Percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy for high-grade migrated lumbar disc herniation: clinical efficacy and safety assessment.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) in the management of high-grade migrated Lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: A total of 328 patients who underwent PEID for high-grade migrated LDH between May 2020 and January 2023 in our hospital were selected. Patients were categorized into high-grade migrated group and low-grade migrated group according to preoperative MRI findings. The preoperative and postoperative evaluations of clinical outcomes, such as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for lower backs and legs, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and modified MacNab criteria for surgical success, were compared between groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in hospitalization time, surgery time, intraoperative hemorrhage, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, or incision length between the two groups. The lower back and leg VAS scores and ODI exhibited a statistically significant decrease in both groups across all postoperative time intervals. However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Postoperative nerve root stimulation symptoms were reported in two and three cases in the high-grade migrated group and low-grade migrated group, respectively. One patient in the high-grade migrated group underwent reoperation due to re-herniation at the same segment. There was no significant difference in the rate of excellent-good cases between the two groups, with an overall rate of 94.7%. CONCLUSION: In treating high-grade migrated disc herniation, PEID offers advantages such as reduced trauma, small incision, quicker recovery and satisfactory clinical safety and efficacy.

The efficacy and safety of mini-open (air/water medium) endoscopy-assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical efficacy of mini-open (air/water medium) endoscopy-assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (MOEA-ACDF) and anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS: This study retrospectively analysed the clinical data of CSM patients who received surgical treatment from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical method: the MOEA-ACDF group and the ACDF group. The preoperative and postoperative imaging results at one week and the last follow-up examination were compared between the two groups. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score and neck disability index (NDI) score were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes preoperatively, one week postoperatively and at the last follow-up examination. The minimum follow-up duration was 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 131 CSM patients who underwent surgery at our institution were included, including 61 patients in the MOEA-ACDF group and 70 patients in the ACDF group. In the MOEA-ACDF group, the postoperative C2-C7 Cobb angle and HAVB were significantly greater than the preoperative values (P < 0.05). In the ACDF group, the postoperative C2-C7 Cobb angle was also significantly greater than the preoperative value, and the C2-C7 ROM and HAVB significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The postoperative neurological function of the patients in both groups improved, and the postoperative VAS score and NDI score significantly decreased. Compared with ACDF, MOEA-ACDF is associated with a significantly larger postoperative C2-C7 Cobb angle and significantly better C2-C7 ROM and HAVB, as well as better clinical efficacy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MOEA-ACDF combines endoscopic systems with ACDF technology to treat CSM, but its clinical efficacy is not inferior to that of ACDF in the short- to intermediate-term. It can effectively and safely restore the cervical intervertebral height, physiological curvature, and range of motion.

Optimal selection of specimens for metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infections.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) across synovial fluid, prosthetic sonicate fluid, and periprosthetic tissues among patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), intending to optimize specimen selection for mNGS in these patients. Methods: This prospective study involved 61 patients undergoing revision arthroplasty between September 2021 and September 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Among them, 43 cases were diagnosed as PJI, and 18 as aseptic loosening (AL) based on the American Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. Preoperative or intraoperative synovial fluid, periprosthetic tissues, and prosthetic sonicate fluid were collected, each divided into two portions for mNGS and culture. Comparative analyses were conducted between the microbiological results and diagnostic efficacy derived from mNGS and culture tests. Furthermore, the variability in mNGS diagnostic efficacy for PJI across different specimen types was assessed. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS diagnosis was 93% and 94.4% for all types of PJI specimens; the sensitivity and specificity of culture diagnosis was 72.1% and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity of mNGS was significantly higher than that of culture (X2 = 6.541, P=0.011), with no statistically significant difference in specificity (X2 = 1.029, P=0.310). The sensitivity of the synovial fluid was 83.7% and the specificity was 94.4%; the sensitivity of the prosthetic sonicate fluid was 90.7% and the specificity was 94.4%; and the sensitivity of the periprosthetic tissue was 81.4% and the specificity was 100%. Notably, the mNGS of prosthetic sonicate fluid displayed a superior pathogen detection rate compared to other specimen types. Conclusion: mNGS can function as a precise diagnostic tool for identifying pathogens in PJI patients using three types of specimens. Due to its superior ability in pathogen identification, prosthetic sonicate fluid can replace synovial fluid and periprosthetic tissue as the optimal sample choice for mNGS.

Impact of the K-line in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: Analysis of sagittal cervical curvature changes and surgical outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship of the K-line with sagittal cervical curvature changes and surgical outcomes in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 84 patients with OPLL who underwent posterior cervical single-door laminoplasty. The patients were divided into a K-line-positive (+) group and a K-line-negative (-) group. Perioperative data, radiographic parameters, and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Of 84 total patients, 50 patients were in the K (+) group and 29 patients were in the K (-) group. Neurological function improved in both groups after laminoplasty. The C2-7 Cobb angle, T1 slope, and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis were significantly changed in the K(-) group compared with those in the K (+) group before the operation and at the 3-month and final follow-ups. Conclusion: Neurological function was recovered in both groups, and the clinical effect on the K (+) group was better than that on the K (-) group. The cervical curvature in patients with OPLL tends to be anteverted and kyphotic after laminoplasty and is an important factor in reducing the clinical effect.

Surgical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Cervical Spine Fractures in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) often results in progressive spinal stiffness, making patients prone to spinal fractures. Cervical spine fractures in AS mostly occur in the lower segment and cause progressive neurological deficits. However, the optimal approach to treating this patient population is still controversial, and it is unclear what factors have an impact on prognosis. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the choice of surgical approach and prognostic factors in AS patients with cervical spine fractures. METHODS: A total of 22 AS patients with cervical fracture who were treated in our institution were reviewed from 2015 to 2020. We analyzed demographic data, perioperative complications, postoperative results, and radiographic results. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to assess preoperative and postoperative spinal cord function, and the improvement rate was calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were enrolled, including 6 patients in the anterior approach group, 11 in the posterior approach group, and 5 in the combined approach group. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss in the anterior approach group were significantly less than those in the posterior approach group and combined approach group (P = 0.00). Patients who underwent surgery within 48 hours of injury had a lower JOA score than patients who underwent surgery later (P = 0.01). Basic AS treatment before injury significantly improved JOA scores after surgery (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: All approaches can provide good clinical results, and thus, the surgical approach should be individualized. It remains unclear whether the operation should be performed as soon as possible. Basic AS treatment is an independent factor that affects the prognosis of cervical spine fracture patients with AS.