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Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and the necessity to perform LLIF plus posterior direct decompression in the treatment of severe degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS).Methods:In this prospective randomized, controlled trial, we assigned 71 patients, who were 50 to 80 years old, and diagnosed with severe DLSS (Schizas Classification grade C on magnetic resonance imaging), in a 1∶1 ratio to undergo either one-stage LLIF plus posterior internal fixation (treatment group) or CLIF plus posterior internal fixation with laminectomy (control group). Demographic and perioperative data were collected and compared. The clinical outcome measures included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) score as well as visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients were followed up for at least 1 year.Results:The treatment group included 36 patients with 46 surgical levels, while the control group included 35 patients with 46 surgical levels. The baseline demographic data of the 2 groups were equivalent in preoperative central canal areas, spinal canal anteroposterior diameter, disc height, ODI, ZCQ score for symptom severity and physical function, as well as VAS scores for back and leg pain. The mean operative time, blood loss, drainage volume and hospital stay of the treatment group are significantly less than the control group (157.2±29.1 min vs. 180.6±26.8 min, 75.6±39.1 ml vs. 108.6±43.3 ml, 136.9±73.9 ml vs. 220.5±121.3 ml, 5.3±1.1 d vs. 6.6±2.3 d). There were 2 cases with dura tear and 1 case with wound infection in control group. Thus, the surgical trauma and complications of the control group were more than the treatment group. At 1-year follow-up, the mean ODI score of treatment group improved from 42.24%±10.70% preoperatively to 18.21%±11.49%, the mean ZCQ symptom severity from 2.89±0.38 to 1.61±0.41, the mean ZCQ physical function from 2.31±0.45 to 1.50±0.37, the mean VAS for back from 5.56±1.19 to 1.97±1.13 and the mean VAS for leg from 4.44±1.81 to 0.94±1.26. At 1-year follow-up, the mean ODI score of the control group improved from 43.65%±14.93% preoperatively to 17.36%±12.15%, the mean ZCQ symptom severity from 2.92±0.52 to 1.65±0.39, the mean ZCQ physical function from 2.37±0.52 to 1.55±0.39, the mean VAS for back from 5.63±1.40 to 2.34±1.47, and the mean VAS for leg from 4.37±2.14 to 0.83±1.20. The ZCQ satisfactory score of both groups were not significant different (1.25±0.45 vs. 1.26±0.43, t=0.07, P=0.944). The mean improvement rate of both groups for ODI, ZCQ symptom severity, ZCQ physical function, VAS back and VAS leg at 1-year follow-up were not significant different (55.43%±27.74% vs. 58.36%±25.06%, 43.07%±17.22% vs. 42.66%±12.95%, 32.25%±23.65% vs. 31.71%±23.24%, 62.65%±21.25% vs. 58.37%±22.44%, 78.94%±26.41% vs. 85.45%±20.53%). One adjacent segment disease was found in each group at 1 year follow-up. Conclusion:CLIF+ posterior internal fixation in the treatment of Schizas Grade C DLSS has satisfactory clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up. Laminectomy increases surgical trauma, but does not significantly improve the clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up.
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Objective:To investigate the changes of paraspinal muscles in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and its correlation with lumbar kyphosis.Methods:The clinical data of 67 female patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis, with an average of 65.4±5.6 years old (rang 52-83 years old), were retrospectively analyzed. There were 35 patients of DLS with lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK) in the DLS+LDK group, with an average of 64.60±5.40 years old (rang 52-75 years old), and 32 patients of lumbar scoliosis without lumbar kyphosis in the DLS group, with an average of 66.22±5.8 years old (rang 55-83 years old). The cross-sectional area (CSA) and the percentage of fat infiltration area (FIA%) of erector spinae and multifidus muscles of the 5 intervertebral disc levels (from L 1-2 to L 5S 1) were measured by MRI using Image J software (ver. 1.51 k, National Institutes of Health, USA). The curve direction, Cobb angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS) were evaluated and recordedin both groups using an anteroposterior radiograph in the standing position, and the correlation between the changes of paraspinal muscles and these factors was analyzed. Results:The TLK, LL, and SVA values of the DLS+LDK group (11.85°±7.89°, -9.35°±8.70° and 70.16±76.94 mm) were higher than those of the DLS group (7.47°±5.06°, -26.46°±10.26° and 39.45±38.18mm) ( t=2.73, P=0.008; t=7.38, P<0.001; t=2.10, P=0.041). The TK, PI, and SS values of the DLS+LDK group (16.36°±13.52°, 42.49°±11.70° and 11.89°±10.03°) were lower than those of the DLS group (23.60°±10.23°, 49.38°±11.92° and 21.21°±8.28°) ( t=2.45, P=0.017; t=2.38, P=0.020; t=4.13, P<0.001). The differences of Cobb and PT were not statistically significant between the two groups. The cross-sectional areas of L 1-2, L 2-3, L 3-4 intervertebral disc levels of erector spinae of the DLS+LDK group (1 328.36±339.16 mm 2, 1 331.98±305.76 mm 2 and 12 53.58±275.86 mm 2) were lower than those of the DLS group (1 564.16±312.68 mm 2, 1 574.80±325.92 mm 2 and 1 427.18±278.82 mm 2) ( t=0.40, P=0.004; t=0.81, P=0.002; t=0.306, P=0.013). The cross-sectional areas of L 1-2, L 2-3, L 3-4, L 4-5 intervertebral disc levels of multifidus muscles of the DLS+LDK group (225.07±59.80 mm 2, 228.38±87.44 mm 2, 436.40±117.99 mm 2 and 666.55±184.13 mm 2) were lower than those of the DLS group (264.28±44.27 mm 2, 384.85±75.52 mm 2, 576.10±109.92 mm 2 and 801.52±145.83 mm 2) ( t=0.21, P=0.004; t=0.42, P<0.001; t=0.52, P<0.001; t=0.37, P=0.002). The differences of FIA% of erector spinae and multifidus muscles at all lumbar spine levels were not statistically significant between the two groups. The cross-sectional areas of L 1-2, L 2-3, L 3-4 intervertebral disc levels of erector spinae and L 1-2, L 2-3, L 3-4, L 4-5 intervertebral disc levels of multifidus muscles of the two groups were negatively correlated with LL values ( r=-0.37, P=0.002; r=-0.34, P=0.005; r=-0.21, P=0.049; r=-0.34, P=0.005; r=-0.61, P<0.001; r=-0.65, P<0.001; r=-0.55, P<0.001), and positively correlated with SS ( r=0.42, P<0.001; r=0.37, P=0.002; r=0.27, P=0.027; r=0.38, P=0.001; r=0.53, P<0.001; r=0.46, P<0.001; r=0.42, P<0.001). The cross-sectional areas of L 3-4 intervertebral disc levels of erector spinae and L 1-2, L 2-3 intervertebral disc levels of multifidus muscles of the two groups were positively correlated with PI ( r=0.25, P=0.039; r=0.33, P=0.006; r=0.35, P=0.004). There was no correlation between the FIA% of erector spinae and multifidus muscles at all lumbar spine levels and the sagittal and pelvic parameters in both groups. Conclusion:Paravertebral muscle atrophy is more obvious in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis with lumbar kyphosis, which may be related to the reduce of lumbar lordosis and sacral slope. Patients with lumbar scoliosis with a smaller PI are more likely to experience paravertebral atrophy and increased loss of lumbar lordosis, and ultimately leading to lumbar kyphosis.
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Objective:To investigate the influence of different degrees of facet joint arthropathy on the indirect decompression effect of crenel lumbar interbody fusion (CLIF), and the clinical outcomes of CLIF for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with severe facet joint arthropathy (grade 3).Methods:This study reviewed a total of 269 surgical segments in 156 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis treated with CLIF technique from November 2016 to February 2020. According to preoperative CT images, the facet joint was graded according to Pathria classification. There are 19 segments with grade 0, 156 segments with grade 1, 67 segments with grade 2, and 27 segments with grade 3. Radiographic parameters included disc angle, anterior and posterior disc height, and bilateral intervertebral foramen height on CT, and the midsagittal canal diameter and axial central canal area. In 30 patients with at least one segment of grade 3, the clinical efficacy was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI).Results:The average the anterior and posterior intervertebral space height, intervertebral space angle, height of bilateral intervertebral foramina, spinal canal sagittal diameter and spinal canal area were significantly improved after the operation of grade 3 facet joint degeneration segment compared to preoperation. The preoperative mean spinal canal sagittal diameter and spinal canal area of grade 3 facet joint degeneration segment were significantly less than grade 1 and grade 2. The average change of spinal canal area after grade 3 articular degeneration was significantly less than that of grade 1 and 2, but there was no significant difference with that of grade 0. The posterior decompression rate was 55.56% (15/27) for grade 3, 35.82% (24/67) for grade 2, 16.03% (25/156) for grade 1, and 21.05% (4/19) for grade 0. The posterior decompression rate of grade 3 articular process degeneration was significantly higher than that of other grades ( P<0.001). Severe lateral recess stenosis and 24.24% of severe intervertebral foraminal stenosis were found in 81.48% of grade 3 degenerative segment. The 23 patients were followed up with an average of 21.62±6.52 months, and the average improvement of ODI was 24.10%±11.09%; the average VAS for leg pain and back pain were improved significantly. Conclusion:The degrees of facet joint degeneration do not prevent intervertebral space distraction of CLIF. However, because segments with severe facet joint arthropathy were usually associated with severe spinal canal stenosis, CLIF had a high rate of second-stage posterior decompression in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with severe facet joint arthropathy.
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Objective:To explore the clinical effect of the application of intraoperative psoas major intramuscular block therapy on the complications related to the approach after multi-segmental crenel lumbar interbody fusion (CLIF).Methods:All of 68 degenerative lumbar scoliosis patients who had received multi-segmental crenel lumbar interbody fusion during January 2020 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether the psoas major muscle was treated with block therapy during the operation. The psoas muscle inblock group were filled with gel sponge infiltrated with a mixture of Betamethasone and lidocaine for local block therapy before closing the incision while that in the control group were not filled with gel sponge. There were 33 patients in the control group, 7 males and 26 females with an average of 65.8±7.1 years old (range: 54-81 years old); 35 cases in the block group, 9 males and 26 females with an average of 68.0±6.5 years old (range: 54-85 years old). The complications related to the approach (mainly includes pain, numbness in the front of the thigh, as well as psoas major, quadriceps muscle strength) were recorded respectively 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. The main indicators of outcome including visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, the visual analog scale (VAS) of numbness, muscle strength of psoas major and quadriceps femoris, and the incidence of complications related to the approach were compared between the two groups of patients at different time points after surgery. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI), VAS for low back pain. The radiological outcome was evaluated with Cobb angles and sagittal balance parameters (sagittal vertical axis, SVA).Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), number of fusion segments, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups. The incidence of approach-related complications was 17.1% in the block group and 39.4% in the control group, with statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=4.177, P=0.041). The incidence of postoperative pain, numbness in the front of the thighs, and muscle strength of psoas major in the block group (11.4%, 14.3%) were lower than those in the control group (33.3%, 36.4%) ( χ2=4.740, P=0.029; χ2=4.416, P=0.036). And for numbness in the front of thigh, the block group (14.3) was lower than control group (21.2%), but no significant difference was shown between two groups ( χ2=0.561, P=0.454). However, there was no quadriceps weakness in either group. The VAS scores of painof the block group were lower than those of the control group at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.220, P=0.031; t=2.235, P=0.031; t=2.086, P=0.044). The difference at 3 months was not statistically significant ( t=0.385, P=0.701). The muscle strength of psoas major of the block group, meanwhile, was higher than those of the control group on the 1day and 1 week after surgery, the difference was statistically significant as well ( t=2.208, P=0.032; t=2.171, P=0.034). The difference at 1 and 3 months was not statistically significant ( t=0.923, P=0.359; t=1.437, P=0.160). No statistically significant differences were found in VAS scores of numbness at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Postoperative low back pain and lumbar spine function were significantly improved in both groups, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups. Coronal Cobb angle and sagittal balance were significantly improved in both groups after surgery, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups. Conclusion:Psoas major intramuscular block therapy can reduce the incidence of early postoperative complications of multi-segmental CLIF. Furthermore, it was found to be effective to alleviate anterior thigh pain within 1 month, and improve psoas major muscle weakness within 1 week.
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Objective@#To investigate the preliminary clinical efficacy of modified minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion in the anterior support and reconstruction for thoracolumbar fracture combined with intervertebral disc injury.@*Methods@#A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 14 patients with single-segment thoracolumbar fracture combined with intervertebral disc injury admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2017 to May 2018. There were 12 males and two females, aged 22-56 years [(37.4±10.2)years]. The injured segments were at L1 in nine patients and L2 in five patients. Twelve patients had upper disc injury and two patients had lower disc injury. Before operation, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification was grade A in five patients, grade B in four, grade C in three, and grade D in two. All patients received modified minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion to reconstruct the stability of the anterior and middle columns of the spine one week after posterior short-segment fixation. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay and complications were recorded. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and ASIA nerve injury grading were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. The Cobb angle changes of the operative segment and lumbar lordosis were compared before operation and during the last follow-up.@*Results@#The patients were followed up for 6-14 months[(12.1±3.6)months]. The operation time was 65-210 minutes [(138.9±39.4)minutes], and the intraoperative blood loss was 250-600 ml [(407.1±119.1)ml], respectively. The total postoperative length of stay ranged from 3 to 13 days [(7.8±2.5)days]. The incisions healed well at stage I in all patients. VAS for back pain and leg pain before operation were (6.3±2 .4)points and (4.1±1.3)points respectively. The final VAS for back pain and leg pain were (2.2±0.6)points and (2.3±0.8)points, which were significantly lower than the preoperative VAS (both P<0.01). At the last follow-up, there was one patient with grade A, two with grade B, five with grade C, one with grade D, and five with grade E. Postoperative CT showed that decompression was complete, implants were in good position and internal fixation was reliable. Preoperative Cobb angles of lumbar lordosis and the injury segment were (-7.8±3.9)° and (24.8±6.9)° respectively. The final Cobb angles of lumbar lordosis and the injury segment were (3.1±2.7)° and (30.7±9.6)°, which were significantly restored compared with preoperative values (both P<0.01). One patient had postoperative pain in the front thigh, and another patient had numbness in the front thigh, whose symptoms were alleviated after non-surgical treatment. No serious surgical complications such as quadriceps femoris and weakness, pleural tear, vascular injury, nerve root injury, sympathetic nerve injury, retroperitoneal hematoma and artificial vertebral body displacement occurred in these patients.@*Conclusions@#For anterior reconstruction of the thoracolumbar fracture with intervertebral disc injury, the modified minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion has the advantages of less invasive, less blood loss, shorter hospitalization time, low incidence of complications. Significant pain relief, neurological function improvement, and anterior and middle column reconstruction can be achieved postoperatively.
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Objective To investigate the preliminary clinical efficacy of modified minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion in the anterior support and reconstruction for thoracolumbar fracture combined with intervertebral disc injury. Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 14 patients with single-segment thoracolumbar fracture combined with intervertebral disc injury admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2017 to May 2018. There were 12 males and two females, aged 22-56 years [(37. 4 ± 10. 2)years]. The injured segments were at L1 in nine patients and L2 in five patients. Twelve patients had upper disc injury and two patients had lower disc injury. Before operation, American Spinal Injury Association ( ASIA) classification was grade A in five patients, grade B in four, grade C in three, and grade D in two. All patients received modified minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion to reconstruct the stability of the anterior and middle columns of the spine one week after posterior short-segment fixation. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay and complications were recorded. Pain visual analogue scale ( VAS) and ASIA nerve injury grading were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. The Cobb angle changes of the operative segment and lumbar lordosis were compared before operation and during the last follow-up. Results The patients were followed up for 6-14 months[(12.1 ±3.6)months]. The operation time was 65-210 minutes [(138.9 ±39.4)minutes],and the intraoperative blood loss was 250-600 ml [(407. 1 ± 119. 1) ml], respectively. The total postoperative length of stay ranged from 3 to 13 days [(7. 8 ± 2. 5)days]. The incisions healed well at stage I in all patients. VAS for back pain and leg pain before operation were (6. 3 ± 2 . 4)points and (4. 1 ± 1. 3) points respectively. The final VAS for back pain and leg pain were (2. 2 ± 0. 6)points and (2. 3 ± 0. 8)points, which were significantly lower than the preoperative VAS (both P<0. 01). At the last follow-up, there was one patient with grade A, two with grade B, five with grade C, one with grade D, and five with grade E. Postoperative CT showed that decompression was complete, implants were in good position and internal fixation was reliable. Preoperative Cobb angles of lumbar lordosis and the injury segment were ( -7. 8 ± 3. 9)° and (24. 8 ± 6. 9)° respectively. The final Cobb angles of lumbar lordosis and the injury segment were (3. 1 ± 2. 7)° and (30. 7 ± 9. 6)°, which were significantly restored compared with preoperative values (both P<0. 01). One patient had postoperative pain in the front thigh, and another patient had numbness in the front thigh, whose symptoms were alleviated after non-surgical treatment. No serious surgical complications such as quadriceps femoris and weakness, pleural tear, vascular injury, nerve root injury, sympathetic nerve injury, retroperitoneal hematoma and artificial vertebral body displacement occurred in these patients. Conclusions For anterior reconstruction of the thoracolumbar fracture with intervertebral disc injury, the modified minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion has the advantages of less invasive, less blood loss, shorter hospitalization time, low incidence of complications. Significant pain relief, neurological function improvement, and anterior and middle column reconstruction can be achieved postoperatively.
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Objective To explore the impact of cage position on indirect decompression and cage subsidence in crenel lateral interbody fusion (CLIF).Methods Retrospectively,18 mens and 16 womens with a mean age of 63.98±5.99 years (range:52-75 years) who underwent CLIF for lumbar stenosis by our surgical group during November 2016 and Feburary 2018 were reviewed.Sixty-two segments were included for radiographic evaluation.Endplates thickness was measured using high resolution computed tomography.By image processing,endplate thickness was measured at 10 equally distributed points on the mid-sagittal and mid-coronal planes,and two further planes were measured at an angle of 45° to both the first and second planes.Contour plots representing an isoline of endplate thickness was drawn based on those data.The cages were classified into anterior group and medium-posterior group.Radiographic evaluation included segmental angle,anterior and posterior disk heights,intervertebral foramen heights,and cross-sectional area of the spinal canal.To assess the factors affecting the postoperative segmental angle and cross-sectional area of the spinal canal,univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the regression analysis model.Cage subsidence was recorded at the last follow-up.Results The mean follow-up time of those patients were 10.88±3.73 months (range:6-18 months).At each spot,the mean thickness was significantly greater for the cranial endplate of disc than the caudal endplate.Contour plots show more areas of thick bony endplates in the anterior and anterolateral part of the endplate than the lateral and posterior part,especially for the cranial endplate.The cage was placed in the anterior area for 19 levels and medium-posterior for 41 levels.The mean increase of anterior disk height was 3.38±3.38 mm in anterior group and 1.83±3.08 mm in medium-posterior group(P=0.04).The mean increase of segmental angle was 2.93°±3.47°in anterior group and 0.73°±3.60° in medium-posterior group(P=0.04).No significant difference was found with mean increase of posterior disk height,mean increase of intervertebral foramen heights,as well as increase ratios of cross-sectional area of the spinal canal between groups.Multivariate analysis showed that the increase of segmental angle was affected by cage position (β=1.24,P=0.03),but the increase ratios of cross-sectional area of the spinal canal was not affected.The subsidence rate of anterior group was 15.79％ (3/19) and medium-posterior group was 24.39％ (10/41),which was not significantly different (x2=0.56,P=0.45).Conclusion There are more areas with thick bony endplates in the anterior and anterolateral parts of the lumbar endplate than the lateral and posterior parts.The cage position at the anterior 1/3 of disk space is better for achieving the restoration of the segmental angle and having lower subsidence rate,without compromising the indirect neural decompression in crenel lateral interbody fusion.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential risk of approach-related complications at different access angles in minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion.METHODS: Eighty-six axial magnetic resonance images were obtained to analyze the risk of approach-related complications. The access corridor were simulated at different access angles and the potential risk of neurovascular structure injury was evaluated when the access corridor touching or overlapping the corresponding structures at each angle. Furthermore, the safe corridor length was measured when the corridor width was 18 and 22 mm.RESULTS: When access angle was 0°, the potential risk of ipsilateral nerve roots injury was 54.7% at L4–L5. When access angle was 45°, the potential risk of abdominal aorta, contralateral nerve roots or central canal injury at L4–L5 was 79.1%, 74.4%, and 30.2%, respectively. The length of the 18 mm-wide access corridor was largest at 0° and it could reach 44.5 mm at L3–L4 and 46.4 mm at L4–L5. While the length of the 22 mm-wide access corridor was 42.3 mm at L3–L4 and 44.1 mm at L4–L5 at 0°.CONCLUSION: Changes in the access angle would not only affect the ipsilateral neurovascular structures, but also might adversely influence the contralateral neural elements. It should be also noted to surgeons that alteration of the access angle changed the corridor length.
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Aorta, Abdominal , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , SurgeonsABSTRACT
Objective To explore the clinical effects of C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty and C2 expansive opendoor laminoplasty in upper cervical(involve or above C2 segment) ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.Methods All of 39 patients (22 males and 17 females) withcervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament up to C2 which causedcompression symptoms were operated with posterior cervical surgery in ourhospital from January 2013 to June 2017.The average age was 55.74+7.91 years old,ranging from 39 to 71 years.Among these patients,21 patients underwent C2 domelike expansive laminoplasty and 18 underwent C2 expansive open-door laminoplasty,the patients in both groups underwent the C3-C7 expansive open-door laminoplasty.The preoperative and postoperative Neck Disability Index (NDI),Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score,the xisual analog scale(VAS) and the space available for the spinal cord (SAC) of C2 segment in X-ray were measured and statistically analyzed.Results All patients were followed up,the follow-up time was from 15 to 63 months (mean 42.3±17.7 months).There was no significant difference in the general condition,NDI,JOA score and JOA score improvement rate between preoperative and postoperative follow-up in 2 groups.There were significant differences in the NDI,JOA,VAS and SAC between preoperative and postoperative follow-up in 2 groups.The VAS score in C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty group 1.52± 1.2 was significantly lower than that in C2 expansive open-door laminoplasty group 2.06±0.87(t=-2.23,P＜0.05),while the SAC in C2 expansive open-door laminoplasty group 14.11±1.023 was significantly higher than that in C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty group 1 L86± 1.014(t=-6.89,P＜0.05).No failure of internal fixation or recurrent compression was found during follow-up.Conclusion For patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament up to C2 or higher level,both C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty and C2 expansive open-door laminoplasty can achieve good results.The SAC in C2 expansive open-door laminoplastygroup was superior to that in C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty group,while the postoperative pain was more obvious.There was no significant difference in postoperative neurological recovery between the two groups.Using C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty could reduce postoperative axial pain than the C2 expansive open-door laminoplasty surgery.For patients withossified tissue in the spinal canal,which occupies more than 50％ of the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal,or with developmental spinal stenosis,C2 expansive open-door laminoplasty may berecommend to get more adequate decompression.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential risk of approach-related complications at different access angles in minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS: Eighty-six axial magnetic resonance images were obtained to analyze the risk of approach-related complications. The access corridor were simulated at different access angles and the potential risk of neurovascular structure injury was evaluated when the access corridor touching or overlapping the corresponding structures at each angle. Furthermore, the safe corridor length was measured when the corridor width was 18 and 22 mm. RESULTS: When access angle was 0°, the potential risk of ipsilateral nerve roots injury was 54.7% at L4–L5. When access angle was 45°, the potential risk of abdominal aorta, contralateral nerve roots or central canal injury at L4–L5 was 79.1%, 74.4%, and 30.2%, respectively. The length of the 18 mm-wide access corridor was largest at 0° and it could reach 44.5 mm at L3–L4 and 46.4 mm at L4–L5. While the length of the 22 mm-wide access corridor was 42.3 mm at L3–L4 and 44.1 mm at L4–L5 at 0°. CONCLUSION: Changes in the access angle would not only affect the ipsilateral neurovascular structures, but also might adversely influence the contralateral neural elements. It should be also noted to surgeons that alteration of the access angle changed the corridor length.
Subject(s)
Aorta, Abdominal , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , SurgeonsABSTRACT
Objective Retrospective study and report on cases of "symptomatic facet of residual bone mass" caused by percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED),to analysis of its causes and revision strategies.Methods Seven cases of "symptomatic facet of residual bone mass" after PTED were found in six medical centers from July 2015 to November 2017.Weintroduced the course of diagnosis and treatment,to analysis of the causes,clinical features and revision strategies of the rare complication.Results Seven patients came from different medical centers (2 cases in Ningbo No.6 Hospital and 1 case in each of the other medical centers).The average age of the subject is 67.29±9.64 years (range from 57-83 years).Among them there were 1 male and 6 female.PTED was performed for all cases with lumbar disc herniation or stenosis.The operative segments were 1 of L2,3,2 of L3,4,3 of L4,5,1 of L5S1.Symptoms occurred immediately after surgery in all cases except one after a week of operation and another one month later.Two cases were appeared symptom of contralateral irritation,and the rest were aggravated by the original symptoms.Two cerebrospinal fluid leakage caused by bone mass piercing the dural sac.The bone mass compressed the nerve root and caused 1 case of lower limb muscle weakness.Foraminoplasty was performed during PTED in all patients.After CT scan,5 cases of bone mass were found on the same side of operation,and 2 cases were in the contralateral side.The shortest time for revision was 2 days and the longest 3 months.After conservative treatment,the symptoms were relieved in only one case.Revision surgeries were performed for all the other 6 cases,2 with microendoscopic discectomy (MED),1 mobile microendoscopic discectomy (MMED),1 small incision operation,1 PTED and 1 with minimal invasive surgery of transforaminal lumbar intervertebral fusion (MIS-TLIF).The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain was significantly relieved from 8.67±0.52 to 1.50±0.55.Conclusion FTED may lead to residual bone mass in lumbar foraminoplasty.The penetration of the bone mass block into the spinal canal can cause the compression symptoms of the corresponding segment.The patients showed the corresponding spinal canal stenosis and nerve root irritation symptoms.A revision operation is required to remove the oppressed bone mass to relieve the symptoms as soon as possible if the conservative treatment not effective.
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Objective To present the modified surgical technique of lateral lumbar interbody fusion and investigate its approach related complications.Methods Fifty-eight patients treated with novel surgical technique of lateral lumbar interbody fusion(LLIF)from June 2016 to January 2017 were studied retrospectively.There were 24 males and 34 females,aged from 45 to 82 years old(averaged at 66.1±12.1).The diagnosis was as following:degenerative spinal scoliosis in 24 cases,degenerative lum-bar spinal stenosis in 16,lumbar spinal spondylolisthesis in 14,spinal infection and spinal trauma in 2 respectively.The modified surgical technique included operation under direct visualization,the"safety"transpsoas approach and the adjustable microretrac-tor.The patient was placed in a lateral decubitus position,and a transverse or oblique skin incision was planned using fluoroscopy to target the center of the desired disc spaces.The 3 abdominal layers were split longitudinally along the muscle fiber.The psoas major was split longitudinally along the muscle fiber according to the"safety"working window.The adjustable microretractor was used as working corridor to carry out interbody fusion. Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to assess the clinical outcome. The surgical time,estimated blood loss and approach related complications(pain/numbness at anterior thigh,weakness of psoas muscle and quadriceps)were recorded.Results All patients were followed up from 6-12months,the mean follow-up time(9.1± 2.3)months.A total of 132 levels were performed with novel surgical technique of LLIF,one level in 19 cases,2 levels in 10,3 lev-els in 23 and 4 levels in 6 cases.The mean surgical time was(57.2±13.3)min for 1 level,(94.5±31.3)min for 2 levels,(129.8± 42.1)min for 3 levels and(208.3±22.7)min for 4 levels.The estimated blood loss during surgery was less than 10ml every level. Preoperative ODI was 61.8%±20.1%,it was 22.5%±18.3%(t=7.572,P=0.000)at the last time follow-up.The incidence rate of ap-proach related complications was 12.1%(7/58),with anterior thigh pain in 6 cases(10.3%),numbness 5 cases(8.6%)and psoas major weakness 3 cases(5.2%).No quadriceps weakness,vascular injury,sympathetic nerve injury,visceral injury and ureteral in-jury was found in these series.The incidence rate of complications increased significantly in patients underwent three or more lev-els interbody fusion(χ2=4.453,P=0.035).Conclusion The modified surgical technique reduces the approach related complica-tions of traditional lateral lumbar interbody fusion through the operation under the direct visualization, the"safety"transpsoas approach and the adjustable microretractor.
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Objective To investigate the relationship between the facet angle (FA) and facet violation in percutaneous pedicle screw placement in lumbar vertebrae.Methods From December 2013 to November 2016,atotal of 115 lumbar fracture or degenerative disease patients who had undertaken percutaneous pedicle screw operation was retrospectively analyzed.There were 56 males and 59 females,with an average age of 53.71±12.19 years (ranged from 15 to 77 years).Measure the FA at the level of pedicle through CT scan,diagnosis and evaluate the grade of facet joint violation after the operation.Analyzed the effect of variant FA and lumbar segment (L-L5) on the facet violation (FV) with two-way analysis of variance,and evaluate the correlation between the FA and FV in percutaneous pedicle screw placement.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups on age,gender,and body mass index.476 percutaneous pedicle screws were operated in this study:L1 144 screws,L2 136 screws,L3 64 screws,L,72 screws and L5 60 screws.The total FV rate was 30.46％ (145/476).344 screws in the upper lumbar group,and the FV rate was 28.78％ (99/344);132 screws in lower lumbar group,and the FV rate was 34.85％ (46/132).There was no significant difference of FV rate between the two groups (x2=1.66,P=0.20).The result of two-way analysis of variance indicated that the FV rate increased dramatically when FA ＞ 35° (F=20.12,P ＜ 0.001),but FV rate was not related to the lumbar segment statistically (F=0.93,P=0.45).Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed between FA and FV rate,FV grade.The result was both positive (r=0.25,P ＜ 0.001 and r=0.27,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The traditional C-arm fluoroscopy percutaneous pedicle screw placement technique has a high rate of FV,and the size of FA significantly affects the incidence and severity of FV.
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Objective To determine the outcome of unstable atlas fractures combined with rupture of transverse ligament treated by posterior atlantoaxial transpedicular screw fixation.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on 17 patients with unstable atlas fractures combined with rupture of transverse ligament treated by posterior atlantoaxial transpedicular screw fixation and fusion from January 2008 to December 2015.There were 13 males and 4 females,with age range of 34-69 years (mean,47.8 years).All atlas fractures were Jefferson fractures (Levine-Edwards type Ⅲ).Classification of transverse ligament rupture was type Ⅰ in 12 patients and type Ⅱ in 5 patients.No patients had neurologic deficit [American spinal injury association (ASIA) classification grade E].Operation time,blood loss,implant failure,bone fusion and visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded after operation.Results Operation time was 85-120 min (mean,102 min).Blood loss was 90-150 ml (mean,115 ml).All patients were followed up for 10-20 months (mean,17.8 months).At the final follow-up,all patients achieved bone union,with no implant loosening or breakage happened.VAS was improved from preoperative (5.5 ± 1.8) points to (2.4 ± 1.5) points at tbe final follow-up (P ＜ 0.05).ASIA Grade E remained in all patients.Conclusion Posterior atlantoaxial transpedicular screw fixation of unstable atlas fractures combined with rupture of transverse ligament is a safe and effective surgical procedure that is able to restore the atlanto-axial vertebral stability and relieve pain.
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Objective To investigate the effect of percutaneous lordorizing screws fixation for correcting kyphosis in thoracolumbar burst fractures and treatment strategies.Methods A retrospective case control study was designed to analyze data of 97 patients with single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficits undergone percutaneous lordorizing screw fixation from April 2010 to March 2015.According to the different surgical procedures,the patients were divided into Group A (percutaneous transpedicle fixation,n =47) and Group B (percutaneous transpedicle fixation combine lordorizing screw fixation,n =50).Each group was subdivided based on the preoperative segmental kyphosis:Group A consisted subgroups A1 (kyphosis angle≤ 10°,n =11),A2 (kyphosis angle between 10° and 20°,n =20) and A3 (kyphosis angle ≥ 20°,n =16),and Group B consisted of subgroups B1 (kyphosis angle ≤ 10°,n =16),B2 (kyphosis angle between 10° and 20°,n =16) and B3 (kyphosis angle ≥ 20°,n =18).Length of hospital stay,operation time,blood loss,visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared between groups.Segmental kyphosis angle and vertebral wedge angle were compared between subgroups before operation,after operation and at the final follow-up.Results All patients were followed-up for 12-37 months (mean,21.2 months).There were no significant differences between the two groups in aspects of length of hospital stay,blood loss,VAS and ODI (P ＞ 0.05).Operation time was (60.62 ± 9.59) min in Group A,significantly less than that in Group B [(74.78 ± 17.66) min] (P ＜ 0.05).No breakage or malfunction of fixation occurred.There were no significant differences between the two groups in preoperative segmental kyphosis angle (P ＞ 0.05),while the correction of segmental kyphosis angle in Group B was better than Group A at the final follow-up [(7.97 ± 5.09) ° vs.(3.76 ± 1.67) °] (P ＜ 0.05).At the final follow-up,the correction of segmental kyphosis angle was similar between Group A1 and Group B1 (P ＞ 0.05),but the correction in Group B2 was better than GroupA2 (P ＜0.05) and the correction in Group B3 better than Group A3 (P ＜ 0.05).Besides,the correction of vertebral wedge angle was similar between Group A1 and Group B1 (P ＞ 0.05),but the correction in Group B2 was better than Group A2(P ＜0.05) and the correction in Group B3 was better than Group A3 (P ＜ 0.05).Loss of segmental kyphosis angle and vertebral wedge angle in Group A were greater than these in Group B (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Combined use of lordorizing screw with percutaneous transvertebral fixation improves the correction of thoracolumbar kyphosis angle in single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures.When the preoperative segmental kyphosis over 20°,lordorizing screw fixation should be recommended so as to achieve better correction of kyphotic deformity.
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Objective To investigate the radiographic features and surgical approach of severe fixed cervical kyphosis.Methods Seventeen cases of severe fixed cervical kyphosis from January 2007 to January 2012 were studied retrospectively.There were 8 males and 9 females,with an average age of 49.7 years.The etiologies were 3 cases of infection,3 cases of degeneration,3 cases of neurofibromatosis,3 cases of prior laminectomy,2 cases of idiopathic,2 cases of trauma and 1 case of neuromuscular disease.The average length of kyphosis was 4.3 ± 1.2 segments.All patients complained of severe neck pain (visual analogue scale,VAS,7.6±1.5) or progressive cervical kyphosis.There were 4 cases with myelopathy,2 with radiculopathy,3 with difficulty of forward gaze and 1 with difficulty of swallowing.All patients were underwent dynamic flexion-extension radiographs and traction views.CT scans were carried out to identify the sites of fixed kyphosis.Continuous traction was performed after general anesthesia,and the surgical approach was decided according to spinal cord compression,length of kyphosis and the cause of fixed kyphosis.Surgical outcomes were assessed in terms of correction of Cobb angle and Odom criteria.Results All patients were followed-up for 2 to 5 years.According to the CT scans,the sites of fixed kyphosis were identified:anterior bony ankylosis in 7 cases,posterior in 6 cases and both anterior and posterior in 4 cases.The surgical approach were as following:anterior only in 4 cases,posterior only in 2 cases,anterior-posterior in 5 cases,posterior-anterior in 3 cases,anterior-posterior-anterior in 1 case and posterior-anterior-posterior in 2 cases.The Cobb angle was corrected from 49.3°± 14.6° preoperation to 2.1 °±6.8° at the latest follow-up,with an average correction of 47.2°.According to Odom criteria,there were 7 excellent outcome,8 good,2 fair and none poor outcome.Revision surgery was performed in 1 case due to proximal junctional kyphosis.At the latest follow-up,bony fusion was found in all patients.Conclusion CT scan is helpful in identifying the cause of fixed kyphosis.The surgical approach of fixed cervical kyphosis is decided by spinal cord compression,length of kyphosis and cause of fixed kyphosis.Anterior approach is suitable for anterior ankylosis,posterior approach for posterior ankylosis,combined approach for both anterior and posterior ankylosis.
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Objective To investigate the correlation between sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters in different types of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS).Methods Standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the whole spine including hip joints were carried out in 70 volunteers without spinal deformity and 110 patients with DLS.The following parameters were measured:thoracic kyphosis (TK),thoracolumbar kyphosis (TL),lumbar lordosis (LL),sagittal vertical axis (SVA),pelvic incidence (PI),pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS).According to the sagittal spinal alignment,the patients with DLS were classified into 3 types:type Ⅰ (45 cases),type Ⅱ (48 cases) and type Ⅲ (17 cases).The sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters were compared between control group and different types of DLS group,and the relationship between the sagittal spinal parameters and pelvic parameters in different groups were also investigated.Results PI in type Ⅲ patients was lower than those in other groups; PT in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients was higher than those in controls and type Ⅰ patients,and there was a significant difference between type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients; SS in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients was lower than those in controls and type Ⅰ patients,and there was no significant difference between type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients.Sagittal spinal imbalance was found in 17.8％ of type Ⅱ patients and 29.4％ of type Ⅲ patients.There were significant correlations in sagittal spinal parameters,pelvic parameters and spinopelvic parameters in controls and type Ⅰ patients.However,in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,the correlations in sagittal spinal parameters and spinopelvic parameters decreased,even disappeared,though significant correlations were still found in pelvic parameters.In any group,SVA showed a significant correlation with LL and PT,especially with PT.Conclusion The sagittal spinal alignment has a ladder-like change in patients with DLS,and the correlations in pelvic parameters and spinopelvic parameters also change in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,for whom the sagittal spinal imbalance is more likely to occur.
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Objective To analyze the prevalence status and the genetic characterizations of influenza B viruses isolated in Hunan Province after pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009,and to explore possible reasons for the prevalence.MethodsThroat swabs were collected from outpatients with influenza-like illness in 23 sentinel hospitals of Hunan Province in 2010.Influenza viruses were isolated with Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and identified by haemagglutination inhibition test.The genomes of 10 selected influenza B viruses were sequenced and analyzed for phylogenetic and molecular characterization.ResultsWith the reduction of isolation of pandemic influenza A (H1N1)2009 viruses,influenza B virus became the predominant isolated strain in the first half of 2010.Epidemic viruses mainly belonged to the B/Victoria lineage,and both two lineages co-circulated.Seven out of 11 influenza outbreaks caused by type B.Ten strains were filled into 2 branches of BV and BY which were classified by their lineage types in polymerase (PB2,PB1,PA),hemagglutinin (HA),neuraminidase (NA),NB,membrane protein (M1),influenza B virus membrane protein M2 (BM2),and non-structural protein (NS1,NS2) phylogenetic trees except the NP phylogenetic tree in which 10 strains were all in the BY branch.Compared with World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine strains,the amino acid identity of 11 proteins of the 10 strains was high (97.2％-100.0％).However,some amino acid point mutations were found.No mutation was found in drug resistance mutation sites.Some mutations in NA,NB,PB1,PB2 and NS2 molecules were found in 2 strains isolated from outbreaks compared with strains from sentinel surveillance.Conclusions The point mutations,insertions and genetic reassortment indicate viruses sustaining evolution,which is probably the reason for predominant influenza B viruses after pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in Hunan Province.
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Objective To analyze the perioperative complications of posterior transpedicular osteotomy (wedge osteotomy and total vertebral osteotomy) for patients with spinal deformity.Methods From January 2007 to December 2011,73 patients with spinal deformity underwent posterior transpedicular spinal osteotomy (wedge osteotomy and total vertebral osteotomy).Among them,30 patients,including 8 males and 22females,aged from 8 to 68 years (average,40.7 years),presented with at least one perioperative complication.There were 10 cases of scoliosis,9 cases of kyphoscoliosis and 11 cases of kyphosis.Twenty two patients underwent total vertebral osteotomy,and 8 patients underwent wedge osteotomy.A retrospective analysis on perioperative complications of 30 patients was performed.Results Except 1 patient dying of hemorrhagic shock after operation,29 patients were followed up for 6 to 61 months (average,17.2 months).The total perioperative complication rate was 41.1％.Neurological complications occurred in 16 patients (21.9％),bleeding complications in 2 patients (2.7％),dural injury in 6 patients (8.2％),postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 4 patients (5.5％),wound infection in 4 patients (5.5％) and pleural effusion in 4 patients (5.5％).Conclusion Posterior transpedicular osteotomy is an effective surgical technique for spinal deformity.However,perioperative complications are common,including nerve injury,bleeding,dural injury,wound infection and so on.Among them,nerve injury and bleeding are most common.
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Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS).Methods Forty DLS patients with Cobb angles of 20 to 60 degrees were divided randomly into PLF and TLIF groups.Operative time,intraoperative blood loss,imaging results,and clinical outcomes were compared.Results Complete information was available in 37 patients,including 18 patients in the PLF group and 19 in the TLIF group.There were significant differences between two groups with regard to the operative time (P=0.002) and the intraoperative blood loss (P=0.048).The incidence of early complications in the 2 groups was 11.1％ and 26.3％.There was no significant difference in the recovery rates of the Cobb angle and the spinal coronal balance between two groups.However,the recovery rates of the lumbar lordotic angle and spinal sagittal balance were significantly different between two groups (36.7％ vs.62.5％ and 44.8％ vs.64.1％,respectively).In various domains of SRS-22,the scores for pain and satisfaction with treatment in TLIF was better that those in PLF groups.There was no significant difference in ODI score between two groups.Conclusion TLIF helps to improve lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance,which leads to better clinical outcomes.For patients without significant loss of lumbar lordosis and with good spinal sagittal balance preoperatively,PLF is still an option.