Mini-open thoracoscopically assisted thoracotomy versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for anterior release in thoracic scoliosis and kyphosis: a comparison of operative and radiographic results

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Combining anterior release and interbody fusion with posterior instrumented fusion is an accepted treatment for severe rigid spinal deformity. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and mini-open thoracoscopically assisted thoracotomy (MOTA) are two minimally invasive approaches to the thoracic spine. Both reduce surgical trauma, improve cosmesis and provide effective exposure for release and fusion. Published data and the authors' surgical experience have demonstrated that both techniques are equivalent in degree of release to traditional open thoracotomy, but no comparison between these two minimally invasive alternatives has been published to our knowledge. PURPOSE: This study compared MOTA and VATS under the hypothesis that both result in similar corrections and comparable operative parameters when used in conjunction with posterior instrumented fusion. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective chart review of consecutive case series by two surgeons. PATIENT SAMPLE: Twenty-one (13 female, 8 male) patients underwent MOTA and 24 patients (17 female, 7 male) underwent VATS for anterior release, discectomy and fusion prior to posterior instrumented fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes were measured at a minimum of 1-year follow-up and included radiographic Cobb measurements and operative parameters. METHODS: The indications for surgery included rigid and severe scoliosis or thoracic kyphosis. Data collection included preoperative demographics, number of levels released, primary curve correction, operative time and blood loss. Data were normalized per number of levels released anteriorly. Statistical analysis of results was done using a two-sample t test assuming equal variances with two-tail p values less than .05. RESULTS: More anterior levels were operated on average in the VATS group (6.33 vs. 4.38 levels). Curve correction per anterior level released was similar in both groups (8.7 and 8.8 degrees/level for MOTA and VATS, respectively). There was a significant difference in operative time with MOTA averaging 131.7 minutes and VATS averaging 162.8 minutes. However, a comparison of the operative time per anterior level operated, approached statistical significance in favor of VATS (33.0 vs. 28.4 minutes, p=.08). There was no significant difference in estimated blood loss during the anterior portion of the surgeries. There was a trend toward decreased blood loss per operated level favoring VATS (68.4 vs. 38.9 cc, p=.09). CONCLUSIONS: Both approaches resulted in corrections that compare favorably with open thoracotomy. We suggest that a factor in choosing between these two minimally invasive techniques is the number of thoracic levels requiring release. For four levels or less, MOTA provides an excellent alternative to standard thoracotomy. For five or more levels, VATS provides for excellent exposure of additional levels with the advantages of less operative time and blood loss per operated level.     

腹腔镜辅助与小切口技术行前路L4/5椎间融合术的比较

目的:评价腹腔镜辅助与小切口技术在前路腰椎间融合术中的应用价值。方法:1998年4月～2005年1月行L4/5前路腰椎间融合术52例,腹腔镜辅助下前路椎间融合手术23例(A组),其中男13例,女10例,平均年龄37.9±1.8岁;腰椎滑脱症14例,退变性椎间盘疾患4例,腰椎术后综合征5例。小切口经腹膜后前路椎间融合手术29例(B组),其中男16例,女13例,平均年龄37.4±1.6岁;腰椎滑脱症21例,退变性椎间盘疾患3例,腰椎术后综合征5例。对两组患者围手术期参数和并发症进行统计学分析比较。结果:A组与B组分别平均随访23.5个月和21.2个月,两组临床优良率、椎间高度维持和植骨融合率均无显著性差异(P>0.05),A组手术准备和操作时间明显长于B组(P<0.05),其住院时间、术中出血量与小切口组无统计学差异(P>0.05)。并发症:A组4例,发生率17.4%;B组3例,发生率10.3%,两组有显著性差异((P<0.05)。结论:应用腹腔镜辅助和小切口技术进行L4/5椎间融合都可以达到良好的临床治疗效果,但从并发症和技术上分析,采用小切口经腹膜后行L4/5椎间融合更为合理和微创,操作方便、快捷,不需特殊设备。     

经皮与经肌间隙入路椎弓根螺钉内固定术治疗单节段胸腰椎骨折疗效的Meta分析

【摘要】 目的：系统评价经皮椎弓根螺钉内固定术（percutaneous pedicle screw fixation,PPSF）与经肌间隙入路椎弓根螺钉内固定术（mini-open Wiltse approach with pedicle screw fixation,MWPSF）治疗单节段胸腰椎骨折的疗效,为临床决策提供参考依据。方法：计算机检索Pubmed、Web of Science、Cochrane Library、万方数据库（Wangfang Database）、中国期刊全文数据库（CNKI）中关于PPSF与MWPSF治疗单节段胸腰椎骨折的临床对照研究,检索时限为自建库起至2020年3月。纳入文献包含下列参考指标中的两项以上：手术时间、术中出血量、术中透视次数、术后腰痛视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale,VAS）、椎体后凸角（Cobb角）、伤椎椎体前缘高度比值（VBH）、Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）、手术并发症例数。Meta分析采用Cochrane Library提供的Rev-Man 5.3 软件进行。结果：共纳入17篇文献[3篇随机对照研究（randomized controlled trial,RCT）、14篇队列研究]、1057例患者,其中PPSF组519例,MWPSF组538例。MWPSF组手术时间较短[SMD=17.87,95%CI（11.60,24.15）,P＜0.05],术中透视次数较少[SMD=4.96,95%CI（4.29,5.63）,P＜0.05];末次随访时,MWPSF组Cobb角矫正较多[SMD=-7.56,95%CI（-10.61,-4.52）,P＜0.01],矫正丢失较少[SMD=1.76,95%CI（0.41,3.11）,P=0.01],VBH矫正丢失较少[SMD=0.90,95%CI（0.30,1.51）,P＜0.05]; PPSF组术中出血较少[SMD=-62.01,95%CI（-78.84,-45.18）,P＜0.05],术后1周VAS评分较低[SMD=-0.49,95%CI（-0.87,-0.11）,P=0.01]。在末次随访时两组的VAS评分、Cobb角、VBH、ODI、手术并发症无显著性差异（P＞0.05）。结论： PPSF和MWPSF治疗单节段胸腰椎骨折安全可靠,疗效一致。相较于MWPSF,PPSF具有创伤小、出血少及术后恢复快的优点,但增加手术时间和医源性辐射,且后凸矫形能力不足。     

Minimal invasive para-rectus approach for limited open reduction and percutaneous fixation of displaced acetabular fractures

Introduction

Minimal invasive fixation has been reported as an alternative option for treatment of acetabular fractures to avoid blood loss and complications of extensive approaches. Closed reduction and percutaneous lag screw fixation can be done in minimally displaced acetabular fractures. Open reduction is indicated, if there is wide displacement. In this study, we report the use of a mini-open anterior approach to manipulate and reduce anteriorly displaced transverse acetabular fractures combined with percutaneous lag screw fixation.

Methods

This report included eight patients. All had anterior displaced simple transverse acetabular fractures. An oblique mini-incision was made above and medial to the mid-inguinal point, and lateral to the lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle. The external abdominal oblique aponeurosis was incised along its fibres. The arched fibres of internal abdominal oblique were displaced medially above the inguinal ligament to expose and incise the fascia transversalis. Care was taken to avoid injury of ilioinguinal nerve, inferior epigastric vessels, and spermatic cord. The external iliac vessels were palpated and protected laterally. A blunt long bone impactor was introduced through this small incision to manipulate and reduce the fracture under fluoroscopic control. Fluoroscopic guided percutaneous lag screw fixation was done in all patients.

Results

The average time to operation was 4 days. Average blood loss was 110 mL. Operative time averaged 95 min. Maximum fracture displacement averaged 10 mm preoperatively and 1.3 mm postoperatively. According to Matta score, anatomical reduction of the fracture was achieved in five patients and imperfect in three. Follow up averaged 27 months. Wound healing occurred without complications and fracture union was achieved without secondary displacement in all patients. Average time to fracture healing was 14 weeks. According to the modified Merle d’Aubigné score, functional outcome was good to excellent in all patients.

Discussion and conclusion

Limited open reduction can solve the problem of fracture reduction, which is the main concern in minimal invasive fixation of acetabular fractures. It may help the inclusion of displaced acetabular fractures for percutaneous lag screw fixation. This mini-para-rectus approach has the advantages of minimal soft tissue dissection with the possible anatomical reduction of simple transverse displaced acetabular fractures.     

Bilateral and concomitant pathology’ surgeries do not affect the outcomes of mini-open distal linear metatarsal osteotomy (Bosch osteotomy) with manipulation for hallux valgus deformity

BackgroundBosch osteotomy for hallux valgus (HV) deformity has advantages of reduction both the operating time and surgical dissection, and may be performed bilaterally and with fewer complications than other surgical procedures as well as early weight-bearing. However, there are few reports on the effects of bilateral simultaneous surgery, simultaneous surgery on concomitant pathologies, and the preoperative HV angle on the postoperative results. The present assessed the factors that might affect the improvement in clinical outcomes following mini-open Bosch osteotomy with manipulation to treat HV deformity.MethodsSeventy patients with 110 feet were included. They were divided into groups as follows: unilateral and bilateral simultaneous surgery groups, Bosch osteotomy alone and simultaneous surgeries for concomitant pathologies groups, and preoperative HV angle< 40° and ≥ 40° groups. Subjective clinical outcome scores using the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q) and the HV and intermetatarsal first and second metatarsal (M1M2) angles according to the anteroposterior (A-P) view of the weighted foot X-ray were assessed preoperatively and at 12 months after surgery.ResultsThe mean HV angle, M1M2 angle and all subscales of the SAFE-Q score showed significant improvement at 12 months after surgery, regardless of simultaneous bilateral surgery, simultaneous surgery for concomitant pathologies, or the preoperative HV angle. On comparing the groups, there were no significant differences in the HV angle at 12 months after surgery. Significant inferiority at 12 months after surgery was found in the intermetatarsal angle in the simultaneous surgery for concomitant pathologies group and in all subscales of the SAFE-Q score in the HV angle ≥ 40° group.ConclusionMini-open Bosch osteotomy with manipulation for HV deformity demonstrated good results in both radiological assessments and subjective clinical scores at 12 months after surgery, even for simultaneous bilateral surgery, simultaneous concomitant pathologies’ surgery, and severe HV deformity.Level of EvidencePrognostic Level III, retrospective cohort study.     

Current concepts in management of femoroacetabular impingement

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is an increasingly recognized condition, which is believed to contribute to degenerative changes of the hip. This correlation has led to a great deal of interested in diagnosis and treatment of FAI. FAI can be divided into two groups: cam and pincer type impingement. FAI can lead to chondral and labral pathologies, that if left untreated, can progress rapidly to osteoarthritis. The diagnosis of FAI involves a detailed history, physical exam, and radiographs of the pelvis. Surgical treatment is indicated in anatomic variants known to cause FAI. The primary goal of surgical treatment is to increase joint clearance and decrease destructive forces being transmitted through the joint. Treatment has been evolving rapidly over the past decade and includes three primary techniques: open surgical dislocation, mini-open, and arthroscopic surgery. Open surgical dislocation is a technique for dislocating the femoral head from the acetabulum with a low risk of avascular necrosis in order to reshape the neck or acetabular rim to improve joint clearance. Mini-open treatment is performed using the distal portion of an anterior approach to the hip to visualize and to correct acetabular and femoral head and neck junction deformities. This does not involve frank dislocation. Recently, arthroscopic treatment has gained popularity. This however does have a steep learning curve and is best done by an experienced surgeon. Short- to mid-term results have shown relatively equal success with all techniques in patients with no or only mild evidence of degenerative changes. Additionally, all techniques have demonstrated low rates of complications.     

Minimally invasive scoliosis surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using posterior mini-open technique

The purpose of this study aimed to analyze and evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcomes of minimally invasive scoliosis surgery (MISS) for correcting adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using the mini-open technique. Thirty-four AIS patients who underwent MISS using the mini-open technique for deformity correction. Using two to four 3-centimeter-long skin incisions (mini-open) and tubular retractors, we performed screw fixations, rod assembly, rod derotation maneuver (RD), and bone graft. For thoracoplasty, four to six ribs were resected using the same incisions. Correction was attempted using rod translation and RD maneuvers. Radiological outcomes and clinical outcomes (SRS-22) were evaluated. Mean preoperative Cobb’s angle was 61.3° and curve flexibility (major curve) was 26.1%. This angle was corrected to 21.6° with a correction rate of 65.2% (P < 0.001). The coronal balance was not changed significantly. Sagittal vertical axes were corrected from −3.5 mm to 8.6 mm (–22 to 36.3 mm) (P = 0.009). Thoracic kyphosis angles and lumbar lordosis angles were not changed significantly but the values were within normal range. Each score of self-image in the SRS-22 questionnaire as well as the total score were improved significantly (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the MISS for correcting AIS using the mini-open technique showed comparable radiologic and clinical outcomes with fewer complications in patients with non-rigid scoliosis with Cobb’s angle between 50° and 80°. Long-term results of this novel MISS using the mini-open technique could further strengthen the rationale for adopting this technique for curve correction in selected cases of AIS.