ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with or without intravertebral clefts by unilateral approach and the impact of intravertebral clefts on the effectiveness. MethodsThe clinical data of 65 patients who met the inclusion criteria of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture were retrospectively analyzed. According to having intravertebral clefts or not, the patients were divided into 2 groups: cleft group (group A, n=25) and non-cleft group (group B, n=40). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, the level of fracture vertebrae, degree of damage, and interval of injury and operation between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). All patients were given PVP procedure by unilateral approach. The operation time, the injected volume of bone cement, time to ambulate, complications, and adjacent vertebral re-fracture were recorded. The height of anterior and middle column and the posterior convex Cobb angle of injured spine were measured on the lateral X-ray film in standing position at preoperation and 1, 48 weeks after operation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) system were used to evaluate the pain relief and improvement of daily activity function respectively at preoperation and 1, 4, and 48 weeks after operation. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the operation time and time to ambulate between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The injected volume of bone cement in group B was significantly less than that in group A (t=1.833, P=0.034). Asymptomatic cement leakage occurred in 6 patients (4 in group A and 2 in group B), in group A including 1 case of venous leakage, 2 cases of paravertebral leakage, and 1 case of intradiscal leakage; in group B including 2 cases of venous leakage. No symptomatic pulmonary embolism was observed. The vital sign was stable during operation and postoperatively. All patients were followed up 12-30 months (mean, 18.5 months). No re-fracture of the vertebrae occurred during the follow-up. The postoperative VAS score, ODI, the height of anterior and middle column, and the posterior convex Cobb angle of injured spine were improved significantly when compared with the preoperative ones in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at pre- and post-operation (P gt; 0.05). ConclusionPVP by unilateral approach is safty and efficacy in the treatment of osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture combined with intravertebral clefts. Intravertebral clefts have no significant impact on the effectiveness in the pain relief and function improvement.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of posteromedial and anterolateral approaches in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures.
MethodsNineteen consecutive patients with posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures were treated between August 2010 and August 2013, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 6 females, with an average age of 36.9 years (range, 25-75 years). All cases had closed fractures, involving 8 left sides and 11 right sides. Fractures involved posterior column according to the threecolumn classification based on CT scans; according to the Schatzker classification, all fractures were type Ⅱ; according to the AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation classification (AO/OTA), all fractures were type 41-B3.1.2. The interval between injury and operation was 7-14 days (mean, 9 days). The reduction of collapsed fractures and implantation of artificial bone allograft were supported by T-shaped distal radius plate via the posteromedial approach. The splited fractures was fixed by less invasive stabilization system (LISS) plate via the anterolateral approach.
ResultsThe mean operation time was 69.0 minutes (range, 50-105 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention without neurovascular complications or wound infection. All patients were followed up 14-20 months (mean, 18.2 months). X-ray and CT examinations showed that collapsed tibial plateau and joint surface were completely corrected; bony union was obtained at 12 weeks on average (range, 10-16 weeks). No secondary collapsed fracture and knee varus or valgus occurred. The results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 89.5% according to the Rasmussen's scoring system for knee function.
ConclusionThe posteromedial approach combined with anterolateral approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures can fully expose the posterolateral aspects of the tibial plateau, and thus collapsed and splited fractures can be treated at the same time, which will lead to less operative time and good outcomes in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of vertebroplasty with reverse designed unilateral targeted puncture in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) by comparing with curved unilateral puncture. Methods A total of 52 patients with OVCF met selection criteria and were admitted between January 2019 and June 2021 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=26). In trial group, the reverse designed unilateral targeted puncture was used in the percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP); while the control group used the curved unilateral puncture. There was no significant difference in gender, age, bone mineral density (T value), cause of injury, time from injury to operation, the level of responsible vertebral body, pedicle diameter of the planned puncture vertebral body, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, anterior vertebral height, and Cobb angle between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, bone cement injection volume and leakage, intraoperative radiation exposure times, and hospitalization costs in the two groups were recorded. VAS score was used to evaluate the relief degree of low back pain after operation. X-ray film was used to review the diffusion degree of bone cement in the responsible vertebral body, and Cobb angle and anterior vertebral height were measured. Results The operation was successfully completed in the two groups. Patients in the two groups were followed up 12-18 months, with an average of 13.6 months. The operation time, volume of injected bone cement, intraoperative radiation exposure times, and hospitalization costs in the trial group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). With the prolongation of time, the low back pain of the two groups gradually relieved, and the VAS score significantly decreased (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference in VAS score between the two groups at each time point (P>0.05). There were 2 cases (7.6%) of bone cement leakage in the trial group and 3 cases (11.5%) in the control group, and no significant difference was found in the incidence of bone cement leakage and the diffusion degree of bone cement between the two groups (P>0.05). Imaging examination showed that compared with pre-operation, the anterior vertebral height of the two groups significantly increased and Cobb angle significantly decreased at 2 days and 1 year after operation (P<0.05); while compared with 2 days before operation, the anterior vertebral height of the two groups significantly decreased and Cobb angle significantly increased at 1 year after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indexes between the two groups at different time points after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with curved unilateral puncture, the use of reverse designed unilateral targeted puncture during PVP in the treatment of OVCF can not only achieve similar effectiveness, but also has the advantages of less radiation exposure, shorter operation time, and less hospitalization costs.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the modified posterolateral counter-curved incision with double intermuscular approach for the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures.
MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 32 patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures between September 2012 and October 2014. There were 22 males and 10 females, aged 19 to 55 years (mean, 40.5 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 17 cases, falling from height in 9 cases, and falling in 6 cases. They had fresh closed fracture; injury to hospitalization time was 3 hours to 5 days (mean, 2 days). According to Schatzker tibial plateau fracture classification criteria, 20 cases were rated as type II, and 12 cases as type III. All patients underwent a modified posterolateral counter-curved incision with double intermuscular approach to expose tibial posterolateral condyle and anterolateral condyle. After a good visual control of fracture reduction, the anterolateral and posterolateral fractures were fixed with two-dimensional buttress plate respectively.
ResultsThe incisions healed at stage I, with no major neurovascular injury. According to radiological assessment of the DeCoster score, the results were excellent in 21 cases, and fair in 11 cases. All of the 32 patients were followed up 18 to 30 months (mean, 20.5 months). The X-ray films showed that all patients obtained good fracture union, and the mean time of fracture union was 12.3 weeks (range, 10-16 weeks). No fixation failure or no obvious loss of articular surface reduction was observed during follow-up. The range of motion of the affected knees was 2-135° (mean, 120°). The mean American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 90.05 (range, 83-96) at 18 months after operation.
ConclusionThe modified posterolateral counter-curved incision with double intermuscular approach could fully expose posterolateral tibia plateau, and good fracture reduction and reliable fixation can be obtained under direct vision.
Objective
To compare the differences in acetabular position during total hip arthroplasty (THA) between by direct anterior approach and by posterolateral approach.
Methods
Between December 2008 and December 2015, 102 patients undergoing THA were included in the study. THA was performed by anterior approach in 51 cases (anterior group) and by posterolateral approach in 51 cases (posterolateral group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, and cause of illness between 2 groups (P>0.05), with comparability. The acetabular abduction angle and anteversion angel were measured on the X-ray film at 1 day after operation to evaluate whether the acetabular prosthesis was displaced in the safe zone.
Results
The acetabular abduction angle was (42.28±5.77)° in the anterior group and was (43.93±7.44)° in the posterolateral group, showing no significant difference (t=1.30, P=0.19). The acetabular anteversion angle was (21.14±5.17)° in the anterior group and was (21.05±4.10)° in the posterolateral group, showing no significant difference (t=0.05, P=0.96). The ratio in the target safe zone of the acetabular abduction angle in the anterior group and the posterolateral group were 88.2% (45/51) and 84.3% (43/51) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.33, P=0.56). The ratio in the target safe zone of the acetabular anteversion was 80.4% (41/51) in the anterior group and was 82.4% (42/51) in the posterolateral group, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=0.06, P=0.79). The ratio in the target safe zone of both the abduction and anteversion angel was 70.6% (36/51) in the anterior group and was 68.6% (35/51) in the posterolateral group, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.05, P=0.82).
Conclusion
There is no differences in the acetabulum position during THA between by direct anterior approach and posterolateral approach.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of total hip arthroplasty by direct anterior approach (DAA) and direct lateral approach (DLA). MethodsCNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, CBM, EMbase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and PROSPERO databases or websites were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of DAA and DLA for THA from inception to August 6th, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 9 RCTs were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that at 3 months post-operation, the Harris hip score (HHS) of the DAA group was higher than the DLA group (MD=4.83, 95%CI 2.09 to 7.56, P=0.000 5). Besides, compared with the DLA group, the DAA group showed shorter incision length (MD=?2.35, 95%CI ?3.90 to ?0.79, P=0.003), less intraoperative bleeding (MD=?68.24, 95%CI ?119.07 to ?17.41, P=0.009), and shorter hospital stay (MD=?0.84, 95%CI ?1.54 to ?0.15, P=0.02). However, no significant differences were found between DLA and DAA in operation duration and HHS at 6 weeks after operation. ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that DAA can provide better HHS at 3 months post-operation, shorter incision length, less intraoperative bleeding, and shorter hospitalization length than DLA. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of SuperPATH approach in total hip arthroplasty (THA) compared with conventional posterolateral approach. Methods Between March 2017 and May 2017, 24 patients who planned to have a unilateral THA were enrolled in the study and randomized into 2 groups. Twelve patients were treated with SuperPATH approach (SuperPATH group) and 12 patients with posterolateral approach (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, the type of disease, complicating diseases, and American Society of Anesthesiologists grading between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, length of stay, length of incision, and perioperative complications related to operation were recorded. The hemoglobin and hematocrit were recorded; the total blood loss and intraoperative blood loss were calculated. The inflammatory response indicators (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and muscle damage index (creatine kinase) were recorded in both groups. The range of motion, functional score (Harris score), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and prosthesis position were recorded. Results Patients in both groups were followed up 1 year. Compared with the control group, the operation time of the SuperPATH group was longer (t=4.470, P=0.000), and the incision was shorter (t=–2.168, P=0.041). There was no significant difference in length of stay between 2 groups (t=0.474, P=0.640). Periprosthetic fracture occurred in 1 case of the SuperPATH group. No other complications, such as infection or deep vein thrombosis, occurred in both groups. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, total blood loss, hemoglobin and hematocrit before operation and at 1 and 3 days after operation, and C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate before operation and at 1, 3, and 14 days between 2 groups (P>0.05). For creatine kinase, SuperPATH group at 1 and 3 days were lower than control group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was found between 2 groups before operation and at 14 days after operation (P>0.05). For flexion and abduction activity, SuperPATH group at 1 and 3 days after operation were better than the control group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 14 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after operation (P>0.05). The Harris and VAS scores of SuperPATH group at 1 and 3 days after operation were better than those of control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in anteversion and abduction between 2 groups (P>0.05) according to the X-ray film at 1 year. During the follow-up, no loosening or migration was observed. Conclusion Compared with the posterolateral approach, the SuperPATH approach can reduce muscle damage, relieve early pain, promote recovery, and obtain the similar short-term effectiveness.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of posterolateral approach lumbar interbody fusion assisted by one-hole split endoscope (OSE) and traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in the treatment of L4, 5 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). Methods The clinical data of 58 patients with DLS who met the selection criteria admitted between February 2020 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 26 were treated with OSE-assisted posterolateral approach lumbar interbody fusion (OSE group) and 32 were treated with PLIF (PLIF group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, body mass index, Meyerding grade, lower limb symptom side, decompression side, stenosis type, and preoperative low back pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, leg pain VAS score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the height of the anterior and posterior margins of the intervertebral space (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were compared between the two groups. The low back pain and leg pain VAS scores and ODI before operation, at 1 month, 6 months after operation, and last follow-up, the height of anterior and posterior margins of the intervertebral space before operation, at 6 months after operation, and last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria at last follow-up after operation were used to evaluate the effectiveness; and the Bridwell method at last follow-up was used to evaluate the interbody fusion. Results Both groups successfully completed the operation. Compared with the PLIF group, the OSE group showed a decrease in intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay, but an increase in operation time, with significant differences (P<0.05). In the OSE group, no complication such as nerve root injury and thecal sac tear occurred; in the PLIF group, there were 1 case of thecal sac tear and 1 case of epidural hematoma, which were cured after conservative management. Both groups of patients were followed up 13-20 months with an average of 15.5 months. There was no complication such as loosening, sinking, or displacement of the fusion cage. The low back pain and leg pain VAS scores, ODI, and the height of anterior and posterior margins of the intervertebral space at each time point after operation in both groups were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Except for the VAS score of lower back pain in the OSE group being significantly better than that in the PLIF group at 1 month after operation (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in all indicators between the two groups at all other time points (P>0.05). At last follow-up, both groups achieved bone fusion, and there was no significant difference in Bridwell interbody fusion and modified MacNab standard evaluation between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion OSE-assisted posterolateral approach lumbar interbody fusion for L4, 5 DLS, although the operation time is relatively long, but the postoperative hospitalization stay is short, the complications are few, the operation is safe and effective, and the early effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective To compare the effectiveness between the posterolateral approach and the posterolateral combined posteromedial approaches in the treatment of Mason type 2B posterior malleolar fracture. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 79 patients with posterior ankle fracture who met the selection criteria between January 2015 and January 2022. There were 62 cases of Mason 2B Pilon subtype and 17 cases of avulsion subtype. Among Mason 2B Pilon subtype patients, 35 were treated with posterolateral approach (group A), 27 patients were treated with combined approach (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injured side, cause of injury, time from injury to operation, preoperative hospital stay, preoperative visualanalogue scale (VAS) score, and intraoperative internal fixation between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients with Mason 2B avulsion subtype were treated by posterolateral approach, including 7 males and 10 females, aged from 25 to 68 years, with an average of 46.1 years. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The reduction quality was evaluated by Ovadia deals radiographic score, and the ankle function and pain were evaluated by VAS score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and ankle range of motion. Results Mason 2B Pilon subtype: There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The radiological evaluation of Ovadia deals in group A was significantly worse than that in group B (P<0.05). The VAS score in the two groups significantly improved at each time point after operation, and the VAS score and AOFAS score further improved with the extension of time after operation, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Except that the AOFAS score of group A was significantly lower than that of group B at last follow-up (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in VAS score and AOFAS score between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the ankle range of motion in group A was significantly less than that in group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of sural nerve injury, deep tissue infection, limitation of toe movement, and traumatic ankle arthritis between the two groups (P>0.05). Mason 2B avulsion subtype: The operation time was (119.47±20.61) minutes and the intraoperative blood loss was 50 (35, 55) mL. Seventeen patients were followed up 13-25 months, with an average of 18 months. The Ovadia deals score was excellent in 10 cases, good in 6 cases, and poor in 1 case at 1 week after operation, and the excellent and good rate was 94.1%. All fractures healed in 8-18 weeks with an average of 12.35 weeks. There were 1 case of sural nerve injury and 3 cases of traumatic ankle arthritis after operation. No deep tissue infection or limitation of toe movement occurred. The VAS score decreased significantly and AOFAS score increased significantly with time, and the differences were significant between different time points before and after operation (P<0.05). The ankle range of motion at last follow-up was (56.71±2.47)°. ConclusionCompared with the posterolateral approach, the combined approach is a better choice for the treatment of Mason 2B Pilon subtype. If the posteromedial bone block does not affect the reduction of the medial malleolus, the posterolateral approach can achieve good effectiveness for Mason 2B avulsion subtype.
Objective To investigate the relationships between the bony structures, nerve, and indentations of ligamentum flavum of the upper lumbar spine by using CT three-dimensional reconstruction technique, in order to guide the unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique via contralateral approach in the treatment of upper lumbar disc herniation (ULDH). Methods Twenty-one ULDH patients who were admitted between June 2019 and July 2021 and met the selection criteria were selected as the research subjects. There were 12 males and 9 females with an average age of 62.1 years (range, 55-72 years). The disease duration was 1-12 years (mean, 5.7 years). There was 1 case of L1, 2, 4 cases of L2, 3, and 16 cases of L3, 4. The CT myelography data of T12-S3 segment was saved in DICOM format and imported into Mimics21.0 software for three-dimensional reconstruction. The relationship between the intersection (point Q) of spinous process and the inferior margin of lamina, the indentation of superior margin of ligamentum flavum, the inferior margin of nerve root origin, intervertebral space, and foramen were observed. The Mimics21.0 software was used to create a 3-mm-diameter cylinder to simulate the UBE channel and measure its abduction angle (∠b1), as well as measure the following lumbar vertebra-related indicators: in L1,2-L3,4 segments, the vertical distance from the point Q to the inferior margin of the contralateral lumbar pedicle of the same lumbar vertebra (a1), the superior margin of the contralateral pedicle of the lower lumbar vertebra (a2), the lower endplate of the same lumbar vertebra (a3), the upper endplate of the lower lumbar vertebra (a4); the vertical distance from the lower endplate of lumbar vertebra to the inferior margin of the lumbar pedicle (c1), the vertical distance from the upper endplate of the lower lumbar vertebra to the superior margin of the lumbar pedicle (c2); the vertical distance from the inferior margin of the nerve root origin to the superior margin (d1) and the inferior margin (d2) of the lumbar pedicle, respectively; the vertical distance from the intersection (point P) of the indentation of superior margin of ligamentum flavum and the medial margin of the lumbar pedicle to the superior margin (e1) and the inferior margin (e2) of the lumbar pedicle, respectively; the horizontal distance from the lateral margin of the dural mater (f1) and the narrowest part of the lumbar isthmus (f2) to the facet joint space, respectively. Thirteen of the patients included in the study chose the UBE surgery via contralateral approach. There were 8 males and 5 females with an average age of 63.3 years (range, 55-71 years). The disease duration was 2-12 years, with an average of 6.2 years. There were 3 cases of L2, 3 and 10 cases of L3, 4. The perioperative complications and surgical decompression were recorded. And the effectiveness were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and short form-36 health survey (SF-36) score. Results The imaging results showed that there was no significant difference in a1, a3, a4, e1, e2, f1, and f2 between segments (P>0.05), and there were significant differences (P<0.05) in a2 and c2 between L1, 2 and L3, 4 segments, in ∠b1 and d2 between L1, 2, L2, 3 segments and L3, 4 segments, and in c1 and d1 between L1, 2 and L2, 3, L3, 4 segments. The 87.30% (110/126) of point Q of L1, 2-L3, 4 segments corresponded to the inferior articular process, and 78.57% (99/126) of the lower endplate corresponded to the level of the isthmus. All 13 patients completed the UBE surgery via contralateral approach, and none were converted to open surgery. All patients were followed up 12-17 months (mean, 14.6) months. The VAS score of low back pain and leg pain, ODI, and SF-36 score at 6 and 12 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05), and further improved at 12 months after operation when compared with 6 months after operation (P<0.05). The imaging review results showed that the herniated disc was removed and the dura mater was decompressed adequately. Conclusion The point Q, the superior margin of ligamentum flavum, and lumbar pedicle can be used as the markers for the treatment of ULBD with UBE surgery via contralateral approach, making the procedure safer, more precise, and more effective.