经皮病灶清除持续灌注冲洗治疗腰椎间隙感染

目的:探讨影像学引导下病灶清除持续灌注冲洗治疗腰椎间隙感染的疗效.方法:从1994年4月～2002年4月,收治椎间隙感染患者21例,L1～2 1例,L2～3 2例,L3～4 7例,L4～5 8例,L5S1 3例.其中15例在影像学引导下按照经皮椎间盘摘除术的入路进入病灶,清除和冲洗椎间隙坏死组织.应用McGill表定量动态评价患者疼痛的变化情况.定期复查X线、CT和MRI.结果:接受微创手术患者在术后1～2d剧烈腰痛消失,冲洗时间为7～50d.细菌培养阳性率为6例占40%.8～12周椎间隙基本融合.治疗后McGill分值在1～2d内即开始下降.结论:影像学引导下病灶清除持续灌注冲洗治疗原发性椎间隙感染,及时有效控制症状,促进椎间融合达到早日康复的目的.     

经皮病灶清除持续灌注冲洗治疗腰椎间隙感染

目的：探讨影像学引导下病灶清除持续灌注冲洗治疗腰椎间隙感染的疗效。方法：从1994年4月～2002年4月，收治椎间隙感染患者2l例，Ll～2 1例，L2～3 2例，L3～4 7例，L4～5 8例，L5Sl 3例。其中15例在影像学引导下按照经皮椎间盘摘除术的人路进入病灶，清除和冲洗椎间隙坏死组织。应用McGill表定量动态评价患者疼痛的变化情况。定期复查X线、CT和MRI.结果：接受微创手术患者在术后l～2d剧烈腰痛消失，冲洗时间为7～50d。细菌培养阳性率为6例占40％。8～12周椎间隙基本融合。治疗后McGill分值在l～2d内即开始下降。结论：影像学引导下病灶清除持续灌注冲洗治疗原发性椎间隙感染，及时有效控制症状，促进椎间融合达到早日康复的目的。     

原发性腰椎间隙感染病灶清除植骨融合内固定临床疗效分析

目的探讨原发性腰椎间隙感染后经一期后路病灶清除、植骨融合内固定并术后闭合式伤口灌注冲洗治疗效果。方法回顾性分析于2013年1月至2015年6月在西安市红会医院脊柱外科住院治疗的腰椎间隙感染患者36例,其中女性21例,男性15例,平均年龄61岁(43~68岁);所有患者均为单一的腰椎间隙感染,其中L_(2~3)3例,L_(3~4)11例,L_(4~5)18例,L_5S_14例;所有患者诊断明确后均行一期后路病灶清除、自体髂骨植骨融合内固定,术后伤口闭合式灌注冲洗2~3周;术中留取标本行病理学检查及细菌培养+药敏检测,术后常规应用抗生素治疗。结果所有36例患者手术均获得成功,手术时间平均(101±16.3)min,术中失血量180~550mL,平均(368±75)mL,细菌培养结果提示6例患者为金黄色葡萄球菌,2例患者为铜绿假单胞杆菌,1例为大肠埃希菌,其余27例患者均提示阴性,病理学检查结果提示符合急慢性炎性反应表现。术后3周,所有患者切口均甲级愈合,血常规、血沉、C反应蛋白均明显下降,血清降钙素原恢复至正常水平,术后3个月,患者炎性指标均恢复至正常。术后随访6~18个月,所有患者腰背部疼痛症状均明显缓解,无感染复发病例,椎间隙植骨均获得骨性融合。结论一期后路病灶清除、植骨融合内固定、术后伤口闭合式持续灌注冲洗治疗原发性腰椎间隙感染,具有病灶清除彻底、操作简便易行、避免二次手术创伤的优点,可使患者获得满意的临床疗效。     

闭式抗生素灌洗治疗腰椎间盘术后椎间隙感染的效果

[目的]观察病灶清除闭式持续冲洗治疗腰椎术后椎间隙感染的疗效。[方法]对15例腰椎间盘突出症术后椎间隙感染患者,进行病灶清除并闭式灌洗治疗。[结果]15例患者全部治愈无1例复发。[结论]病灶清除并抗生素灌洗治疗腰椎间盘术后椎间隙感染效果良好。     

经皮穿刺病灶清除灌注冲洗局部化疗治疗脊柱结核脓肿

目的:评价CT引导下经皮穿刺微创病灶清除后灌注冲洗局部化疗治疗脊柱结核脓肿的疗效。方法:31例脊柱结核并脓肿患者,其中7例为脊柱结核病灶清除术后复发者,单侧脓肿25例,双侧脓肿6例。7例有神经功能障碍,Frankel分级D级5例,C级2例。所有患者在全身化疗的同时,行CT引导下经皮穿刺微创病灶清除术,术后原结核病灶部位及脓肿部位放置灌注冲洗管进行灌注冲洗和持续局部化疗。结果:全组病灶清除及灌注冲洗管放置顺利,1例因冲洗管脱落改为开放手术治疗;交叉感染1例,经引流及应用敏感抗生素后治愈;1例治疗后1年复发椎弓根结核,给予局部清创,继续局部化疗3个月后痊愈。局部化疗时间53±23d,随访18±6个月,患者的疼痛和脓肿消失,恢复正常工作或生活。结论:经皮穿刺病灶清除灌注冲洗局部化疗治疗不合并严重畸形和严重神经功能障碍的脊柱结核脓肿效果较好。     

手术治疗腰椎间隙感染疗效分析

目的探讨病灶清除＋置管冲洗治疗腰椎间隙感染的疗效。方法对9例腰椎间隙感染患者行病灶清除＋置管冲洗。术后冲洗至全身局部症状消失、引流液清亮、引流液3次培养无细菌生长。同时静脉用两联抗生素至拔管后1～2周,再改口服抗生素巩固治疗4～6周。绝对卧床3—6个月。结果平均冲洗时间25．7d。随访6～24个月,7例痊愈,2例复发。复发的2例均有炎症向上位椎间隙扩散,其中1例用同样的方法治愈,另1例经长时间使用抗生素及消炎镇痛治疗基本治愈。结论病灶清除＋置管冲洗手术治疗腰椎间隙感染,疗效确切,可缩短疗程。     

通道辅助下微创椎间融合术联合短节段病椎固定治疗非特异性腰椎间隙感染

目的:探讨通道辅助下微创经椎间孔腰椎椎间融合(minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion,MIS-TLIF)技术联合经皮短节段病椎固定治疗非特异性腰椎椎间隙感染的疗效。方法:回顾性分析2014年1月至2018年1月12例非特异性腰椎椎间隙感染患者的资料,其中男8例,女4例,年龄39～65(51.00±12.36)岁。感染部位:L_(2,3)2例,L_(3,4)3例,L_(4,5)6例,L_5S_11例。其中合并高血压3例,糖尿病2例,泌尿系感染2例。12例患者均无腰部穿刺及手术史。所有患者行Quadrant通道辅助下MIS-TLIF技术病灶清除、自体植骨融合,经皮短节段病椎椎弓根螺钉内固定术,术中取病变组织行细菌培养和病理检查。记录手术时间、术中出血量、术前和术后1周及随访期间的红细胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate,ESR)及C-反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP);采用视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)和日本骨科协会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA)评分来评价临床疗效;采用影像学资料评估腰椎融合情况。结果:所有患者手术顺利,手术时间(176.00±20.76) min,术中出血量(155.00±30.56) ml。术后随访12～18(14.69±4.78)个月。术后1周及末次随访时的VAS及JOA评分较术前明显改善(P0.01)。末次随访JOA改善率为94%,所有患者红细胞沉降率及C-反应蛋白降至正常,植骨获骨性融合。病变组织细菌培养阳性7例,阴性5例。结论:通道辅助下MIS-TLIF技术病灶清除、自体植骨融合,联合短节段病椎固定,是一种临床疗效可靠、安全、微创的治疗非特异性腰椎间隙感染的手术方法。     

原发性化脓性椎间隙感染发病机理及治疗方法的探讨

目的 :探讨化脓性椎间隙感染的发病机理及治疗方法。方法 :对 11例化脓性椎间隙感染的患者采取前路病灶清除、后路椎板间植骨术并结合大剂量抗生素运用、卧床、制动等方法治疗。结果 :术后 11例患者获得 1～ 2年的随访 ,感染无 1例复发 ,脊柱无后凸畸形 ,植入骨块融合。结论 :前路手术清除病灶、后路椎板间植骨以加强脊柱的稳定性是治疗化脓性椎间隙感染的有效方法。     

腰椎间盘突出症术后椎间隙感染的治疗

自1993年3月～2002年5月,经手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症950例,术后发生椎间隙感染6例,经采用不同方法治疗,症状消失,报告如下。1 临床资料1.1 一般资料 本组6例。男性4例,女性2例。年龄40～56岁,平均48岁。L_(4、5)间隙5例,L_5S_1间隙1例。术后椎间隙感染确诊日期为7～18 d,平均12d。1.2 治疗方法 有2例采用抗炎、脱水等对症非手术治疗3～4个月。有2例采用原切口原开窗进入行椎间隙病灶(坏     

椎间隙感染的治疗(附42例临床分析)

目的 评价不同方法治疗椎间隙感染的中远期疗效.方法 回顾分析42例椎间隙感染,随访治愈率、实验室指标、影像学检查及神经功能恢复情况.结果 非手术治疗治愈率为66.67%,一期病灶清除椎间植骨融合者治愈率为85.71%,一期病灶清除植骨内固定者治愈率为88.89%.3例神经损害平均恢复1.3级(Frankel分级).结论 前路病灶清除、一期植骨内固定治疗椎间隙感染可以明显缩短病程,防止植骨块移位,促进病变间隙融合.     

Lumbar spine disc height and curvature responses to an axial load generated by a compression device compatible with magnetic resonance imaging.

STUDY DESIGN: Axial load-dependent changes in the lumbar spine of supine healthy volunteers were examined using a compression device compatible with magnetic resonance imaging. OBJECTIVE: To test two hypotheses: Axial loading of 50% body weight from shoulder to feet in supine posture 1) simulates the upright lumbar spine alignment and 2) decreases disc height significantly. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Axial compression on the lumbar spine has significantly narrowed the lumbar dural sac in patients with sciatica, neurogenic claudication or both. METHODS: Using a device compatible with magnetic resonance imaging, the lumbar spine of eight young volunteers, ages 22 to 36 years, was axially compressed with a force equivalent to 50% of body weight, approximating the normal load on the lumbar spine in upright posture. Sagittal lumbar magnetic resonance imaging was performed to measure intervertebral angle and disc height before and during compression. RESULTS: Each intervertebral angle before and during compression was as follows: T12-L1 (-0.8 degrees +/- 2.5 degrees and -1.5 degrees +/- 2.6 degrees ), L1-L2 (0.7 degrees +/- 1.4 degrees and 3.3 degrees +/- 2.9 degrees ), L2-L3 (4.7 degrees +/- 3.5 degrees and 7.3 degrees +/- 6 degrees ), L3-L4 (7.9 degrees +/- 2.4 degrees and 11.1 degrees +/- 4.6 degrees ), L4-L5 (14.3 degrees +/- 3.3 degrees and 14.9 degrees +/- 1.7 degrees ), L5-S1 (25.8 degrees +/- 5.2 degrees and 20.8 degrees +/- 6 degrees ), and L1-S1 (53.4 degrees +/- 11.9 degrees and 57.3 degrees +/- 16.7 degrees ). Negative values reflect kyphosis, and positive values reflect lordosis. A significant difference between values before and during compression was obtained at L3-L4 and L5-S1. There was a significant decrease in disc height only at L4-L5 during compression. CONCLUSIONS: The axial force of 50% body weight in supine posture simulates the upright lumbar spine morphologically. No change in intervertebral angle occurred at L4-L5. However, disc height at L4-L5 decreased significantly during compression.     

Sensory innervation of the dorsal portion of the lumbar intervertebral discs in rats

STUDY DESIGN: The levels of dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) innervating the dorsal portion of the lumbar intervertebral discs from L1-L2 to L4-L5 were investigated in rats by the retrograde transport method. The pathways and functions of nerve fibers supplying the dorsal portion of the discs were investigated by denervation and immuno-histochemistry. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the sensory innervation of the dorsal portion of the lumbar intervertebral discs in rats. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The dorsal portion of the L5-L6 disc has been reported to be innervated multisegmentally, and anesthetic blockade of the paravertebral sympathetic trunks and the L2 spinal nerve can relieve discogenic low back pain. However, sensory innervation of the dorsal portion of the lumbar discs at other levels has not been clarified. METHODS: A retrograde transport of Fluoro-Gold was used. We studied a nonsympathectomy group (n = 44) and a sympathectomy group (n = 50) in which paravertebral sympathetic trunks were resected from L1 to L5 levels. Using a ventral approach, Fluoro-Gold crystals were inserted into the dorsal portion of the L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5 discs. Seven days after surgery, Fluoro-Gold-labeled neurons were counted in the bilateral dorsal root ganglions from T10 to L6. RESULTS: Fluoro-Gold-labeled neurons were distributed in dorsal root ganglions from T11 to L5 levels in the nonsympathectomy group. However, in the sympathectomy group the number of labeled neurons was less than that of the nonsympathectomy group in T11, T12, and T13 dorsal root ganglions of the L1-L2 disc group, in T12, T13, and L1 dorsal root ganglions of the L2-L3 disc group, in T12, T13, L1, and L2 dorsal root ganglions of the L3-L4 disc group, and in T12, T13, L1, and L2 dorsal root ganglions of the L4-L5 disc group. CONCLUSION: The dorsal portion of the lumbar discs from L1-L2 to L4-L5 is multisegmentally innervated by the T11 through L5 dorsal root ganglions. Sensory fibers from the upper dorsal root ganglions innervate the dorsal portion of the discs via the paravertebral sympathetic trunks, although those from the lower dorsal root ganglions innervate via the sinuvertebral nerves. Furthermore, sensory nerve fibers enter the paravertebral sympathetic trunks through the corresponding ramus communicans and reach the dorsal root ganglions via each ramus communicans at the L2 and/or more cranial levels.     

Sensory innervation of the dorsal portion of the lumbar intervertebral disc in rats

STUDY DESIGN: The vertebral levels of dorsal root ganglia innervating the dorsal portion of the L5-L6 intervertebral disc were investigated in rats using a retrograde transport method. The pathways and functions of nerve fibers supplying the dorsal portion of the disc were determined by denervation and immunohistochemistry. OBJECTIVES: The dorsal portion of the lumbar intervertebral disc has been reported to be innervated segmentally, but anesthetic block of the paravertebral sympathetic trunks and the L2 spinal nerve can relieve discogenic low back pain. In the current study, the sensory innervation of the dorsal portion of the L5-L6 intervertebral disc was investigated, because the disc anatomically corresponds to the L4-L5 disc in humans, and the dorsal portion of the human L4-L5 disc is frequently subject to injury that causes low back pain. METHODS: A retrograde transport of Fluoro-Gold (F-G; Fluorochrome, Denver, CO) was used. Subjects included nontreated control (n = 32) and sympathectomized rats in which paravertebral sympathetic trunks were removed from L2 to L3 (n = 9). In a ventral approach, Fluoro-Gold crystals were placed on the dorsal portion of the L5-L6 disc, and labeled neurons in the bilateral dorsal root ganglia from T10 to L6 were counted. RESULTS: Fluoro-Gold crystals did not leak from the dorsal portion of the L5-L6 disc in 14 of the 32 nontreated rats and in 5 of the 9 sympathectomized rats. These rats were used for analysis. Fluro-Gold-labeled neurons were found in dorsal root ganglia from T13 to L6 in the 14 control rats but only from L2 to L6 in the 5 sympathectomized rats. CONCLUSION: The dorsal portion of the L5-L6 disc of rats was shown to be multisegmentally innervated by the T13 to L6 dorsal root ganglia. The sensory fibers from T13, L1, and L2 dorsal root ganglia were shown to innervate the dorsal portion of the L5-L6 disc through the paravertebral sympathetic trunks. In contrast, those from the L3-L6 dorsal root ganglia may innervate the dorsal portion of the L5-L6 disc through the sinuvertebral nerves.     

Intradiscal pressure changes with dynamic pedicle screw systems

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro study using porcine spines instrumented with pedicle screw and rod fixation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the intradiscal pressure (IDP) changes with the use of dynamic and rigid pedicle screw systems in simulated spinal fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The intervertebral discs are prone to injury under conditions of altered IDP. The effects of instrumentation with dynamic pedicle screw systems on IDP have not been clearly delineated. METHODS: A 2-level posterior instrumentation was applied to fresh porcine spinal segments (n=16). Dynamic and rigid pedicle screw constructs along with uninstrumented (n=6) spinal segments as controls were tested. The spinal segments were subjected to 24,000 cycles of flexion compression loading at 5 Hz. IDP within the instrumented (L2-L3 and L3-L4) and adjacent (L1-L2 and L4-L5) discs were measured using a pressure transducer needle. Results were recorded at 6000 cycle intervals. RESULTS: Instrumentation increased IDP. Within the instrumented levels, the greatest increase in IDP was found at the L2-L3 disc. Here, after 24,000 loading cycles, IDP for spines instrumented with mobile screws was 6.8 times higher than that of uninstrumented spines whereas for rigid screws the factor was 9.1. For the L3-L4 cases, the presence of instrumentation increased IDP by factors of 1.7 and 2.7 for mobile and rigid screws, respectively. In the uninstrumented levels, IDP at L1-L2 and L4-L5 was lower with mobile screws. These were statistically significant at for L1-L2 (24,000 cycles, P=0.008) and L4-L5 level (12,000, 18,000, and 24,000 cycles, P<0.04 in all cases). CONCLUSIONS: Of the 2 types, mobile screws produced the least increase in IDP. This feature might be beneficial for the fusion process while at the same time prevent secondary pathology such as premature disc degeneration and facet joint pathology due to excessive disc pressures.     

Morphometric aspects of extraforaminal lumbar nerve roots

OBJECTIVE: In the posterolateral extraforaminal and anterolateral retroperitoneal approaches to lumbar spinal lesions, the neural structures in the lumbar extraforaminal region are unfamiliar to many spinal surgeons. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal anatomic morphometric parameters for all lumbar nerve roots around their exits, from the intervertebral foramen to the surrounding bony structure. METHODS: A total of 15 adult fixed cadavers were studied. The extraforaminal course of the lumbar nerve roots and the forming plexus were measured segmentally, using standard calipers, and we selected the shortest distance from the bony landmarks to the nerve roots in the horizontal plane. The bony landmarks were the most medial superior border of the transverse process (TP), the most medial inferior border of the TP, the tip of the superior articular process, and the most dorsolateral margin of the intervertebral disc space. In addition, the angle of each root exiting from the intervertebral foramen was measured using a goniometer. RESULTS: The mean distance from the medial superior border of the TP to the upper segment of the nerve root was 5.1 to 6.4 mm at L2-L5. The mean distance from the medial inferior border of the TP to the corresponding nerve root was 8.5 mm at L2 and L3 and 6 mm at L4 and L5. The mean distance from the tip of the superior articular process to the most dorsal border of the descending nerve trunk was 19 mm at L2 and L3 and 22 mm at L4 and L5. The main lumbar nerve trunk was located close to the most dorsolateral surface of the vertebral body and the intervertebral disc space, and it was topographically arranged dorsoventrally from the L5 to L2 nerve components. The average widths of the nerve trunk were 10, 14, and 25 mm at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1, respectively. The mean angles of the exiting roots in the extraforaminal region were 16 degrees at L2 and L3 and 25 degrees at L4 and L5. CONCLUSION: The lumbar nerve component, including both the lumbar trunk and each exiting nerve root in the extraforaminal region (the so-called "danger zone"), was located anteriorly at a distance more than 5 mm from the TP, more than 19 mm from the superior articular process, and up to 25 mm from the intervertebral disc space. Based on our results, the danger zone occupied up to 25 mm forward from the intervertebral foramen at the lower lumbar segments. Therefore, during operations such as percutaneous posterolateral procedures and open posterolateral or anterolateral approaches, great care should be taken within 25 mm of the extraforaminal region, especially for the lower lumbar spine.     

Disc lesions and the mechanics of the intervertebral joint complex

STUDY DESIGN: Correlations between tears in the disc and the mechanics of both the intervertebral joint and vertebral body bone were analyzed. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of disc degeneration on the mechanics of spinal motion segments. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Degeneration of the intervertebral disc results in changes to the mechanics of the spine. The actual effect of tear type and size on the mechanics of the intervertebral joint is unknown. METHODS: Thirty spinal specimens (median age, 68 years) were divided into T12-L1, L2-L3, and L4-L5 motion segments. Mechanical tests recorded stiffness in flexion, extension, and torsion. Disc morphology was ascertained by taking three transverse sections of the disc and mapping and measuring the concentric tears, radial tears, and rim lesions. The severity of each tear type within each disc then was quantified. Bone cubes from the adjacent vertebral bodies were tested in compression to determine the elastic moduli and tested to failure in the longitudinal direction. RESULTS: Groups with tears were older and had reduced bone elastic moduli than groups without tears. Extension stiffness for the intact joint tended to increase with increasing tear severity. A decrease in torsional stiffness was present with increased severity of rim lesions at both L2-L3 and L4-L5. CONCLUSIONS: Tears in the intervertebral disc are reflected in a reduction in vertebral bone elastic modulus and in changes in the mechanics of the intervertebral joints in flexion, extension, and torsion.     

Comparison of sequential combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and spinal anesthesia for cesarean section

AIM: The aim of our study was to prove that by using sequential combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia it is possible to overcome the limits connected to the use of spinal anesthesia (SA) alone for elective cesarean section. METHODS: We examined 100 women submitted to cesarean section; SA was administered to 50 patients and sequential CSE technique to the other 50. In every woman before execution of the anesthesia we infused 500 mL of a plasma expander and a previous administration of 5 mg of ephedrine. The CSE was executed at the L1-L2 intervertebral space, administering in spinal anesthesia 5 mg of levobupivacaine with 5 _g of sufentanil, and in peridural anesthesia 10-12 mL of levobupivacaine 0.25% according to the patient's height. The peridural catheter for postoperative analgesia was then positioned. In the group of women submitted only to SA, 7.5-8 mg of levobupivacaine was injected, according to the patient's height, in the L1-L2 intervertebral space, with 5 _g of sufentanil. We considered the following adverse effects: hypotension; bradycardia; vomiting; intraoperative discomfort and motor block. RESULTS: The results obtained showed that, with a P < or = 0.05, the incidence of motor block (P < 0.001), discomfort (P < 0.001) and hypotension (P = 0.021) in the SA group is greater than in the CSE group. The difference in the incidence of vomiting (P = 0.147) and bradycardia (P = 0.067) between the 2 groups is not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion sequential CSE can be considered an important step forward in the regional anesthesia used for elective cesarean section.     

压力图像与回流性状双指征法辅助硬膜外腔定位麻醉的准确性与可行性研究

目的 探讨压力图像与回流液相双指征法辅助硬膜外麻醉定位与监测的准确性与可行性.方法 择期硬膜外麻醉患者1 200例,ASA Ⅰ～Ⅲ级,年龄、体重、性别不限.根据硬膜外穿刺节段分为6组(每组200例):颈组(C4～5/C5～6/C6～7,C组),胸Ⅰ组(T3～4/T4～5,T1组),胸Ⅱ组(T8～9/T9～10,T2组)...     

Platelet-rich plasma combined with hydroxyapatite for lumbar interbody fusion promoted bone formation and decreased an inflammatory pain neuropeptide in rats

STUDY DESIGN.: A prospective interventional trial, using a rat model of lumbar interbody fusion. OBJECTIVE.: To examine the potential efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for lumbar interbody fusion, using hydroxyapatite (HA). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: PRP is an autologous product containing a high concentration of platelets in a small volume of plasma and has osteoinductive effects. HA has osteoconductive ability and has been used in combination with autogenous bone for spine fusion. However, reports using PRP with HA for spine fusion are very few. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of PRP with HA for spinal interbody fusion and at the same time to estimate the change in immunoreactivity of the inflammatory neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating spinal discs. METHODS.: A total of 35 Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Twenty-one rats were used for conducting interbody fusion experiments, 7 rats were used as immunostaining controls, and 7 other rats were used as blood donors for making PRP. L5-L6 interbody fusion was performed on 21 rats using HA + PRP (n = 7), HA + platelet-poor plasma (n = 7), or HA + saline (n = 7). Simultaneously, Fluoro-Gold neurotracer was applied to the intervertebral space to detect DRG neurons innervating the discs. L5-L6 lumbar radiographs were obtained and lumbar DRGs were immunostained for CGRP. The rate of bone union and the change in CGRP immunoreactive DRG neurons innervating the discs were evaluated and compared among groups. RESULTS.: All L5-L6 lumbar discs were fused in the PRP + HA group (fused 7/total 7), whereas only 1 case was fused in the platelet-poor plasma group (1 of 7) and no cases in the HA-only group (0 of 7), which was a significant difference. Upon immunohistochemical analysis, CGRP-positive neurons innervated L5-L6 intervertebral discs in nonunion cases, and these were significantly increased compared with those in union cases. CONCLUSION.: Our study suggests that using PRP with HA was beneficial for spine fusion. This combination may promote bone union and also decrease inflammatory neuropeptide in sensory neurons innervating the discs.     

The selection of the regional anaesthesia in the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) operation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to compare the three different regional anaesthesia methods in patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and to determine the ideal anaesthesia method for TURP operation. METHODS: Totally 77 ASA II-III patients were preloaded with 500 ml 0.9% NaCl solution before regional anaesthesia. In group E (n:27) epidural anaesthesia were achieved by applying 75 mg bupivacaine heavy + 50 microg fentanyl in the L3-L4 intervertebral space. In group SP (n:28) 15 mg bupivacaine heavy + 50 microg fentanyl were used for spinal anaesthesia (L3-L4 intervertebral space) while in group SA (n:30) 10 mg bupivacaine heavy + 50 microg fentanyl were used with saddle blockade. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP), heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), serum sodium measurement was recorded before and after hydration and during operation. The motor block and sensory level have been measured. RESULTS: Intraoperative SAP values were more stable than the other groups in group SA. The decrease in HR values were significant 15 minutes after prehydration in three groups (p < 0.05). SpO2 values of the groups were stable during the operation. The time to reach the maximum block was very short in patients in Group SA (p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of motor block values (p < 0.0001). No fully paralysed sample was seen in Group SA even though there was a sufficient surgical anaesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Saddle block has some advantages compared to spinal and epidural anaesthesia methods such as achieving adequate anaesthesia, stable haemodynami, the lower degree of motor blockage and no full blockage in patients. Saddle block is an the most optimal anaesthesia method for TURP operation.