved segments included L3, 4 in 2 cases, L4, 5 in 4 cases, L5, S1 in 4 cases, L3, 4 and L4, 5 (double segments) in 2 cases, L4, 5 and L5, S1 (double segments) in 4 cases. The effectiveness was evaluated with the pre- and post-operative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disabil ity Index (ODI). The cross-sectional areas of spinal canal were measured by CT scanning and were compared between pre- and post-operation. Results The average operative time was 47 minutes (range, 35-80 minutes); the average blood loss was 145 mL (range, 120-350 mL); and the average hospital ization days were 7.8 days (range, 4-15 days). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 1 case, and healing of incisions by first intention was achieved in the others. The patients were followed up 12-22 months (mean, 14.8 months). CT scanning showed interspinous fusion in 14 cases and possible fusion in 2 cases after operation, with an average fusion time of 4.6 months(range, 3-10 months). The postoperative VAS score, ODI, and cross-sectional area were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The ILIF can promote fusion between spinous processes, provide spine stabil ization, and protect the spinal cord. The procedure has small incision, simple method of fixation and fusion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of posterior 360° fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases. MethodsA retrospective study was carried on 302 cases of singlelevel lumbar degenerative diseases treated with posterior 360° fusion between September 2009 and September 2013. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to BMI: normal weight (BMI<24 kg/m2) in 105 cases (group A), overweight (24 kg/m2≤BMI< 28 kg/m2) in 108 cases (group B), and obese (BMI≥28 kg/m2) in 89 cases (group C). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, disease patterns, affected segments, preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) among 3 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The lumbar function was assessed by JOA score and ODI at pre- and post-operation (at 3, 6, and 24 months). ResultsThe operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay of group C were significantly more than those of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between group A and group B (P>0.05). The patients were followed up 24-45 months. Postoperative JOA score and ODI showed significant improvements in each group when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications among 3 groups (χ2=3.288, P=0.193). The incidence of incision-related complications (infection and poor healing) in group C was significantly higher than that of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown between group A and group B (P>0.05). However, there was no significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudarthrosis formation, and revision among 3 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionPosterior 360° fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases can obtain good effectiveness in patients with different BMI, but patients whose BMI was ≥28 kg/m2 have longer operation time, more intraoperative blood loss, longer hospital stay, and higher incidence of postoperative incision-related complications.
ObjectiveTo assess the reliability, effectiveness, and the safety of full endoscopic transforaminal decompression (FETD) under local anesthesia guided by the classification of lateral region of the lumbar spinal canal (CLLSC) in treating lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in geriatric patients.MethodsThe clinical data of 63 geriatric patients with LSS met the inclusion criteria underwent FETD surgery between June 2015 and July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 37 males and 26 females, with a median age of 76 years [interquartile range (IQR), 73-80 years], and a median symptomatic duration of 55 months (IQR, 16-120 months). There were 17 cases of grade B and 46 cases of grade C based on the Schizas morphological grading system. CLLSC was used for imaging evaluation for the stenotic condition, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to test intra-observer and inter-observer reliability of CLLSC. The stenotic condition of patients was re-evaluated by the surgeon after operation, and the results were compared with the findings of preoperative CLLSC. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for low back pain and leg pain recorded before operation, and at 1 day, 3 months, and 6 months after operation, and last follow-up were used to assess the pain relieving; the functional improvement was evaluate by Oswestry disability index (ODI); the modified Macnab criteria were used to self-evaluate the surgical satisfaction.ResultsThe operation were successfully performed for all patients, with a median operation time of 75 minutes (IQR, 65-85 minutes), postoperative hospitalization stay of 48 hours (IQR, 48-72 hours), and the time to ambulation after operation of 24 hours (IQR, 24-24 hours). Sixty-three patients were followed-up and with a median follow-up time of 18 months (IQR, 13-20 months). Based on preoperative CLLSC classification, there were 72 stenotic zones, distributed 16 in zone 1, 6 in zone 2, 3 in zone 3, 2 in zone 4, 7 in zone 5, 34 in zones 1+2, 2 in zones 3+4, and 2 in zones 4+5. Perioperative complications occurred in 4 cases (6.3%), including 2 cases of intraoperative dural sac tear, 1 of preoperative numbness symptom aggravation, and 1 of postoperative urinary retention. VAS score of leg pain and ODI score at each time point after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05). VAS scores of low back pain showed no significant difference between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, based on the modified Macnab criteria, 19 cases were excellent, 37 were good, 6 were fair, and 1 was poor, and the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. The reliability analysis showed that CLLSC had substantial intra-observer reliability in the geriatric population, with an average ICC of 0.78. There was also a substantial inter-observer reliability, with an average ICC of 0.73. While comparing the preoperative CLLSC results with the postoperative CLLSC results, 53 patients (73.6%) were in full agreement, 15 patients (20.8%) were in partial agreement, and 4 patients (5.6%) were not.ConclusionCLLSC has high reliability in the diagnosis of LSS in the geriatric patients. Combined FETD with CLLSC, accurate diagnosis, and minimal invasion can be performed to achieve safe and effective result.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) induced proliferation of ligamentum flavum cells and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and its effect on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression.MethodsThe ligamentum flavum tissue in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation was extracted and the ligamentum flavum cells were isolated and cultured by collagenase pre-digestion method. Morphological observation, immunofluorescence staining observation, and MTT assay were used for cell identification. The 3rd generation ligamentum flavum cells were divided into 5 groups. The cells of groups A, B, C, and D were respectively sealed with 3 ng/mL TGF-β1, 50 ng/mL CTGF, 3 ng/mL TGF-β1+CTGF neutralizing antibody, and 50 ng/mL CTGF+CTGF neutralizing antibody. Serum free DMEM was added to group E as the control. MTT assay was used to detect the effects of TGF-β1 and CTGF on the proliferation of ligamentum flavum cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CTGF protein. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, and CTGF genes.ResultsThe morphological diversity of cultured ligamentum flavum cells showed typical phenotype of ligamentum flavum fibroblasts; all cells expressed collagen type Ⅰ and vimentin, and some cells expressed collagen type Ⅲ; MTT identification showed that with the prolongation of culture time, the absorbance (A) value of each generation of cells increased gradually, and the A value of the same generation of cells at each time point was significantly different (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in A value between the cells of each generation at the same time point (P>0.05). After cultured for 24 hours, MTT assay showed that the A value of cells in groups A and B was significantly higher than that of group E (P<0.05). After adding CTGF neutralizing antibody, the A value of cells in groups C and D decreased, but it was still higher than that of group E (P<0.05). There were also significant differences among groups A, C and groups B, D (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the relative expression of CTGF protein in groups A and B was significantly higher than that in group E (P<0.05), while the relative expression of CTGF protein in groups C and D was significantly lower than that in group E (P<0.05), and the difference between groups A, C and groups B, D was also significant (P<0.05). qRT-PCR detection showed that the mRNA relative expression of CTGF, collagen type Ⅰ, and collagen type Ⅲ in group A was significantly higher than that in group E (P<0.05). After adding neutralizing antibody, the mRNA relative expression of genes in group C was inhibited and were significantly lower than that in group A, but still significantly higher than that in group E (P<0.05). The mRNA relative expressions of collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ in group B was significantly higher than that in group E (P<0.05), but the mRNA relative expression of CTGF was not significantly different from that in group E (P>0.05); after neutralizing antibody was added, the mRNA relative expression of collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ in group D was inhibited and was significantly lower than that in group B, but still significantly higher than that in group E (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the mRNA relative expression of CTGF between group D and groups B, E (P>0.05).ConclusionTGF-β1 can promote CTGF, collagen typeⅠ, collagen type Ⅲ gene level and protein expression in ligamentum flavum cells, and TGF-β1 can synergistically promote proliferation of ligamentum flavum cells through CTGF.
ObjectiveTo observe the difference between crenel lateral interbody fusion (CLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) combined with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).MethodsThe clinical data of DLS combined with LSS patients meeting the selection criteria admitted between May 2018 and May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into CLIF group (33 cases) and TLIF group (32 cases). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the two groups in gender, age, disease duration, lesion segments, lumbar bone mineral density, degree of lumbar spondylolisthesis, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), intervertebral space height, intervertebral foramen height, lumbar lordosis (LL), and segmental lordosis (SL). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and perioperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Lumbar CT scan was performed at last follow-up to compare the intervertebral fusion rate between the two groups. Intervertebral space height, intervertebral foramen height, LL, and SL were measured before operation, at 2 weeks, 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. VAS score and ODI were used to evaluate the pain and improvement of the quality of life of the patients.ResultsThere were no neurological and vascular complications in the two groups. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in CLIF group were significantly less than those in TLIF group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up for a median time of 18 months. All the incisions healed by first intention except 1 incision in TLIF group because of poor blood glucose control. No complications such as bedsore, falling pneumonia, and deep venous thrombosis were found in both groups. At last follow-up, the intervertebral fusion rates in CLIF and TLIF group were 90.91% (30/33) and 93.75% (30/32), respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.185, P=0.667). The VAS score, ODI, intervertebral space height, intervertebral foramen height, LL, and SL were significantly improved in both groups at each time point after operation (P<0.05). Except that VAS score in CLIF group was significantly lower than that in TLIF group at 2 weeks after operation (Z=−4.303, P=0.000), there were no significant differences in VAS score and ODI between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05). The intervertebral space height, intervertebral foramen height, LL, and SL in CLIF group were significantly higher than those in TLIF group at each time point after operation, and the differences were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionCLIF in the treatment of DLS combined with LSS can achieve the similar effectiveness with traditional TLIF, and has such advantages as minimal invasion and faster recovery.
Objective To investigate the impact of sarcopenia on effectiveness of lumbar decompression surgery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who met the selection criteria between August 2017 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the diagnostic criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), based on the calculation of the skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the L3 level, SMI<45.4 cm2/m2 (men) and SMI<34.4 cm2/m2 (women) were used as the diagnostic threshold, the patients were divided into sarcopenia group (25 cases) and non-sarcopenia group (25 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, level of lumbar spinal stenosis, surgical fusion level, and comorbidity between the two groups (P>0.05); the body mass index in sarcopenia group was significantly lower than that in non-sarcopenia group (t=−3.198, P=0.002). Clinical data of the two groups were recorded and compared, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospitalization stay, and complications. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back pain and sciatica and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were recorded preoperatively and at last follow-up. The effectiveness was evaluated according to modified MacNab standard. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage volume (P>0.05). However, the hospitalization stay in sarcopenia group was significantly longer than that in non-sarcopenia group (t=2.105, P=0.044). The patients were followed up 7-36 months (mean, 29.7 months). In sarcopenia group, 1 case of dural tear and cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred during operation, as well as 1 case of internal fixator loosening during follow-up; 1 case of incision exudation and poor healing occurred in each of the two groups, and no adjacent segment degeneration and deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity occurred in the two groups during follow-up. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications (12% vs. 4%) between the two groups (χ2=1.333, P=0.513). VAS scores in low back pain and sciatica as well as ODI scores in two groups significantly improved when compared with preoperative results at last follow-up (P<0.05). The differences of VAS scores in low back pain and ODI scores before and after operation in sarcopenia group were significantly lower than that in non-sarcopenia group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of that in VAS scores of sciatica between the two groups (t=−1.494, P=0.144). According to the modified MacNab standard, the excellent and good rate of the sarcopenia group was 92%, and that of the non-sarcopenia group was 96%, showing no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=1.201, P=0.753). ConclusionPatients with sarcopenia and lumbar spinal stenosis may have longer postoperative recovery time, and the effectiveness is worse than that of non-sarcopenic patients. Therefore, for elderly patients with lumbar spine disease, it is suggested to improve preoperative assessment of sarcopenia, which can help to identify patients with sarcopenia at risk of poor surgical prognosis in advance, so as to provide rehabilitation guidance and nutritional intervention in the perioperative period.
Objective To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and security of percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery for treatment of lumbar spine disorders with intraspinal ossification. Methods Between July 2008 and June 2016, 96 patients with lumbar spine disorders (lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis) with intraspinal ossification were treated with percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery. There were 59 males and 37 females, aged from 13 to 57 years (mean, 29.5 years). The disease duration was 3-51 months (mean, 18.2 months). Fifty-one cases had trauma history. Ninety-two cases were single segmental unilateral symptom, 4 cases were bilateral symptom. The ossification property was posterior ring apophysis separation in 89 cases, and ossification of the fibrous ring or posterior longitudinal ligament in 7 cases. There were 32 cases of lateral type, 13 cases of central type, and 51 cases of mixed type. The pressure factors, such as nucleus pulposus, hyperplasia of the yellow ligament, joint capsule, or articular osteophyma, were removed under the microscope. Local anesthesia or continuous epidural anesthesia was performed in the transforaminal approach with 50 cases, and continuous epidural anesthesia or general anesthesia was performed in the interlaminar approach with 46 cases. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the degree of leg pain preoperatively and at last follow-up. The effectiveness was evaluated at last follow-up according to the modified Macnab criteria. Results All patients were successfully operated. Via transforaminal approach, the mean operation time was 53 minutes and the mean intraoperative fluoroscopy times was 8 times; and via interlaminar approach was 58 minutes and 3 times, respectively. The mean bed rest time after operation was 6.5 hours and the mean hospitalization time was 4.7 days. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (median, 11 months). Postoperative lumbar CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction after 3 days of operation showed that ossification tissues of 26 cases were not resected, 12 cases were resected partly, and 49 cases were resected completely. Postoperative lumbar MRI after 3 months of operation showed that spinal cord and nerve root were not compressed. At last follow-up, VAS score of leg pain was 0.7±1.1, which was significantly lower than preoperative score (5.8±1.1) (t=1.987, P=0.025). At last follow-up, according to modified Macnab criteria, the results were excellent in 87 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 4 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 95.8%. Conclusion Percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery for treatment of lumbar spine disorders with intraspinal ossification is an effective, safe, and minimal invasive alternative, and the short-term effectiveness is reliable. Accounting for the treatment of intraspinal ossification, comprehensive analysis should be made by combining clinical symptoms, imaging characteristics, and risk assessment.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of percutaneous coaxial large-channel endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PE-LIF) and minimal invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods The clinical data of 134 patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who met the selection criteria between January 2019 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 52 cases in PE-LIF group and 82 cases in MIS-TLIF group. There was no significant difference in general data such as gender, age, disease duration, surgical segment, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back pain and lower extremity pain, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospitalization stay, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The level of serum creatine kinase (CK) was recorded at 1 day before operation and at 1 and 3 days after operation to evaluate intraoperative muscle damage. The Brantigan criteria was used to evaluate the interbody fusion in the two groups. The VAS scores of low back pain and lower extremity pain at 1 day before operation and at 3 days, 3 months, and 1 year after operation, and the ODI scores at 1 day before operation and at 3 months and 1 year after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in operation time and hospitalization stay between the two groups (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage in the PE-LIF group were significantly lower than those in the MIS-TLIF group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum CK between the two groups before operation (P>0.05), and the serum CK in the PE-LIF group at 1 and 3 days after operation were significantly lower than those in the MIS-TLIF group (P<0.05). All patients were followed up regularly for 1 year. The postoperative VAS scores of low back pain and lower extremity pain and ODI score in both groups were significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). At 1 year after operation, 48 patients in PE-LIF group had successful interbody fusion, and 77 patients in MIS-TLIF group had successful interbody fusion. There was no significant difference in the interbody fusion distribution between the two groups at 3 months and 1 year after operation (P>0.05). There were 2 and 3 cases of lower limb numbness, 1 and 3 cases of neuroedema pain, 1 and 1 case of Cage displacement, 1 and 1 case of pedicle screw loosening in the PE-LIF group and MIS-TLIF group, respectively. No infection or dural sac tearing occurred in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (9.6% vs. 9.8%) (χ2=0.001, P=0.979). ConclusionIn the treatment of single-segment degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, PE-LIF can achieve similar effectiveness as MIS-TLIF, and PE-LIF has less intraoperative blood loss and less muscle damage.