Radiologic Adjacent Segment Degeneration: Two Levels fusion (L3-4-5 and L4-5-S1) Using Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disease; A Preliminary Report

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine radiological adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) and clinical results after two levels percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. METHODS: From 2007 to 2009, 34 patients who underwent percutaneous pedicle screw fixation on L3-4-5 or L4-5-S1 for lumbar degenerative disorders were selected. According to the presence of radiological ASD, ASD group and non-ASD group were compared for clinical results and radiologic results such as total lordotic angle (TLA), segmental lordotic angle (SLA) via lumbar X-rays during follow up periods. Furthermore, we compared pre-operative degree of disc degeneration at adjacent segment between two groups via MRI. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period and mean age were 27.38+/-9.45 months and 59.21+/-12.73 years. ASD group were 7 patients, and non-ASD group were 27 patients. The mean age of the ASD group (67.40+/-4.81) was significantly older than that of the non-ASD group (57.46+/-13.18). Pre-operative disc degeneration of cranial adjacent segment in ASD group were 6 patients (25.9%), whereas that in non-ASD group were 4 patients (14.8%), showing that preoperative disc degeneration was significantly more severe in the ASD group. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is favorable technique to prevent ASD for two levels fusion, however, when the patient is old or the preoperative disc degeneration of the adjacent segment is severe, there is the risk of postoperative ASD, and thus special attention should be paid during the follow-up period.

The Changes of Sagittal Alignment after Anterior Interbody Fusion with Posterior Fixation in Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective radiological assessment was conducted. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the changes in the height of the intervertebral disc, the slippage, slip angle, lumbar lordotic angle and sacral inclination after anterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterior pedicle screw fixation in a lumbar spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The anterior lumbar interbody fusion causes changes in the lumbar sagittal alignment. METHODS: The mini-open anterior lumbar interbody fusion and pedicle screw fixation was undertaken in 33 cases from April 1995 to November 2003. MRI was done before and 6 months after surgery. The measuring factors were the heights of the intervertebral disc, slippage, slip angle, lumbar lordotic angle and sacral inclination. The measuring factors were independently assessed three times by three different orthopedic surgeons. The postoperative changes in measuring the factors were analyzed by a paired t-test statistically. RESULTS: The height of the intervertebral disc was increased by a mean of 14.0%, slippage was reduced by a mean of 2.8%, the slip angle was reduced by a mean of 16.0%, the lumbar lordotic angle was increased by a mean of 15.6% and the scaral inclination was increased by a mean of 3.0%. There was significance in the increase in the disc height, the reduction of slippage and the slip angle, and the increase in lumbar lordotic angle, but there were no significance regarding the changes in sacral inclina-tion. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior lumbar interbody fusion and the pedicle screw fixation significantly improved the height of the intervertebral disc, slippage, slip angle, and lumbar lordotic angle, except sacral inclination.

Relation of Postoperative Deformity with Clinical Results in Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis with Spinal Stenosis / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the clinical results, with the correction of the lumbar lordotic and scoliotic angles, in degenerative lumbar scoliosis patients, with spinal stenosis, who underwent an operation. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Few studies have compared the postoperative lordotic angle with the clinical results in degenerative lumbar scoliosis, with spinal stenosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Out of 68 cases, where the patients underwent posterior decompression, pedicle screw fixation and fusion, due to the degenerative lumbar scoliosis with spinal stenosis, between February 1997 and February 2001, 59 cases, with the possible follow-ups for over 2 year, were studied and are herein reported. The decompression was carried out over a segment that showed the neurological symptom and occlusion of the spinal canal or the compression on the nerve root observed on CT or MRI scans. The pedicle screw fixation and fusion were carried out over the segment that received the decompression. The average age of the patients was 63.4, ranging from 51 to 76 years, and the average follow-up period was 38, ranging from 24 to 56 months. The measurements were performed in relation to the vertebral rotation, scoliotic and lumbar lordotic angles preoperatively, postoperatively and at the time of the final follow-ups, respectively. The clinical results were classified by the Kirkaldy-Willis questionnaire, and the statistical calculations performed through chi-squared and Pearson's correlation tests. RESULTS: The average lumbar scoliotic angles preoperatively, postoperatively and at the time of the final follow-ups were 15.7+/-4.9, 8.9+/-3.1 and 10.8+/-4.7 degrees, respectively. The average lumbar lordotic angles were 14.2+/-6.1, 20.1+/-7.3 and 19.4+/-7.2 degrees, respectively. The vertebral rotation degrees were 0.88, 0.62 and 0.64, respectively. The clinical results by the Kirkaldy- Willis questionnaire indicated over 73% satisfactory results, showing 9 excellent, 34 good, 13 fair and 3 poor cases. The lumbar lordotic angle was statistically correlated with the clinical results (p=0.04), while the scoliotic angle (p=0.41) and the vertebral rotation degree (p=0.29) were not. The scoliotic and lordotic angles had negative correlations, but these were not statistically significant (r=-0.09 and p>0.05). CONCLUSION: It is my belief that the correction of the lumbar lordotic angle, in patients having spinal stenosis, with degenerative lumbar scoliosis, is associated with an improvement in the clinical results.

Anterior Interbody Fusion in Unstable Fracture and Fracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Authors had reviewed the results of 20 anterior cervical fusions performed between 1975 and 1980 to determine which factors were important to a successful result. There had been 18 single level fusions and 2 fusions at two levels, the majority at C and C. The indications for fusion operation were: firstly in acutely traumatized patient was the spine representing radiologically the signs of segmental instability, secondly was the chronic segmental instability in old traumatized spine representing the nuchal rigidity and severe cervicobrachial pain which. was not ceased by conservative treatments. The index of successful fusion was complete relief of pain, loss of cervical rigidity and radiologlcal stability of fused segment indicated by no-movement in flexion-extension lateral radiograms, and the bony bridges between the fused segments. The postoperative stability of spine was assessed by measuring the changes of disc space and kyphotic angle. The result obtained were as follows: 1. Pre-and post-operative immobilization with cervical traction played an immportant role for successful results after fusion: 4–6 weeks of pre-operative traction in acutely injured spine provided the torn soft tissue structures with sufficient time needed for its healing, and 6 weeks of postoperative traction also provided the bone graft with sufficient time needed for its cooperation with graft bed. 2. ln all cases succeasful fusion was obtained. In a case a adjacent level was incorrectly fused, but it was fused soundly in time, while the unstable unfused segment was not fused spontaneously. 3. The fused segment or segments of spine stabilized clinically in 6-8 weeks after fusion operation which was proven by serial radiograms, and solid bony fusion was obtained radiologically averaging in 12 weeks after fusion operation. 4. The average increase of kyphosis after interbody fusion till solid fusion was negligible, averaging 3.0 degrees. 5. The solid fusion occurred in one to 2 weeks earlier in the spines with wedge and axial conpression fractures than the spines with flexion-rotation and shear types of fractures. 6. No further neurogical damage developed after successful fusion.