One-stage posterior debridement and single-segment interbody fusion for treating mono-segmental lumbar and lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis in adults following minimum 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the mid-long-term outcomes of surgical management of mono-segmental lumbar and lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis (TB) in adults by one-stage posterior debridement, single-segment fixation, and titanium mesh cage interbody fusion. METHODS: A total of 62 patients with mono-segmental lumbar or lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis were enrolled. One-stage posterior debridement, single-segment fixation, and titanium mesh cage interbody fusion was performed. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients were followed-up for an average of 75.0 ± 11.5 months and completely cured at the final follow-up. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) returned to normal within three months postoperatively. Postoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability index (ODI) were significantly improved compared with preoperative values. Bony fusion occurred after an average of 9.8 ± 2.6 months. The lordosis angle and lumbosacral angle were increased from preoperative 20.4 ± 2.9° and 14.7 ± 3.4° to postoperative 32.8 ± 3.6° and 22.4 ± 5.5°, with angle loss of 1.0 ± 0.7° and 0.8 ± 0.7° at the final follow-up, respectively. No significant differences between preoperative and postoperative adjacent segment disc height (DH) were found. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage posterior debridement, single-segment fixation, and titanium mesh cage interbody fusion represent effective and feasible treatment option for mono-segmental lumbar and lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis in adults. This approach may preserve lumbar normal motor units and decrease adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) with the advantages of minimal invasiveness and rapid postoperative rehabilitation.

[Progress in treatment of unstable atlas fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the progress in treatment of unstable atlas fracture, the existing problems, and the research direction. METHODS: Related literature at home and abroad was reviewed. The stability evaluation of atlas fracture and treatment methods were introduced, and the selection of surgical approach and fixation instruments in treatment of unstable atlas fracture were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: At present, atlas fractures are considered as unstable fractures except single anterior arch fractures with complete transverse ligament or simple posterior arch fractures. The treatment of unstable atlas fracture has been developed from nonsurgical treatment and traditional fusion surgery to single-segment fixation. Nonsurgical treatment is less effective, while traditional fusion surgery has a disadvantage of limited the motion of the upper cervical spine. Single-segment fixation can not only restore and fix the fracture, but also preserve the upper cervical motion function. Single-segment fixation approaches include posterior and transoral approaches, and the fixation instruments are being constantly improved, mainly including screw-rod system, screw-plate system, and plate system. CONCLUSION: For unstable atlas fracture, single-segment fixation is an ideal surgical method, and has more advantages when compared with nonsurgical treatment and traditional fusion surgery. Single-segment fixation via transoral approach is more direct for atlas anterior arch fracture reduction, but there is a high risk of infection; and single-segment fixation via posterior approach is less effective for the reduction of atlas anterior arch fracture. Therefore, a better reduction method should be explored.

[Research progress on reatment of unstable atlas fracture with single-segment fixation by transoral approach].

As a common type of fracture in cervical, atlas fracture is frequently unstable due to its special anatomical structure. In a previous treatment, external fixation was likely to bring low bony union rate and long-term neck pain, while occipito-cervical fusion and atlantoaxial fusion sacrifice range of motion in cervical spine. Reduction and single section fixation of atlas by anterior lateral mass screws through the transoral approach were reported by some scholars, and the retrospective study demonstrated the high healing rate, reservation of cervical ROM and less bleeding. But it also has high risks of cervical spinal cord and vertebral artery damage, as well as the post-operation infection. Moreover, the indication and fixation strength require further evidences. As a result, this surgical option provides a new way for spinal surgeons to deal with unstable atlas fractures.

Research progress on reatment of unstable atlas fracture with single-segment fixation by transoral approach / 中国骨伤

As a common type of fracture in cervical, atlas fracture is frequently unstable due to its special anatomical structure. In a previous treatment, external fixation was likely to bring low bony union rate and long-term neck pain, while occipito-cervical fusion and atlantoaxial fusion sacrifice range of motion in cervical spine. Reduction and single section fixation of atlas by anterior lateral mass screws through the transoral approach were reported by some scholars, and the retrospective study demonstrated the high healing rate, reservation of cervical ROM and less bleeding. But it also has high risks of cervical spinal cord and vertebral artery damage, as well as the post-operation infection. Moreover, the indication and fixation strength require further evidences. As a result, this surgical option provides a new way for spinal surgeons to deal with unstable atlas fractures.

Clinical effect of pedicle screw single segment fixation through paravertebral muscles on treating patients with thoracolumbar fracture / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the methods and clinical outcome of the operative treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with pedicle screw single segment fixation and the approach through paravertebral muscles.Methods One hundred and twenty patients were selected as our subjects,who were suffered from thoracolumbar fracture without neurological deficit and underwent surgical treatment in the Central Hospital of Zibo from Jan.2009 to Dec.2010.All cases were randomly divided into mini-invasion group and control group.Patients in mini-invasion group were received the single segment fixation of the spatium intermusculare of longissimus muscle and multifidus,and in control group were received the traditional approach with short segment fixation group.The muscle gap approach along the longest muscle and multifidus muscle gap enters,preserving the integrity of the paraspinal muscles.Results The operation periods of mini-invasion group and control group were (53.8 ± 12.3) min and (88.5 ± 18.5) min (t =1.731,P ＜ 0.05),the intraoperative bleeding volume were (95.7 ±21.5) ml and (280.3 ±83.1) ml(t =2.414,P ＜0.05),the postoperative drainage volume were (20.4±8.2) ml and (132.9 ±50.3) ml(t =2.068,P ＜0.05) and inpatient time were (13.8 ±2.2)d and (20.4 ±5.5)d(t =1.853,P ＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference in terms of fracture healing time,visual analogue scale,Oswestry disability index and radiology(P ＞0.05).All cases had union of fractures and no reduction loss and fixation failure occurred.Condusion The treatment of pedicle screw single segment fixation and the approach through paravertebral muscles on thoracolumbar fracture is proved to be an effective method with minimally invasive,less bleeding volume,simple procedure and fast recovery method.