Lumbar spinal stenosis: Evaluation of surgical Results in 100 cases

Although lumbur spinal stenosis syndrome is extremely common, considerable controversy continues to surround its classification, diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is evaluation of results of surgical therapy for lumbar spinal stenosis in 100 patients. In this article, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, radiologicaLand surgical results of 100 patients operated in our neurosurgical clinics with the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis. Surgical therapy and outcome are discussed with respect to the known facts. After clinical and radiological evaluation, 100 patients were diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis. All patients underwent laminectomy and bilateral foraminotomy at the stenotic level. Surgical outcomes were evaluated as very good, good,same, and poor according to the clinical findings. Fifty- three of the patients were males and forty-seven were females.More than half were between the ages of 40 and 60.The most frequently operated level was L4-L5. Ninety two percent of the surgically treated patients demonstrated very good and good outcomes. Our conclusion in lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed by objective clinical and radiological findings is that decompressive laminectomy and extensive foraminotomy without instrumentation allow a good outcome

Evaluation of surgical treatment of open tibia shaft fractures with unreamed tibia nail

Introduction: The goal of treatment of open tibia fracture is to prevent infection, fracture healing and restore normal limb function. Unreamed tibia nail [UTN, Synthese] is now replaced with external fixation for treatment of open tibia fracture because of easy insertion and low complications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate union rate with this device in open tibia fracture and compare complications with other studies

Material and Methodes: From 1998 to 2001, sixty-eight patients with open grade I to grade Iila tibia fracture were treated with unreamed tibia nailing and evaluated to find results and complications of this fixing tool. Of this group 46 patients were available for follow up at an average of 6 months after surgery. 31 patients were type Ilia, 9 patients, type II and 6 patients had type I Gastilo open tibia fracture. Operation was performed at a mean of 6 days after fracture

Results: Union occurred at a mean of 18/66 weeks for type I, 20/8 weeks for type II and 26/2 weeks for type Ilia open tibia fracture. Superficial and deep infection occurred in 10%, malunion in 4/35%, delayed union in 2/17%, nonunion in 2/17%, ankle joint stiffness in 6/52%, knee joint stiffness occurred in 2/17%, locking screw failure in 6/25% and nail failure occurred in 4/35% of patients

Conclusion: The advantages of the UTN is less infection rate incontrast to external fixators, lesser need for secondary operation and greater patient comfort. Therefore, we find UTN to be a good alternative in companissan with other fixation devices in the treatment of open fractures of the tibia