Effects of Psychiatric Factors on Patient-Reported Outcomes after Surgical Correction of Lumbar Degenerative Kyphosis

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. PURPOSE: To identify associations between psychiatric factors and patient-reported outcomes after corrective surgery in patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Thus far, to the best of our knowledge, patient factors that may help predict patient-reported outcomes after corrective surgery for LDK have not been studied. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 46 patients with LDK who underwent surgical correction with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Demographic data were collected. Short form-36, mental component scores (MCS), physical component scores (PCS), Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) scores, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores were determined before the surgery and after 2 years of follow-up. Psychiatric conditions were preoperatively evaluated using the Zung depression scale (ZDS) and Zung anxiety scale (ZAS). Patients were divided into two groups (with or without psychiatric issues), according to baseline ZDS and ZAS scores. RESULTS: Patients included 43 women and 3 men. Twelve patients were deemed to have psychiatric problems (P group) and 34 patients had no psychiatric problems (NP group). No significant intergroup differences were found in MCS, PCS, SRS-22, and RMDQ scores preoperatively. However, at the 2-year follow-up, a significant intergroup difference was observed between PCS and RMDQ scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only the presence of a preoperative psychiatric problem can predict PCS and RMDQ scores. Other factors, such as, gender, age, body mass index, bone mineral density, osteotomy site, number of fusion segments, and instrumented levels did not affect PCS or RMDQ scores. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a psychiatric factor may be an important risk factor underlying poor physical and pain scores after corrective surgery in patients with LDK. The findings presented here suggest that psychiatric factors should be evaluated prior to surgery for determining the risk of a poor outcome.

Contralateral Nerve Root Compression after Direct Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Direct lateral lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF) has been introduced as an effective new thoracolumbar fusion technique for patients with degenerative lumbar diseases. DLIF associated with easy-to-learn, high fusion rate, improved restoration of spinal alignment, and early patient mobilization due to minimally invasive nature. However, ipsilateral L2–L5 nerve root irritation and injury are well-known complications. However, damage to the contralateral nerve root has been rarely reported and, to the best of our knowledge, there have not been any reports about contralateral nerve root injury after DLIF in Korea. Thus, we report a case of contralateral nerve root compression due to osteophyte from the lower endplate of the vertebral body and position of intervertebral cage after DLIF.

Accuracy and Reliability of Preoperative On-screen Templating Using Digital Radiographs for Total Hip Arthroplasty / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: Preoperative on-screen templating is a method of using acetate templates on digital images. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy, intra- and interobserver reliabilities of preoperative on-screen templating using digital radiographs for total hip arthroplasty (THA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients with hip disease who were treated with primary cementless THA were retrospectively evaluated. The accuracy of on-screen templating was assessed by comparing the predicted prosthesis sizes with the actual sizes used operatively. The inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the templating results were also evaluated. RESULTS: The prosthesis prediction accuracy within ±one size was 96.6% for the cup size and 97.8% for the stem size. The inter- and intraobserver reliabilities for the implant size were substantial (kappa>0.70). The intra- and interobserver reliabilities for the leg length discrepancy and femoral offset difference using the intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.89 to 0.97. CONCLUSION: Preoperative on-screen templating using digital radiographs showed substantial accuracy and reliability for implant prediction. It is an effective method for predicting the size of implant, correcting the leg length discrepancy and restoring the femoral offset.

Analysis of Predictors of Results after Surgical Treatment of Acetabular Fractures / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the factors affecting the outcomes after surgical treatment of acetabular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2012, 106 patients with acetabular fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. We performed a retrospective cohort study to analyze the factors which may influence a patient's prognosis after surgical treatment of an acetabular fracture. The factors examined included age, femoral head injury, fracture type, dislocation, initial displacement, delay to injury-related surgery (in days), and quality of reduction. Additionally, we investigated clinical and radiological outcomes, as well as the development of osteoarthritis. RESULTS: Patients included 85 males (80.2%) and 21 females (18.8%) with a mean age of 50.4 (17-78) years. The mean follow-up period was 2.6 (1-10) years. In a univariable regression analysis, quality of reduction, age, and initial displacement were significantly associated with radiological and clinical outcomes. In a multivariable regression analysis, quality of reduction (P<0.001) and initial displacement (P=0.001) were found to be factors predictive of clinical and radiological outcomes. Additionally, the quality of reduction (P=0.005) was found to be predictive of osteoarthritis development. CONCLUSION: Study results indicated that the quality of reduction was the most important factor influencing the prognosis of patients with acetabular fractures.

Mid-term Results of Primary Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty with a Fiber Metal Taper Femoral Component and Trilogy Acetabular Cup

PURPOSE: This study examined the results of cementless total hip arthroplasty using a circumferentially porous coated tapered femoral stem and a porous coated acetabular cup after a follow up of more than 5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven hips in 52 patients, who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty with a Versys Fiber Metal Taper femoral stem (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) and Trilogy acetabular cup (Zimmer) between September 1998 and December 2001, were followed up for more than 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score increased from 56.6 to 96.0 points. There was no osteolysis in the femur and acetabulum. Endosteal bone formation was observed in 53 hips (92.9%) mainly in Gruen zones II and VI. There was no stem subsidence, and no significant migration or tilting of the acetabular cup. The survival with an acetabular and femoral revision for aseptic loosening was 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: After a follow-up of more than 5 years, cementless total hip arthroplasty using a circumferentially porous coated tapered femoral stem and a porous coated acetabular cup showed excellent results with good bone ingrowth, as well as no stem and cup migration and no osteolysis around the distal femur and acetabulum. However, a longer term follow up will be necessary.

Histology of the Ligament Flavumin Degenerative Lumbar Disease / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To determine the association between the histological findings of ligamentum flavum (LF) and the clinical symptoms or radiological findings of patients with degenerative lumbar disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with mono-segmental degenerative lumbar diseases (15 patients with spinal stenosis and 11 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis) underwent a surgical decompression with en bloc resection of the LF. Tissue specimens of the LF were prepared, and the changes in the elastic and collagen fibers were evaluated. The focal lesions were observed in the LF. The following clinical and radiological parameters were investigated in order to determine the possible association with the histological findings: age, gender, preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the type of neurogenic intermittent claudication, % slip, height of the intervertebral disc, intervertebral angle, intervertebral angle of motion. RESULTS: There were no significant relationships between the changes in the elastic or collagen fibers and the JOA score. In regard to the focal lesions in the LF, vascularization was observed in 15 cases, calcification in 10, chondrocyte in 9, ossification in 8, ganglion-like cystic lesions in 5 and granulation in 4. The average age of the patients with and without calcification were 70.3 and 63.8 years, respectively. The average preoperative JOA scores of the patients with and without calcification were 13.5 and 15.6 points, respectively. Ossification was more commonly observed in those with degenerative spondylolisthesis (7 cases) than in those with spinal stenosis (1 case). CONCLUSION: Various focal lesions in the LF were observed. Calcification was observed more frequently in elderly patients, and the average preoperative JOA scores of the patients with calcification were lower. Ossification was observed more frequently in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (7 cases) than in those with spinal stenosis (1 case), suggesting involvement of a mechanical load in the ossification of ligaments.