Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical and imaging features of multi-segmental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and its treatment with the limited recessive decompression operation. Methods Twenty two patients (14 males and 8 females, aged 49-68 years) were admitted to hospital from March 1999 to March 2004. They suffered from multisegmental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion that involved L1S1 and were treated with the limited recessive decompression operation. Results The follow-up for 4-21 months showed that 16 of the patients had an excellent outcome, 5 had a good outcome, and 1 had fair outcome. There were nosuch operative complications as nerve root lesions and putamen lesions. Conclusion The limited recessive decompression operation is one of the available good treatments for multi-segmental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. It solves problems of herniation and stenosis and maintains stability ofthe spine.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of using titanium alloy trabecular bone three-dimensional (3D) printed artificial vertebral body in treating cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 45 patients with cervical OPLL admitted between September 2019 and August 2021 and meeting the selection criteria. All patients underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and decompression, interbody bone graft fusion, and titanium plate internal fixation. During operation, 21 patients in the study group received titanium alloy trabecular bone 3D printed artificial vertebral bodies, while 24 patients in the control group received titanium cages. There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, disease duration, affected segments, or preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI), vertebral height, and C2-7 Cobb angle (P>0.05). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and occurrence of complications were recorded for both groups. Preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively, the functionality and symptom relief were assessed using JOA scores, VAS scores, and NDI evaluations. The vertebral height and C2-7 Cobb angle were detected by imaging examinations and the implant subsidence and intervertebral fusion were observed. Results The operation time and incidence of complications were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05), while the difference in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-18 months, with the follow-up time of (14.28±4.34) months in the study group and (15.23±3.54) months in the control group, showing no significant difference (t=0.809, P=0.423). The JOA score, VAS score, and NDI of the two groups improved after operation, and further improved at 12 months compared to 3 months, with significant differences (P<0.05). At each time point, the study group exhibited significantly higher JOA scores and improvement rate compared to the control group (P<0.05); but there was no significantly difference in VAS score and NDI between the two groups (P>0.05). Imaging re-examination showed that the vertebral height and C2-7 Cobb angle of the two groups significantly increased at 3 and 12 months after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between 3 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). At each time point, the vertebral height and C2-7 Cobb angle of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05), and the implant subsidence rate was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in intervertebral fusion rate between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared to traditional titanium cages, the use of titanium alloy trabecular bone 3D-printed artificial vertebral bodies for treating cervical OPLL results in shorter operative time, fewer postoperative complications, and lower implant subsidence rates, making it superior in vertebral reconstruction.
Objective To investigate the surgical method and prel iminary cl inical result of managing the patient with lumbar burst fracture but not suitable for single-level fixation and fusion surgery with the reservation of the fractured vertebral body and the anterior decompression. Methods From September 2007 to December 2008, 11 patients with lumbar burst fracture underwent the removal of the posterior superior corner of the injured vertebral body, the removal of the inferior intervertebral disc adjacent to the injured vertebral body, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation. There were 8 males and3 females aged 21-48 years old (average 29.4 years old). All the fractures caused by fall ing from high places. Imaging exams confirmed all the fractures were Denis type B burst fracture. The fracture level was at the L1 in 4 cases, the L2 in 4 cases, the L3 in 2 cases, and the L4 in 1 case. Before operation, the nerve function was graded as grade B in 4 cases, grade C in 3 cases, and grade D in 4 cases according to Frankel scales; the visual analogue scale (VAS) was (7.30 ± 0.98) points; lateral X-ray films displayed the kyphosis Cobb angel was (24.94 ± 12.21)°; the adjacent superior and inferior intervertebral disc height was (12.78 ± 1.52) mm and (11.68 ± 1.04) mm, respectively; CT scan showed the vertebral canal sagittal diameter was (9.56 ± 2.27) mm; CT three-dimensional reconstruction revealed that the intact part of the injured vertebra was less than 50% vertebra body height and the fracture l ine crossed the pedicle. The time from injury to operation was 3-11 days (average 4.8 days). The neurological and radiological evaluations were carried out immediately and 3 months after operation, respectively, and compared with the condition before operation. Results All the patients successfully underwent the surgery. The wound all healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up for 6-18 months (average 14 months). All the patients had a certain degree of nerve function recovery. The Frankel scales in all the patients were increased by 1-2 grade immediately and 3 months after operation. The VAS score was (2.80 ± 1.49) points immediately after operation and (1.54 ± 0.48) points 3 months after operation, suggesting there were significant differences among three time points (P lt; 0.05). The vertebral canal sagittal diameter was significantly enlarged to (18.98 ± 4.82) mm immediately after operation and was (19.07 ± 4.37) mm 3 months after operation. The Cobb angle was (7.78 ± 4.52)° immediately after operation and (8.23 ± 3.57)° 3 months after operation. There were significant differences between before and after operation (P lt; 0.05). For the adjacent superior and inferior intervertebral disc height, there was no significant difference when the value immediately or 3 months after operation was compared with that of before operation (P gt; 0.05). X-ray films and CT scan 3 months after operation showed good internal fixation without theoccurrence of loosing and displacement. Conclusion For the treatment of lumbar burst fracture, the method of reserving the injured vertebral body and anterior decompression can decompress the vertebral canal and shorten the duration for bony fusion.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) with bilateral decompression via unilateral approach and bilateral decompression via bilateral approaches in the treatment of single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis.MethodsBetween February 2015 and January 2017, 70 cases of single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis were treated with MIS-TLIF. The bilateral decompression via unilateral approach (group U) was performed in 36 cases and bilateral decompression via bilateral approaches (group B) in 34 cases. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, disease duration, distribution of responsibility segments, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay after operation, complications related to operation, incidence of asymptomatic lateral root symptoms, VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain, and ODI score before and after operation were compared between the two groups. X-ray film and CT scan at 12 months after operation were used to assessted the intervertebral bony fusion.ResultsThe operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group U were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in hospitalization stay after operation between the two groups (t=–0.311, P=0.757). During the operation, 1 case in group U and 2 cases in group B had dural tear. No screw placement related nerve injury or asymptomatic lateral root symptoms occurred after operation. The patients were followed up 24 to 38 months, with an average of 32.8 months in group U and 35.5 months in group B. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain at 2 days, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were significantly lower than that before operation in the two groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The ODI scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after operation were significantly lower than that before operation in the two groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Radiographic examination showed interbody fusion at 12 months after operation in the two groups.ConclusionMIS-TLIF is safe and effective in the treatment of single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral decompression via unilateral approach and bilateral decompression via bilateral approaches. Bilateral decompression via unilateral approach takes less operation time and has less intraoperative blood loss.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of posterior debridement, decompression, bone grafting, and fixation in treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis with myelopathy, and investigate the effects of surgical timing on postoperative outcomes.MethodsThe clinical data of 26 patients with thoracic spinal tuberculosis with myelopathy between August 2012 and October 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent posterior unilateral transpedicular debridement, decompression, bone grafting, and fixation and were divided into two groups according to surgical timing. Group A included 11 patients with neurological dysfunction lasting less than 3 months; group B included 15 patients with neurological dysfunction lasting more than 3 months. No significant difference was found between the two groups in gender, age, involved segments, preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Cobb angle of involved segment, and preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, perioperative complications, and bone fusion time were recorded and compared between the two groups. The change of pre- and post-operative Cobb angle of involved segments was calculated. Neurological function was assessed according to ASIA classification.ResultsAll patients were followed up 25-60 months (mean, 41.6 months). No cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred intra- and post-operation. The hospitalization stay and perioperative complications in group A were significantly less than those of group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and bone fusion time between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in ESR and CRP between groups A and B (P>0.05), but they were all significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05). In group A, 1 patient with T6, 7 tuberculosis developed sinus that healed after dressing; the implants were removed at 20 months with bony union and no recurrence was found after 36 months of follow-up. One patient with T4, 5 tuberculosis in group B underwent revision because of recurrence and distal junctional kyphosis of the thoracic spine at 26 months after operation. There was no internal fixation-related complications or tuberculosis recurrence occurred in the remaining patients. At last follow-up, the Cobb angles in the two groups significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the Cobb angle and correction degree between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the ASIA classification of spinal cord function was grade C in 1 case and grade E in 10 cases in group A, and grade D in 2 cases and grade E in 13 cases in group B; the ASIA classification results in the two groups significantly improved compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the two groups (Z=–0.234, P=1.000).ConclusionPosterior unilateral transpedicular debridement, decompression, bone grafting, and fixation is effective in treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis with myelopathy. Early surgery can reduce the hospitalization stays and incidence of perioperative complications.
Objective To explore the injury mechanism of the severethoracolumbar burst fracture and the necessity of anterior decompression and reconstruction with internal fixation. Methods From January 1999 to January 2004, 21 patients were treated with anterior decompression and reconstruction. The fractures were located at T12 in 6 patients, L1 in12, L2 in 4, L3 in 3,and L4 in 1. Four patients were treated with the “anterior approach” and “posterior approach” surgeries for severe column fractures.Results All the patients were restored to the normal physiological radian, and the spinal canal was decompressed completely. They werefollowed up for 1-6 years, and the bony fusion was observed radiologically.The spinal cord function was improved to the 1-3 Frankel grade in all the patients except 2. There were no such complications as leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid, platescrew loosening or breaking, or segment instability. The clinical effects were satisfactory. Conclusion The operation of the anterior decompression and reconstruction with internal fixation for severe thoracolumbar burst fracture has advantages of complete decompression, full bonegrafting, and firm internal fixation. It canrestore the spinal height and improve the spinal cord function.
Objective To design the surgical strategy of percutaneous full-endoscopic bilateral decompression via unilateral posterior approach for bilateral lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and to evaluate the effectiveness. Methods The percutaneous full-endoscopic bilateral decompression via unilateral posterior approach for bilateral LSS was designed according to the pathological features of LSS. The technique was used to treat 42 patients with LSS between January 2016 and January 2018. There were 18 males and 24 females with an average age of 61.7 years (range, 46-81 years). The duration of symptoms was 1-20 years, with an average of 9.7 years. The surgical segment at L4, 5 were 27 cases, at L5, S1 were 15 cases. The operation time and perioperative complications were recorded. Lumbar X-ray, CT, and MRI examinations were performed at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after operation. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the lumbar function, and single continuous walking distance (SCWD) was used to evaluate lower extremity nerve function. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by MacNab criteria at 1 year after operation. Results All patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time was 68-141 minutes with an average of 98.2 minutes. All 42 patients were followed up 12-24 months with an average of 18.8 months. There were 2 cases of dural tears during operation, and 1 case of transient dysfunction of the lower limbs of the decompression channel after operation. All of them were cured after corresponding treatment. No serious complications such as death, major bleeding, or irreversible nerve injury occurred during follow-up. No segmental instability was found according to postoperative lumbar hyperextension and flexion X-ray films, and postoperative CT and MRI imaging showed that the stenotic lumbar spinal canal was significantly enlarged, and the compression of the nerve root was sufficient. The VAS score of low back pain and leg pain, ODI score, and SCWD at each time point after operation were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); the indexes were significantly improved over time after operation, and the differences were significantly (P<0.05). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by MacNab standard at 1 year after operation, and the results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 20 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 1 case. The excellent and good rate was 90.5%. Conclusion The percutaneous full-endoscopic bilateral decompression via unilateral posterior approach for LSS is a safe and effective procedure. A well-designed surgical strategy and mastery of its technical points are important guarantees for successful operation and satisfactory results.
The inspiratory impedance threshold device (ITD) was put forward by Lurie in 1995, and was assigned as a class Ⅱa recommendation by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) resuscitation guidelines in 2005. The ITD is used to augment negative intrathoracic pressure during recoil of the chest so as to enhance venous return and cardiac output, and to decrease intracranial pressure. In the recent years many researches on the ITD have been1 carried out, but all the researches can not take out a clear evidence to support or refute the use of the ITD. This paper introduces the structure and working principle of the ITD in detail, the research results and the debates about the use of the ITD for the past years.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience and lessons of right ventricular decompression in children with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) and to reflect on the strategies of right ventricular decompression.MethodsThe clinical data of 12 children with PA/IVS who underwent right ventricular decompression in our hospital from March 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 10 males and 2 females with a median age at the time of surgery was 5 d (range, 1-627 d). Correlation analysis between the pulmonary valve transvalvular pressure gradient and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves after decompression was performed.ResultsOne patient died of refractory hypoxemia due to circulatory shunt postoperatively and family members gave up treatment. There were 2 (16.67%) patients received postoperative intervention. The pulmonary transvalvular gradient after decompression was 31.95±21.75 mm Hg. Mild pulmonary regurgitation was found in 7 patients, moderate in 2 patients, and massive in 1 patient. The median time of mechanical ventilation was 30.50 h (range, 6.00-270.50 h), and the average duration of ICU stay was 164.06±87.74 h. The average postoperative follow-up time was 354.82±331.37 d. At the last follow-up, the average Z score of tricuspid valves was 1.32±0.71, the median pressure gradient between right ventricle and main pulmonary artery was 41.75 mm Hg (range, 21-146 mm Hg) and the average percutaneous oxygen saturation was 92.78%±3.73%. Two children underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvoplasty at 6 and 10 months after surgery, respectively, with the rate of reintervention-free of 81.8%. There was no significant correlation between pulmonary transvalvular gradients after decompression and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves (r=–0.506, P=0.201).ConclusionFor children with PA/IVS, the simple pursuit of adequate decompression during right ventricular decompression may lead to severe pulmonary dysfunction, increase the risk of ineffective circular shunt, and induce refractory hypoxemia. The staged decompression can ensure the safety and effectiveness for initial surgery and reduce the risk of postoperative death.
Objective
To assess the mid-term effectiveness of anterior decompression and fusion with nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage in treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Methods
A retrospective study was made on 48 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent anterior decompression and fusion with n-HA/PA66 cage between August 2008 and January 2010. There were 33 males and 15 females with an average age of 54.5 years (range, 42-72 years). The disease duration was 3-12 months (mean, 6 months). The affected segments included 35 cases of single segment (C3, 4 in 7, C4, 5 in 18, and C5, 6 in 10) and 13 cases of double segments (C3-5 in 7 and C4-6 in 6). Of 48 patients, 28 was diagnosed as having intervertebral disc protrusion, 12 as having ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, and 8 as having vertebral osteophyte; 35 patients underwent single segmental anterior corpectomy and fusion, and 13 patients underwent single segmental anterior discectomy and fusion. The pre- and post-operative radiographs (cervical anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and three-dimensional CT scans) were taken to measure the segmental height and lordosis angle. Brantigan et al assessment standard and visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were used to evaluate the graft fusion and the improvement of clinical symptoms, respectively.
Results
All patients were followed up for 46 months on average (range, 36-54 months). No cage breaking, displacement, or sliding was found. At last follow-up, 36 cases were rated as Brantigan grade E, 10 cases as grade D, and 2 cases as grade C; the fusion rate was 96%. Both segmental height and lordosis angle were corrected significantly at immediate and 6 months after operation and last follow-up than those before operation (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found among different time points after operation (P gt; 0.05). At last follow-up, the cage subsidence was (1.3 ± 1.0) mm. The VAS and JOA scores at 6 months after operation and last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.05), and the scores at last follow-up were superior to ones at 6 months after operation (P lt; 0.05).
Conclusion
The mid-term effectiveness of anterior decompression and fusion with the n-HA/PA66 cage in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy is satisfactory because it can effectively restore and maintain segmental height and lordosis angle and promote osseous fusion.
