A new method of anterior decompression for thoracolumbar fractures with paralysi s in six cases was reported. In a follw-up of one to five months, was shown that the neurological functions in all six cases has improved ⅡⅢ rank in Frankl classification. The author believe that the method has the following advantages, such as: less trauma from operation; the level and the limit of decompression could be made without Xray during the operation; usually only 1/5 to 1/4 of the vertebral body was excised so that the stability of the spine was not disturbed, and the obvious favourable results.
Objective To evaluate the security and validity of the acute extreme hypervolemic hemodilution (AEHH) in spine surgery. Methods Thirteen patients(8 males, 5 females; age, 16-65 years; weight, 50-75 kg) who had undergone major spine operations were enrolled in this study. Eleven of them had undergone anterior decompression, who were given the grafting and the internal fixation for their thoracolumber spinal burst fractures; the other 2 patients were given the correction operation for their scoliosis. The baselines of the haematocrit (Hct）were 0.363-0.481 before operation. The patients had no cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic or renal dysfunction or coagulation abnormality. The hemodynamic status and the haematocrit were observed during operation. The parameters of thromboelastography (TEG)，arterial blood gas, and electrolytes were measured and observed at the following time points: before AEHH, after AEHH, 60 minutes after AEHH, 120 minutes after AEHH, and the end of the operation. The total fluid volume was recorded. Results The autologous blood volume was1 050-1 575 ml (average,1 419±198 ml), plasma substitute 2 100-3 150 ml (average,2 838±397 ml), blood loss1 000-3 130 ml (average, 1 747±743 ml), urine 450-1 270 ml (average, 871±374 ml), and the net blood transfusion 1 206-2 661 ml(1 863±598 ml). The homogenous blood of 400 ml was transfused in 1 patient for making upthe blood loss of 3 130 ml. There were no statistically significant differencesin the hemodynamic measurements, arterial blood gas, and electrolyte variables when compared with the baseline values before the hemodilution (Pgt;0.05). The reaction time of TEG was longer 60 minutes after AEHH than before AEHH (Plt;0.05); the other parameters of TEG had no differences when compared with the baseline values (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The AEHH is safe and efficient in reduction of the perioperative homogenous blood transfusion in spine surgery.
Objective To describe the up-to-date development in spine and spine cord injuries. Methods To summarize the cl inical and basic research on spine and spine cord injuries were summarized by reviewing papers and combining them with our own experience. Results The occi pitocervical and atlantoaxial fusions by the pedicle or the lateral mass screw were widely used to treat the upper cervical fractures. The anterior cervical plate, posterior pedicle or lateral mass screw fixation techniques were used in treatment of lower cervical fractures. The cl inical appl ication of artificial cervical disc replacement showed the good biomechanical results in treatment of serious cervical disc diseases. However, there were no unified criteria for selection of the surgical approach, fixation level, and fusion model in the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures. Lumbar posterior dynamic fixation and artificial disc replacement for treatment of degenerative lumbar disc diseases provided the biomechanical stabil ization and reduced the morbidity of adjacent segment diseases, but there was lack of long-term follow-up results. The basic research in spine cord injuries, especially in apoptotic signal pathway, made great progress. The biological treatment including cell transplantation and gene therapy provided the sol id theoretical foundation for cl inical appl ication. Conclusion The reparative and reconstructive development in spine and spine cord injuries has made great progress in recent years.
Objective To summarize the research progress of stem cell transplantation in treating spinal cord injury (SCI) at different stages based on the pathophysiological mechanism of SCI. Methods The relevant research literature at home and abroad was extensively reviewed to explore the impact of transplantation timing on the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation in treating SCI. Results Researchers performed different types of stem cell transplantation for subjects at different stages of SCI through different transplantation approaches. Clinical trials have proved the safety and feasibility of stem cell transplantation at acute, subacute, and chronic stages, which can alleviate inflammation at the injured site and restore the function of the damaged nerve cells. But the reliable clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation at different stages of SCI are still lacking. Conclusion Stem cell transplantation has a good prospect in treating SCI. In the future, the multi-center, large sample randomized controlled clinical trials are needed, with a focus on the long-term effectiveness of stem cell transplantation.
Objective To investigate the effect of rhBMP-2 combined with porous CPC on spine fusion in rabbits. Methods rhBMP-2 (1 mg) was loaded with 1 g CPC and 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm × 0.5 cm absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS), respectively, and thereafter frozen to prepare the biomaterial of rhBMP-2/CPC and rhBMP-2/AGS. Forty-five 24-week-old New Zealand rabbits (weight 2.5-3.5 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A (n=17), group B (n=11) and group C (n=17).With the exposure and removal of L5, 6 transverse process’s posterior bone cortex in all the rabbits, the corresponding cancellous bones were exposed and the posterior bilateral intertransverse bone grafting of L5, 6 were performed on the three groups, then the rhBMP-2/CPC, rhBMP-2/AGS and CPC was implanted into the rabbits of group A, B and C, respectively. Gross observation, histology assay and image examination were conducted 4, 8 and 24 weeks after operation. Results Decalcified hard tissue section demonstrated obvious callus connections in group A, small pieces of callus in group B, and fibrous connection and few cartilage in group C at 4 and 8 weeks after operation. By Kacena measurement standard, the score of group A, B and C at 4 weeks after operation was (7.30 ± 0.76), (3.68 ± 1.60) and (1.75 ± 0.54) points, respectively, and their score at 8 weeks after operation were (8.32 ± 1.11), (3.75 ± 1.23) and (1.47 ± 0.23) points, respectively, indicating there were significant differences between group A and group B as well as between group A and group C at different time points (P lt; 0.05). Undecalcified hard tissue section demonstrated that there was cancellous bone-l ike tissue regeneration in group A, and fiber connection around the implants and l ittle ossification in group C at 4 and 8 weeks after operation. By three dimensions reconstructed CT, group A, B and C scored (2.50 ± 0.57), (1.00 ± 0.00) and (1.00 ± 0.00) points respectively, indicating there was a significant difference between group C and groups A and B as well as between group A and group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion As a carrier of rhBMP-2, the CPC is capable of promoting spine bone fusion in rabbits and is a new type of artificial bone repair material.
Objective To explore the injury mechanism, clinical features and treatment methods of multiple-level noncontiguous spinal fractures(MNSF). Methods The clinical data of 23 patients with MNSF were analyzed retrospectively. Therewere 15 males and 8 females aging from 13 to 75 years. Five cases missed diagnosis. The locations of the primary injury were cervical region in 3 cases, thoracic region in 7 cases, and thoracolumbar region in 13 cases. The spinal fractures associated with spinal cord injury were 14 cases in the primary injury, and 3 cases in the secondary injury. According to Frankel grade, there were 7 cases ofgrade A, 1 case of grade B, 3 cases of grade C, 6 cases of grade D and 6 cases of grade E. Sixteen cases were treated by surgical stabilization while 7 cases were treated conservatively. Results Twenty patients were followed up from 3 months to 4 years with a mean of 11.5 months except three patients. No neurologic deterioration was observed in patients who were treated conservatively or operatively. No wound infection, no implant failure or bone graft nonunion occurred in patients who were treated operatively. Among 17 patients with neurologic deficit before operation, 12 got 1-3 grade improvement of the Frankel grading, 4 remained unchanged and 1 died. Conclusion The mechanism of MNSF injury is complex, it is easy to miss diagnosis. The patients with spinal injury must be examined carefully and completely. A whole spine radiographic survey should be accomplished if necessary and treatments should be based on the stability of spine fractures and the severity of spinal cord injury.
Objective To review the research progress of the vacuum phenomenon in spine. Methods The recent articles about the vacuum phenomenon in spine were reviewed; the features of imaging and the cl inical correlation were summarized. Results The vaccum phenomenon has been described in every segment of the spine. This phenomenon occurs mostly to the disc space and represents a transparent area on radiograph. Conclusion The causes of the vacuum phenomenoninclude degeneration of the anatomic structures of spine, trauma, and other pathologic changes. The vacuum phenomenon has important diagnostic and cl inical significances.
Objective To observe ultrastructural changes of the intervertebraldisk in the corresponding area after internal fixation of spinal column. Methods Twenty-four Japanese big ear rabbits were divided into internal fixation of spinal column group (n=12) and control group (n=12). The internal fixation model was made as follows: The spinous processes and erector spinal muscle were exposed and the T10L3 spinous processes and the relevant two-side articular processes under the periosteumwere isolated. With the help of L-shaped Kirschner wires, the steel wire was threaded through the articular of T11,T12,L1 and L2, and were connected with L-shaped Kirschner wries. After 6 months of operation, the following intervertebral disk tissues were observed with transmission electeon microscope: nucleus pulposus, internal annlus fibrosus and external anulus fibrosus of L1 intervertebraldisk. The T12and L2 intervertebal disk surface structure was observedhorizontally and longitudinally with scanning electron microscope, respectively. Results After internal fixation of spinal column, the structural changes of cells in nucleus pulposus and internal annulus fibrosus occurred earlier than that in the external annulus fibrosus. Proteoglycan and special structure were found in nucleus pulposus and matix of annulus fibrosus. However, the forms of special structure in nucleus pulposus and internal layer of annulus fibrosus were different. In the degeneration matrix of intervertebral disc, the proteoglycan particles and special structure were obviously decreased. Conclusion Abnormal stress environment can result in the degeneration of intervertebral disk. There is a regular distribution of the special structure in nucleus pulposus and matrix of annulus fibrosus, which is related to biology behaviour of proteoglycan particles in the degeneration of intervertebral disk.
Objective To investigate the effect of the sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis after surgical posterior intervertebral fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation for low-grade isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis, and to assess the effectiveness. Methods Between October 2009 and October 2011, 30 patients with low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent surgical posterior intervertebral fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation, and the clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. There were 14 males and 16 females with an average age of 56.7 years (range, 48-67 years). The pre- and post-operative radiographic parameters, such as percentage of slipping (PS), intervertebral space height, angle of slip (AS), thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar junction angle (TLJ), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), lumbar lordosis (LL), spino-sacral angle (SSA), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) were measured. The functional evaluation was made using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Pearson correlation were used to investigate the association between all parameters and ODI score. Results PS, intervertebral space height, AS, and ODI were improved significantly compared with properative ones (P lt; 0.05). Significant differences were found in the other parameters between pre- and post-operation (P lt; 0.05) except TLJ and TK. The alteration of SVA showed significant correlation with the changes of PS, PI, PT, LL, SS, AS, SSA, and ODI. The alteration of SSA showed significant correlation with the changes of PS, PI, LL, SS, AS, PT, and ODI. Conclusion Surgical posterior intervertebral fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation for low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis can effectively improve and maintain the spinal sagittal parameters. SVA and SSA are adequate to evaluate pre-and post-operative balance. The good clinical outcome is closely related with the improved of SVA and SSA.
Objective To investigate the status of nutrition, nutritional support, and postoperative nutrition-related complications in patients with spinal deformity during orthopedic perioperative period. Methods From February to August 2021, patients who underwent spinal orthopedic surgery for spinal deformity in Peking University Third Hospital were collected. A survey was conducted using self-designed questionnaire, including patient’s general information (gender, age, and type of spinal deformity), nutrition-related information (risks of malnutrition, forms of nutritional support), and postoperative nutrition-related complications. Results A total of 39 patients with spinal deformity were enrolled, and 46.2% (18 cases) were at risk of malnutrition. There were a total of 174 times of nutritional support, and 96.0% (167 times) were parenteral nutrition. The patients’ energy intake from nutritional support accounted for 34.41% of the daily goal energy intake averagely. At admission, one day after operation, and at discharge, the prealbumin was (215.51±34.69), (172.85±31.85), and (163.67±29.15) mg/L, respectively, and the hemoglobin was (138.08±15.67), (119.92±18.01), and (117.69±14.76) g/L, respectively, which were significantly lower one day after operation and at discharge than those at admission (P<0.01). The incidence of postoperative nutrition-related complications during hospitalization was 5.1% (2/39). Conclusions Patients undergoing spinal deformity orthopedics are at high risk of overall malnutrition during the perioperative period, their clinical nutritional interventions are mostly based on parenteral nutrition with a single infusion of nutritional preparations, and the nutritional status is not significantly improved. However, the incidence of postoperative nutrition-related complications is low. Standardized nutrition interventions should be strengthened in the future.