[Clinical study on unilateral pedicle screw fixation and interbody fusion for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases under Quadrant system].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of unilateral pedicle screw fixation (uni-PS) assisted by Quadrant system and bilateral pedicle screw fixation (bi-PS) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. METHODS: From October 2008 to October 2010,102 patients with lower back pain, unilateral lower limb radiating pain or paraesthesia were treated with pedicle screw fixation and lumbar interbody fusion. There were 67 males and 35 females with an average age of 51.5 years ranging from 34 to 69 years. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (group A and group B) according to the internal fixation type. The patients of group A (n=50) underwent with minimally transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and unilateral pedicle screw fixation with one single cage placement assisted by Quadrant system;and the patients of group B (n = 52) underwent with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and bilateral pedicle screw fixation with one single cage placement. There were no significant differences between two groups in general information (P > 0.05). VAS score and ODI score system were used to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative pain and function recovery. Operative time, volume of blood loss, fusion rate and complication rate were compared and analyzed by statistical test. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up from 12 to 21 months with an average of 18.2 months. In the group A,operative time and volume of blood loss were (87.6 +/- 25.5) min and (105.7 +/- 27.2) ml, respectively; VAS score of low back pain and leg pain, ODI score decreased respectively from preoperative 7.2 +/- 1.4, 7.9 +/- 1.1, 42.2 +/- 11.8 to 3.2 +/- 0.6, 3.0 +/- 0.7,15.6 +/- 2.3 at one month after operation; the fusion rate was 96.0% (48/50) and the complication rate was 4.00% (2/50). In the group B,operative time and volume of blood loss were (160.3 +/- 20.5) min and (220.6 +/- 25.5) ml, respectively; VAS score of low back pain and leg pain, ODI score decreased respectively from preoperative 7.3 +/- 1.1, 8.1 +/- 0.9, 43.1 +/- 12.0 to 3.3 +/- 0.4, 3.2 +/- 0.3, 14.9 +/- 2.6; the fusion rate was 96.2% (50/52) and the compli- cation rate was 5.77% (3/52). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in fusion rate, complication rate, VAS pain and ODI score. Whereas the operative time and blood loss in group A were significantly lower than that of group B. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive unilateral pedicle screw fixation is a safe and feasible method for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. It is as effective as the bilateral fixation in lumbar spinal fusion. In addition, it has the advantages of short operative time, less volume of blood loss, high fusion rate, etc.

[A new type of emergency trauma fracture external fixator--the development of spraying dextran-based polyurethane external splints].

A new production method of spraying dextran-based polyurethane external splints is introduced in this paper. The main raw material components are polymethylene polyisocyanate (PAPI), mixed with surfactants, acetone, soluble starch, catalyst, and so on. The splint is used for temporary fixing after fracture, with small size, light weight, easy portability, fine air perviousness, completely transparent to the X-ray. It also needs a shorter fixed operating time. It can not only fix quickly and effectively the vertebral column and limbs, but also significantly shorten the time of pre-hospital care.

[Allogenous bone plate reconstructing spinal channel and grafting in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture with paraplegia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the method of the allogenous bone plate reconstructing the spinal channel and grafting in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture with paraplegia. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture with paraplegia were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 18 to 56 (average, 38). The vertebral injury involved T11 in 3 patients, T12 in 10 patients, L1 in 14 patients, L2 in 7 patients, and L3 in 2 patients. Neurological deficits were classified by the Frankel grading. There were 9 patients in grade A, 11 patients in grade B, 13 patients in grade C, and 3 patients in grade D. All the patients were treated with the anterior approach, decompression of the spinal channel, interbody graft, and internal fixation. The grafting materials consisted of the allogenous femoral bone plate that was decreased in advance and implanted in the intervertebral posterior region, with cut ribs and bone mills during the decompression. RESULTS: Postoperative CT scanning showed clearance of the spinal cord compression and expansion of the spine channel. During the follow-up period averaged 2 years, almost all the patients showed an improvement in the neurological function. Spinal fusion occurred in 32 patients. There was no screw loosened or broken. Only 1 patient failed to achieve the fusion. CONCLUSION: The anterior approach, allograft bone plate reconstructing the spine channel is a safe and effective method in treatment of the thoracolumbar burst fracture with paraplegia, which may be a replacement of the autogenous iliac bone graft.

[Intracystic allograft in management of long bone cyst merging pathologic fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of intracystic allograft fixed with bone plate and steel plate in management of long bone cyst merging pathologic fracture. METHODS: Twelve cases of long bone cysts with pathologic fractures were treated from January 1996 to April 2002. The median dimension of the cyst on the radiograph was 3. 6 cm x 8.1 cm. We regularly revealed the sites of cysts, cut the anterior wall, got cystic membrane away, implanted allo-bone fibula, ulna or radius shafts which were defatted and deproteined. The auto-bone and the allo-bone of all cases were fixed with bone plate and steel plate; external fixation was managed for 3 weeks after operation. RESULTS: All incisions achieved primary healing. All cases were followed up 2. 7 years on average. According to Capanna's standard, 9 cases completely healed, 3 cases basically healed, no cases recurred. The function in shoulder joint was slightly limited in 2 cases that cysts were located on the upper humerus, while that of the other 10 cases were recovered completely. CONCLUSION: Intracystic allograft fixed with bone plate and steel plate is safe and effective in management of long bone cyst merging pathologic fracture.