Long-Term Results of Cortical Motor Stimulation for Neuropathic Peripheral and Central Pain: Real-World Evidence From Two Independent Centers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cortical motor stimulation (CMS) is used to modulate neuropathic pain. The literature supports its use; however, short follow-up studies might overestimate its real effect. This study brings real-world evidence from two independent centers about CMS methodology and its long-term outcomes. METHODS: Patients with chronic refractory neuropathic pain were implanted with CMS. The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd Edition was used to classify craniofacial pain and the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions Scale score to explore its neuropathic nature. Demographics and clinical and surgical data were collected. Pain intensity at 6, 12, and 24 months and last follow-up was registered. Numeric rating scale reduction of ≥50% was considered a good response. The Clinical Global Impression of Change scale was used to report patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Twelve males (38.7%) and 19 females (61.3%) with a mean age of 55.8 years (±11.9) were analyzed. Nineteen (61.5%) were diagnosed from painful trigeminal neuropathy (PTN), and seven (22.5%) from central poststroke pain. The mean follow-up was 51 months (±23). At 6 months, 42% (13/31) of the patients were responders, all of them being PTN (13/19; 68.4%). At last follow-up, only 35% (11/31) remained responders (11/19 PTN; 58%). At last follow-up, the global Numeric rating scale reduction was 34% ( P = .0001). The Clinical Global Impression of Change scale punctuated 2.39 (±0.94) after 3 months from the surgery and 2.95 (±1.32) at last follow-up ( P = .0079). Signs of suspicious placebo effect were appreciated in around 40% of the nonresponders. CONCLUSION: CMS might show long-term efficacy for neuropathic pain syndromes, with the effect on PTN being more robust in the long term. Multicentric clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of this therapy for this and other conditions.

Need for head and neck repositioning to restore electrophysiological signal changes at positioning for cervical myelopathy surgery / Necesidad de recolocación de la cabeza y el cuello para revertir alteraciones neurofisiológicas intraoperatorias en el posicionamiento para cirugía de mielopatía cervical

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of significant intraoperative electrophysiological signal changes during surgical positioning, and to assess the effectiveness of head and neck repositioning on the restoration of signals, among patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy.Material and methods: We used multimodal intraoperative monitoring (somatosensory [SEP] and motor evoked potentials [MEP] and spontaneous electromyography) before and after patients’ positioning in a consecutive cohort of 103 patients operated for symptomatic cervical myelopathy. Significant changes were defined as>50% attenuation in amplitude or>10% increase in latency of SEP, or abolishment or 50–80% attenuation of MEP.Results: Out of 103 patients (34.9% female, median age 54.5 years) 88 underwent laminectomy (85.4%) and 15 (14.6%) anterior approach. At the time of positioning, signal alterations occurred in 44 patients (42.7%), yet only 11 patients (10.7%) showed alarming changes. Immediate neck repositioning of these resulted in complete (n=6) or partial (n=4) restoration of potentials, yielding no postoperative deficits. The patient in which signals could not be restored after repositioning resulted in added postoperative deficit. The accuracy (true positives plus true negatives) of monitoring to detect new neurological deficits was 99.0% (102/103) for the entire cohort, and 100% (11/11) for those showing significant changes at the moment of positioning. Overall, only 1 patient, with non-significant SEP attenuation, experienced a new postoperative deficit, yielding a 0.97% rate of false negatives.Conclusion: Among patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy, 10.7% showed alarming electrophysiological signal changes at the time of positioning. Immediate repositioning of the neck resulted in near always restoration of potentials and avoidance of added neurological damage. Complete or partial restoration of potentials after(AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar la incidencia de alteraciones neurofisiológicas intraoperatorias graves en el momento del posicionamiento del paciente, y la efectividad de la recolocación del cuello para revertir dichos cambios en los pacientes que se intervienen de mielopatía cervical.Material y métodos: Se empleó una monitorización intraoperatoria multimodal (potenciales evocados sensoriales [PES], motores [PEM] y electromiografía) antes y después de colocar al paciente en posición, en una cohorte de 103 pacientes consecutivos operados de mielopatía cervical. Se consideraron cambios significativos (de alarma): una disminución >50% de la amplitud o un aumento >10% de la latencia de los PES, o la abolición o disminución >50-80% en amplitud de los PEM.Resultados: De los 103 pacientes (el 34,9% mujeres, mediana de edad: 54,5 años), a 88 se les realizó laminectomía (85,4%) y a 15 (14,6%) un abordaje anterior. En el momento del posicionamiento, ocurrieron alteraciones de señal en 44 pacientes (42,7%), aunque solo en 11 (10,7%) estas fueron significativas. La recolocación inmediata del cuello consiguió revertir la alteración de señal completa (n=6) o parcialmente (n=4), sin producirse déficits postoperatorios. El paciente en el cual la recolocación no consiguió restaurar los potenciales despertó con déficit neurológico añadido. La precisión (verdaderos positivos+verdaderos negativos) de la monitorización intraoperatoria para detectar déficits postoperatorios fue del 99% (102/103) para la cohorte completa y del 100% (11/11) para el subgrupo con alteraciones significativas. Globalmente, solo un paciente, que mostró cambios no significativos, despertó con nuevo déficit neurológico (0,97% de falsos negativos).Conclusión: El 10,7% de los pacientes intervenidos de mielopatía cervical mostraron cambios neurofisiológicos de alarma en el momento del posicionamiento quirúrgico. La inmediata recolocación del cuello revirtió dichos cambios (completa o parcialmente)(AU)

Need for head and neck repositioning to restore electrophysiological signal changes at positioning for cervical myelopathy surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of significant intraoperative electrophysiological signal changes during surgical positioning, and to assess the effectiveness of head and neck repositioning on the restoration of signals, among patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used multimodal intraoperative monitoring (somatosensory [SEP] and motor evoked potentials [MEP] and spontaneous electromyography) before and after patients' positioning in a consecutive cohort of 103 patients operated for symptomatic cervical myelopathy. Significant changes were defined as>50% attenuation in amplitude or>10% increase in latency of SEP, or abolishment or 50-80% attenuation of MEP. RESULTS: Out of 103 patients (34.9% female, median age 54.5 years) 88 underwent laminectomy (85.4%) and 15 (14.6%) anterior approach. At the time of positioning, signal alterations occurred in 44 patients (42.7%), yet only 11 patients (10.7%) showed alarming changes. Immediate neck repositioning of these resulted in complete (n=6) or partial (n=4) restoration of potentials, yielding no postoperative deficits. The patient in which signals could not be restored after repositioning resulted in added postoperative deficit. The accuracy (true positives plus true negatives) of monitoring to detect new neurological deficits was 99.0% (102/103) for the entire cohort, and 100% (11/11) for those showing significant changes at the moment of positioning. Overall, only 1 patient, with non-significant SEP attenuation, experienced a new postoperative deficit, yielding a 0.97% rate of false negatives. CONCLUSION: Among patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy, 10.7% showed alarming electrophysiological signal changes at the time of positioning. Immediate repositioning of the neck resulted in near always restoration of potentials and avoidance of added neurological damage. Complete or partial restoration of potentials after repositioning yielded no postoperative deficits.

Need for head and neck repositioning to restore electrophysiological signal changes at positioning for cervical myelopathy surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of significant intraoperative electrophysiological signal changes during surgical positioning, and to assess the effectiveness of head and neck repositioning on the restoration of signals, among patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used multimodal intraoperative monitoring (somatosensory [SEP] and motor evoked potentials [MEP] and spontaneous electromyography) before and after patients' positioning in a consecutive cohort of 103 patients operated for symptomatic cervical myelopathy. Significant changes were defined as>50% attenuation in amplitude or>10% increase in latency of SEP, or abolishment or 50-80% attenuation of MEP. RESULTS: Out of 103 patients (34.9% female, median age 54.5 years) 88 underwent laminectomy (85.4%) and 15 (14.6%) anterior approach. At the time of positioning, signal alterations occurred in 44 patients (42.7%), yet only 11 patients (10.7%) showed alarming changes. Immediate neck repositioning of these resulted in complete (n=6) or partial (n=4) restoration of potentials, yielding no postoperative deficits. The patient in which signals could not be restored after repositioning resulted in added postoperative deficit. The accuracy (true positives plus true negatives) of monitoring to detect new neurological deficits was 99.0% (102/103) for the entire cohort, and 100% (11/11) for those showing significant changes at the moment of positioning. Overall, only 1 patient, with non-significant SEP attenuation, experienced a new postoperative deficit, yielding a 0.97% rate of false negatives. CONCLUSION: Among patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy, 10.7% showed alarming electrophysiological signal changes at the time of positioning. Immediate repositioning of the neck resulted in near always restoration of potentials and avoidance of added neurological damage. Complete or partial restoration of potentials after repositioning yielded no postoperative deficits.

Importancia de la arteriografía cerebral y la monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria en la endarterectomía carotídea / Importance of cerebral angiography and intraoperative neuromonitoring in carotid endarterectomy

Cada vez es más frecuente indicar una endarterectomía carotídea en función de la información proporcionada por pruebas no invasivas, como la eco-Doppler, la angio-RM o la angio-TAC, obviando la necesidad de la arteriografía. Presentamos un caso de estenosis carotídea sintomática izquierda del 80% en la que la arteriografía cerebral constató la ausencia del segmento A1 derecho y llenado del territorio cerebral anterior bilateral solo desde el lado izquierdo. A los 90 segundos del pinzamiento de las arterias en el cuello se produjo una disminución brusca de la oximetría cerebral y de la amplitud de los potenciales somatosensoriales, que cedieron tras el despinzamiento inmediato. Se desestimó realizar la endarterectomía y se colocó un stent carotídeo sin complicaciones. Este caso ejemplifica la importancia de conocer el estado de la circulación cerebral distalmente a la estenosis. De haberse intentado realizar la endarterectomía sin tener en cuenta la información proporcionada por la arteriografía, posiblemente habría ocurrido una isquemia bihemisférica grave (AU)

It is an increasingly common practice to indicate a carotid endarterectomy procedure based on the information provided by non-invasive tests like Duplex ultrasound, MR angiography or CT angiography, thereby obviating the performance of a conventional cerebral angiography. We present a case of symptomatic left carotid artery 80% stenosis in which cerebral angiography showed absence of the right A1 segment and bilateral anterior cerebral artery territories that filled only from a left injection. Just 90 seconds after carotid artery clamping at the neck, brain oximetry and somatosensory evoked potentials significantly dropped, that recovered after immediate clamp removal. Endarterectomy was dismissed and a carotid stent was successfully placed. This case highlights the importance of knowing the dynamics of cerebral blood circulation distal to the stenosis. If endarterectomy had been attempted, unawareness of the information provided by the cerebral angiography would have likely result in severe bi-hemispheric ischemia (AU)

Importance of cerebral angiography and intraoperative neuromonitoring in carotid endarterectomy. / Importancia de la arteriografía cerebral y la monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria en la endarterectomía carotídea.

It is an increasingly common practice to indicate a carotid endarterectomy procedure based on the information provided by non-invasive tests like Duplex ultrasound, MR angiography or CT angiography, thereby obviating the performance of a conventional cerebral angiography. We present a case of symptomatic left carotid artery 80% stenosis in which cerebral angiography showed absence of the right A1 segment and bilateral anterior cerebral artery territories that filled only from a left injection. Just 90seconds after carotid artery clamping at the neck, brain oximetry and somatosensory evoked potentials significantly dropped, that recovered after immediate clamp removal. Endarterectomy was dismissed and a carotid stent was successfully placed. This case highlights the importance of knowing the dynamics of cerebral blood circulation distal to the stenosis. If endarterectomy had been attempted, unawareness of the information provided by the cerebral angiography would have likely result in severe bi-hemispheric ischemia.

Papel de la cirugía en el tratamiento de las espondilodiscitis espontáneas: experiencia en 83 casos consecutivos / Role of surgery in spontaneous spondylodiscitis: Experience in 83 consecutive patients

Objetivo: Describir y discutir el papel del tratamiento quirúrgico en la espondilodiscitis espontánea. Pacientes y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de resultados y complicaciones de una cohorte de pacientes intervenidos por espondilodiscitis espontánea (no posquirúrgica) de cualquier nivel espinal y etiología. Resultados: En el período 1995-2014 se trataron 83 pacientes (45% mujeres, edad mediana 66 años) con diagnóstico de espondilodiscitis (confirmación microbiológica en el 67,4%). Existió déficit neurológico preoperatorio en el 44,5%. El nivel más frecuentemente afectado fue el dorsal (54,2%). Los principales gérmenes aislados fueron Mycobacterium tuberculosis (22,9%), Staphylococcus aureus (20,5%) y SARM (7,2%). Se intervinieron 81 pacientes mediante: laminectomía simple y/o biopsia (22,2%), laminectomía, desbridamiento y artrodesis posterior (43,2%), y desbridamiento y fijación anterior (34,5%). El 86,7% de los pacientes intervenidos obtuvieron buena evolución postoperatoria (mejoría sintomática o del déficit). Se estabilizaron 7 pacientes y empeoraron 2. Aparecieron complicaciones en 35 pacientes, fundamentalmente derrame pleural (9), anemia (7) y necesidad de reintervención y desbridamiento (7). La mediana de estancia postoperatoria fue de 14 días. Tras un seguimiento medio de 8,5 meses se consideraron curados 46 pacientes, 10 presentaron secuelas, se perdieron 22 pacientes y 5 fallecieron. La cirugía no motivó reingresos. Conclusiones: Aunque la antibioterapia específica y prolongada es el tratamiento estándar, la cirugía permite obtener muestra para estudio microbiológico e histopatológico, desbridar el foco infeccioso y estabilizar la columna. En nuestra experiencia la utilización de material metálico de fijación acelera la recuperación y no predispone a ulteriores infecciones o a cronificación de las mismas

Objective: To describe and discuss the role of surgery in the management of spontaneous spondylodiscitis. Patients and methods: Retrospective review on the outcome and complications of a cohort of patients undergoing surgery for spontaneous (non-postoperative) spondylodiscitis of any spinal level or aetiology. Results: From 1995 to 2014, 83 patients (45% females, median age 66) with spondylodiscitis were treated. Microbiological confirmation was obtained in 67.4%. Forty-four percent of patients presented with neurological defect. The most common affected level was thoracic (54.2%). The most frequent isolations were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (229%), Staphylococcus aureus (20.5%) and MRSA (7.2%). Eighty-one patients underwent surgery: simple laminectomy and/or biopsy (22.2%), debridement and posterior fixation (43.2%) and debridement and anterior fixation (34.5%). Improvement of pain or neurological defect was achieved in 86.7% of the patients; 7 patients stabilized and 2 worsened. Complications occurred in 35 patients, mainly pleural effusion (9), anaemia (7) and need for re-debridement (7). Median postoperative stay was 14 days. After a median follow up of 8.5 months, 46 patients were considered completely cured, 10 presented sequelae, 22 patients were lost and 5 patients died. No readmissions occurred because of the infectious episode. Conclusions: Although prolonged and specific antibiotic therapy remains the mainstay of treatment in spontaneous spondylodiscitis, surgery provides samples for microbiological confirmation and histopathologic study, allows debridement of the infectious foci and stabilizes the spine. In our experience, the use of internal metallic fixation material accelerates recovery and does not predispose to chronic infection

[Role of surgery in spontaneous spondylodiscitis: Experience in 83 consecutive patients]. / Papel de la cirugía en el tratamiento de las espondilodiscitis espontáneas: experiencia en 83 casos consecutivos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and discuss the role of surgery in the management of spontaneous spondylodiscitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review on the outcome and complications of a cohort of patients undergoing surgery for spontaneous (non-postoperative) spondylodiscitis of any spinal level or aetiology. RESULTS: From 1995 to 2014, 83 patients (45% females, median age 66) with spondylodiscitis were treated. Microbiological confirmation was obtained in 67.4%. Forty-four percent of patients presented with neurological defect. The most common affected level was thoracic (54.2%). The most frequent isolations were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (229%), Staphylococcus aureus (20.5%) and MRSA (7.2%). Eighty-one patients underwent surgery: simple laminectomy and/or biopsy (22.2%), debridement and posterior fixation (43.2%) and debridement and anterior fixation (34.5%). Improvement of pain or neurological defect was achieved in 86.7% of the patients; 7 patients stabilized and 2 worsened. Complications occurred in 35 patients, mainly pleural effusion (9), anaemia (7) and need for re-debridement (7). Median postoperative stay was 14days. After a median follow up of 8.5 months, 46 patients were considered completely cured, 10 presented sequelae, 22 patients were lost and 5 patients died. No readmissions occurred because of the infectious episode. CONCLUSIONS: Although prolonged and specific antibiotic therapy remains the mainstay of treatment in spontaneous spondylodiscitis, surgery provides samples for microbiological confirmation and histopathologic study, allows debridement of the infectious foci and stabilizes the spine. In our experience, the use of internal metallic fixation material accelerates recovery and does not predispose to chronic infection.

Fundamentos y complicaciones del abordaje anterolateral extrapleural-retroperitoneal en fracturas inestables toracolumbares: experiencia en 86 pacientes consecutivos / Rationale and complications of the anterior-lateral extrapleural retroperitoneal approach for unstable thoracolumbar fractures: Experience in 86 consecutive patients

Objetivos: Describir los fundamentos, las ventajas, los inconvenientes y las complicaciones del abordaje anterolateral extrapleural-extraperitoneal en fracturas toracolumbares inestables (TLICSS>4). Pacientes y métodos: Se evalúan retrospectivamente datos clínicos y radiológicos, resultados y complicaciones de una cohorte intervenida mediante dicho abordaje. Todos los pacientes fueron intervenidos exclusivamente por 5 neurocirujanos entrenados en cirugía de columna. Resultados: Un total de 86 pacientes fueron intervenidos entre junio de 1999 y diciembre de 2015 (mediana de edad 42años y nivel más frecuente L1). El 32,5% presentaban defecto neurológico preoperatorio. Tras la intervención (duración media: 275min), el 75,6% quedaron sin secuelas neurológicas y solo un tercio de pacientes precisó transfusión. La estancia media postoperatoria fue de 7días. La corrección de la cifosis se consideró correcta y subóptima pero aceptable en el 91 y el 9% de los casos, respectivamente. Ocurrieron complicaciones en 36 pacientes, la gran mayoría transitorias. Se constataron 2 fallos de material (colapso de caja expansible y extrusión de tornillo de bloqueo). No ocurrieron infecciones, lesiones vasculares, lesiones viscerales, empeoramiento neurológico permanente ni mortalidad durante el ingreso. Un paciente precisó estabilización posterior tardía por persistencia del dolor. El seguimiento mediano fue de 252días (27,9% pérdidas). Conclusiones: El abordaje extrapleural-extraperitoneal proporciona una estabilización anterior sólida, permite una amplia descompresión del canal y una corrección adecuada y duradera de la cifosis. Las tasas de infección, fallo del material, necesidad de reoperación y lesiones vasculares o viscerales son mínimas

Objectives: To describe the rationale, pros and cons, and complications of the anterior-lateral extrapleural retroperitoneal approach for unstable (TLICS>4) thoracolumbar fractures. Patients and methods: Clinical and radiological data and outcomes from a cohort treated surgically via said approach were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were operated on exclusively by 5 neurosurgeons trained in spine surgery. Results: Between June 1999 and December 2015, 86 patients underwent surgery (median age 42years, most common level: L1). Approximately 32.5% presented with a preoperative neurological defect. After surgery (mean duration: 275minutes), 75.6% presented with no neurological sequelae and only one-third required blood transfusion. Median postoperative stay was 7days. Correction of kyphosis was considered adequate and suboptimal but acceptable in 91% and 9% of the patients, respectively. Complications occurred in 36 patients, the majority being transient. We observed failure of the construct in 2 cases (collapse of an expandable cage and extrusion of a locking screw). No infections, vascular or visceral lesions, permanent neurological worsening or mortality occurred during hospitalisation. One patient ultimately needed additional posterior fixation due to persistence of pain. Median follow-up was 252days (27.9% was lost to follow-up). Conclusions: The extrapleural extraperitoneal approach provides solid anterior reconstruction, allows wide decompression of the spinal canal, and permits adequate and long-lasting correction of kyphosis. The rates of infection, construct failure, need for reoperation and vascular or visceral lesions are minimal

Vertebrectomía total en bloque en tumores vertebrales: consideraciones técnicas y detalles quirúrgicos / Total en bloc spondylectomy for spinal tumours: Technical aspects and surgical details

Objetivo: Describir detalles quirúrgicos específicos y comentar algunas lecciones aprendidas, a partir de una serie de pacientes con tumores vertebrales a los que se les practicó una vertebrectomía total en bloque (VTB). Métodos: Presentamos una serie retrospectiva de casos. Se analizan variables clínicas, técnicas y de resultado. Resultados: Se intervinieron 10 pacientes (2000-2016) mediante VTB por tumor primario vertebral (osteosarcoma, condrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma y cordoma) o secundario (pulmón, mama, tiroides, esófago y meningioma). Según la clasificación de Tomita, 2 pacientes presentaban lesiones intracompartimentales y el resto extracompartimentales. Todos los pacientes mejoraron del dolor tras la cirugía. Nueve pacientes conservaron la capacidad de caminar en el postoperatorio y uno desarrolló paraplejía. Seis pacientes precisaron reoperaciones por desbridamiento de la herida quirúrgica, recidiva o revisión de la fijación. Otras complicaciones fueron neumotórax, derrame pleural y trombosis venosa. Cuatro pacientes sobreviven (tras 4 meses y hasta 15 años). El resto fallecieron por progresión del tumor primario (de 6,5 meses a 12 años). Se realiza una descripción detallada de los pasos quirúrgicos, consejos y dificultades de la técnica. Se comentan ciertas modificaciones de la técnica y otras cuestiones relativas a la resección. El respeto a ciertas consideraciones (selección de los candidatos, disección vertebral cuidadosa, control estricto del sangrado, manejo cuidadoso de la médula y mantenimiento del concepto de resección radical en todo momento) es clave para realizar con éxito esta intervención. Conclusión: La VTB es una intervención paradigmática en la que el concepto de resección radical implica efectividad funcional y mejora la supervivencia en pacientes seleccionados portadores de tumores vertebrales. Esta experiencia preliminar nos permite destacar algunas de sus características relevantes, especialmente aquellas dirigidas a simplificar la técnica y hacerla más segura

Objective: To describe the specific surgical details and report the lessons learned with a series of patients suffering from spinal tumours that underwent total en bloc spondylectomy (TES). Methods: A retrospective case series review is presented, together with an analysis of the clinical and technical variables, as well as the outcomes. Results: A total of 10 patients underwent TES (2000-2016) for primary (osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and chordoma) and secondary spinal tumours (lung, breast, thyroid, oesophagus, and meningioma metastases). According to the Tomita classification, 2 patients had intra-compartmental tumours, and the rest presented as extra-compartmental. All patients experienced an improvement in their pain level after surgery. Nine patients preserved ambulation post-operatively and one patient developed paraplegia. Six patients needed subsequent operations for wound debridement, tumour recurrence, or revision of the fixation. Other complications included pneumothorax, pleural effusion and venous thrombosis. Four patients remain alive (4 months to 15 years follow-up). The rest died due to primary tumour progression (6.5 months to 12 years). A detailed description of the surgical steps, tips, and pitfalls is provided. Modifications of the technique and adjuncts to resection are commented on. Observation of some considerations (selection of candidates, careful blunt vertebral dissection, strict blood loss control, careful handling of the spinal cord, and maintenance of the radical resection concept at all stages) is key for a successful operative performance. Conclusion: TES is a paradigmatic operation, in which the concept of radical resection provides functional effectiveness and improves survival in selected patients suffering from spinal tumours. Our preliminary experience allows us to highlight some specific and relevant features, especially those favouring a simpler and safer operation

[Rationale and complications of the anterior-lateral extrapleural retroperitoneal approach for unstable thoracolumbar fractures: Experience in 86 consecutive patients]. / Fundamentos y complicaciones del abordaje anterolateral extrapleural-retroperitoneal en fracturas inestables toracolumbares: experiencia en 86 pacientes consecutivos.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the rationale, pros and cons, and complications of the anterior-lateral extrapleural retroperitoneal approach for unstable (TLICS>4) thoracolumbar fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical and radiological data and outcomes from a cohort treated surgically via said approach were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were operated on exclusively by 5 neurosurgeons trained in spine surgery. RESULTS: Between June 1999 and December 2015, 86 patients underwent surgery (median age 42years, most common level: L1). Approximately 32.5% presented with a preoperative neurological defect. After surgery (mean duration: 275minutes), 75.6% presented with no neurological sequelae and only one-third required blood transfusion. Median postoperative stay was 7days. Correction of kyphosis was considered adequate and suboptimal but acceptable in 91% and 9% of the patients, respectively. Complications occurred in 36 patients, the majority being transient. We observed failure of the construct in 2 cases (collapse of an expandable cage and extrusion of a locking screw). No infections, vascular or visceral lesions, permanent neurological worsening or mortality occurred during hospitalisation. One patient ultimately needed additional posterior fixation due to persistence of pain. Median follow-up was 252days (27.9% was lost to follow-up). CONCLUSIONS: The extrapleural extraperitoneal approach provides solid anterior reconstruction, allows wide decompression of the spinal canal, and permits adequate and long-lasting correction of kyphosis. The rates of infection, construct failure, need for reoperation and vascular or visceral lesions are minimal.

[Total en bloc spondylectomy for spinal tumours: Technical aspects and surgical details]. / Vertebrectomía total en bloque en tumores vertebrales: consideraciones técnicas y detalles quirúrgicos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the specific surgical details and report the lessons learned with a series of patients suffering from spinal tumours that underwent total en bloc spondylectomy (TES). METHODS: A retrospective case series review is presented, together with an analysis of the clinical and technical variables, as well as the outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients underwent TES (2000-2016) for primary (osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and chordoma) and secondary spinal tumours (lung, breast, thyroid, oesophagus, and meningioma metastases). According to the Tomita classification, 2 patients had intra-compartmental tumours, and the rest presented as extra-compartmental. All patients experienced an improvement in their pain level after surgery. Nine patients preserved ambulation post-operatively and one patient developed paraplegia. Six patients needed subsequent operations for wound debridement, tumour recurrence, or revision of the fixation. Other complications included pneumothorax, pleural effusion and venous thrombosis. Four patients remain alive (4 months to 15 years follow-up). The rest died due to primary tumour progression (6.5 months to 12 years). A detailed description of the surgical steps, tips, and pitfalls is provided. Modifications of the technique and adjuncts to resection are commented on. Observation of some considerations (selection of candidates, careful blunt vertebral dissection, strict blood loss control, careful handling of the spinal cord, and maintenance of the radical resection concept at all stages) is key for a successful operative performance. CONCLUSION: TES is a paradigmatic operation, in which the concept of radical resection provides functional effectiveness and improves survival in selected patients suffering from spinal tumours. Our preliminary experience allows us to highlight some specific and relevant features, especially those favouring a simpler and safer operation.

Spinal cord herniation repair with microstaples: case report.

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is a relatively rare and frequently misdiagnosed condition. It preferentially affects women and causes progressive thoracic myelopathy that presents as a Brown-Séquard syndrome or as spastic paraparesis. Although its etiology and pathogenesis are controversial, ISCH is characterized by the presence of an anterior dural defect that allows the incarceration of a segment of the cord. Typically, a C-shaped ventral displacement and kinking of the cord are visible on sagittal MRI. Surgery aimed at stopping or reversing myelopathic symptoms is usually recommended for symptomatic patients. Surgical options include reduction of the hernia and direct suturing, or enlargement of the dural defect, with or without patching. Suturing under the cord in a very tight space can be troublesome and may lead to neurological deterioration. The authors present the case of a symptomatic ISCH in which nonpenetrating titanium microstaples were used to close the dural defect after cord reduction. The patient experienced a good outcome, and the follow-up MRI study showed adequate cord repositioning and stability of the suture. The use of microstaples, which allows for an easier and faster dural closure than conventional suturing, is a novel technical adjunct that has not been previously reported for this condition. In addition, microstaples produce minimal metallic artifact that does not hinder the quality of follow-up MR images.