A Comparison of the Results from Femoral Nerve Block Using Different Concentration of Ropivacaine after Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Peripheral nerve block is one of the many options available to reduce pain after total knee arthroplasty. Among the various kinds of peripheral nerve block procedure, femoral nerve block (FNB) using ropivacaine is a very effective method for reducing pain. However, it has been known to cause weakness in the quadriceps femoris, resulting in an increased risk of fall during ambulation after surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of FNB on pain and muscle strength with different concentrations of ropivacaine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was performed on 120 patients with knee osteoarthritis who had undergone total knee arthroplasty between January 2016 and December 2016. Patients were divided to 3 groups depending on the concentration of ropivacaine: Group 1 received 0.125% ropivacaine 6 ml FNB; group 2 received 0.2% ropivacaine 6 ml FNB; group 3 received normal saline 6 ml FNB. FNB with 1% lidocaine 10 ml and 0.75% ropivacaine 10 ml was performed to all groups at 3 hours after surgery. From the day after surgery, each group of patients were injected 4 times with FNB on their own designated concentration of ropivacaine with an interval of 6 hours. The severity of pain was estimated by visual analogue scale (VAS) and the strength of quadriceps femoris was measured using medical research council (MRC) grade and knee extension angle. RESULTS: VAS score in group 3 was significantly higher compared to other groups; MRC grade in group 2 was significantly lower than in other grades, and knee extension angle in group 2 was significantly lower than in other groups at 6 pm on the day of and at 6 am on the day after surgery. VAS score, MRC grade, and extension angle of all groups showed no significantly difference at other times. CONCLUSION: FNB with 0.125% ropivacaine after total knee arthroplasty shows effective reduction of pain without inducing quadriceps femoris weakness.

Clinical Outcomes of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Adjacent Lumbar Disc Herniation after Lumbar Posterolateral Fusion by Radiologic Evaluations

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) for adjacent lumbar disc herniation through radiologic evaluations. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: PELD minimizes posterior structural damage, allowing rapid rehabilitation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 45 patients who were followed up for 1 year after PELD for adjacent lumbar disc herniation from March 2014 to February 2016. The modified Macnab criteria, the modified Suezawa and Schreiber score (MSS score), and visual analogue scales for the back (VAS-B) and legs (VAS-L) were evaluated. The disc height ratio and segmental angulation change were compared before posterolateral fusion and before PELD. Moreover, spinal stenosis was confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before PELD. RESULTS: Based on the modified Macnab criteria, 53.3% patients received an evaluation of at least “good,” and the mean MSS score improved from 4.77 to 6.99 at 1 year after the operation. The mean VAS-B score decreased from 7.02 to 4.67, and the mean VAS-L score decreased from 8.15 to 4.24 at 1 year after the operation. The mean disc height ratio was 87.1%, and the mean segmental angulation change was 6.5°, with a greater change in the “fair” or “poor” group, and the rate of spinal stenosis on MRI was also higher in the “fair” or “poor” group. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of PELD, which is accompanied by degenerative changes on simple radiographic images such as disc space narrowing and increased segmental angulation or spinal stenosis on MRI, may not be satisfactory. Therefore, decisions regarding surgery should be made carefully in such cases.

Union Rates of Autologous Bone Marrow, Local Autobone and Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Mixed Graft in Lumbar Posterolateral Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We examined union rates and clinical outcomes to evaluate the efficacy of using autologous bone marrow along with a local autobone and biphasic calcium phosphate mixed graft with posterolateral fusion in spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: In lumbar posterolateral fusion, union rates of biphasic calcium phosphate and local autobone mixed graft are low compared to union rates of autogenous iliac bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the patients who had lumbar posterolateral fusion with autologous bone marrow along with local autobone and biphasic calcium phosphate mixed graft between February 2013 and January 2014, we analyzed 40 patients who were available for at least one year of follow-up. There were 22 cases with spinal stenosis and 18 cases with spondylolisthesis. Bone fusion was determined along with the fusion rates based on Lenke's criteria (citation). All patients were evaluated postoperatively at one year, using 3D CT. and the clinical outcomes were assessed using Kim's method (citation). RESULTS: In spinal stenosis, bone union was observed in 19 cases out of 22 (86.4%), and in case of spondylolisthesis, bone union was observed in 16 cases out of 18 (88.9%). In spinal stenosis, the clinical outcomes were: 2 excellent, 16 good, 3 fair, and 1 poor; in other words 18 cases (81.8%) displayed good or excellent outcomes. In spondylolisthesis, 2 excellent, 12 good, 4 fair and 0 poor; in other words, 14 cases (77.8%) showed good or superior outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Posterolateral fusion using autologous bone marrow along with a local autobone and biphasic calcium phosphate mixed graft showed similar bone fusion rates to using autogenous iliac bone graft. Therefore, this method could serve as an alternative to using autogenous iliac bone graft in posterior lumbar fusion.