ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation for treatment of non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection. Methods Clinical data of 20 patients with non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection treated in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2013 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 5 females with an average age of 41 years (range, 36-51 years). All patients suffered from single lumbar inter-vertebral infection, including 3 cases at L2/3,4 at L3/4,10 at L4/5 and 3 at L5/S1. All 20 cases underwent one-stage posterior debride-ment, autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation, tissue samples in focus were collected for bacterial culture and pathological examination. The disease controlling statues were evaluated based on laboratory results of ESR and CRP. Imaging examinations were taken to evaluate the fusion of vertebral body. Clinical effects were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Jap-anese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) score of lumbar fumction. Results All patients underwent the surgery successfully. The surgery duration time was 90-160 min, average 125 min, and the blood loss was 200-700 ml, average 360 ml. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in one case. Postoperatively, all patients experienced significant reliefof back pain, improving in the func-tion of movement, and no fever. The lower back VAS score: average (5.35 ± 1.15) points before operation , average (2.76 ± 0.34) points one week after operation, and an average score of (0.85±0.65) points by the last follow-up time. JOA lumbar function score:all patients were effective after operation, the improvement rate was excellent in 65%(13cases), good in 25%(5 cases), and pass-able in 10%(2cases). Comparing with preoperation, the excellent and good rate was 90%. All patients ESR and CRP returned to normal levels at the last follow-up. Ordinary bacterial culture was positive in 8 cases and negative in 12 cases. The pathogens iden-tified were staphylococcus aureus (6 cases), Escherichia coli (2 cases) and staphylococcus epidermidis (2cases). All incisions achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up from 6-18 months (average,12 months), and the symptom of pain relieved significantly. No recurrent infection had happened. A solid bony fusion was found in all patients at 6-14 months (average, 8.5 months) after the surgery. Conclusion Posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation are effective treatments for non-spe-cific lumbar intervertebral infection, can reduce the time of staying in hospital, this operation is safe and reliable.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation for treatment of non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection. Methods Clinical data of 20 patients with non-specific lumbar intervertebral infection treated in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2013 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 5 females with an average age of 41 years (range, 36-51 years). All patients suffered from single lumbar inter-vertebral infection, including 3 cases at L2/3,4 at L3/4,10 at L4/5 and 3 at L5/S1. All 20 cases underwent one-stage posterior debride-ment, autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation, tissue samples in focus were collected for bacterial culture and pathological examination. The disease controlling statues were evaluated based on laboratory results of ESR and CRP. Imaging examinations were taken to evaluate the fusion of vertebral body. Clinical effects were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Jap-anese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) score of lumbar fumction. Results All patients underwent the surgery successfully. The surgery duration time was 90-160 min, average 125 min, and the blood loss was 200-700 ml, average 360 ml. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in one case. Postoperatively, all patients experienced significant reliefof back pain, improving in the func-tion of movement, and no fever. The lower back VAS score: average (5.35 ± 1.15) points before operation , average (2.76 ± 0.34) points one week after operation, and an average score of (0.85±0.65) points by the last follow-up time. JOA lumbar function score:all patients were effective after operation, the improvement rate was excellent in 65%(13cases), good in 25%(5 cases), and pass-able in 10%(2cases). Comparing with preoperation, the excellent and good rate was 90%. All patients ESR and CRP returned to normal levels at the last follow-up. Ordinary bacterial culture was positive in 8 cases and negative in 12 cases. The pathogens iden-tified were staphylococcus aureus (6 cases), Escherichia coli (2 cases) and staphylococcus epidermidis (2cases). All incisions achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up from 6-18 months (average,12 months), and the symptom of pain relieved significantly. No recurrent infection had happened. A solid bony fusion was found in all patients at 6-14 months (average, 8.5 months) after the surgery. Conclusion Posterior debridement, grafting and internal fixation are effective treatments for non-spe-cific lumbar intervertebral infection, can reduce the time of staying in hospital, this operation is safe and reliable.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of single-balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of thoracic osteoporotic compression fractures via extrapedicular approach METHODS: From July 2004 to May 2008, 38 cases (52 vertebra) of thoracic osteoporotic fractures were treated by balloon kyphoplasty via unilateral extrapedicular approach, including 12 males and 26 females with an average age of 60.3 years (range 55-72 years). There were 34 cases of primary osteoporosis, and 4 had administrated hormone due to other diseases for over 6 months. Symptomatic levels ranged from T_4 to T_(12) confirmed by physical examination, MRI and X-ray. The pain relief, restoration of vertebral height and kyphosis correction were compared before and after operation by using visual analogue scale (VAS) and radiograph, respectively. In addition, bone cement leakage location and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Operation were successfully performed in 38 cases with an average injection of bone cement volume of (3.2+ 1.4) mL (2.25-4.60 mL in unilateral infusion). The mean time of surgery was 25-55 minutes, and that of follow-up was 9.5 months (6-24 months). Back pain of 36 cases was improved, and the VAS 3 days postoperatively and the final follow-up was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The vertebral anterior margin and median height following surgery were significantly improved detected by X-ray (P < 0.05), and average median height restoration was (50.90+34.60)%, but no significant change was found in posterior height (P > 0.05). No lateral wedging or changes in the coronal alignment was found. Three cases (5 vertebra) had cement leakage: the bone cement of 1 case leaked to posterior margin through the puncture channel, and 2 cases leaked to lateral vertebra through vertebral venous system without any adverse event. The patients could move the second day after surgery, discharged from the hospital at days 3-4, and restored to normal life at 1 month postoperatively. No blood vessel or spinal cord puncture injury or pulmonary embolism, or blood vessel embolism was found. CONCLUSION: Unilateral extrapedicular kyphoplasty is safe and effective in treating thoracic osteoporotic fractures. It rapidly releases backache, restores the body height of fractured thoracic vertebrae and improves quality of life of the patients.