Risk factors of revision operation and early revision for adjacent segment degeneration after lumbar fusion surgery: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) following lumbar fusion operation is common and can occur at varying timepoints after index surgery. An early revision operation for ASD, however, signifies a short symptom-free period and might increase the risk of successive surgeries. PURPOSE: We aimed to elucidate the overall risk factors associated with revision surgeries for ASD with distinct attention to early revisions. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective, case-control study. PATIENT SAMPLE: The study included 86 patients who underwent revision operations for ASD after lumbar fusion in the revision group and 166 patients who did not for at least 5 years after index surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sagittal parameters, Pfirrmann grading, facet degeneration grading, and disc space height (DSH) of adjacent segments were assessed. METHODS: Revision operations within 5 years postsurgery were defined as early revision. We compared the revision and no-revision groups as well as the early- and late-revision groups. RESULTS: The revision group demonstrated a significantly greater preoperative C7-S1 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) (p=.001), postoperative C7-S1 SVA (p<.001), and postoperative pelvic incidence (PI)-lumbar lordosis (LL) (p<.001) than those in the no-revision group. Preoperative DSH of the proximal adjunct segment (p=.001), postoperative PI-LL (p=.014), and postoperative C7-S1 SVA (p=.037) exhibited significant association with ASD in logistic regression analysis. The early-revision group had a significantly higher patient age (p=.001) and a greater number of levels fused (p=.030) than those in the late-revision group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that old age (p=.045), a significant number of levels fused (p=.047), and a narrow preoperative DSH of the proximal adjacent level (p=.011) were risk factors for early revision. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative sagittal imbalance, including significant PI-LL and C7-S1 SVA were risk factors for revision operation for ASD but not for early revision. These factors are likely to affect the long-term risk of revision operation due to ASD and thus are not considered risk factors for early revision. Narrow DSH of the proximal adjacent level increased the risks of both revision and early revision surgeries. Moreover, old age and a significant number of levels fused further increased the risk for early revision for ASD.

Symptoms and signs possibly indicating segmental, discogenic pain. A fusion study with 18 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Only two out of the five existing randomized studies have reported better results from fusion surgery for chronic low back pain (CLBP) compared to conservative treatment. In these studies the back symptoms of the patients were described simply as "chronic low back pain". One possible reason for the modest results of surgery is the lack of a description of specified symptoms that might be related to a painful segment/disc, and patient selection may therefore be more or less a matter of chance. Previous prospective studies including facet joint injections and discography and eventually MRI have failed to identify patients with a painful segment/disc that will benefit from fusion surgery. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to analyse in detail the pre-operative symptoms and signs presented by patients who showed substantial relief from their back pain following spinal fusion surgery with the aim of possibly finding a pain pattern indicating segmental, discogenic pain. METHODS: We analysed 40 consecutive patients, mean age 41 years, with a history of disabling low back pain for a mean of 7.7 years. Before surgery the patients completed a detailed questionnaire concerning various aspects of their back pain, and findings at clinical examination were thoroughly noted. Monosegmental posterior lumbar interbody fusion without internal fixation was performed using microsurgical technique. Outcome was assessed at 1, 2 and 4 years after surgery and finally at 18 years, using self-reporting measures and assessment by an independent examiner. Assessment at 18 years applied the Balanced Inventory for Spinal Disorders Questionnaire and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. RESULTS: According to the independent observer's assessment at two years 27 of the 40 patients were much improved. Analysis of the pre-operative depiction of the back symptoms of this group revealed a rather uniform pattern, the most important being: dominating back pain originating in the midline of the spine, with a dull, aching character and stabbing pain in the same area provoked by sudden movements. Most patients in this group also had diffuse pain radiation of various extension down one or both legs and often bladder dysfunction with frequency. At clinical examination, localized interspinal tenderness was observed within the spinal area in question and the patient's back pain was provoked by pressure in that area and by tapping a neighbouring spinous process. At 18 years after surgery 19 patients assessed themselves as much improved. At that time 5 of them had pension due to age, 7 early pension, one worked full time and six patients part time. Eleven patients were re-operated due to defect bony healing. CONCLUSIONS: The results may suggest that the use of a detailed symptom analysis and clinical examination may make it possible to select a subgroup of patients within the CLBP group likely to have better outcome following fusion surgery. IMPLICATIONS: The next step would be to execute prospective studies and if our findings concerning back pain details and signs among CLPB patients can be confirmed this can provide for more accurate selection of patients suitable for fusion surgery.

Clinical observation and efficacy on lumbar interbody fusion for spine pelvic sagittal balance / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical therapeutic effect of lumbar fusion in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases in the spine pelvic sagittal balance. Methods From June 2009 to June 2012,the clinical data of 92 cases with lumbar degenerative diseases ac-cepted lumbar spinal fusion operation in our hospital was collected. The contrast lumbar lordosis ( LL) ,lumbar sagittal vertical axis ( SVA) , pelvic incidence angle ( PI) ,sacral inclination angle ( SS) ,pelvic tilt angle ( PT) and other numerical parameters,using the Oswestry disabil-ity index ( ODI) ,visual analogue scale ( VAS) and the Japan Society of Department of orthopedics ( JOA) score were followed up two years after operation,and the postoperative effect was evaluated. Results The spinal pelvic parameters SVA,LL,SS and PT after surgery were changed obviously,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0. 05). The postoperative follow-up of VAS,ODI and JOA score were better than that of preoperation,the difference was significant(P<0. 05). Conclusion Lumbar fusion operation can restore lumbar lordosis, to maintain the spine pelvic sagittal balance and improve the effect of operation,and have positive significance to improve the postoperative symptoms.

Deep Vein Thrombosis after Fusion Operation of Osteoporotic Spinal Compression Fracture / 대한골다공증학회지

The risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is well studied for some orthopedic surgery. However, the incidence of postoperative DVT is less well-defined in patients who have spinal surgery. In addition, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that screening patients before spinal surgery and to use of prophylactic method such as anticoagulants, compression stockings, and pneumatic compression device. We experienced a 78-year-old female patient of DVT after fusion operation with pedicular screws in T12 osteoporotic compression fracture. As risk of DVT after major spinal surgery is fairly low, it seems reasonable to consider prophylactic management after spinal surgery in old aged patients with difficult ambulation.