ObjectiveTo investigate the advantage and short- and medium-term effectivenesses of paramedian incision minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (mini-TLIF) by comparing with open TLIF.
MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 54 patients with single segmental lumbar degenerative disease who accorded with the inclusion criteria between January 2012 and March 2014. Open TLIF was performed in 26 patients (open group), mini-TLIF in 28 cases (minimally invasive group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, etiology, and affected segments between 2 groups (P>0.05). The indexes of surgical trauma, systemic inflammatory response, clinical outcome, and interbody fusion rate were compared between 2 groups.
ResultsDural rupture occurred in 1 case of open group, L5 nerve root injury in 1 case of minimally invasive group. All patients obtained primary healing of incision. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage of minimally invasive group were significantly lower than those of open group (P<0.05). C-reactive protein, leucocyte count, and creatine kinase-MM (CK-MM) of open group were significantly higher than those of minimally invasive group at 24 hours after operation (P<0.05). At 7 days after operation, the CK-MM of minimally invasive group was significantly lower than that of open group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in C-reactive protein and leucocyte count between 2 groups (P>0.05). The follow-up time was 1.2-3.1 years in open group and 1.4-2.9 years in minimally invasive group. At 1 year after operation, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly improved in 2 groups (P<0.05). Minimally invasive group was better than open group in ODI and VAS score of back pain (P<0.05), but VAS score of leg pain showed no significant difference (P>0.05). According to the Suk interbody fusion standard, solid fusion was obtained in 18 cases, probable fusion in 4 cases, and nonunion in 4 cases, and the fusion rate was 84.61% in open group; solid fusion was obtained in 21 cases, probable fusion in 3 cases, and nonunion in 4 cases, and the fusion rate was 85.71% in minimally invasive group; and the interbody fusion rates showed no significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=0.072, P=0.821).
ConclusionCompared with open TLIF, paramedian incision mini-TLIF has advantages of minimal surgical trauma and little blood loss for single-level lumbar degenerative disease. The short- and medium-term effectivenesses are satisfactory.
Objective
To investigate the effectiveness of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) assisted with microscope for lumbar degenerative disease.
Methods
Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 82 patients with lumbar degenerative disease (minimally invasive group) undergoing minimally invasive TLIF assisted with microscope between January 2010 and June 2011, which was compared with those of 76 patients (traditional group) undergoing traditional open TLIF. There was no significant difference in age, gender, disease duration, disease type, lesion level, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), and preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The perioperative related parameters, radiography index, and effectiveness were documented and compared.
Results
There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative radiological exposure time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05), but intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume in the minimally invasive group were significantly less than those in the traditional group (P lt; 0.05). Dural tear occurred in 2 patients of the traditional group. Superficial infection of incision occurred in 1 case in each group, respectively; and primary healing of incision was obtained in the other patients. All patients were followed up 12-28 months (mean, 18 months). No failure of internal fixation occurred. Radiological analysis showed that the bone graft fusion rate was 96.1% (73/76) in the traditional group and 95.1% (78/82) in the minimally invasive group at last follow-up, showing no significant difference (χ2= 0.012 2, P= 0.912 0). The postoperative ODI and VAS score were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05); the ODI of the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those of the traditional group at 3 months (t=
—
11.941 1, P=0.000 0), and the VAS score of the minimally invasive group was significantly lower than that of the traditional group at 1 day and 3 months (P lt; 0.05); but no significant difference was found in ODI and VAS score between 2 groups at 1 year and last follow-up (P gt; 0.05).
Conclusion
Minimally invasive TLIF is an effective method to treat lumbar degenerative disease. This procedure is safe and reliable because it has less injury, less blood loss, and milder pain than the traditional open TLIF, and the short-term effectiveness is comparable in 2 procedures.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw for the treatment of moderate or severe lumbar spondylol isthesis (LSL).
MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the cl inical data of 32 patients with LSL treated with TLIF via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw between June 2010 and June 2012. There were 20 males and 12 females, with the mean age of 48 years (range, 36-69 years). LSL occurred at the L4, 5 in 17 patients and at the L5, S1 in 15 patients. Of them, 18 cases were rated as Meyerding grade Ⅱ, and 14 cases as grade Ⅲ. The disease duration was 8 months to 6 years (mean, 3.5 years). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and preoperative and postoperative (1 week and 1 year) intervertebral height and sl ipping angle were recorded, and the sl ipping rate was calculated; Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used for cl inical efficacy assessment.
ResultsThe operation time was 90-130 minutes (mean, 110 minutes); intraoperative blood loss was 120-300 mL (mean, 210 mL). Incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 24-36 months (mean, 28 months), and no complications of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and nerve root injury occurred; X-ray films showed satisfactory reduction of spondylolisthesis and good position of pedicle screw and interbody fusion cage. The mean bone fusion time was 4.0 months (range, 3.8-6.0 months). The JOA score, sl i pping rate, sl i pping angle, and intervertebral height at 1 week and 1 year after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at 1 week and at 1 year after operation (P>0.05).
ConclusionTLIF via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw fixation is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique in treating moderate or severe LSL.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the effectiveness and the changes of spine-pelvic sagittal parameters for patients with spondylolisthesis before and after operation.
MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 32 patients with single segmental degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis at L4 who accorded with the inclusion criteria between June 2011 and January 2014 (trial group). There were 13 males and 19 females, aged 51-67 years (mean, 59 years). According to Meyerding degree, there were 21 cases of degree I, 10 cases of degree Ⅱ, and 1 case of degree Ⅲ. All patients were treated with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery. Thirty-five healthy adults at the age of 46-67 years (mean, 57 years) were enrolled as normal controls (control group). The standing position lumbar lateral X-ray films (T12-S1, bilateral femoral head) were taken at pre- and post-operation to measure the pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), disc height (DH), and slip percentage (SP); the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the preoperative various spine-pelvic sagittal parameters and the VAS score and the ODI. After operation, Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the changes of these parameters and the improve rates of VAS score and ODI.
ResultsAll patients of trial group were followed up 15-22 months (mean, 18 months). At last follow-up, the VAS score, ODI, PT, SS, LL, SP, and DH were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05), except for PI (t=-1.445, P=0.158). There was no significant difference in PT, SS, LL, and DH between trial and control groups at last follow-up (P>0.05); PI was slightly bigger than that of control group (t=8.531, P=0.043). Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between spine-pelvic sagittal parameters of PI, PT, SS, and LL (P<0.05); preoperative parameters (except for LL and DH) had correlation with ODI and VAS scores (P<0.05). Postoperative parameters (except for PI) had correlation with the improve rates of ODI and VAS scores (P<0.05), especially for the changes of PT and the improvements of ODI and VAS scores.
ConclusionThere is a correlation between the changes of spine-pelvic sagittal parameters at pre- and post-operation and effectiveness in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis. The correlation between the changes of PT and the improvement rates of ODI and VAS scores is more marked. The good effectiveness is closely related with the improved PT.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the posterior transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for patients with osteoporosis and lumbar degenerative disease.
MethodsBetween November 2011 and October 2012,44 patients with osteoporosis and lumbar degenerative disease were treated with TLIF and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.After TLIF operation,1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was used in 21 patients (trial group),and was not used in 23 patients (control group).There was no significant difference in gender,age,etiology,affected segment,and disease duration between 2 groups (P>0.05).Lumbar interbody fusion was observed by X-ray and thin-section CT scan reconstruction of lumbar spine according to Brantigan assessment system at 6 months after operation and last follow-up.Clinical outcome was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI) before and after operation.
ResultsThe patients of 2 groups were followed up 12-27 months (mean,14.5 months).No fixation loosening or breaking occurred during follow-up.ODI scores in both groups were significantly improved at 6 months after operation and last follow-up (P<0.05) when conpared with preoperative value.Although at preoperation there was no significant difference in ODI score between 2 groups (P>0.05),ODI score of trial group was significantly lower than that of control group at 6 months after operation and last follow-up (P<0.05).At 6 months after operation,the interbody fusion rate was 76.19% (16/21) in trial group and 43.48% (10/23) in control group,showing significant difference (χ2=3.60,P=0.03); at last follow-up,the fusion rate was 95.24% (20/21) in trial group and 65.22% (15/23) in control group,showing significant difference (χ2=4.38,P=0.02).
Conclusion1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can improve the lumbar interbody fusion rate and general conditions in the patients with osteoporosis and lumbar degenerative disease.
Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of conventional discectomy, posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) on the recurrent lumbar disc protrusion (RLDP). Methods From January 2000 to January 2008, 65 patients with RLDP underwent different surgical procedures, namely conventional discectomy (group A, 25 cases), PLIF (group B, 22 cases), and TLIF (group C, 18 cases). There were 44 males and 21 females aged 26-65 years old (average 41 years old). All the patients were single-level protrusion, including 33 cases at the L4, 5 level and 32 cases at the L5, S1 level. The primary procedure included laminectomy discectomy in 39 patients, unilateral hemilaminectomy discectomy in 15 patients, and bilateral laminectomy and total laminectomy discectomy in 11patients. The recurrent time to the primary operation was 13-110 months (average 64 months). The location of recurrent disc protrusion was at the ipsilateral side in 47 cases and the contralateral side in 18 cases. No significant differences among three groups were evident in terms of basel ine data (P gt; 0.05). Results The incision all healed by first intention. The incidence of perioperative compl ication in group A (24.0%) and group B (22.3%) was significantly higher than that of group C (5.6%) (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference between group A and group B (P gt; 0.05). The operation time and bleed loss during operation of group B were obviously higher than that of group A and group C (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference between group A and group C (P gt; 0.05). There were no significant differences among three groups in terms of the length of hospital ization (P gt; 0.05). Six-one patients were followed up for 12-36 months (average 20 months). At 1 week after operation, the satisfied rate of patients was 84.0% in group A, 81.8% in group B, and 88.9% in group C (P gt; 0.05). All the patients in group B and group C achieved fusion uneventfully. There were no significant differences among three groups in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disabil ity index (ODI) when compared the preoperative value with the final follow-up value (P gt; 0.05). There was significant difference within group A, B, and C in terms of VAS and ODI when compared the preoperative value with the final follow-up value (P lt; 0.05), but there were no significant differences among three groups in the improvement rate (P gt; 0.05). The intervertebral space grading method proposed by Roberts et al. was adopted to evaluate the intervertebral space height (ISH), the preoperative value was 2.04 ± 0.93 in group A, 2.18 ± 0.91 in group B, and 2.11 ± 0.90 in group C, andat the final follow-up, the value was 2.64 ± 0.58 in group A, 1.05 ± 0.59 in group B, and 1.06 ± 0.42 in group C. There were significant differences among three groups in the ISH when compared the properative value with the final follow-up value (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion All of the three surgical procedures are effective for RLDP, but conventional discectomy and PLIF have more compl ications than TLIF. Conventional discectomy may result in the further narrow of the intervertebral space and the occurrence of segment instabil ity, whereas TLIF is safer, more effective, and one of the ideal methods to treat RLDP.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of surgical treatment for single-level degenerative lumbar instabil ity (DLI) by comparing traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with minimally invasive TLIF. Methods Between March 2007 and May 2009，87 patients with single-level DLI were treated by traditional open TLIF (group A, n=45) and by minimally invasive TLIF (group B, n=42), respectively. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, segment level, combined diseases of lumbar spine, or the proportion of uni- and bilateral symptom between 2groups (P gt; 0.05). The indexes of surgical trauma，systemic inflammatory response, cl inical outcomes, and aravertebral muscle injury were compared between 2 groups. Results Operation was performed successfully in all patients. The patients were followed up 2.9 years on average in group A and 2.8 years on average in group B. The incision, blood loss, and postoperative drainage in group B were significantly less than those in group A (P lt; 0.05), but the operation time in group B was significantly longer than that in group A (P lt; 0.05). There were significant differences (P lt; 0.05) in C-reactive protein, leucocyte count, and creatine kinase MM between 2 groups at 24 hours postoperatively as well as in C-reactive protein at 6 days postoperatively; group B was superior to group A. At last follow-up, the Oswestry disabil ity index (ODI) and visual analogue score (VAS) were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). There were significant differences in ODI and back pain VAS score (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference in leg pain VAS score (P gt; 0.05) between 2 groups. At last follow-up, no low back pain occurred in 8 and 18 cases, mild in 25 and 18 cases, moderate in 9 and 6 cases, and severe in 3 and 0 cases in groups A and B, respectively, showing that low back pain was significantly l ighter in group B than in group A (Z= —2.574, P=0.010). At last follow-up, the atrophy ratio of multifidus muscle was 37% ± 13% in group A and was 15% ± 7% in group B, showing significant difference (t=12.674, P=0.000). The multifidus muscle atrophy was rated as grade I in 18 and 44 sides, as grade II in 42 and 32 sides, and as grade III in 30 and 8 sides in groups A and B, respectively, showing significant difference (Z= — 4.947, P=0.000). Conclusion Both traditional open TLIF and minimally invasive TLIF are the effective treatments for single-level DLI. Minimally invasive TLIF has less surgical trauma, sl ighter postoperative systemic inflammatory response, less paravertebral muscle injury, and lower incidence of postoperative back pain, but it has longer operation time.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Methods Between October 2003 and December 2007, 36 patients with FBSS were treated with TLIF. There were 19 males and 17 females with an average age of 52.6 years (range, 46-68 years) and an average disease duration of 1.6 years (range, 3 months-15 years). Of 36 patients, reoperation was performed in 25, 10 received 3 operations,and 1 had 5 operations. A total of 50 segments were involved in fusion, including L4, 5 in 12 cases, L5, S1 in 10 cases, L3, 4 and L4, 5 double segments in 8 cases, and L4, 5 and L5, S1 double segments in 6 cases. According to X-ray films, CT, and MRI examination, 12 patients were diagnosed as having lumbar instabil ity secondary to total laminectomy, 18 as having recurrence of lumbar disc protrusion, and 6 as having recurrence of lumbar spondylol isthesis. Results Dural rupture occurred in 1 case and was repaired by suturing without cerebrospinal fluid leakage was observed; 1 had deep incision infection of Staphylococcus; and 1 had transient single irritation sign because of hematoma formation and was cured after symptomatic treatment. The other incisions healed by first intention. No patients had permanent nerve injury or deterioration. Thirty-three cases were followed up 18-72 months (mean, 35.2 months). At 12 months, all the operated segments reached interbody fusion, and no breakage of screw or Cage dislocation occurred. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores showed significant difference (t=2.45, P=0.01) between before operation (14.2 ± 4.1) and 18 months after operation (23.9 ± 2.6). The rate of cl inical improvement was 90.9% (23 cases of excellent, 7 cases of good, 3 cases of acceptable). Conclusion The TLIF simpl ifies the manipulation of lumbar revision surgery and decreases the operation risk and the operative compl ications for the treatment of FBSS.
ObjectiveTo compare the biomechanical differences between the kidney-shaped nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) Cage and the bullet-shaped n-HA/PA66 Cage.
MethodsL2-L5 spinal specimens were selected from 10 adult male pigs. L2, L3 and L4, L5 served as a motor unit respectively, 20 motor units altogether. They were divided into 4 groups (n=5):no treatment was given as control group (group A); nucleus pulposus resection was performed (group B); bullet-shaped Cage (group C), and kidney-shaped Cage (group D) were used in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) through left intervertebral foramen and supplemented by posterior pedicle screw fixation. The intervertebral height (IH) and the position of Cages were observed on the X-ray films. The range of motion (ROM) was measured.
ResultsThere was no significant difference in the preoperative IH among 4 groups (F=0.166, P=0.917). No significant change was found in IH between at pre- and post-operation in group B (P>0.05); it increased after operation in groups C and D, but difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the postoperative IH among groups B, C, and D (P>0.05). The distance from Cage to the left margin was (3.06±0.51) mm in group C (close to the left) and (5.68±0.69) mm in group D (close to the middle), showing significant difference (t=6.787, P=0.000). The ROM in all directions were significantly lower in groups C and D than in groups A and B (P<0.05), and in group A than in group B (P<0.05). The right bending and compression ROM of group C were significantly higher than those of group D (P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference was found in the other direction ROM (P>0.05).
ConclusionThe bullet-shaped and kidney-shaped Cages have similar results in restoring IH and maintaining the stability of the spine assisted by internal fixation. Kidney-shaped Cage is more stable than bullet-shaped Cage in the axial compression and the bending load opposite implant, it can be placed in the middle and back of the vertebral body more ideally.
Objective To discuss the key issues in the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative disc disease and thetherapeutic effect of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion on it. Methods From September 2004 to August 2006, 15 cases of degenerative disc disease were treated by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, including 8 males and 7 females with the age of 33-46 years. All cases were single-level degenerative disc diseases, including 1 case of L3,4, 8 cases of L4,5 and 6 cases of L5, S1. The course of the disease was 2 -10 years. Preoperatively, the score of visual analogue scale (VAS) was 8.9 ± 1.8 and the score of Oswestry disabil ity index (ODI) was 51.4 ± 8.3. All patients had received normal conventional treatment for at least 3 months and had no therapeutic effect before operation. Results The operation time was 120-180 minutes (150 minutes on average) and the intra-operative blood loss was 200-500 mL (360 mL on average). There was no severe compl ication, except that the muscle tone of anterior tibia in one case decreased to the third level, which recovered to the 5- level 3 months after operation. A total of 15 cases were followed up for 12-24 months (18 months on average). All patients got interbody bony fusion 12 months after operation with the fusion rate of 100%. Postoperatively, the score of VAS was 2.8 ± 1.6 and the score of ODI was 19.1 ± 3.2, indicating there were significant difference in comparison with postoperative ones (P lt; 0.05). The improvement rates of postoperative VAS and ODI were 61.8% ± 7.3% and 64.3% ± 5.5%, respectively. For the therapeutic effect, 6 cases were regardedas excellent, 8 good, 1 fair, and the choiceness rate was 93.3%. All patients resumed their jobs and normal l ives. Conclusion Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is effective for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease, but the indications for operation must be strictly defined.
