The association between tobacco smoking and surgical intervention for lumbar spinal stenosis: cohort study of 331,941 workers

Background Context

Tobacco smoking is an injurious habit associated with a number of chronic disorders. Its influence on disc metabolism and degeneration including lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has been investigated in the literature.

Home-based cycling program tailored to older people with lumbar spinal stenosis: Barriers and facilitators

Background

Lumbar-flexion-based endurance training, namely cycling, could be effective in reducing pain and improving function and health-related quality of life in older people with chronic low back pain.

Development and delivery of the BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older adults with Spinal Trouble) intervention for older adults with neurogenic claudication

Neurogenic claudication due to spinal stenosis is a common cause of disability in older adults. Conservative treatments are a favourable treatment option. This paper describes the development and delivery of the BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older adults with Spinal Trouble) intervention, a physiotherapist-delivered physical and psychological intervention for the management of neurogenic claudication in older adults. The BOOST intervention is being tested in a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial in UK National Health Service Trusts; delivered by physiotherapists registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council. Participants are aged 65 years or older, registered with a primary care practice, and report symptoms consistent with neurogenic claudication. Intervention content and delivery was initially informed by clinical and patient experts, research evidence, and behaviour change guidelines; and refined following an intervention development day attended by researchers, health professionals, and Patient and Public Involvement representatives. The BOOST intervention comprises 12 group sessions, promoting sustained adherence with a long term home and physical activity programme. Each session includes education and group discussion, individually tailored exercises, and walking. Initial exercise levels are set at a one-to-one assessment. Continued home exercise adherence and increased physical activity following completion of the sessions is facilitated through support telephone calls.
Trial registration ISRCTN12698674.     

Low risk for vertebral slipping after decompression with facet joint preserving technique for lumbar spinal stenosis

Summary The incidence and magnitude of vertebral slipping after decompression for central lumbar spinal stenosis were determined in a prospective study of 60 consecutive patients. Mean patient age was 64 (35–83) years, and 35 patients were men. In all cases, laminectomy was performed using a facet joint preserving undercutting technique. Plain radiographs were obtained before and 1 year after surgery. Vertebral slipping and disc degeneration were measured. Preoperative degenerative olisthesis was seen in 19 of the 60 patients. Further slipping had occurred in 6 of these patients by 1 year post-operatively. Of the remaining 41 patients, only 1 showed a postoperative slipping. Improvement concerning leg pain was reported by 45 patients, and there was no difference in patients with or without postoperative slipping. It is concluded that decompression with a facet joint preserving technique yielded a low risk for post-operative vertebral slipping. The risk for slip was higher in patients with preoperative degenerative olisthesis but was still less than 1/3. Vertebral slipping did not influence the outcome of the operation at 1 year. Our results do not support the routine use of spinal fusion in connection with decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis.     

Central Decompressive Laminoplasty for Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis : Technique and Early Surgical Results

Objective

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common degenerative spine disease that requires surgical intervention. Currently, there is interest in minimally invasive surgery and various technical modifications of decompressive lumbar laminectomy without fusion. The purpose of this study was to present the author''s surgical technique and results for decompression of spinal stenosis.

Methods

The author performed surgery in 57 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis between 2006 and 2010. Data were gathered retrospectively via outpatient interviews and telephone questionnaires. The operation used in this study was named central decompressive laminoplasty (CDL), which allows thorough decompression of the lumbar spinal canal and proximal two foraminal nerve roots by undercutting the lamina and facet joint. Kyphotic prone positioning on elevated curvature of the frame or occasional use of an interlaminar spreader enables sufficient interlaminar working space. Pain was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Surgical outcome was analyzed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed preoperatively and six months postoperatively.

Results

The interlaminar window provided by this technique allowed for unhindered access to the central canal, lateral recess, and upper/lower foraminal zone, with near-total sparing of the facet joint. The VAS scores and ODI were significantly improved at six-month follow-up compared to preoperative levels (p<0.001, respectively). Excellent pain relief (>75% of initial VAS score) of back/buttock and leg was observed in 75.0% and 76.2% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion

CDL is easily applied, allows good field visualization and decompression, maintains stability by sparing ligament and bony structures, and shows excellent early surgical results.     

氨甲环酸对高龄伴多节段腰椎管狭窄患者围手术期失血量的影响及安全性评估

目的 探讨氨甲环酸对高龄伴多节段腰椎管狭窄患者围手术期失血量的影响及安全性.方法 2009年1月至2010年9月,对连续就诊的68例行多节段腰椎管减压的高龄腰椎管狭窄患者(年龄≥65岁)进行前瞻性随机对照研究.采用机械抽样法随机分为两组,每组34例,对照组采用常规治疗,试验组在常规治疗的基础上加用氨甲环酸.对两组术中失血量、术后引流量、输浓缩红细胞、输血例数、血红蛋白、凝血酶原时间等指标进行比较.观察患者术后是否出现下肢深静脉栓塞的临床症状.结果 试验组患者术中失血量、术后引流量、输浓缩红细胞和输血例数较对照组患者显著下降[分别为(641.1±128.4) ml比(780.1±107.3) ml,(228.80±52.07) ml比(345.50±42.16)ml,(1.02±1.56)U比(2.89±1.76)U,16例比28例](p＜0.05),术后血红蛋白[(104.00±4.87) g/L]明显高于对照组[ (92.20±5.47) g/L](P＜ 0.05).两组患者术前及术后凝血酶原时间和活化部分凝血活酶时间比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).所有患者的手术切口均为Ⅰ期愈合,无明显深静脉栓塞的临床症状,术后7d彩色多普勒超声检查未见下肢深静脉血栓形成.结论 对高龄伴多节段腰椎管狭窄患者进行后路手术时,于术中及术后短期使用氨甲环酸能明显降低患者术中失血量及输血量,并且不增加静脉血栓形成的风险.     

颈椎后路椎板切除侧块螺钉植骨内固定治疗颈椎管狭窄症

目的探讨颈椎后路减压椎板切除侧块螺钉植骨内固定在治疗颈椎管狭窄症的效果。方法 36例颈椎管狭窄症的患者行后路椎板切除侧块螺钉固定植骨术。所有患者作手术前后的JOA评分和X线、MRI检查,观察颈脊髓受压情况和内固定位置。结果随访6~18个月。临床评分:手术前平均JOA评分(11.3±1.05)分,手术后随访期平均(15.7±1.11)分;术后MRI比较术前显示脊髓后移,脊髓受压解除明确。结论颈椎后路椎板切除侧块螺钉植骨内固定治疗颈椎管狭窄症临床疗效满意。     

周围型腰椎管狭窄及椎间静脉压迫症的临床与CT分析

目的：探讨周围型腰椎管狭窄及椎间静脉压迫症的CT表现,为骨科手术方式的选择和术中处理提供依据。方法：分析经手术病理证实的周围型腰椎管狭窄及椎间静脉压迫症的患者52例,全部行CT平扫,部分CT增强扫描。分析其各种类型的CT表现和不同术式的选择及术中所见。结果：大多数病例术中所见与CT表现相一致。CT诊断侧隐窝狭窄、椎间孔狭窄及椎间静脉压迫症的原因有：椎间盘的病理性膨突、侧方椎间盘突出、上关节突增生肥大、椎体后外缘骨质增生、黄韧带肥厚、腰椎滑脱等。结论：选择合理的CT扫描方法可以提高诊断符合率和特异性。正确的CT诊断有助于术式选择和术中处理,能有效的减少术后并发症。