Pedicle screw fixation with translaminar facet joint screws for the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of Cotrel-Dubeusset (CD) instrumentation combined with translaminar facet joint screw ( TLS ) in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture. Methods: A total of six L2-L4 spines were used to establish unstable fracture model with three-dimensional range of motion ( ROM ) of the spines measured. Fixation with CD and fixation with CD combined with translaminar facet joint screw were achieved to compare their stability. Thirty cases of thoracolumbar fracture, in whom the anterior edge of vertebral body was compressed to 59% and the posterior edge compressed to 88%, were treated by pedicle screw fixation combined with TLS. Among them, 19 received posterolateral or anterior-posterior bone grafting Results- There was significant difference in ROM between the two techniques except that in extension. In Group CD TLS, ROM was 5.38% lower, lateral bending 4.91% lower and axial rotation 11.85 % lower than those in Group CD respectively. In the clinical group, the average anterior edge restored to 97 % and posterior edge to 98%. The duration of follow-up was 5-24 months (mean, 10 months). The rate of correction loss on the anterior edge was 4.5%. Among the 19 cases of bone grafting, all of them achieved bony fusion (mean fusion time, 4.3 month) with a correction loss rate of 3.4%. Conclusions:In the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture, pedicle screw fixation combined with TLS can strengthen the stability of pedicle screws, especially antirotation stability and enhance fusion rate and reduce correction loss.     

Non-operative vs. percutaneous stabilization in Magerl’s A1 or A2 thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults: is it really advantageous for a good alignment of the spine? Preliminary data from a prospective study

Purpose

Percutaneous and non-operative stabilization are very controversial choices in the management of Magerl’s A1 or A2 thoracolumbar spine fractures in adults. Our purpose is to figure out which of the two treatments is more suitable for the management and outcomes of these injuries.

Methods

From 12/01/2011 to 06/30/2014 at the AO Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gaetano Rummo in Benevento, Italy, we treated 39 adult patients with thoracolumbar spinal fractures according to Magerl’s A1 and A2. Twenty-four patients were treated with a 3-point orthopedic corset, and 15 patients were treated with percutaneous posterior stabilization without augmentation. The patients decided on treatment after extensive explanation of the pros and cons of the two treatments. The endpoint evaluation was set at the 6-month follow-up through the evaluation of the Visual Analogue Scale, Angle’s Regional Kyphosis, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, and Denis work scale.

Results

The preliminary results of this prospective study show that there is a considerable advantage in functionality and pain in treating adults suffering from thoracolumbar fractures with Percutaneous technique at the expense of the bust with three points.

Conclusions

Although the data are preliminary and based on data available in the literature, we can say that the Percutaneous posterior stabilization of thoracolumbar fractures in Magerl’s A1 and A2 in adults is the ideal method for a good and functional alignment of the spine.

     

DynaMesh® in the repair of laparoscopic ventral hernia: a prospective trial

Purpose

To investigate mesh-related complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using DynaMesh^®.

Methods

In the period 1 January 2005 through 31 December 2010, 181 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in our day surgery unit using DynaMesh^® were entered prospectively in the National Danish Hernia Database. Data concerning abdominal reoperations after hernia repair were later collected on all 181 patients from the National Danish Health Registry. Postoperative telephone interviews were conducted estimating postoperative pain and patient satisfaction.

Results

Six % (11 patients) were reoperated because of mesh-related complications. Three had small bowel obstruction and one had a colonic fistula with mesh infection, all causing bowel resection and mesh removal. Mesh-related cutaneous fistula was seen in one patient. Six patients had a symptomatic recurrence requiring reoperation. Abdominal wall hematomas were seen in two cases, while two other patients had symptomatic large seromas, of which one was drained surgically. After a median follow-up of 34 months (range 12–63) in 140 patients, 66 % were pain free (0 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)). Of 26 patients with moderate to severe pain (NRS > 3) at follow-up, only 4 regretted the operation. Sixteen patients thought they had a recurrence, of these only 3 regretted the operation.

Conclusion

The use of DynaMesh^® in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair was associated with a 6 % risk of mesh-related reoperation in a high volume setting. Despite chronic pain in 19 %, after 34 months follow-up patient satisfaction was high.     

Rare presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the thoracolumbar spine in pregnancy with 7 years' survival

A rare, so far unpublished, case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 26-year-old pregnant woman is presented. As X ray examination and other investigations were avoided during her pregnancy, the discrete signs of spinal cord compression led to sudden severe neurological deterioration after delivery. This necessitated emergency decompression and stabilization of the spine. Acute surgical treatment resulted in complete functional recovery. It was followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which led to disease-free survival 7 years after the surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging is the examination of choice when long-lasting back pain during pregnancy does not resolve with bed rest.     

Cost-effectiveness of the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures: Nonsurgical or surgical therapy?

Background:

Spinal fractures can be an important cause for disabling back pain. Therefore, in judging the cost-effectiveness of nonsurgical or surgical therapy, not only direct costs but also the indirect costs should be calculated. In this prospective randomized study, the costs incurred by nonsurgically and surgically treated patients with a traumatic thoracolumbar spine fracture without neurological involvement were analysed.

Materials and Methods:

32 patients with a traumatic thoracolumbar spine fracture were prospectively randomized for operative or nonsurgical treatment. Patients were sent a questionnaire every three months to inquire about work-status, additional health costs and doctor visits. The patients who have minimum followup of two years were included.

Results:

Of thirty-two patients, 30 met the criterion of the followup period of at least two years. Fourteen patients received nonsurgical therapy, while 16 received surgical treatment. Direct costs of the treatment of nonsurgically treated patients were €10,608 ($12,730). For the operatively treated group, these costs were €18,769 ($22,523). Indirect costs resulted in a total of €219,187 ($263,025) per nonoperatively treated patient. In the operatively treated group, these costs were €66,004 ($79,206).

Conclusion:

In the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures, the indirect costs exceed the direct costs by far and make up 95.4% of the total costs for treatment in nonsurgically treated patients and 71.6% of the total costs in the operative group. In view of cost-effectiveness, the operative therapy of traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures is to be preferred.     

Radiographic and clinical results of posterior dynamic stabilization for the treatment of multisegment degenerative disc disease with a minimum follow-up of 3 years

Background  

This study aims to compare radiographic and clinical outcomes of Dynesys and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for the treatment of multisegment disease.     

Management of intraoperative hemorrhage during NOTES®: a prospective, randomized comparison

Background

The optimal strategy to manage intraoperative hemorrhage during NOTES^® is unknown. A randomized comparison of three instruments for hemorrhage control was performed [prototype endoscopic bipolar hemostasis forceps (BELA) vs. prototype endoscopic clip (E-CLIP) applier versus laparoscopic clip (L-CLIP) applier].

Methods

A hybrid transvaginal NOTES model in swine was used, with hemorrhage induced in either the gastroepiploic (GE) arteriovenous bundle (vessel diameter ~3 mm) or in distal mesenteric vessels (vessel diameter ~1–2 mm). Hemostasis was attempted three times per vessel using each instrument in a randomized order. Full laparoscopic salvage was performed if hemorrhage persisted beyond 10 min. Outcomes included primary success rate (PS), primary hemostasis time (PHT), number of device applications (DA), and overall hemostasis time (OHT, including salvage).

Results

Seventy hemostasis attempts were made in 12 swine. PS was 42–67 % for the GE vessels, with no difference between instruments. PHT and OHT also were similar between instruments, with the BELA and L-CLIP having a higher number of DA. PS was (80–100 %) in mesenteric vessels, with the BELA and L-CLIP resulting in a shorter mean PHT compared with the E-CLIP.

Conclusions

All three instruments had similar effectiveness in achieving primary hemostasis during hybrid NOTES. Management of small vessel bleeding (1–2 mm) in a porcine model is effective using all three instruments but may be most efficient with the BELA or L-CLIP. Large vessel bleeding (≥3 mm) may be best managed by adding laparoscopic ports for assistance while maintaining a low threshold for conversion to full laparoscopy.     

Reliability analysis of the AOSpine thoracolumbar spine injury classification system by a worldwide group of naïve spinal surgeons

Purpose

The aims of this study were (1) to demonstrate the AOSpine thoracolumbar spine injury classification system can be reliably applied by an international group of surgeons and (2) to delineate those injury types which are difficult for spine surgeons to classify reliably.

Methods

A previously described classification system of thoracolumbar injuries which consists of a morphologic classification of the fracture, a grading system for the neurologic status and relevant patient-specific modifiers was applied to 25 cases by 100 spinal surgeons from across the world twice independently, in grading sessions 1 month apart. The results were analyzed for classification reliability using the Kappa coefficient (κ).

Results

The overall Kappa coefficient for all cases was 0.56, which represents moderate reliability. Kappa values describing interobserver agreement were 0.80 for type A injuries, 0.68 for type B injuries and 0.72 for type C injuries, all representing substantial reliability. The lowest level of agreement for specific subtypes was for fracture subtype A4 (Kappa = 0.19). Intraobserver analysis demonstrated overall average Kappa statistic for subtype grading of 0.68 also representing substantial reproducibility.

Conclusion

In a worldwide sample of spinal surgeons without previous exposure to the recently described AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System, we demonstrated moderate interobserver and substantial intraobserver reliability. These results suggest that most spine surgeons can reliably apply this system to spine trauma patients as or more reliably than previously described systems.

     

Prehospital stabilization of the cervical spine for penetrating injuries of the neck - is it necessary?

The purpose of this study was to assess the specific indications, benefits and risks associated with cervical spine stabilization during pre-hospital care of penetrating neck injuries. We retrospectively reviewed hospital charts and autopsy reports of 44 military casualties in Israel with a penetrating neck injury during a period of 4.5 years. A review of the literature was also carried out. In eight of 36 hospitalized casualties (22%) a life-threatening sign was diagnosed in the exposed neck - large or expanding haematoma, or subcutaneous emphysema. Surgical stabilization of the cervical spine was not performed for any of the casualties. It was concluded that life threatening complications due to penetrating neck injury are common and may be overlooked if the neck is covered by a stabilization device. It is extremely rare for a penetrating injury to result in an unstable cervical spine. New management guidelines concerning pre-hospital stabilization are suggested.     

Comparison of cervical spine motion during intubation with a C‑MAC D‑Blade® and an LMA Fastrach®

Die Anaesthesiologie - This prospective randomized study compared cervical motion during intubation with a C‑MAC D‑Blade® and with a laryngeal mask airway LMA Fastrach®. The...     

Correlative analysis of the results of surgical treatment of thoracolumbar injuries with long Texas Scottish rite hospital construct: is the use of pedicle screws versus hooks advantageous in the lumbar spine?

This is a prospective, randomized study to compare the efficacy of two similar "long-segment" Texas Scottish Rite Hospital instrumentations with the use of hooks in the thoracic spine and pedicle screws versus laminar hook claw in the lumbar spine for thoracolumbar A3, B, and C injuries. Forty consecutive patients with such thoracolumbar fractures (T11-L1) associated with spinal canal encroachment underwent early operative postural reduction and stabilization. The patients were randomly sampled into two groups: Twenty patients received hooks in "claw configuration" in both the thoracic and the lumbar spine (group A), and 20 patients received hooks in the thoracic vertebrae and pedicle screws in the lumbar vertebrae (group B). Pre- and postoperative plain roentgenograms and computed tomography scans were used to evaluate any changes in Gardner post-traumatic kyphotic deformity, anterior and posterior vertebral body height at the fracture level, and spinal canal clearance (SCC). All patients were followed for an average period of 52 months (range 42-71 months). The correction of anterior vertebral body height was significantly more (P < 0.01) in the spines of group B (33%) than in group A (16%), with a subsequent 11% loss of correction at the latest evaluation in group A and no loss of correction in group B. There were no significant differences in the changes of posterior vertebral body height and Gardner angle between the two groups. The SCC was significantly more (P < 0.05) immediately postoperatively in the spine of group B (32%) than in group A (19%). In the latest evaluation, there was a 9% loss of the immediately postoperatively achieved SCC in group A, while SCC was furthermore increased at 10.5% in group B. All patients with incomplete neurologic lesions in groups A and B were postoperatively improved at 1.1 and 1.7 levels, respectively. There were two hook dislodgements in the thoracic spine, one in each group, while there was no screw failure in group B. There was neither pseudarthrosis nor neurologic deterioration following surgery. Visual Analog Pain Scale and Short Form-36 scores were equally improved and did not differ between the two groups. The use of pedicle screws in the lumbar spine to stabilize the lowermost end of a long rigid construct applied for A3, B, and C thoracolumbar injuries was advantageous when compared with that using hook claws in the lumbar spine because the constructs with screws restored and maintained the fractured anterior vertebral body height better than the hooks without subsequent loss of correction and safeguarded postoperatively a continuous SCC at the injury level.