Intraoperative pain prediction of percutaneous kyphoplasty under local anesthesia by preoperative experimental pain assessment.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is the preferred treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) Currently, the preoperative anesthesia methods for PKP are mainly local anesthesia and tracheal intubation general anesthesia. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patient sensitivity to pain measured preoperatively could predict the patients' pain response during PKP treatment under local anesthesia, to facilitate the development of an optimal preoperative anesthesia plan for patients. METHODS: Fifty-five female patients diagnosed with osteoporotic single vertebral fracture who were treated with PKP under local anesthesia were selected. The patients' pain sensitivities, including pain threshold and pain tolerance threshold, were evaluated with a pain test device on the day before the operation in the ward. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded before anesthesia, post-anesthesia, after needle puncture, and after balloon dilatation. At the same time, blood was drawn at the above time points to determine the level of norepinephrine (NA) as an indicator of intraoperative pain stress response. The numerical rating scale (NRS) during surgery was recorded at the end of the surgery. RESULTS: The preoperative pain tolerance threshold of 55 surgical patients was correlated with the intraoperative NRS score (r=-0.768, P< 0.001), as well as with the preoperative and intraoperative changes in HR (r=-0.791, P< 0.001), MAP (r=-0.819, P< 0.001), and NA (r=-0.553, P< 0.001). Thus, the lower the preoperative pain tolerance threshold, the more severe the patient's response to pain during PKP treatment under local anesthesia, and the greater the hemodynamic changes. Consequently, the intraoperative experience becomes worse. However, there was no correlation between preoperative pain threshold and NRS scores (r=-0.069, P= 0.616) nor between the preoperative and intraoperative changes in HR (r= 0.103, P= 0.453), MAP (r= 0.086, P= 0.535), and NA (r=-0.058, P= 0.674). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that preoperative pain assessment could predict the level of pain response in OVCF patients during PKP surgery under local anesthesia.

Comparison of unipedicular and bipedicular kyphoplasty for treating acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the lower lumbar spine: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Unipedicular and bipedicular approaches for percutaneous kyphoplasty are reportedly both effective in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). However, most studies have reported thoracolumbar fractures, with few reports describing the treatment of the lower lumbar spine. Here, we compared the clinical and radiological results of unipedicular and bipedicular approaches for percutaneous kyphoplasty for treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 160 patients who underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty for lower lumbar (L3-L5) osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures between January 2016 and January 2020. Patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, operation time, blood loss, clinical and radiological features, and complications were compared between two groups. Cement leakage, height restoration, and cement distribution were calculated from the radiographs. Visual pain analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were calculated before surgery, immediately post-surgery, and 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age, sex, body mass index, injury time, segmental distribution, and morphological classification of fractures before surgery did not differ significantly between the groups. The results showed significant improvements in the VAS score, ODI score, and vertebral height restoration in each group (p < 0.05), with no significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). The mean operation time and extent of blood loss were lower in the unipedicular group than those in the bipedicular group (p < 0.05). Different types of bone cement leakage were observed in both groups. Leakage rate was higher in the bipedicular group than in the unipedicular group. Patients in the bipedicular group showed greater improvement in bone cement distribution than those in the unipedicular group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and radiological results of unipedicular percutaneous kyphoplasty for treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the lower lumbar region were similar to those of bipedicular percutaneous kyphoplasty. However, the unipedicular approach resulted in shorter surgical time, less blood loss, and less bone cement leakage. Thus, the unipedicular approach may be preferable owing to its several advantages.

Percutaneous mesh-container-plasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of Kümmell's disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Both percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and percutaneous mesh-container-plasty (PMCP) were important procedures for the treatment of Kümmell's disease. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological results of PKP and PMCP for the treatment of Kümmell's disease. METHODS: This study included patients with Kümmell's disease treated at our center between January 2016 and December 2019. A total of 256 patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical treatment they received. Clinical, radiological, epidemiological, and surgical data were compared between the two groups. Cement leakage, height restoration, deformity correction, and distribution were evaluated. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and short-form 36 health survey domains "role-physical" (SF-36 rp) and "bodily pain" (SF-36 bp) were calculated preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and 1-year postoperatively. RESULTS: The VAS and ODI scores improved in the PKP [preoperative: 6 (6-7), 68.75 ± 6.64; postoperative: 2 (2-3), 23.25 ± 3.50, respectively] (p < 0.05) and the PMCP [preoperative: 6 (5-7), 67.70 ± 6.50; postoperative: 2 (2-2), 22.24 ± 3.55, respectively] groups (p < 0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups. The mean cost in the PKP group was lower than that in the PMCP group (3697 ± 461 vs. 5255 ± 262 USD, p < 0.05). The cement distribution in the PMCP group was significantly higher than that in the PKP group (41.81 ± 8.82% vs. 33.65 ± 9.24%, p < 0.001). Cement leakage was lower in the PMCP group (23/134) than in the PKP group (35/122) (p < 0.05). The anterior vertebral body height ratio (AVBHr) and Cobb's angle improved in the PKP (preoperative: 70.85 ± 16.62% and 17.29 ± 9.78°; postoperative: 80.28 ± 13.02% and 13.05 ± 8.40°, respectively) and PMCP (preoperative: 70.96 ± 18.01% and 17.01 ± 10.53°; postoperative: 84.81 ± 12.96% and 10.76 ± 9.23°, respectively) groups (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in vertebral body height recovery and segmental kyphosis improvement between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: PMCP had advantages over PKP in terms of pain relief and functional recovery for the treatment of Kümmell's disease. Moreover, PMCP is more effective than PKP in preventing cement leakage, increasing cement distribution, and improving vertebral height and segmental kyphosis, despite its higher cost.

Percutaneous mesh-container-plasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of malignant thoracolumbar compression fractures: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological results of percutaneous mesh-container-plasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of malignant thoracolumbar compression fractures. METHODS: Patients with malignant thoracolumbar compression fractures treated in a single tertiary care center between January 2011 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study. Ninety-four patients who were diagnosed by pathological biopsy were divided into 2 groups according to the type of surgical treatment: the percutaneous kyphoplasty group (50 patients: 24 male, 26 female; mean age=73.02 ± 7.79 years) and the percutaneous mesh-container-plasty group (44 patients: 21 male, 23 female; mean age=74.68 ± 7.88 years). The epidemiological data, surgical outcomes, and clinical and radiological features were compared between the 2 groups. Cement leakage, height restoration, deformity correction, and cement distribution were calculated from the radiographs. The visual analog scale, Oswestry disability index, Karnofsky performance scale scores, and short-form 36 health survey domains role physi cal and bodily pain were calculated preoperatively, immediately, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The visual analog scale score improved from 5 (range=4-6) preoperatively to 2 (range=2-3) immediately postoperatively in the percutaneous kyphoplasty group and from 5 (range=4-6) preoperatively to 2 (range=2-2) immediately postoperatively in the percutane ous mesh-container-plasty group; there was a significant difference between the 2 groups (P=.018). Although Oswestry disability index, Karnofsky performance scale, short-form 36 health survey domains bodily pain and role physical significantly improved in both groups after surgery compared to the preoperative period, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > .05). The mean cost in the percutaneous kyphoplasty group was lower than that in the percutaneous mesh-container-plasty group (5563 ± 439 vs. 6569 ± 344 thousand dollars, P < .05). There was no difference between the cement volume in the 2 groups, and cement distribution in the percutaneous mesh-container-plasty group was higher than that in the percutaneous kyphoplasty group (44.30% ± 10.25% vs. 32.54% ± 11.76%, P < .05). Cement leakage was found to be lesser in the percutaneous mesh-container-plasty group (7/44) than in the percutane ous kyphoplasty group (18/50, P < .05). There were no statistically significant differences in the recovery of vertebral body height and improvement of segmental kyphosis between the 2 groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous kyphoplasty and percutaneous mesh-container-plasty both have significant abilities in functional recovery, height restoration, and segment kyphosis improvement in treating malignant thoracolumbar compression fractures. Percutaneous mesh container-plasty may be better able to relieve pain, inhibit cement leakage, and improve cement distribution than percutaneous kypho plasty. However, percutaneous mesh-container-plasty requires a relatively longer procedure and is more expensive than percutaneous kyphoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Study.

Safety and efficacy studies of kyphoplasty, mesh-container-plasty, and pedicle screw fixation plus vertebroplasty for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral burst fractures.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), percutaneous mesh-container-plasty (PMCP), and pedicle screw fixation plus vertebroplasty (PSFV) were three methods for osteoporotic vertebral burst fractures (OVBF). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of PKP, PMCP, and PSFV for OVBFs. METHODS: This retrospective study included 338 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar OVBFs who underwent PKP (n = 111), PMCP (n = 109), or PSFV (n = 118) and compared their epidemiological data, surgical outcomes, and clinical and radiological features. Clinical evaluations of VAS and ODI and radiological evaluations of height restoration, deformity correction, cement leakage, and canal compromise were calculated preoperatively, postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Cement leakage (31/111 vs. 13/109 and 16/118, P < 0.05) was significantly higher in group PKP than in groups PSFV and PMCP. VAS and ODI scores improved postoperatively from 7.04 ± 1.15 and 67.11 ± 13.49 to 2.27 ± 1.04 and 22.00 ± 11.20, respectively, in group PKP (P < 0.05); from 7.04 ± 1.29 and 67.26 ± 12.79 to 2.17 ± 0.98 and 21.01 ± 7.90, respectively, in group PMCP (P < 0.05); and from 7.10 ± 1.37 and 67.36 ± 13.11 to 3.19 ± 1.06 and 33.81 ± 8.81, respectively, in the PSFV group (P < 0.05). Moreover, postoperative VAS and ODI scores were significantly higher in group PSFV than in groups PKP and PMCP (P < 0.05). However, VAS scores were not significantly different in the three groups 2 years postoperatively (P > 0.05). Postoperative anterior (81.04 ± 10.18% and 87.51 ± 8.94% vs. 93.46 ± 6.42%, P < 0.05) and middle vertebral body height ratio (83.01 ± 10.16% and 87.79 ± 11.62% vs. 92.38 ± 6.00%, P < 0.05) were significantly higher in group PSFV than in groups PMCP and PKP. Postoperatively, Cobb angle (10.04 ± 4.26° and 8.16 ± 5.76° vs. 4.97 ± 4.60°, P < 0.05) and canal compromise (20.76 ± 6.32 and 19.85 ± 6.18 vs. 10.18 ± 6.99, P < 0.05) were significantly lower in group PSFV than in groups PMCP and PKP. CONCLUSION: Despite relatively worse radiological results, PMCP is a safe and minimally invasive surgical method that can obtain better short-term clinical results than PKP and PSFV for OVBFs.

Radiographic analysis of the correlation between ossification of the nuchal ligament and sagittal alignment and segmental stability of the cervical spine in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

BACKGROUND: Ossification of the nuchal ligament (ONL) caused by chronic injury to the nuchal ligament (NL) is very common in instability-related cervical disorders. PURPOSE: To determine possible correlations between ONL, sagittal alignment, and segmental stability of the cervical spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and ONL (ONL group) and 118 patients with CSM only (control group) were recruited. Radiographic data included the characteristics of ONL, sagittal alignment and segmental stability, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). We performed comparisons in terms of radiographic parameters between the ONL and control groups. The correlations between ONL size, cervical sagittal alignment, and segmental stability were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the independent risk factors of the development of ONL. RESULTS: C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 slope (T1S), T1S minus cervical lordosis (T1S-CL) on the lateral plain, angular displacement (AD), and horizontal displacement (HD) on the dynamic radiograph increased significantly in the ONL group compared with the control group. The size of ONL significantly correlated with C2-C7 SVA, T1S, AD, and HD. The incidence of ONL was higher in patients with OPLL and segmental instability. Cervical instability, sagittal malalignment, and OPLL were independent predictors of the development of ONL through multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with ONL are more likely to have abnormal sagittal alignment and instability of the cervical spine. Thus, increased awareness and appreciation of this often-overlooked radiographic finding is warranted during diagnosis and treatment of instability-related cervical pathologies and injuries.

Anterior discectomy could still be an alternative to corpectomy in highly migrated cervical disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE: For cases of cervical disc herniation, highly migrated cervical disc (HMCD) is clinically rare and usually treated with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). This study aims to analyze the feasibility of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the patients with HMCD. METHOD: Clinical data of 32 patients with HMCD treated with ACDF or ACCF were retrospectively reviewed. Migration distances of the disc prolapses were measured. The mJOA score was used to evaluate surgical effect. RESULTS: ACDF was successful in 27 patients while ACCF was used for the remaining 5 because of epidural disc prolapse adhesion or unreachable migrated fragments. Complete spinal cord decompression without residual disc fragments was observed in postoperative MRI of all cases. The mean migration distance of the disc prolapses in ACDF group was 7.3 mm, comparing to 11.4 mm in ACCF group. No disc prolapse in ACDF group exceeded the axial length of the vertebral bodies while three of five in ACCF group did. Preoperative mean mJOA scores in ACDF group and ACCF group were 8.20 ± 2.75 and 6.10 ± 2.15, respectively. Postoperative mean mJOA scores in those two groups were significantly improved to 14.70 ± 1.55 (p < .001) and 12.80 ± 1.72 (p < .001), with an improvement rate of 72.80 ± 4.76% and 62.90 ± 9.46%, respectively. CONCLUSION: ACDF is feasible for patients with HMCD except for cases of epidural disc prolapse adhesion or huge disc prolapse which migrates over the axial length of the vertebral body. Clinical symptoms can be significantly improved with few serious complications in those patients including ones underwent alternative ACCF due to a failed ACDF.