[Comparative analysis of the results of microdiscectomy and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of adjacent-level intervertebral disc herniations with lumbosacral transitional vertebra in elderly patients.]

The purpose of the study was a comparative analysis the effectiveness of microsurgical discectomy and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of disk herniation adjacent to the anomaly of the lumbosacral junction segment in elderly patients. The study included 80 elderly patients (over 60 years old), divided into two groups: the 1st-(n=39) who underwent microsurgical discectomy; the 2nd- patients (n=41) operated on using minimally invasive transforaminal interbody fusion and percutaneous transpedicular stabilization (MI-TLIF). For the comparative analysis, we used gender characteristics (gender, age), constitutional characteristics (BMI), degree of physical status according to ASA, intraoperative parameters of interventions and the specificity of postoperative patient management, clinical data, and the presence of complications. Long-term outcomes were assessed at a minimum follow-up of 3 years. As a result, it was found that the use of MI-TLIF allows achieving better long-term clinical outcomes, fewer major complications in comparison with the microsurgical discectomy technique in the treatment of disc herniation adjacent to the anomaly of the lumbosacral junction segment in elderly patients.

[Analysis of the results of laser destruction of the articular branch of the obturator nerve in elderly and senile patients with degenerative coxarthrosis.]

The aim of the study was to analyze the results of the use of laser destruction of the articular branch of the obturator nerve in elderly and senile patients with degenerative coxarthrosis. The results of treatment of 34 patients over 65 years of age with symptomatic degenerative diseases of the hip joint (HJD) and somatic contraindications for total hip arthroplasty have been prospectively studied. In the study group, in the period from 2017 to 2019, laser destruction of the articular branch of the obturator nerve (970 nm, frequency 9 Hz and power 3 W in a total dose of 100 J) was carried out. The average follow-up was 12 months. To assess the effectiveness of surgical treatment, the dynamics of the pain syndrome in the hip joint was analyzed according to the visual analogue scale, the quality of life according to the SF-36 questionnaire, the functional state of the hip joint according to the W.H.Harris scale and the presence perioperative surgical complications. As a result, it was found that the use of laser destruction of the articular branch of the obturator nerve in degenerative coxarthrosis in elderly and senile patients (if total hip arthroplasty was not possible) made it possible to significantly reduce the level of preoperative pain syndrome, restore the quality of life and improve the functional state of patients with low risks of surgical complications.

[Analysis of the results of surgical treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia using laser destruction of the sensitive root in elderly and senile patients.]

The aim of the study was to analyze the results of surgical treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia using laser destruction of the sensitive root in elderly and senile patients. The results of treatment of 25 patients older than 65 years with conservative treatment-resistant trigeminal pain who underwent laser destruction of the sensitive trigeminal root (970 nm, 9 Hz and 3 W power in a total dose of 100 J) in the period from 2018-2019 were prospectively studied. The average follow-up was 12 months. As a result, a significant decrease in the intensity of pain on the scale of facial pain was found from 87 (83,5; 91,5) mm to 15,5 (12,5; 18,5) mm (p=0,002) in the long-term period. On average, 12 months after the operation, a significant improvement in the indicators of the physical and psychological components of health was revealed on the SF-36 questionnaire (p=0,02 and p=0,01, respectively). In the follow-up on the Macnab scale, predominantly excellent (n=23; 92%) and good (n=2; 8%) treatment results were noted. Registered 1 (4%) perioperative complication and 2 (8%) adverse effects of anesthesiology benefits. Thus, the use of laser denervation of the sensitive root in primary trigeminal neuralgia in elderly and senile patients can significantly reduce the level of preoperative pain and improve the quality of life, with low risks of adverse effects.

[Evaluation of the results of using the accelerated recovery program after performing two-level lumbar spinal fusion in patients of an older age group.]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of using the accelerated recovery program after performing two-level lumbar spinal fusion in patients of an older age group. The results of surgical treatment of 29 patients older than 65 years with multisegmental degenerative diseases of the lumbar region, who performed minimally invasive two-level rigid stabilization using the concept of «accelerated recovery program¼ (PAR), were retrospectively studied. We studied the technical features of surgical interventions, the specificity of the postoperative period, the number of adverse outcomes of anesthetic benefits and perioperative surgical complications, the frequency of repeated hospitalizations for 90 days. Clinical parameters were used to evaluate the effectiveness of PAR: the level of pain in the area of operation according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) during hospitalization, the quality of life of patients on the SF-36 questionnaire, and patient satisfaction with the result of treatment using the Macnab scale. As a result, it was established that the introduced PAR after performing two-level lumbar spinal fusion in patients of an older age group provides the minimum number of adverse consequences of anesthesiological aid and perioperative surgical complications, a significant restoration of the quality of life and high patient satisfaction with the treatment.