The new clinical classification of metastatic spinal malignancies serves as a vital reference for surgical management: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: It is commonly accepted that surgical treatment is an essential component of the comprehensive management of metastatic spinal malignancies. However, up until now, the clinical classification of metastatic spinal malignancies has not been well-structured. METHODS: After IRB approval, 86 patients with metastatic spinal malignancies were adopted. According to the vascular distribution, stability of vertebrae, and degree of nerve compression, metastatic spinal malignancies can be classified into five types. Tumors classified as type I typically appear in the vertebral body. Type II tumors are those that develop in the transverse processes, superior and inferior articular processes, and spinal pedicles. Type III denotes malignancies that are present in the spinous process and vertebral plate. Types IVa and IVb are included in type IV. Type IVa combines type I and type II, whereas type IVb combines type II and type III. Type V tumors are those of types I, II, and III that co-occur and spread in different directions into the spinal canal. 20 of included 86 patients who did not receive segmental arterial embolization were set as the non-embolization group. The embolization group included 24 patients who received segmental arterial embolization on both sides of the diseased vertebrae. 42 patients were included in the offending embolization group after receiving responsible arterial embolization. A surgical intervention was performed within 24 h following an embolization. Surgical intervention with the purpose of removing as much of the tumor as possible and providing an effective reconstruction of the spinal column. RESULTS: In comparison with the non-embolization group and embolization group, the offending embolization group presented unique advantages in terms of bleeding volume (p<0.001), operation time (p<0.001), and local recurrence rate within 12 months (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: By significantly reducing surgical trauma and local recurrence rate (12 months), responsible arterial vascular embolization procedures together with associated surgical protocols developed on the basis of the clinical classification of metastatic spinal malignancies, are worthy of clinical dissemination.

Modified Total en Bloc Spondylectomy with Self-Made Intervertebral Hook Blade in Spinal Tumors: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) is an important surgical treatment for spinal tumors that can achieve en bloc resection of the affected vertebral body by using the T-saw. However, the conventional TES process and the surgical instruments currently in use have some inconveniences, which may lead to longer operative times and a higher incidence of complications. To address these obstacles, we developed a modified TES technique using a homemade intervertebral hook blade. The objectives of this study were to describe our modified total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) using a homemade intervertebral hook blade and to assess its clinical effects in patients with spinal tumors. METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with spinal tumors were included from September 2018 to November 2021. Eleven patients underwent a modified TES using an intervertebral hook blade, and 12 patients underwent a conventional TES using a wire saw. Details of the modified technique for TES were depicted, and the intraoperative blood loss, operative time, and improvement in pain symptom and neurological function measured by visual analog score (VAS) and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score of all patients was reviewed and analyzed. Nonparametric analysis of covariates (ANCOVA) was performed to compare the clinical outcomes between patients treated with modified TES and conventional TES. RESULTS: The modified TES significantly reduced operative time (F = 7.935, p = 0.010) and achieved favorable improvement of neurological function (F = 0.570, p = 0.459) and relief of pain (F = 3.196, p = 0.088) compared with the conventional TES group. The mean intraoperative blood loss in the modified TES group (2381.82 ml) was lower than that in the conventional TES group (3558.33 ml), although the difference was not statistically significant (F = 0.677, p = 0.420). CONCLUSIONS: Modified TES using the intervertebral hook blade can effectively reduce the operation time and intraoperative bleeding, and meanwhile ensure the improvement of neurological function and relief of pain symptoms, suggesting that this modified technique is feasible, safe, and effective for spinal tumors.

Comparison of clinical efficacy and surgical safety among three bone graft modalities in spinal tuberculosis: a network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autogenous granular bone graft (AG), autogenous massive bone graft (AM), and titanium mesh bone graft (TM) are the three commonly utilized bone implant methods for spinal tuberculosis. However, the gold standard is still controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and surgical safety of three primary bone graft modalities. METHODS: For systematic literature review, several databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, were searched up to December 2022. Stata (version 14.0) was employed for data analysis. RESULTS: Our network meta-analysis included 517 patients from 7 articles whose qualities are acceptable based on our quality assessment criteria. In direct comparison, AG was associated with a shorter operation time (MD = 73.51; CI 30.65-116.37) and a lesser blood loss (MD = 214.30; CI 7.17-421.44) than AM. TM had fewer loss of Cobb angle than AG (MD = 1.45; CI 0.13-2.76) and AM (MD = 1.21; CI 0.42-1.99). Compared with AG, TM (MD = 0.96; CI 0.06-1.87) was related to a shorter bone graft fusion time. In indirect comparison, for the clinical parameters, the rank of CRP (from best to worst) was as follows: TM (58%) > AM (27%) > AG (15%), the rank of ESR (from best to worst) was as follows: AG (61%) > AM (21%) > TM (18%), and the rank of VAS (from best to worst) was as follows: AG (65%) > TM (33%) > AM (2%). In the aspect of surgical data, what is noteworthy is that AG showed less blood loss [AG (93%) > TM (6%) > AM (1%)], operative time [AG (97%) > TM (3%) > AM (0)], and complications [AG (75%) > TM (21%) > AM (4%)] than AM and TM. As for imaging parameters, the rank of the loss of Cobb angle (from best to worst) was as follows: TM (99%) > AM (1%) > AG (0). Moreover, TM showed a shorter bone graft fusion time than AM and AG: TM (96%) > AM (3%) > AG (1%). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that AG might be the optional treatment for spinal tuberculosis owing to the outcomes of surgical safety. Moreover, TM is another right choice which can significantly reduce the loss of Cobb angle and shorten bone graft fusion time with long-term follow-up.