Abordaje paraespinal de Wiltse: nota técnica y revisión de sus ventajas y limitaciones / Wiltse paraspinal approach: technical note and review of its advantages and limitations

Objetivo: Describir paso a paso el abordaje paraespinal de Wiltse y resaltar las principales ventajas y limitaciones relatadas en la literatura. Material y métodos: Se realizó una descripción del abordaje de Wiltse paso a paso y detalladamente paso a paso, haciendo hincapié en algunos trucos y limitaciones adquiridos con la práctica. Se revisó la literatura disponible con una búsqueda en PubMed y Lilacs bajo los términos Mesh: "Wiltse approach", "paraspinal approach", "muscle sparing approach", "lumbar spine", para destacar ventajas y desventajas de la técnica. Se analizaron 10 trabajos que tenían relación con el objetivo de esta publicación. Ninguno de los trabajos hallados en la búsqueda describía en detalle los pasos del abordaje paraespinal. Se describió: preparación, posicionamiento, incisión, apertura fascial, disección, identificación ósea, desperiostización, descompresión, discectomía, instrumentación, artrodesis y cierre. Resultados: La mayoría de los trabajos resaltaron la utilidad del abordaje como técnica de mínima invasión, con sangrado intraoperatorio mínimo, cortas estadías hospitalarias y bajo índice de infecciones. Conclusión: El abordaje clásico descripto por Wiltse sigue los principios de cirugía de mínima invasión, respetando los planos musculares y tejidos blandos paraespinales, permitiendo amplias descompresiones, discectomías y fusiones con bajos índices de complicaciones.

Objective: To provide a step-by-step description of the Wiltse paraspinal approach, and analyze the main advantages and limitations described in the literature. Methods: We provide a detailed step-by-step description of the Wiltse approach, focusing on some of the strategies we have learned and limitations we have seen in daily clinical practice. A literature review was conducted, consisting of Pub Med and Lilacs searches using the Mesh terms: "Wiltse approach", "paraspinal approach", "muscle sparing approach", and "lumbar spine". Ten papers related to our objectives were assessed, step by step considering patient preparation and positioning, skin incisions, fascial opening, dissection, bone identification, retraction, deperiostization, decompression, discectomy, instrumentation, arthrodesis, and closure. Results: Most papers underline the usefulness of the Wiltse paraspinal approach as a minimally-invasive procedure, emphasizing the minimal intra-operative bleeding, short hospital stays, and low infection rates. However, none of the identified papers thoroughly described specific steps taken using this approach. Conclusion: The classical approach described by Wiltse observes the principles of minimally-invasive surgical procedures, sparing both the muscle planes and soft tissues, thereby allowing for ample decompression, discectomies, and spinal fusions with low complication rates.

Paraspinal Lumbar Spine Approach - Wiltse Access

Introduction Technical developments in spinal surgery have reduced the number of surgical incisions and of the length of time for the procedure. Objective Describe topographical landmarks, anatomy and characteristics of the Wiltse access, a paraspinal approach to the lumbar spine. Methods A review of the literature was performed using as databases: PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, the Cochran Database and Google Scholar. Total 22 papers met the inclusion criteria, and they were all published between 1959 and 2016. Discussion The Wiltse approach is performed by median skin incision with lateral muscle dissection between the multifidus and the longissimus muscles, in a natural pathway. This approach allows access to the pedicles and to the lateral recess, enabling the performance of posterior spinal fusion and decompression and minimally invasive discectomy techniques. This access is less traumatic than the median approach, and it is ideal for lower levels, like L4­5 and L5-S1. Conclusion The authors strongly encourage this approach because they believe that, when well-indicated, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and complications due to the fact that it is a less invasive procedure.

Introdução Os desenvolvimentos técnicos na cirurgia da coluna vertebral têm proporcionado a redução das incisões cirúrgicas e da duração do procedimento. Objetivo Descrever marcos topográficos, anatômicos e características do acesso de Wiltse, uma abordagem da coluna vertebral lombar. Métodos A revisão bibliográfica foi realizada utilizando como banco de dados: PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, banco de dados Cochran e Google Scholar. Foram encontrados 22 trabalhos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão, todos publicados entre 1959 e 2016. Discussão A abordagem de Wiltse é realizada pela incisão cutânea mediana com dissecção muscular lateral entre o músculo multifidus e o músculo longissimus, na via natural. Esta abordagem permite o acesso aos pedículos e ao recesso lateral, e a realização de fusão posterior e descompressão de fratura da coluna vertebral e técnicas de discectomia minimamente invasivas. Este acesso é menos traumático do que a abordagem mediana, e é ideal para níveis mais baixos, como L4­5 e L5-S1. Conclusão Os autores recomendam esta abordagem, pois acreditam que os benefícios desta técnica, quando bem indicada, superam as desvantagens e complicações por ser esta menos invasiva.

Wiltse paraspinal muscle splitting approach for treatment of L5-S1 spondylolisthesis / 中华全科医师杂志

Forty three patients with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis undergoing surgical treatment from April 2012 to November 2014 were included for analysis,including 20 cases received transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF group) and 23 cased received posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF group).The incision length,operative time were shorter and blood loss was less in TLIF group than those in PLIF group [(9.6±0.9) vs.(16.1±1.5) cm,(125.6±13.0) vs.(156.4±11.8) minand (218.7±22.5)ml vs.(326.5 ±20.1) ml,respectively,all P =0.000].There was no statistical difference in the S1 pedicle screw (S1PS) insertion point between two approaches[(29.4 ± 1.9) vs.(28.5 ± 1.0) mm,P =0.069],but the distance from the midline to the lateral edge of the screw (12.9 ±3.6) mm,S1PS angle (23.3 ±2.1) ° and length of S1PS length with the sacral body (40.9 ± 2.6) mm in the TLIF group were better than those in PLIF group (P =0.000).Our results demonstrate that the paraspinal muscle approach for the treatment of L5-S1 spondylolisthesis may be superior with less trauma,better functional recovery and stable screw placement.

Clinical efficacy of pedicle screw internal fixation with different surgical approach in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of pedicle screw internal fixation with different surgical approach in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. Methods Fifty?three cases with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture without nerve injury were selected as our subjects,who were hospitalized in the Central Hospital of Chaoyang from January 2008 to December 2013. They were randomly divided into observation group(27 cases) and control group(26 cases). The patients in the observation group were treated with pedicle screw internal fixation with Wiltse paraspinal approach and the patients in the control group were treated with pedicle screw internal fixation with traditional posterior open approach. The duration of operation,intraoperative blood loss,volume of drainage and length of hospital stay of all patients were recorded and the ratio of anterior vertebral body height to normal height before and after operation was compared between the two groups. Visual analog scores( VAS) for pain severity and Cobb’ s angle of the vertebrae was compared between the two groups 1 year after operation. Results The duration of operation and length of hospital stay of patients in both groups had no statistically significant differences ( P>0. 05 ) . The intraoperative blood loss and volume of drainage in observation group were less than that in control group respectively((146. 3±25. 1) ml vs. (240. 2±28. 7) ml, (73.1±15.3) ml vs. (150.5±20.1) ml;P=0.034,0.023).The ratio of anterior vertebral body height to normal height 1 week after operation was higher than that before operation in the observation group ( ( 93. 1 ±5.1)% vs. (70.3±8.6)%,P=0.048) and in the control group((93.0±6.0)% vs. (71.8±9.8)%,P=0. 049),the difference between two group had no statistically significant(P>0. 05). The Cobb′s angle of the vertebrae 1 year after operation was less than that before operation in the observation group((10. 10±4. 00)° vs. (19. 10±7. 81)°,P=0. 045) and in the control group ((9. 97±3. 78)° vs. (18. 87±6. 90)°,P=0. 045),the difference between two group had no statistically significant(P>0. 05). The VAS for pain severity 1 year after operation was less than that before operation in the observation group(1. 1±0. 5 vs. 6. 0±0. 9,P=0. 023) and in the control group ( 1. 7 ± 0. 6 vs. 5. 9 ± 0. 7, P= 0. 038 ) , the difference between two group had statistically significant( P=0. 046) . Conclusion Pedicle screw internal fixation with Wiltse paraspinal approach in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures without nerve injury has advantages with traditional posterior open approach in less trauma, less bleeding, rapid recovery and reduces the incidence of postoperative lumbar pain. The treatment has a good clinical effect and is worthy of clinical application.

Paraspinal approach and posterior median approach for one-stage decompression reconstruction in the treat-ment of thoracolumbar spine fracture and dislocation / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of paraspinal approach and posterior median approach for one -stage decompression recon-struction in the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fracture and dislocation .Methods From January 2012 to January 2014, 60 patients with thoracolumbar spine fracture and dislocation who were admitted and treated in our hospital were selected as the research objects .All patients received one-stage decompression reconstruction for treatment .According to the methods of approach , the patients were divided into the ob-servation group and the control group .The 30 cases in observation group were treated by paraspinal approach while the other 30 cases in con-trol group were treated by posterior median approach .Visual analogue score ( VAS) was applied .The status of surgery , recovery of centrum height, changes of Cobb angle as well as the occurrence rate of postoperative complications in the two groups were recorded .Results In the observation group, the operative time, time in bed and length of stay were (89.16 ±11.63) min, (39.75 ±8.69) h and (3.96 ±1.04) d respectively, which were shorter than those in the control group .The intraoperative blood loss was (89.64 ±13.62) mL which was lower than that in the control group and the difference was significant (P<0.05).One week after operation, the anterior and posterior height of centrum in the observation group increased significantly while Cobb angle significantly reduced .Compared with those before the treatment , the difference was significant (P<0.05).The maximum coronary diameter and maximum sagittal diameter of paraspinal muscles in the ob -servation group after the treatment were (48.96 ±5.34)mm and (18.16 ±6.74)mm respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group and the difference was significant (P<0.05).The incidence of lumbar and back pain in the observation group was 3.33%which was lower than 23.33%in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion To carry out decompression reconstruction through paraspinal approach can reduce the the pain degree of patients and the incidence of lumbar and back pain after operation .

Surgical treatment of Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficiency by paraspinal approach

We aimed to describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of paraspinal-approach reduction and fixation (PARF) in a group of patients with Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF) with neurological deficiencies. A total of 62 patients with Denis B TLBF with neurological deficiencies were included in this study between January 2009 and December 2011. Clinical evaluations including the Frankel scale, pain visual analog scale (VAS) and radiological assessment (CT scans for fragment reduction and X-ray for the Cobb angle, adjacent superior and inferior intervertebral disc height, and vertebral canal diameter) were performed preoperatively and at 3 days, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. All patients underwent successful PARF, and were followed-up for at least 2 years. Average surgical time, blood loss and incision length were recorded. The sagittal vertebral canal diameter was significantly enlarged. The canal stenosis index was also improved. Kyphosis was corrected and remained at 8.6±1.4o (P>0.05) 1 year postoperatively. Adjacent disc heights remained constant. Average Frankel grades were significantly improved at the end of follow-up. All 62 patients were neurologically assessed. Pain scores decreased at 6 months postoperatively, compared to before surgery (P<0.05). PARF provided excellent reduction for traumatic segmental kyphosis, and resulted in significant spinal canal clearance, which restored and maintained the vertebral body height of patients with Denis B TLBF with neurological deficits.

Three-Years Outcome of Microdiscectomy via Paramedian Approach for Lumbar Foraminal or Extraforaminal Disc Herniations in Elderly Patients over 65 Years Old

OBJECTIVE: Lumbar foraminal or extraforaminal disc herniations (FEFDH) have unusual clinical features and higher incidence in elderly patients compared to usual intraspinal canal disc herniations. We evaluated the efficacy of microdiscectomy via paramedian approach for lumbar FEFDH in elderly patients over the age of 65. METHODS: Retrospective study was performed in 68 patients over the age of 65 (23 male and 45 female patients; 71.46±3.87 years) who underwent microdiscectomy via paramedian approach for unilateral lumbar FEFDH causing sciatica. The radiological factors including degree of slippage, presence of instability, disc height, and degree of disc degeneration; pain and functional status by the means of visual analogue scale score, Oswestry Disability Index score, and Macnab classification were analyzed preoperatively and during the postoperative follow-up period of 3 years to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical treatment. RESULTS: Pain and functional status improved according to short- and long-term follow-up evaluations after surgery. Radiological changes following surgery, which can be understood as structural deteriorations and deformations, did not represent patient condition. Nine patients underwent additional surgery due to sustained or recurring leg pain of aggravation of back pain, and fusion surgery was required for 3 patients. Degree of preoperative slippage was the only statistically significant factor related to additional surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Microdiscectomy via paramedian approach for FEFDH may be a good surgical alternative in elderly patients. Radiological changes after surgery did not show a concordance with patients' actual functional status. The excessive preoperative slippage tended to lead to unfavorable result after surgery and was associated with additional surgery.

Postoperative Clinical Outcome and Risk Factors for Poor Outcome of Foraminal and Extraforaminal Lumbar Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated postoperative outcomes in patients who have lumbar foraminal or extraforaminal disc herniation (FELDH) and suggested the risk factors for poor outcomes. METHODS: A total of 234 patients were selected for this study. Pre- and post-operative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean version Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) were evaluated and the changes of both score were calculated. Outcome was defined as excellent, good, fair, and poor based on Mcnab classification. The percentage of superior facetectomy was calculated by using the Maro-view 5.4 Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS). RESULTS: Paramedian lumbar discectomy was performed in 180 patients and combined lumbar discectomy was performed in 54 patients. Paramedian lumbar discectomy group showed better outcome compared with combined discectomy group. p value of VAS change was 0.009 and KODI was 0.013. The average percentage of superior facetectomy was 33% (range, 0-79%) and it showed negative correlation with VAS and KODI changes (Pearson coefficient : -0.446 and -0.498, respectively). Excellent or good outcome cases (Group I) were 136 (58.1%) and fair or poor outcome cases (Group II) were 98 (41.9%). The percentage of superior facetectomy was 26.5% at Group I and 42.5% at Group II. There was significant difference in superior facetectomy percentage between Group I and II (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that paramedian lumbar discectomy with preservation of facet joints is an effective and good procedure for FELDH. At least 60% of facet should be preserved for excellent or good outcomes.

Simultaneous Paraspinal and Midline Approach for Upper Lumbar Disc Herniation: Technique to Prevent Lamina Fracture

OBJECTIVE: Upper lumbar disc herniation is rare disease, compared with lower. The lamina of this high level lumbar vertebra is narrower than that of low level, and this have taken surgeon into important consideration for surgical methods because partial removal of lamina for discectomy weakens the base of the articular process and may result in fracture. The authors an accurate preoperative diagnosis that enables the surgeon to operative approach for preserving the facet joint. METHODS: Thirteen patients with upper lumbar disc herniation have underone surgical procedure by midline approach for removal of ruptured disc fragment and paraspinal approach for removal of residual disc materials simultaneously without instrumentation. All patients who underwent surgery were analyzed and long-term follow-up was conducted. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 24months, there were complete resolution of presenting radiating leg pain in 85% of the patients, 7.5% were left with minimal residual discomfort, and 7.5% derived little or no benefit from surgery. The follow-up radiologic findings of all patients shows that lamina and facet joint have preserved safely and no instability. CONCLUSION: Simultaneously, paraspinal with midline approach provides highly satisfactory operating methods by simplifying exposure and greatly limiting the risk of complications. This provides the basis for a planned surgical approach in which destruction of the facet joint can be avoided.