Objective To evaluate lumbar laminotomy and replantation in prevention of spinal unstability and peridural adhesion after laminectomy.Methods From February 1995 to March 2001,a total of 169 patients(96 males, 73 females,aged 22-63) with lesions in the lumbar vertebral canals underwent surgery, in which the lesions were removed afterlaminectormy and then the excised laminae were replanted. Results The follow-up for 5-9 years showed that all the patients had no complications after the lesions were removed. According to the evaluation criteria formulated by WANG Yongti，81 patients had an excellent result, 67 had a good result, 19 had a fair result, and2 had a poor result. 87.6% of the patients obtained quite satisfactory results.The X-ray films demonstrated that the replanted laminae obtained bony healing and the spine was stable. The CT scanning demonstratedthat the canals were enlarged with a smooth and glossy interior. Conclusion Lumbar laminotomy and replantation is reasonable in design and convenient in performance, which can be promoted as a basic operation in spinal surgery.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous lumbar discectomy (PLD) combined with sodium hyaluronate (SH) injection in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS Forty-eight patients suffered from lumbar disc herniation were divided into two groups and treated by PLD combined with SH injection into epidural cavity (treatment group) or single PLD (control group) respectively. All patients were followed up for 24 months. The therapeutic effects in both groups were assessed and compared according to Macnab’s criterion. RESULTS The patients in the treatment group got much more significant improvement than those in the control group, with shorter therapeutic course and more safety. CONCLUSION PLD combined with SH injection into epidural cavity is more effective and safety in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation than of pure PLD.
Objective To analyze the cl inical effects of modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. Methods From October 2003 to December 2006, 33 patients with lumbar degenerative disease (L3-S1) were treated by modified TLIF. There were 14 males and 19 females with an average age of 52.2 years(33 to 70 years). The median disease course was 1.8 years (4 months to 15 years). A total of 42 levels were fused, including 24 cases of single level and 9 cases of double levels. The results of preoperative diagnosis were lumbar degenerative spondylol isthesis with stenosis (8 cases), isthmic spondylol isthesis (5 cases), degenerative lumbar stenosis (16 cases), huge herniated disc with segmental instabil ity (3 cases) and failed back surgery syndrome (1 case). During the modified TLIF procedure, total inferior facet process and inner half summit of superior facet process of TLIF side were resected to make the posterior wall of foramen opened partly. After the bone graft (3 to 5 mL) was placed into the interbody space, a single rectangle Cage was inserted obl iquely from 30° to 40° toward the midl ine. Combined with pedicle screw instrumentation, TLIF was accompl ished. Middle canal and opposite side nerve root decompression were performed simultaneously when necessary. Results Intraoperative dura mater rupture, postoperative cerebral spinal fluid leakage, deep wound infection and transient nerve root stimulation occurredin 1 case respectively, and were all recovered after treatment. No patients had permanent neurologic deficit or aggravation. All patients were followed up for 20 to 58 months (mean 27.2 months). At the follow-up after 1 year postoperatively, all the operated segments achieved fusion standard and no broken screw or Cage dislocation occurred. All 13 cases of spondylol isthesis were reduced thoroughly and maintained satisfactorily. Nineteen patients remained sl ight chronic back pain. There was significant difference (P lt; 0.05) in JOA score between preoperation (14.9 ± 5.1) and postoperation (25.9 ± 3.0). The rate of cl inical improvement was 80.5% (excellent in 24 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 2 cases). Conclusion The modified TLIF carries out the less invasive principles in opening operations, simpl ifies the manipulation and expands the indication of TLIF to some extent, and the cl inical results for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease is satisfactory.
Objective To evaluate the reliability and the advantageof canal laminoplasty with laminoplasty over laminectomy for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods From June 2000 to September 2004, the titanium miniplate fixation technique was applied to re-implantation of the vertebral lamina in the lumbar spine. The vertebral lamina was made with a specially made osteotome and a special technique in 18 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Results The patients were followed up for 1 yr and 8 mon on average (range, 3 mon4 yr and 3 mon) and were observed to have a bony fusion of the re-implanted lamina 3-9 months postoperatively. There was no nonunion, displacement of the re-implanted lamina, overgrowth of the anterior bone edge of osteotomy, recompression of the nerves or instability of the lumbar spine. Conclusion The result demonstrates that canal laminoplasty with the titanium miniplate re-implantation of the vertebral lamina in lumbar spine can restore the normal anatomy, keep stability of the spine, and avoid adhesion and scar in the canal.
Objective To explore the feasibil ity and efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), and to assess the cl inical result of the PKP technique. Methods From May 2006 to October 2007, 12 patients with severe OVCF affecting more than 2/3 of the original vertebral body height were treated by using domestic PKP and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) tool systems. There were 3 malesand 9 females, with the age of 56-82 years and a mean disease course of 4.2 months (1-49 months). Eleven thoracic vertebra and 4 lumbar vertebra suffered from severe vertebral compression fractures, which included 3 extremely severe thoracic OVCF. Four thoracic vertebra and 3 lumbar vertebra had not severe OVCF. There were 4 cases of single vertebral compression fracture, 6 cases of double fractures, and 2 cases of triple fractures. Only single side PKP and PVP were performed via extrapedicular approach in thoracic vertebra, and via transpedicular approach in lumbar spine under fluoroscopic control. Eight patients with severe thoracic compression fractures and 4 with severe lumbar fractures were treated by PKP. Four patients with relatively mild thoracic compression fractures and 3 with lumbar fractures were treated by PVP. Results The operation was successfully, 3 patients with extremely severe thoracic compression fractures received no intervention. The maximum expansion pressure of balloon was (1 068 ± 298) kPa, and the volume was (3.1 ± 1.2) mL during operation. The average operative time of PKP was (44.9 ± 10.6) minutes per vertebra, while the average operative time of PVP was (36.5 ± 6.8) minutes per vertebra. The average volume of injected bone cement was (2.5 ± 0.6) mL per thoracic vertebra, and (3.6 ± 1.2) mL per lumbar vertebra. The mean hospitalization time were (3.7 ± 1.6) days. Twelve cases were followed up 5-18 months (mean 8.6 months). The visual analogue scale scoreswere (2.35 ± 0.61) points 2 days after operation and (2.89 ± 1.07) points at last follow-up, there were statistically significant differences when compared with before operation (8.27 ± 1.36) points (P lt; 0.01). Extravertebral leakage of the bone cement into the paravertebral tissue and/or disc occurred in 6 patients (9 vertebra) without significant symptom. Conclusion One side approach PKP is a safe and effective technique for treatment of severe OVCF with markedly rel ief of pain.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between lumbar facet joint degeneration of each segment and spine-pelvic sagittal balance parameters. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made the clinical data of 120 patients with lumbar degenerative disease, who accorded with the inclusion criteria between June and November 2014. There were 58 males and 62 females with an average age of 53 years (range, 24-77 years). The disease duration ranged from 3 to 96 months (mean, 6.6 months). Affected segments included L3, 4 in 32 cases, L4, 5 in 47 cases, and L5, S1 in 52 cases. The CT and X-ray films of the lumbar vertebrae were taken. The facet joint degeneration was graded based on the grading system of Pathria. The spine-pelvic sagittal balance parameters were measured, including lumbar lordosis (LL), upper lumbar lordosis (ULL), lower lumbar lordosis (LLL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS). According to normal range of PI, the patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (PI was 1ess than normal range), group B (PI was within normal range), and group C (PI was more than normal range). The facet joint degeneration was compared;according to the facet joint degeneration degree, the patients were divided into group N (mild degeneration group) and group M (serious degeneration group) to observe the relationship of lumbar facet joint degeneration of each segment and spine-pelvic sagittal balance parameters. ResultsAt L4, 5 and L5, S1, facet joint degeneration showed significant difference among groups A, B, and C (P<0.05), more serious facet joint degeneration was observed in group C;no significant difference was found in facet joint degeneration at L3, 4 (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the other spine-pelvic sagittal balance parameters between groups N and M at each segment (P>0.05) except for PT (P<0.05). ConclusionPI of more than normal range may lead to or aggravate lumbar facet joint degeneration at L4, 5 and L5, S1;PT and PI are significantly associated with facet joint degeneration at the lower lumbar spine.
Objective To investigate the surgicalmethod and perioperative treatment for senile lumbar disease accompanied by internal disease. Methods From June 2000 to December 2003,the complete neurological and physical examinations were performed on the patients before operation, as treatment of internal diseases could improve the patients’ conditions. Lumbar operations were performed on 125 patients, among whom 23 had simple lumbardisc herniation, 13 had lumbar spine stenosis, 81 had lumbar disc herniation with lumbar spine stenosis, and 8 had spondylolisthesis.The JOA score was 116±2.5. There were 3 patients undergoing fenerstration+discectomy, 16 undergoing semilaminectomy+discectomy,82 undergoing total-laminectomy+disectomy, 5 undergoing total-laminectomy+disectomy+pedicle fixation, 11 undergoing lamina decompression+nerve-root pathyway decompression, and 8 undergoing pedicle screw fixation+bone graft and fusion in spondylolisthesis. Results With an effective medical treatment, the internal disease produced little effect on the operation. Improved functions and bone fusions were observed after- operation. According to the JOA standards, the average alleviation rate was 87.9%. Conclusion Early neurological examination and proper treatment of internal diseases are the keys to the successful operation on the senile patients with lumbar disease. Radiological data are important in avoidance of mistaken diagnosis.
Objective To investigate the cl inical appl icabil ity and value of internal fixator for the reconstruction of lumbar isthmus in the treatment of lumbar vertebral spondylolysis and to lay a fundation for its cl inical appl ication. Methods Sixteen healthy goats weighing 22.65-31.22 kg were selected to establ ish the models of vertebral spondylolysis at L5, which thereafter were randomized into two groups (n=8): bone graft group in which 0.8-1.1 g fresh autogenous bone was transplanted into the isthmus spondylolysis area, and internal fixation with bone graft group in which internal fixator was installed before transplanting 0.8-1.1 g fresh autogenous bone into the isthmus spondylolysis area. All animals were killed 8 weeks after operation to receive imaging, topographic anatomy and histology detection. Meanwhile, biomechanics test was performed by using 5 donated vertebral body specimens (4 males and 1 female aged 35-51 years old). The left isthmus of L5 vertebra was transected to serve as lumbar vertebral spondylolysis model. A mini-displacement sensor was put at the transected ends of the isthmus. Then loading was conducted with a constant velocity of 2 mm/min by electronic omnipotent tester simulating the direction of fixation force of the internal fixator, and the deformation value of the transected ends was collected by a dynamic data collector and analyzer. The loading wascontinued until the vertebra specimens were damaged. The deformation of displacement sensor and the closure of transected ends of the lumbar isthmus were observed. Results All the goats behaved normally shortly after operation, and no nerve injury induced by operation and no wound infection occurred. Bilaterally obl ique X-ray films of lumbar vertebra and topographic anatomy 8 weeks after operation showed the fusion rate of the internal fixation and bone graft group and the bone graft group was 100% and 62.5%, respectively, indicating there was a significant difference (P lt; 0.05). Histology observation showed 3 goats in the bone graft group presented empty bone trabecula, empty bone lacuna and the disappearance of osteocytes at the transected ends of lumbar isthmus; while in the internal fixation and bone graft group, the bone trabecula grew into cancellous structures with hematopoietic and fatty bone marrow tissue inside, and parts of the bone trabecula had various degrees of mosaic-l ike pattern. During the upload, the biomechanics test and data processing results showed when the external load was 40 N, the deformation of displacement sensor was identified and the gap between the transected ends of lumbar isthmus started to close; then with the increase of external load, the displacement sensor tended to ascend in a l inearity manner; while when the external load was 212 N, the displacement sensor had no further deformation, the gap between the transected ends of lumbar isthmus wascompletely closed, and the pressor effect appeared. Conclusion The internal fixator for the reconstruction of lumbar isthmus has mechanical effects of stabil izing and elevating pressure with a high fusion rate.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness and the safety of accurate decompression via foraminoplasty in treating lumbar lateral recess stenosis patients who accompanied by disk-flavum ligamentum space and bony lateral recess stenosis, and to analysis the short-term effectiveness of the surgical procedures. Methods Forty-five lumbar lateral recess stenosis patients accompanied by disk-flavum ligamentum space and bony lateral recess stenosis were treated by accurate decompression via foraminoplasty between January 2013 and January 2016. There were 29 males and 16 females with a median age of 58 years (range, 42-82 years). The disease duration was 3-96 months (mean, 24.4 months). The lesion segment included L4, 5 in 36 cases and L5, S1 in 9 cases. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain at preoperation and last follow-up were recorded, and the modified Macnab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness at last follow-up. Postoperative CT and MRI were reviewed to evaluate the stability and decompression of the lumbar spine. Results All operations were successfully completed. All the 45 patients were followed up 3-18 months (median, 11 months). Dural tear occurred in 2 cases during operation, bone graft removed into the spinal canal in 1 case, postoperative low back pain occurred in 5 cases, and there was no nerve root injury, hematoma formation, or other complications. The leg pain VAS score at last follow-up (0.6±1.2) was significantly improved when compared with preoperative score (5.7±1.4) (t=8.981, P=0.001); and the low back pain VAS scores showed no significant difference between preoperation and last follow-up (1.5±1.3vs. 1.7±1.4;t=0.535, P=0.585). According to the modified Macnab criteria, the results were excellent in 20 cases, good in 22 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case at last follow-up, and the excellent and good rate was 93.3%. Conclusion Accurate decompression via foraminoplasty is an effective, safe, and less invasive way for treating lumbar recess stenosis patients accompanied by disk-flavum ligamentum space and bony lateral recess stenosis.
ObjectiveTo measure L1-L5 lumbar isthmus thickness and to construct Chinese adult male lumbar (L1-L5) 3D model by Micro CT 3D reconstruction technique, in order to provide micro-anatomical data for clinical treatment of L1-L5 lumbar spondylolysis. MethodsDry, non-damaged specimens of L1-L5 lumbar isthmus from 60 Chinese adult males were randomly selected from September 2013 to January 2014. Micro CT scanning was carried out, followed by corresponding 3D model construction. The microscopic anatomical parameters such as superior, inferior, inner and outer edge thickness of left and right L1-L5 lumbar isthmus were measured. ResultsL1-L5 lumbar isthmus superior edge thickness was in the order of L1> L2> L3> L5> L4, with the variation ranging from (4.31±0.95) mm to (4.88±0.75) mm. L1-L5 lumbar isthmus inferior edge thickness was in the order of L1< L2< L3< L4< L5, gradually thickened with the variation ranging from (6.03±1.01) mm to (7.27±1.27) mm. L1-L5 lumbar isthmus inner edge thickness amplitude was not obvious, ranging from (6.33±1.21) mm to (6.57±1.27) mm. L1-L5 lumbar isthmus outer edge thickness was in the order of L1< L2< L3< L4< L5, gradually thickened with the variation ranging from (8.44±1.21) mm to (10.27±1.28) mm. ConclusionThere are certain rules within superior, inferior, inner and outer edge thickness of adult L1-L5 lumbar isthmus:the inferior and outer edge thickness of L1-L5 lumbar isthmus gradually becomes thicker, while superior edge gradually becomes thinner. From L1 to L5 lumbar isthmus, the outer edge of the lumbar isthmus is the thickest, followed by inner and inferior edge, and the upper edge is the thinnest.