Anatomical localization of motor entry points of hamstring muscles - for neurolysis in hamstring spasticity

Objectives: To study the motor entry points of hamstring muscles of lower limb and to suggest ideal sites formotor point procedures for treatment of spasticity in the above muscles.Materials and Methods: The study was done after approval from Institutional Review Board. Sample size wasestimated using Population mean-Absolute precision method. A total of 10 adult lower limbs were chosen. Thenerve branches to hamstring muscles were dissected up to its motor entry point. Position of proximal and distalmotor entry points were marked and following variables measured: a) The length of muscle; b)Number of motorentry points; c)The distance of proximal entry point (PEP) and distal entry point (DEP) from the origin of muscle;e)The position of PEP and DEP as a fraction of length of muscle; f) Ideal site of motor entry point injection; g) Idealsite of motor point injection expressed as a percentage of muscle length.Results: The proximal and distal motor entry points of long head of Biceps Femoris were located at 35% and 51%of the total length of muscle. Most of the motor entry points of Semitendinosus were located between 43% and48% of muscle length ie, in the third-fifth of total muscle length. Semimembranosus had its motor entry pointslocated between 52% and 70% of the total muscle length ie, in the third-fifth and fourth-fifth of muscle length.Conclusion: The interventions done for relief of spasticity will have the best outcomes if planned at the abovementioned areas of the respective muscles

Quantitative effect relationship of best entry point of Shenfu Qiangxin Pills in treatment of corpulmonale / 中草药

Objective: To compare the influences of Shenfu Qiangxin Pillsat different medication time and dosage on corpulmonale model rats, and define the best drug use entry point of Shenfu Qiangxin Pills in rats with corpulmonale. Methods: The smudging combined with ip rattlebush alkaline were used to prepare rats corpulmonale model, and the effects of Shenfu Qiangxin Pills at different drug administration time and dosage on right ventricle hypertrophy index, alveolar mean linear intercept, alveolar numbers, airway inflammation pathological scores, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in rats were investigated. Results: Comparing with the model group, the right ventricle hypertrophy index of rats in high- and low-dosage groups of Shenfu Qiangxin Pills was significantly reduced. Alveolar number was significantly increased. Serum ANP level was reduced. Cardiopulmonary MMP-9 level was reduced (P < 0.05). The effects in the high-dosage group was significant. Conclusion: The short-term drug administration of Shenfu Qiangxin Pills for two weeks was superior to long-term precaution drug administration for four weeks by reducing right ventricle hypertrophy index and inhibiting airway reaction, and existed dose-effect relationship.

Study on sustentaculum tali screw placement for constant fragment of calcaneal fracture / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the anatomical characters of the sustentaculum tali (ST), accurate entry point and direction for the placement of ST screw from posterior subtalar joint facet to the constant fragment (CF) in calcaneal fractures. Methods: A total of 100 patients with calcaneal fractures performed ankle CT scans were enrolled between January 2016 and April 2016. According to the inclusion criteria, the clinical data of 33 patients were analyzed, including 18 males and 15 females, with a median age of 41.0 years (range, 18-60 years). There were 16 cases on left side and 17 cases on the right side. Three-dimensional (3D) calcaneal model was reconstructed by Mimics 17.0 software, and the ST anatomical references were measured, including the length of upper and lower edge, the length and height of the midline, the horizontal angle between the midline and foot plantar surface. The parameters of the optimal entry point position (P' point) and placement angle of the ST screw were determined. The length of ST screw was also measured. The differences between males and females or left and right sides were compared. Results: The length of upper edge of the ST was (16.60±2.23) mm, lower edge (20.65±2.90) mm, midline (20.56±2.62) mm, and the height of midline was (9.61±1.36) mm. The horizontal angle between the midline and foot plantar surface was (23.43±3.36)°. The vertical distance from P' point to the lowest point of the tarsal sinus was (3.09±1.65) mm, while the horizontal distance was (14.29±2.75) mm. The distance from P' point to the apex of the lateral talus, subchondral bone of subtalar joint, calcaneocuboid joint was (11.41±3.22), (6.59±2.22), (34.58±3.75) mm, respectively. The horizontal angle between the ST screw and foot plantar surface was (-1.17±2.07)°. The anteversion angle of ST screw was (16.18±2.05)° and the length was (41.64 ± 3.09) mm. There were significant differences in the length of upper and lower edge, the length and height of the midline, the distance from P' point to the apex of the lateral talus, subchondral bone of subtalar joint, and calcaneocuboid joint, and the anteversion angle and length of the ST screw between males and females ( P0.05). Conclusion: After appropriate reduction of the calcaneal fractures, the entry point of ST screw was recommended at about 14 mm posterior and about 3 mm upper related to the foot horizontal line through the lowest tarsal sinus point; and the direction of ST screw placement was about 17° anteversion for males and 15° anteversion for females.

A Study on the Improvement of Quarantine Act for Effective Quarantine System / 보건행정학회지

The development of transport is being easily shared with people all over the world. It is necessary to appropriately and effectively revise the domestic quarantine law because the fatal infectious diseases are at risk of being easily shared. Today, Korea has an advanced quarantine system approved by World Health Organization, but it maintains partnerships with related ministries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, local medical institutions) and to introduce new medical technology (electronic quarantine) is important. And since the prevention of quarantine infectious diseases and prevention of the spread, in order to maintain international cooperation with the International Health Regulations, the quarantine law and the system should be amended and improved effectively and it is also a way to prepare for the outbreak of new quarantine infectious diseases. In the past, Korea has experienced great confusion during the past outbreak of swine flu and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. To prevent similar cases from recurring in the past, the revision of the quarantine law and the improvement of the system should be done to cope with the changing environment (new infections, increased number of overseas travelers, etc.).

Radiographic measurement for orientation relationships and changing regulations of pedicle screw entry point and posterior bony landmarks in middle-upper thoracic vertebrae of adults / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the orientation relationships and changing rules of pedicle screw entry point (PSEP) on the posterior bony landmarks in middle-upper thoracic vertebrae in adults by measuring parameters of 3-D reconstruction CT images. Methods CT images of the middle-upper thoracic vertebrae from 30 healthy adults were used for 3-D reconstruction to observe the anatomical characteristics of posterior bony landmarks, including transverse process-lamina concave, superior ridge of transverse process and outer edge of the lamina. The following basic parameters, including PSEP-to-midline distance (PMD), transverse process-lamina concave-to-midline distance (CMD) and half lamina width (HLW), and target parameters, including PSEP-to-transverse process-lamina concave distance (PCD), entry point location ratio (EPLR) and PSEP-to-superior ridge of transverse process distance (PRD) were determined on reconstructed CT images from T1 to T10. The differences of bilateral measurements of all parameters and the differences of basic parameters were analyzed, and the changing rules of target parameters measurements from T1 to T10 were summarized. Results The transverse process-lamina concave, superior ridge of transverse process and outer edge of the lamina of middle-upper thoracic vertebral characterized by obvious and constant anatomical marks with less proliferative. The left and right PMD, CMD, HLW, PCD, EPLR, and PRD were (14.14±2.63) mm and (14.59±2.58) mm, (10.45±2.12) mm and (10.51±2.02) mm, (16.30±1.48) mm and (16.39±1.61) mm, (4.56±1.03) mm and (4.47±0.94) mm, 0.35±0.26 and 0.33±0.30, and (-1.62±1.90) mm and (-1.63±1.44) mm, respectively. There was no significant difference in the measured values between the two sides of the above parameters (P>0.05). Except that the difference between PMD and HLW in T2 was not significant (P>0.05), the differences between basic parameters in the other segments were statistically significant (P<0.05). PCD of T1 to T10 showed a trend of decrease first and then significant increases in T1, T2, T9, and T10 compared with in T3-T8 (P<0.05). EPLR of T1-T10 showed a trend of increase first and then decrease, in which EPLR in T1, T2 and T3 were significantly lower than in the following any segments (P<0.01), and in the T4-T6 and T10 were significantly lower than in T7-T9 (P<0.01). PRD of T1-T10 showed a trend of increase first and then decrease, in which the PRD in T1, T2 and T3 were significantly lower than in the following any segments, and in the T4-T6 were lower than T7-T10 (P<0.01). Conclusion There is constant orientation relationship and changing rules of PSEP in the middle-upper thoracic vertebrae on the posterior bony landmarks, such as transverse process-lamina concave, superior ridge of transverse process and outer edge of the lamina, and it can serve as a new clinical choice.

The Determination of Optimal Entry Point for Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-II by Fluoroscopic Simulation: A Cadaveric Study

PURPOSE: This study seeks to determine the anatomically optimal entry point of proximal femoral nail antirotation-II (PFNA-II®) according to geographic features of Korean cadaveric femoral trochanters for successful reduction of osteoporotic proximal femoral fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three adult cadaveric femurs without previous fractures or surgeries were included. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral images of all femurs and PFNA-II® were taken with an image intensifier. Using the image synthesis process via the image editing program (Adobe Photoshop CS6), the optimal entry point was verified and compared with the tip of the greater trochanter (GT) and the cervicotro-chanteric junction on AP images, as well as the width of the trochanter and the neck on lateral images. RESULTS: The optimal entry point of PFNA-II® was an average distance of 9.1 mm (range, 7–15 mm) medially from the tip of GT on AP images. The center of the nail was located at an average of 30% (range, 21%–44%) area from the posterior margin of the middle neck, which is an average area of 38% (range, 26%–48%) from the posterior cortex of the trochanter on lateral images. Furthermore, the ideal entry point was at the extended line of the cervico-trochanteric junction. CONCLUSION: The optimal entry point, which was found to be medial to the tip of the GT and posterior to the center of the middle femoral neck and the trochanter, was at on the extended line of the cervicotrochanteric junction.

Incidence of Varus Malalignment Post Interlocking Nail in Proximal Femur Shaft Fractures Comparing Two Types of Entry Points

Introduction: Osteosynthesis of the femur using an interlocking nail is the gold standard for treating diaphyseal fractures of the femur. There are two established entry points for the antegrade interlocking nails which is the piriformis fossa or the greater trochanter. It has been reported that varus malalignment was frequently seen in proximal femur fracture which were treated with interlocking nail utilizing the greater trochanter entry point. The study was done to find out if the problem was of significance. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study which included 179 patients with femur fractures which were treated from January 2013 till September 2015 in one Hospital. They were treated with interlocking nail either by utilizing the piriformis fossa (PF) or the greater trochanter (GT) entry points. Post-operative radiographs of the femur were used to measure the varus deformity. Results: Out of 179 patients, there were 5 patients who were reported to have unacceptable varus malalignment (2.79%). These 5 patients were out of the 88 (5.68%) patients utilizing the greater trochanter as the entry point. The same 5 patients were out 90 patients that were diagnosed with proximal femur shaft fractures (5.55%). Analysis with logistic regression was statistically not significant. Conclusion: There was higher rate of varus malalignment seen in proximal femur shaft fractures treated with interlocking nails utilizing the greater trochanter entry point. The incidence of varus malalignment was not significant statistically. Key Words: interlocking nail; greater trochanter entry point; varus deformity; femur shaft fracture

Median nerve location change evaluated by soft cadaver dissection according to the forearm movement / Cambio de posición del nervio mediano evaluado mediante disección cadavérica blanda según el movimiento del antebrazo

The aim of this study was to examine the change in median nerve location according to forearm movement. Thirty fresh specimens from 15 adult Korean cadavers (10 males and five females; age range, 53­91 years) were examined. We measured the motor entry point according to normal and pronated positions of the forearm. The x and y coordinates of the first motor entry point (MEP) in the normal position were 1.6±0.6 cm and 2.8±1.3 cm, respectively. The depth of the MEP was 1.5±0.3 cm. The x and y coordinates of the second MEP were 1.3±0.3 cm and 4.7±1.7 cm, respectively. The depth of the MEP was 1.4±0.2 cm. The x and y coordinates of first MEP with the forearm in the pronated position were 1.9±0.7 cm and 2.3±0.8 cm. respectively. The depth of the MEP was 1.7±0.4 cm. The x and y coordinates of the second MEP were 1.6±0.7 cm and 4.4±1.7 cm, respectively. The depth of the MEP was 1.6±0.3 cm. The differences in locations according to movement of the nerve branch were 0.3 cm, and depths were 0.2 cm. The pronated position results of this study will be clinically helpful.

El objetivo fue examinar el cambio de posición del nervio mediano de acuerdo con el movimiento del antebrazo. Se examinaron 30 muestras frescas de 15 cadáveres adultos coreanos (10 hombres y 5 mujeres) con edades entre 53­91 años. Se midió el punto de entrada motor de acuerdo con las posiciones normales y pronación del antebrazo. Las coordenadas X e Y del primer punto de entrada motor (PEM) en la posición normal fueron de 1,6±0,6 cm y 2,8±1,3 cm, respectivamente. La profundidad del PEM fue de 1,5±0,3 cm. Las coordenadas X e Y del segundo PEM fueron 1,3±0,3 cm y 4,7±1,7 cm, respectivamente. La profundidad del PEM fue 1,4±0,2 cm. Las coordenadas X e Y del primer PEM del antebrazo en posición de pronación fueron 1,9±0,7 cm y 2,3±0,8 cm, respectivamente. La profundidad del PEM fue 1,7±0,4 cm. Las coordenadas X e Y del segundo PEM fueron 1,6±0,7 cm y 4,4±1,7 cm, respectivamente. La profundidad del PEM fue 1,6±0,3 cm. Las diferencias en las ubicaciones de acuerdo con el movimiento del ramo nervioso fueron de 0,3 cm, y las profundidades fueron de 0,2 cm. Los resultados de la posición de pronación de este estudio serán útiles en trabajos clínicos.

Treatment of the Femoral Fracture Using Sirus(R) Nail: A Comparison of Complication according to the Entry Potal

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical results of fixation using Sirus(R) nail in patients with femoral subtrochanteric and shaft fracture and the difference in the frequency of complications according to the entry portal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2006 to August 2013, at least 1-year clinical follow-up, we retrospectively analyzed 36 cases with femoral subtrochanteric (15 cases) and shaft fracture (21 cases) who underwent surgery using Sirus(R) nail. We reviewed the records of operation time, intra-operative amounts of bleeding and complications. At last follow-up, we reviewed clinical results by Ray-Sanders criteria and analyzed the periods of bone union on the radiograph. We also measured changing of the femoral neck-shaft angle in the subtrochanteric fractures and angulation in the shaft fractures, respectively. Considering anatomical variation of the trochanter and fracture position of subtrochanteric and femoral shaft, entry points were divided into subgroups, and the clinical results were compared. RESULTS: The mean Ray-Sanders score was 27.4, 27 cases (75.0%) were good or excellent. The mean periods of bone union was 21.1 weeks in 31 cases. The mean neck-shaft angles were 135.7o preoperatively, 130.2o postoperatively. The mean angulation of the femur was 24.4o preoperatively, 2.4o postoperatively in patients of femoral shaft fractures. Despite no statistical significance, greater trochanter tip entry point and lateral entry point had a higher rate of frequency than medial entry point, with respect to the occurrence of iatrogenic fracture and malalignment. CONCLUSION: Using Sirus(R) nail for femoral subtrochanteric and shaft fractures showed good clinical and radiographic results and a high rate of union. Medial entry point yielded slightly better results in the occurrence of iatrogenic fracture and malalignment, compared to greater trochanter tip entry point and lateral entry point.

Subtrochanteric Fracture: Emphasis on Surgical Techniques in Nailing / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Intramedullary nailing is considered the most biomechanically advantageous therapeutic modality in the treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures. Many technical pitfalls and difficulties in nailing are well known. Reduction of the proximal fragment in a flexed, abducted, and externally rotated position should be performed before nailing of subtrochanteric fractures in order to avoid malalignment and nonunion. In this review, various reduction techniques to control the proximal fragment which are useful in nailing will be discussed.

Anatomic Consideration of the C1 Laminar Arch for Lateral Mass Screw Fixation via C1 Lateral Lamina : A Landmark between the Lateral and Posterior Lamina of the C1

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the landmark for deciding the entry point for C1 lateral mass screws via the posterior arch by using 3-dimensional (3D) computed images. METHODS: Resnick insisted that the C1 posterior arch could be divided into pure posterior and lateral lamina (C1 pedicle). Authors studied where this transition point (TP) is located between the posterior lamina and the C1 pedicle and how it can be recognized. The 3D computed images of 86 cadaver C1s (M : F=45 : 41) were used in this study. RESULTS: The superior ridge of the C1 posterior arch had 2 types of orientation. One was in the vertical direction in the C1 posterior lamina and the other was in the horizontal direction in the C1 pedicle. The TP was located at the border between the 2 areas, the same site as the posterior end of the groove of the vertebral artery. On posterior-anterior projection, the posterior arch was sharpened abruptly at TP. We were unable to identify the TP in 6.4% of specimens due to complete or partial osseous bridges. A total of 93.8% of the TP were located between the most enlarged point of the spinal canal and the medial wall of the vertebral artery. CONCLUSION: The anatomic entry zone of C1 lateral laminar screws was clarified and identified based on the TP by using preoperative 3D computed images.

Inferolateral Entry Point for C2 Pedicle Screw Fixation in High Cervical Lesions

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of atlantoaxial stabilization using a new entry point for C2 pedicle screw fixation. METHODS: Data were collected from 44 patients undergoing posterior C1 lateral mass screw and C2 screw fixation. The 20 cases were approached by the Harms entry point, 21 by the inferolateral point, and three by pars screw. The new inferolateral entry point of the C2 pedicle was located about 3-5 mm medial to the lateral border of the C2 lateral mass and 5-7 mm superior to the inferior border of the C2-3 facet joint. The screw was inserted at an angle 30degrees to 45degrees toward the midline in the transverse plane and 40degrees to 50degrees cephalad in the sagittal plane. Patients received followed-up with clinical examinations, radiographs and/or CT scans. RESULTS: There were 28 males and 16 females. No neurological deterioration or vertebral artery injuries were observed. Five cases showed malpositioned screws (2.84%), with four of the screws showing cortical breaches of the transverse foramen. There were no clinical consequences for these five patients. One screw in the C1 lateral mass had a medial cortical breach. None of the screws were malpositioned in patients treated using the new entry point. There was a significant relationship between two group (p=0.036). CONCLUSION: Posterior C1-2 screw fixation can be performed safely using the new inferolateral entry point for C2 pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of high cervical lesions.

Targeting a Safe Entry Point for C2 Pedicle Screw Fixation in Patients with Atlantoaxial Instability

OBJECTIVE: This investigation was conducted to evaluate a new, safe entry point for the C2 pedicle screw, determined using the anatomical landmarks of the C2 lateral mass, the lamina, and the isthmus of the pars interarticularis. METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent bilateral C1 lateral mass-C2 pedicle screw fixation, combined with posterior wiring. The C2 pedicle screw was inserted at the entry point determined using the following method : 4 mm lateral to and 4 mm inferior to the transitional point (from the superior end line of the lamina to the isthmus of the pars interarticularis). After a small hole was made with a high-speed drill, the taper was inserted with a 30 degree convergence in the cephalad direction. Other surgical procedures were performed according to Harm's description. Preoperatively, careful evaluation was performed with a cervical X-ray for C1-C2 alignment, magnetic resonance imaging for spinal cord and ligamentous structures, and a contrast-enhanced 3-dimensional computed tomogram (3-D CT) for bony anatomy and the course of the vertebral artery. A 3-D CT was checked postoperatively to evaluate screw placement. RESULTS: Bone fusion was achieved in all 15 patients (100%) without screw violation into the spinal canal, vertebral artery injury, or hardware failure. Occipital neuralgia developed in one patient, but this subsided after a C2 ganglion block. CONCLUSION: C2 transpedicular screw fixation can be easily and safely performed using the entry point of the present study. However, careful preoperative radiographic evaluation, regardless of methods, is mandatory.

An Analysis of Location of Needle Entry Point and Palpated PSIS in S1 Nerve Root Block

BACKGROUND: The first sacral nerve root block (S1NRB) is a common procedure in pain clinic for patients complaining of low back pain with radiating pain. It can be performed in the office based setting without C-arm. The previously suggested method of locating the needle entry point begins with identifying the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). Then a line is drawn between two points, one of which is 1.5 cm medial to the PSIS, and the other of which is 1.5 cm lateral and cephalad to the ipsilateral cornu. After that, one point on the line, which is 1.5 cm cephalad to the level of the PSIS, is considered as the needle entry point. The purpose of this study was to analyze the location of needle entry point and palpated PSIS in S1NRB. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing C-arm guided S1NRB in the prone position were examined. The surface anatomical relationships between the palpated PSIS and the needle entry point were assessed. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that the transverse and vertical distance between the needle entry point and PSIS were 28.7 +/- 8.8 mm medially and 3.5 +/- 14.0 mm caudally, respectively. The transverse distance was 27.8 +/- 8.3 mm medially for male and 29.5 +/- 9.3 mm medially for female. The vertical distance was 1.0 +/- 14.1 mm cranially for male and 8.1 +/- 12.7 mm caudally for female. CONCLUSIONS: The needle entry point in S1NRB is located on the same line or in the caudal direction from the PSIS in a considerable number of cases. Therefore previous recommended methods cannot be applied to many cases.

Determination of Adequate Entry Angle of Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglion Block in Korean

BACKGROUND: The target of lumbar sympathetic ganglion block is the anterolateral surface of the L2, 3 and 4 vertebral bodies, where the lumbar sympathetic ganglion usually lies. In most cases, a block-needle is inserted approximately 5-8 cm lateral to spinous process on the skin and directed to the anterolateral surface of vertebral body obliquely. The purpose of this study is to determine the safe entry angle and entry point in Korean by using the abdominal CT scan images. METHODS: The abdominal CT images of eighty five patients were recruited to this study. The minimal angle aimed at the lumbar sympathetic ganglion that can pass through the lateral aspect of body and maximal angle that avoids puncturing the kidney, ureter or retroperitoneal space were measured. The distance from midline to skin entry point was also measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in entry angle among L2, 3, and 4 level. The entry angle was similar in the right and left side, and in males and females. The entry angle of old age group was significantly smaller than that of young age group. The calculated safe entry angle was 30.5 +/- 0.4degrees and entry point was 7.7 +/- 0.2 cm and 6.7 +/- 0.1 cm lateral from midline in males and females respectively. CONCLUSION: These measurements can be used as a reference for lumbar sympathetic ganglion block and radiofrequency lesioning. Prior to performing the lumbar sympathetic ganglion block for cancer patients, the abdominal CT scan should be reviewed to prevent complications.

A Novel Concept for the Best Coronal Alignment of Pedicle Screws in Multilevel Lumbar Posterior Instrumentation - A Technical Note / 대한척추외과학회지

Correct alignment of pedicle screws is imperative in multilevel instrumentation. However, there has been no report addressing the technical aspects of this subject. If the head diameter of a pedicle screw is D, the head height is H, and the convergence angle of the screw being inserted is alpha, then the distance between the extension line of the medial borders of the inserted screw heads and the insertion point of the adjacent screw (A) is described by the following formula: A = 1/2Dcos alpha- Hsin alpha If an L3 pedicle screw (D=13 mm, H=15 mm) is to be inserted with a convergence angle of 14 degrees after the insertion of L4 and L5 screws, its insertion point should be 3.6 mm medial to the extension line of the centers of the L4 and L5 screws and 2.7 mm lateral to the extension line of their medial borders for all screw heads, so it can be aligned in the coronal plane. In order to achieve the best alignment, a pedicle screw is inserted between the extended line of the centers and that of the medial borders of the inserted adjacent screw heads. For the routine range of convergence angles, it is essential to move the entry point medially toward the extended line connecting the medial borders of the inserted adjacent screw heads.

Entry Point and Approaching Angle of Working Cannula in Endoscopic Lumbar Disecectomy / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We report the efficacy of the entry point and approach angle of a working cannula using preoperative prone abdominal computer tomography (PACT). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: To date, there are no reports on the entry point and approach angle of a working cannula when performing transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TPELD) with consideration of the individual anatomic variations and characteristics of herniated disc and surgical instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of herniated intervertebral discs from L4-5, who have previously undergone PACT before TPELD, were included. A total of 25 patients were observed over a 1 year period. The entry point and approaching angle of the working cannula with PACT were calculated, and the results were applied to the TPELD. The clinical results were assessed 1 month after surgery using the VAS, ODI and MacNab criteria, and were confirmed by a radiology and MRI examination. RESULTS: The preoperative measured data using PACT showed that the mean approaching distance and mean approaching angle of the working cannula were 12.4 cm and 75.4 degree, respectively. The VAS improved from a mean of 8.1 preoperatively to a mean of 2.3 12 months after surgery. The ODI improved from a mean of 59 preoperatively to a mean of 24 at 12 months after surgery. According to the MacNab criteria, all patients were classified as either excellent and good during the follow up periods. The extruded disc of all patients had been well removed according to the MRI scan performed 1 month after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The scientific approach method using PACT based on the characteristics of patients and surgical instruments can be performed easily and accurately, and access and decompress the extruded disc directly.

Late Beginning and Slow Progress of the Application of Pharmacoeconomics in China: Causes Analysis and Suggestions / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE: To provide references for promoting the extensive application of pharmacoeconomics as soon as possible in China.METHODS: The causes of late beginning and slow progress of the application of pharmacoeconomics in China were analyzed systematically and comprehensively.RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The main causes accountable for the late beginning and slow progress of the application of pharmacoeconomics in China included the absence of management mission and targets in the concerned departments,obsolete philosophy of management,misunderstanding of the medicine economy,distortion of payer's real need in the drug use process,and lack of necessary norms in the spontaneous evaluation work.The primary measure to accelerate the extensive application of pharmacoeconomics is to define the task of relevant top control agencies and to find the entry point of pharmacoeconomics in the existing spontaneous research work.

Clinical application of entry point of pedicle screw through the “人” shape crest in lumbar spine / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To compare the effect of pedicles screw fixation through entry point of the “人" shape crest and traditional entry point (Weinstein method). Methods Ninety-two patients of lumbar spine disorders were treated by pedicles screw fixation combined with bone grafting through posterior approach. The screws were placed through the traditional entry point among 45 patients (group A, transverse process method, 186 screws), the others were through entry point of the “人" shape crest (group B, “人" shape crest method, 196 screws). The condition of accuracy of screw placement, operation time, bleeding amount and injury were compared. Results All patients accepted the examination of X-ray and CT scan after operation. The rate of screw bad placement was 6.5% in group A and 2.0% in group B, the incidence of injury of nerve and blood vessel was 8.9% in group A and 2.1% in group B. The accuracy of screw placement, operational time and bleeding amount in group B were significantly better than those in group A (P

Entry Point of Pedicle Screw in the Lower Lumbar Spine / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: We analysed retrospectively the entry point of pedicle screw in the lower lumbar spine using computed tomoscan. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to find the ideal entry point of pedicle screw in the lower lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 98 patients with each second, third, fourth, fifth lumbar spine, and divide three group into normal group(NP), osteoarthritis group(OA), degenerative spondylolisthesis group(DS). We collected the two axial images of lower lumbar spine from CT at the same level. One image is parallel to upper end plate and again, the facet joint is well visuable, another image is the pedicle which cross the center, and the size of the both sides of pedicle is same and largest. And then we were superimposed mathematically above two images with computer. With the use of these three images, facet joint and pedicle axis orientation, pedicle isthmus width, distance between facet joint and pedicle axis, distance between lateral surface of facet and pedicle axis are measured. RESULT: The ideal entry point of pedicle screw is 3mm lateral from lateral end of facet joint in NP group, in OA 0.5~1mm medial and in DS 0.3mm medial from lateral end of facet joint. CONCLUSION: The selected anatomical landmark using the pedicle screw insertion is not advisable because of the variations of pedicle width and orientation depend on pathologic state of the lower lumbar spine, especially facet joint. We suggest that the sugeon should selected well the ideal entry point of the pedicle screw, knowing the shape and any anatomical variations of the pedicle in details before screw insertion with peroperative computed tomoscan.