Adjacent segment infection after surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis

Background

This is the first case series to describe adjacent segment infection (ASI) after surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis (SD).

Materials and methods

Patients with SD, spondylitis who were surgically treated between 1994 and 2012 were included. Out of 1187 cases, 23 (1.94 %) returned to our institution (Zentralklinik Bad Berka) with ASI: 10 males, 13 females, with a mean age of 65.1 years and a mean follow-up of 69 months.

Results

ASI most commonly involved L3–4 (seven patients), T12–L1 (five) and L2–3 (four). The mean interval between operations of primary infection and ASI was 36.9 months. All cases needed surgical intervention, debridement, reconstruction and fusion with longer instrumentation, with culture and sensitivity-based postoperative antimicrobial therapy. At last follow-up, six patients (26.1 %) were mobilized in a wheelchair with a varying degree of paraplegia (three had pre-existing paralysis). Three patients died within 2 months after the ASI operation (13 %). Excellent outcomes were achieved in five patients, and good in eight.

Conclusions

Adjacent segment infection after surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis is a rare complication (1.94 %). It is associated with multimorbidity and shows a high mortality rate and a high neurological affection rate. Possible explanations are: haematomas of repeated micro-fractures around screw loosening, haematogenous spread, direct inoculation or a combination of these factors. ASI may also lead to proximal junctional kyphosis, as found in this series. We suggest early surgical intervention with anterior debridement, reconstruction and fusion with posterior instrumentation, followed by antimicrobial therapy for 12 weeks.

Level of evidence

Level IV retrospective uncontrolled case series.

     

脊柱融合术后相邻节段退变的病因及其影响因素

近年来,随着脊柱融合手术的急剧增加和内固定器械的广泛应用,邻近节段退变性疾病逐渐引起人们的关注,依据临床症状判定其发生率约为5.2%～18.5%,其最常见的病理变化是椎间盘退变。导致相邻节段退变的原因包括邻近节段关节突负荷增加、活动度增大和邻近间盘内压增高,而邻近节段退变的影响因素:脊柱内固定、融合节段、矢状面上的曲度、邻近节段椎间盘退变及患者自身的特点。关于邻近节段退变的治疗,若融合术后患者的症状与邻近节段退变的病理相符时,外科干预强调充分减压和扩大融合节段,但是结果并不确切。     

Biomechanical Effect of C5/C6 Intervertebral Reconstructive Height on Adjacent Segments in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion ‐ A Finite Element Analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the biomechanical effect of different intervertebral reconstructive heights on adjacent segments following C₅/C₆ anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) through finite element analysis.MethodsA finite element model of intact C₄–C₇ segments was developed and validated for the present study. Five additional C₄–C₇ postoperative models were constructed with 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, and 200% of the benchmark height of C₅/C₆ on the basis of the intact model. The changes in intradiscal pressure (IDP) and range of motion (ROM) of adjacent segments before and after reconstruction of C₅/C₆ were analyzed.ResultsFor the upper adjacent segment (C₄/C₅), the IDPs under the different loading conditions all increased after reconstruction. The maximum IDPs were 0.387, 0.489, 0.491, and 0.472 MPa under flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending, respectively, observed at the reconstructive height of 200%. The minimum IDPs were observed at 150% reconstructive height under all loading conditions except extension, and were 57, 86 and 81% of the maximum IDPs under flexion, axial rotation, and lateral bending, respectively. The minimum IDP under extension occurred when the reconstructive height is 125% of the benchmark height. For the lower adjacent segment (C₆/C₇), the IDPs of postoperative models under all loading conditions also increased compared to the preoperative model. The maximum IDPs after reconstruction under flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending were 0.402, 0.411, 0.461, and 0.497 MPa, respectively, when the height of the reconstruction was 200% of the benchmark. The minimum IDPs were observed after a reconstruction at 150% of the benchmark, and were 59%, 85%, 82%, and 81% of the maximum IDPs under flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending loading conditions.ConclusionsThe reconstructive height is an important factor affecting the IDP and the ROM of adjacent segments after ACDF. To delay the adjacent segment disease, an intervertebral reconstructive height of 150% is an appropriate height in C₅/C₆ ACDF.     

Adjacent segment disease after anterior cervical interbody fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There have been many follow-up studies on anterior interbody fusion for cervical nerve root and spinal cord compression, and excellent neurological outcomes have been reported. However, postoperative degenerative changes at adjacent discs may lead to the development of new radiculopathy or myelopathy. In the previous reports, the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease has ranged from 7% to 15%. PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease after anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF) and to identify the factors that are related to the development of this disease. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 112 patients were followed up clinically and radiologically for more than 2 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: Follow-up evaluation was primarily by means of clinical visits. The postoperative course of any symptoms, the findings of neurological examination and serial follow-up radiographs were performed in all patients. METHODS: The diagnosis of symptomatic adjacent segment disease was based on the presence of new radiculopathy or myelopathy symptoms referable to an adjacent level, and the presence of a compressive lesion at an adjacent level by magnetic resonance imaging or myelography. We evaluated the correlation between the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease and the following clinical parameters (age at operation, sex, number of the levels fused) and radiological parameters (preoperative cervical spine alignment, preoperative range of motion of C2-C7 cervical spine, anteroposterior spinal canal diameter, preoperative existence of an adjacent segment degeneration on plain radiograph, myelography and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). RESULTS: Symptomatic adjacent segment disease developed in 19 of 112 patients (19%) followed. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed in order to follow the disease-free survival of the entire series of patients. The disease-free survival rates were 89% at 5 years, 84% at 10 years and 67% at 17 years. The incidences of indentation of dura matter on preoperative myelography or disc protrusion on MRI at the adjacent level were significantly higher in disease cases (p=.0087, .0299, respectively; chi-squared test). However, the other parameters did not show a statistically significant difference. There were seven cases (37%) who had failure of nonoperative treatment and additional operations were performed. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease after ACIF was higher when preoperative myelography or MRI revealed asymptomatic disc degeneration at that level regardless of the number of the levels fused, preoperative alignment, spinal canal diameter or fusion alignment.     

脊柱内固定导致邻近节段椎间盘胶原变化的实验研究

目的：设计山羊脊柱内固定的动物模型,研究脊柱内固定对固定邻近椎间盘胶原的影响。方法：采用生化法测定胶原含量、胶原类型及胶原酶的变化以及反映固定3月及6月后胶原的变化。结果：脊柱内固定后椎间中胶原含量及胶原类型都有了显著性改变,胶原酶活性无变化。结论：脊柱内固定可导致邻近节段椎间盘退变。     

腰椎后路单节段固定融合术后邻近节段关节突关节退变的随访观察

目的 :分析单节段后路腰椎固定融合(PLIF)术后邻近节段关节突关节(facet joint,FJ)退变的影像学特征,探讨PLIF对融合邻近节段FJ退变的影响。方法:选取2005年1月~2014年1月采用单节段PLIF或单纯髓核摘除术治疗的患者共84例,其中PLIF组(A组)44例,手术邻近节段共140个关节突关节;髓核摘除组(B组)40例,手术邻近节段共122个关节突关节。观察两组患者手术前后病变邻近节段FJ的CT和MRI影像学特征及退变发生率,依据Weishaupt分级系统对FJ进行分级,采用行平均分差检验,对两组患者手术前后病变邻近节段FJ的退变程度进行组内和组间比较。结果:两组患者的性别比、年龄、随访时间及手术节段差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。FJ退变常见的影像学表现为骨赘形成、关节间隙狭窄、软骨下骨的侵蚀、软骨下囊肿、关节突关节对位不良、关节突关节空气征、关节突关节积液、关节突再塑形以及关节突关节融合。A组术前关节间隙狭窄、软骨下骨的侵蚀发生率分别为52.9%、31.4%,术后为75.7%、62.1%;B组术前关节间隙狭窄、软骨下骨的侵蚀发生率分别为51.6%、30.3%,术后为63.9%、50%。两组患者关节间隙狭窄、软骨下骨的侵蚀术前发生率无统计学差异;术后两组发生率均较术前显著性增加(P0.05),且两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。按照Weishaupt分级,A组140个关节突关节中,术前0级3个,1级95个,2级34个,3级8个,退变发生率为97.9%;术后0级1个,1级49个,2级59个,3级31个,退变发生率为99.3%;B组122个关节突关节中,术前0级4个,1级82个,2级30个,3级6个,退变发生率为96.7%;术后0级2个,1级60个,2级39个,3级21个,退变发生率为98.4%,两组手术前后退变发生率差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。采用行平均分差检验,两组患者组内手术前后对比,术后退变程度加重,与术前比较均有统计学差异(P0.05);两组间比较,A组术前FJ退变程度与B组术前无统计学差异(P0.05);但A组术后FJ退变程度评分较B组术后评分高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:腰椎后路单节段固定融合术可能会加速邻近节段关节突关节的退变,以关节间隙狭窄和软骨下骨的侵蚀最为常见。     

颈椎前路椎间融合术后邻近节段的病变研究

[目的]研究颈椎前路椎间融合术后症状性邻近节段病变的发生率以及预测其发生的因素。[方法]112例颈椎间盘突出症或颈椎病接受颈椎前路椎体问融合术患者，行术后症状的评价，神经学检查及系列放射学检查，分析症状性邻近节段病变的发生率与临床和影像学参数的关系。症状性邻近节段病变的发生率通过Kaplan-Meier生存分析法进行统计，各参数与症状性邻近节段病变的发生率之间的关系通过u检验和t检验分析。[结果]随访时间2—19a，平均9．4a。112例患者中有19例（17％）出现了症状性邻近节段病变，其中男12例，女7例。Kaplan-Meier生存分析法分析未出现症状邻近节段病变的患者比率，5a时比率为89％，10a时为84％，17a时为67％。出现症状性邻近节段病变的病例中，术前脊髓造影上邻近节段硬膜有明显压迹或MRI上邻近节段椎间盘突出的发生率明显高于未出现症状性邻近节段病变的病例（P分别为0．0087及0．0299，双样本t检验）。而其他参数没有显著性差异。7名患者因保守治疗无效而进行了手术。[结论]当术前脊髓造影或MRI显示该节段存在无症状性椎间盘退变时，颈椎前路椎体间植骨融合术后症状性邻近节段病变的发生率明显高，与融合的节段数、术前颈椎曲度、椎管的直径或融合节段的曲度都无关。     

Applications of the Crenel Lateral Interbody Fusion Procedure in Treatment for Adjacent Segments Degeneration of the Lumbar Spine

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical and radiological effect of crenel lateral interbody fusion (CLIF) procedure in the management of lumbar spine adjacent segment degenerative (ASD).MethodsThirty‐seven patients with lumbar spine ASD who underwent the CLIF procedure between June 2018 and December 2019 were included in the study. There were 13 males and 24 females, with a mean age of 64.30 ± 5.92 years. The VAS score of the back (VAS_Back) and legs (VAS_Leg), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, the height of the intervertebral space (HIS), the height of the intervertebral foramen (HIF), the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the vertebral canal, segmental lordosis (SL), and lumbar lordosis (LL) were recorded before the operation, 2 weeks after the operation, 3 months after the operation, and at the last follow‐up respectively. Clinical and radiological outcomes before and after the surgery were compared, and correlation and regression analyses were performed.ResultsThere were no vascular and nerve‐related complications during the operation. The average follow‐up time was 16.63 ± 4.24 months. The median of both VAS_Back and VAS_Leg was 7 before surgery and 1 at the last follow‐up. Meanwhile, the average preoperative ODI score, HIS, HIF, CSA of the vertebral canal, LL, and SL was (67.48 ± 7.17) %, (4.80 ± 0.73) mm, (12.95 ± 2.07) mm, (59.52 ± 9.22) mm², (37.22 ± 5.92)° and (4.78 ± 1.99)°, respectively. At the final follow‐up, ODI score, HIS, HIF, CSA of the vertebral canal, LL, and SL was (7.07 ± 2.66) %, (9.44 ± 0.61) mm, (17.30 ± 1.90) mm, (70.49 ± 8.95) mm², (44.67 ± 6.38)° and (13.44 ± 3.27)°, respectively. In the VAS_Back, VAS_Leg, ODI score, LL, SL, HIS, HIF, and CSA of the vertebral canal, the difference between preoperative and 2 weeks after the operation, 3 months after the operation, and the last follow‐up were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, the difference was not statistically significant between each time point after the operation in the CSA of the vertebral canal, LL, and SL (P > 0.05). Nonetheless, the difference was statistically significant in ODI between each time point after the operation (P < 0.05). VAS_Leg was associated with HIS, HIF, and CSA of the vertebral canal, while LL and SL were risk factors for low back pain.ConclusionCrenel lateral interbody fusion is an effective procedure in the management of lumbar ASD. Not only was the postoperative swift recovery due to minimal invasion, but also adequate LL and SL were achievable.     

腰椎融合术后发生邻近节段退行性变的研究进展

随着脊柱手术方法的日趋成熟和内固定器械的日新月异,脊柱融合术的成功率有了明显提高。然而术后长期随访并发症也日益引起脊柱外科医师的关注,尤其是融合内固定术后邻近节段退变（adjacent segment degenera-tion,ASD）的问题变得更为突出,因其可引起临床症状,影响预后,正成为基础和临床研究的热点。本文从ASD发生的机制,影响ASD的因素,ASD的治疗策略,ASD的预防做一综述。     

腰椎融合治疗腰椎退行性病变术后并发邻近节段退变的影响因素及列线图模型建立

目的 探究腰椎融合治疗腰椎退行性病变（LDDD）术后并发邻近节段退变（ASD）的影响因素,并建立列线图模型。方法 选取本院2020年5月至2022年5月收治的319例拟行腰椎融合术的LDDD病人作为观察对象,按随机数字表法以7∶3比例分为建模组（223例）与验证组（96例）;建模组又根据术后是否发生ASD分为ASD亚组和非ASD亚组。采用多因素Logistic回归分析LDDD病人腰椎融合术后发生ASD的影响因素,并构建列线图模型,采用ROC曲线及校准曲线评估模型预测效能,计算曲线下面积（AUC）。结果 建模组223例行腰椎融合术的LDDD病人中,有57例发生ASD（25.56%）;多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄≥60岁[OR=4.146,95% CI（1.163,14.782）,P=0.028]、身体质量指数（BMI）≥24 kg/m²[OR=4.581,95% CI（1.409,14.891）,P=0.011]、多节段融合[OR=7.825,95% CI（2.036,30.083）,P=0.003]、融合程度不良[OR=4.077,95% CI（1.265,13.143）,P=0.019]是病人术后发生ASD的危险因素,术前骨盆入射角[OR=0.831,95% CI（0.772,0.894）,P＜0.001]是病人术后发生ASD的保护因素。该模型在建模组中的AUC为0.965[95% CI（0.932,0.997）],校准曲线显示该模型具有良好的一致性（P=0.678）;在验证组中的AUC为0.971[95% CI（0.949,0.994）],具有良好的一致性（P=0.697）。结论 年龄大、BMI高、融合节段多、融合程度不良是LDDD病人腰椎融合术后发生ASD的危险因素,术前骨盆入射角为保护因素,构建的列线图模型区分度与一致性良好,能直观预测LDDD病人腰椎融合术后发生ASD的风险。     

Surgical Infection after Posterolateral Lumbar Spine Arthrodesis: CT Analysis of Spinal Fusion

Objective

To determine the incidence of infection after instrumented lumbar spine surgery, the demographic and surgical variables associated with acute infection, and the influence of infection and debridement on the consolidation of spinal fusion.

Methods

After obtaining approval from the hospital ethics committee, an observational study was made on a prospective cohort of consecutive patients surgically treated by posterolateral lumbar spine arthrodesis (n = 139, 2005–2011). In all cases, the minimum follow‐up period was 18 months. The following bivariate analysis was conducted of demographic and surgical variables: non‐infection group (n = 123); infection group (n = 16). Fusion rates were determined by multislice CT. Logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

Incidence of deep infection requiring debridement: 11.51% (95% confidence interval, 5.85–17.18]). Bivariate analysis: differences were observed in hospital stay (7.0 days [range, 4–10] vs 14.50 days [range, 5.25–33.75]; P = 0.013), surgical time (3.15 h vs 4.09 h; P = 0.004), body mass index (25.11 kg/m² [22.58–27.0] vs 26.02 kg/m² [24.15 to 29.38]; P = 0.043), Charlson comorbidity index (median, 0 vs 1; P = 0.027), and rate of unsuccessful consolidation according to CT (18.4% vs 72.7%; P = 0.0001). In a model of multivariate logistic regression, taking as the dependent variable unsuccessful arthrodesis after 1 year, and adjusting for the other independent variables (infection, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, and surgical time), the only variable that was significantly associated with an outcome of unsuccessful spinal fusion after 1 year was infection, with OR = 12.44 (95% confidence interval, 2.50–61.76).

Conclusion

Deep infection after instrumented lumbar spine arthrodesis is a common complication that compromises the radiographic outcome of surgery. Patients who develop a postoperative infection and require debridement surgery are 12 times less likely to achieve satisfactory radiological fusion.

     

颈椎前路融合节段相邻椎间盘压力与轴性症状关系初探

目的分析在生理前凸获得有效重建的颈椎前路减压融合术中,融合节段相邻椎间盘压力变化与颈椎术后轴性症状发生的关系。方法行前路单椎体次全切除减压内固定手术治疗颈椎伤病42例,术中测量融合节段相邻椎间盘内压力,计算颈椎融合前后压力差。以D值法(C4椎体后下缘到齿状突后上缘与C7椎体后下缘连线的垂直距离,正值表示前凸)测量手术前后颈椎曲度变化,同时观察术后轴性症状的发生。分析颈椎曲度及相邻椎间盘压力变化与术后发生轴性症状的相关性。结果全部病例术后D值均为正值,与术前差异有显著性(P<0.05)。术后颈椎曲度变化与轴性症状发生无相关性(P>0.05),而相邻椎间盘压力变化与轴性症状发生有显著相关性(P<0.05)。术后发生轴性症状组(12例)相邻椎间盘压力差与无轴性症状组(30例)差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论在生理前凸获得有效重建的颈椎前路减压融合术中,融合节段相邻椎间盘压力变化与术后轴性症状发生的关系密切。术中相邻椎间盘压力监测有助于准确掌握撑开程度,减少术后轴性症状的发生。     

颈前路融合术后相邻节段退变120例

目的：探讨颈椎前路减压融合术后相邻节段退变的因果关系。方法：对237例患者行前路椎间节段减压植骨融合术（87例）,椎体次全切除减压植骨融合术（109例）,椎间节段减压、椎体次全切除减压植骨融合术（41例）。通过影像学检查,观察不同手术方法术后相邻节段退变发生情况。结果：术后随访时间2.6~13年,平均6.8年;发生相邻节段明显退变的120例（50.6%）,头侧相邻节段退变发生率明显高于尾侧邻近节段（P＜0.05）,其中27例（22.2%）需2次翻修手术。结论：颈椎前路融合术后可导致颈椎相邻节段的退变。     

颈椎人工椎间盘置换与椎间盘切除融合术后邻近节段退变比较研究的Meta分析

目的 :通过Meta分析系统评价颈椎人工间盘置换术(cervical total disc replacement,TDR)与颈前路椎间盘切除融合术(anterior cervical discectomy and fusion,ACDF)对邻近节段退变(adjacent segment degeneration,ASDeg)、邻近节段病(adjacent segment disease,ASDis)发生的影响。方法 :根据Cochrane系统评价指南,通过Pub Med、Medline、EMBASE、Cochrane图书馆、中国生物医学文献数据库(CBM)和万方数据库(Wanfang Database)检索2002年1月~2016年6月之间关于TDR和ACDF术后出现ASDeg、ASDis的随机对照试验(randomized controlled trials,RCTs),由两名研究人员独立筛选文章。纳入文献的方法学质量和偏倚风险通过Cochrane系统评价指南进行评价,提取数据包括ASDeg、ASDis以及再手术率的相关信息,研究结果以ASDeg和ASDis的发生作为直接结果,以邻近节段再手术率作为间接结果评估邻近节段病变的发生,并根据随访时间和研究地点分层进行亚组分析,最终对整篇Meta分析通过证据质量分级和推荐强度系统(the grades of recommendation,assessment,development and evaluation,GRADE)进行质量评估。结果 :共纳入了11篇RCTs,包括2632名研究对象。对于整体的ASD(包括直接和间接结果),TDR的发生率明显低于ACDF(OR=0.6;95%CI[0.38,0.73];P0.00001),差异有统计学意义。ASDeg和再手术率方面,TDR相对于ACDF具有明显优势(分别为OR=0.58,95%CI[0.46,0.72],P0.00001和OR=0.52,95%CI[0.30,0.87],P=0.01)。以随访时间5年为分界点,不论随访5年还是≥5年,在ASDeg发生率上,TDR的优势都比ACDF显著(分别为OR=0.63,P=0.001;OR=0.49,P=0.0002),并且这种优势可能随时间延长有扩大趋势。以研究地点分层,不论在美国(7篇RCTs)还是中国(4篇RCTs),TDR在邻近节段退变(ASDeg)发生率上均有优势(P0.0001,P=0.03)。根据GRADE评分,该Meta分析的质量级别为中等质量。结论:与ACDF相比,TDR在降低ASDeg和再手术率方面具有优势。     

Posterior spinal surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis does not induce compensatory increases in distal adjacent segment motion: a prospective gait analysis study

Background Context

Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) perform surprisingly well after spinal correction and fusion. It was previously hypothesized that, during gait, certain mechanisms compensate for the loss in spinal motion. Still, previous studies could not identify such compensatory mechanisms in the lower body.

腰椎内固定融合术后邻近节段退变的影响因素

目的探讨腰椎内固定融合术后邻近节段退变的影响因素。方法对1998年3月至2002年5月33例行腰椎内固定融合术的病例进行随访研究,观察其术后邻近节段退变的发生率、发生年龄、部位、影像学特点以及临床表现,对是否“悬浮固定”、内固定融合范围、不同邻近节段退变的风险进行对比。结果33例患者随访34～82个月,平均4年7个月。发现影像学上有退变表现10例（占30．3％）,10例中有9例退变发生在头侧节段。发生邻近节段退变以60岁以上患者为主。是否进行“悬浮固定”对内固定融合术后邻近节段退变的影响无统计学差异。多节段融合术后较单节段融合术后邻近节段退变有增多的趋势。L2／L3作为邻近节段时退变风险较高,而L5／L1,作为邻近节段退变风险较低。结论头侧邻近节段较尾侧节段更容易发生退变。如果L2／L3可能作为邻近节段,术前有退变表现,术中需将其进行固定融合,而如果L5／S1在术前没有明显退变证据,则不需要将其进行固定融合。腰椎内固定融合时,尽量避免长节段固定融合。     

Application of Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion Combined with Bridge‐Locking Cage in Adjacent Segment Disease After Lumbar Fusion

ObjectiveAdjacent segment disease (ASD) is considered any abnormal process that develops in the mobile segment next to spinal fusion, accompanied by related symptoms. To evaluate the efficacy and complications of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) combined with bridge‐locking fusion on ASD after lumbar fusion.MethodsA total of 35 ASD patients who required re‐operation after lumbar fusion in our hospital from March 2014 to March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, among which 13 cases (seven males and six females; 62.3 ± 11.3 years old) received the treatment of OLIF + bridge‐locking cage internal fixation (OLIF group), and 22 cases (14 males and eight females; 52.3 ± 17.8 years old) received the treatment of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) + pedicle screw fixation (TLIF group). The comparison of the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and length of hospital stay between the two groups of patients was performed using the t‐test. The comparison of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at different time points before and after the operation was performed using analysis of variance for repeated measurement data. The fusion rate and postoperative complications of the two groups of patients were also evaluated.ResultsThe operation time of patients in the OLIF group (55.4 ± 12.4 min) was significantly shorter than that of patients in the TLIF group (94.3 ± 22.9 min) (P < 0.05), the length of stay of patients in the OLIF group (7.4 ± 2.3 day) was significantly shorter than that of patients in the TLIF group (12.4 ± 3.2 day) (P < 0.05); the intraoperative blood loss (62.2 ± 30.1 mL) and postoperative drainage (47.3 ± 22.4 mL) of patients in the OLIF group were significantly less than those of patients in the TLIF group with intraoperative blood loss (363.4 ± 120.2 mL) and postoperative drainage (285.5 ± 57.8 mL) (all Ps < 0.05). Besides, the VAS and ODI scores of the two groups of patients were improved 3 months after the operation and at the last follow‐up (all Ps < 0.05). Three patients in the OLIF group developed complications such as hip flexion weakness and fusion cage sink, with an incidence of 23.1%. Three patients in the TLIF group developed complications including wound infection and intraoperative nerve injury, with an incidence of 22.7%.ConclusionThe combination of OLIF and bridge‐locking cage may be a safe and effective therapy for ASD patients after lumbar fusion operation.     

The Standing and Sitting Spino‐Pelvic Sagittal Alignment in Patients with Instrumented Lumbar Fusion Might Correlate with Adjacent Segment Degeneration

ObjectivesSitting is a common weight‐bearing posture, like standing, but there still lacks enough understanding of sagittal alignment in sitting position for patients after lumbar fusion. This study aimed to investigate the accommodation of fixed spine from standing to sitting position and its influence on unfused segments.MethodsSixty‐two patients after lumbar fusion (test group) and 40 healthy volunteers (control group) were recruited in this research. All subjects underwent lateral radiographs of entire spine in the standing and sitting positions. The spinopelvic parameters including sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), and pelvic tilt (PT) were measured. The changes in parameters of patients between two positions were compared with control group, and patients were divided in different groups based on fusion level and their parameters were compared.ResultsWhen changing from standing to sitting positions, a forward‐moving SVA and TPA were observed in both patients and control groups, accompanied by the decrease in LL, TK and increase in PT, but the changes of patients were smaller in TPA, LL, and TK (6.5° ± 7.2° vs 9.7° ± 6.0°, 7.7° ± 8.3° vs 13.6° ± 8.5°, 2.2° ± 6.5° vs 5.4° ± 5.1°, respectively, p < 0.05). Increase of PT in the lumbosacral fixation group was lower than that in the control group (4.4° ± 9.1° vs 8.3° ± 7.1°, p < 0.05). Patients who had adjacent segments degeneration (ASD) showed more kyphosis in unfused lumbar segments than the other patients (16.4° ± 10.7° vs −1.0° ± 4.8°, p < 0.05) from standing to sitting.ConclusionsThe spine straightens in lumbar and thoracic curve, combined with forward‐moving axis and pelvic retroversion when changing to the sitting position. However, these changes are relatively limited in patients after lumbar fusion, so the adjacent unfused lumbar segments compensate to stress during sitting and this may be related to ASD.     

邻近节段关节突关节退变对腰椎融合固定术后邻近节段疾病的影响

目的:探究邻近节段关节突关节退变对腰椎融合固定术后邻近节段疾病的影响。方法:对2016年6月至2019年6月接受L₅S₁腰椎后路椎间融合固定术(posterior lumbar interbody fusion,PLIF)的138例患者进行回顾性分析。根据术前L_4,5关节突关节是否有退变(采用Weishaupt分级标准)分为退变组68例,无退变组70例。收集两组患者年龄、性别、身体质量指数、随访时间、术前L_4,5椎间盘退变情况(采用Pfirrmann分级)等数据,采用疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、Oswestry功能指数(Oswestry disability index,ODI)评估术后1、3个月的临床疗效,分析术后邻近节段疾病(adjacent segment disease,ASD)发生情况以及发生ASD时间。结果:两组患者在年龄、性别、身体质量指数、随访时间、术前L_4,5椎间盘退变情况方面比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.0...