Surgical interventions for cervical spondylosis due to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various surgical interventions for the management of cervical spondylosis due to the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). METHODS: After a comprehensive literature search in electronic databases, studies were selected by following pre-determined eligibility criteria. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the effect sizes of various surgical approaches in improving Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores at latest follow-up and meta-regression analyses were carried out to examine the factors affecting the change in JOA score. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies [1576 patients; 57.83 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 55.98-59.68] years of age; and 73 (70-76) % males; follow-up 55.4 ±â€Š25.7 (range 12-170) months] were included in the meta-analysis. All surgical interventions significantly (P < .00001) improved JOA score. Anterior surgical approaches had an effect size of 4.80 [4.10-5.50] and posterior approaches with laminectomy and laminoplasty improved JOA score by 3.57 [2.39-4.75] and 3.99 [3.65-4.32], respectively. Improvement in JOA score was significantly inversely related to the preoperative JOA score (P < .00001). Surgical interventions did not significantly affect cervical lordosis at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical interventions for cervical spondylosis due to OPLL significantly improve JOA score as observed at the latest follow-up and this is found to be significantly inversely associated with preoperative JOA score.

[Technology of minimally invasive percutancous plate osteosynthesis for the treatment of fractures of the distal tibia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the technique and clinical results of minimally invasive percutancous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) for the treatment of fractures of the distal tibia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze 65 patients with the distal tibia fractures who had been treated with MIPPO. The average age of the patients was 35 years old (ranging from 13 to 75). There were 42 males and 23 females. According to AO fracture classification for the distal tibial fractures, there were 5 cases of type-A1 fracture, 22 type-A2, 32 type-A3 and 6 type-C1. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up and ranged from 6 to 18 months (averaged 11 months). All the fractures showed union. The time required for the bony union ranged from 3 to 6 months (averaged 4.5 months). The patients were evaluated with respect to functional recovery according to Mazur Grating System for the Ankle. Forty patients obtained excellent results, 19 good and 6 fair. The total satisfactory rate was 90.7%. CONCLUSION: The technology of minimally invasive percutancous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO)is a safe and effective procedure for the distal tibial fractures with the benefits of limited invasion,less complications and high rate of bone union.