Late paraparesis due to pseudarthrosis after posterior spinal fusion

The authors report three cases in which paraparesis related to a pseudarthrosis occurred several years after a posterior spinal fusion, but with a different mechanism (stretching of the spinal cord for progression of the deformity in kyphosis in two cases, and spinal cord compression for bone overgrowth within the canal in the site of pseudarthrosis in the third patient). Treatment was different. Partial correction of the deformity and stabilization of the spine by combined fusion (anterior and posterior) was sufficient in the first two cases for a complete neurological recovery. Posterior spinal cord decompression and stabilization of the spine by combined fusion was necessary for complete recovery in the third.     

The value of scintigraphy in the diagnosis of pseudarthrosis after spinal fusion surgery

The utility of planar bone scintigraphy was evaluated for discerning bony union after spinal fusion surgery, especially in cases of clinically and radiologically suggested pseudarthrosis. Between 1991 and 1996, the authors performed bone scintigraphy on 42 patients (21 women, 21 men; mean age, 42 years) after spinal fusion surgery (32 posterolateral, 10 combined) and just before their admission to the hospital for material removal. The fusions consisted of 29 lumbosacral, 6 thoracolumbar, 3 lumbar, 2 thoracolumbosacral, 1 thoracic, and 1 cervical. The mean fusion spanned four segments, and the mean time between spinal fusion and material removal was 27 months. The scintigraphy was performed using the tracer Tc-99m. Based on the scintigraphy data, the radiologist suspected pseudarthrosis in five patients (12%), and the condition was confirmed in four patients during operation (10%), two diagnosed and two undiagnosed. The accuracy of the method was 88%; sensitivity, 50%, specificity, 93%; positive predictive value, 40%; and negative predictive value, 95%. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of bone scintigraphy are low for possible instability after spinal fusion. The method is not sufficient to reliably diagnose pseudarthrosis after spondylodesis.     

Revision of lumbar pseudarthrosis after posterolateral fusion

The methods and technology to facilitate fusion continue to expand, providing surgeons with a variety of tools to address each patient's individual pathology. While these techniques have the potential to minimize the need for revision, pseudarthrosis remains a challenging problem. The purpose of this discussion is to review the indications for performing spinal fusion, and to highlight the pathogenesis of pseudarthrosis and the options available to achieve successful fusion in the revision setting.     

颈椎前路融合术后假关节形成对疗效的影响

目的：观察颈椎前路减压融合术后假关节形成对神经功能和颈部症状的影响.方法：对109例颈椎前路减压融合术后患者进行平均11.1年的随访,常规拍摄颈椎屈伸侧位X线片,判断是否有假关节出现.采用JOA 17分法对手术前后的神经功能进行评定,观察术后患者的颈部症状并进行分级.对部分资料进行统计学分析.结果：109例患者的假关节发生率为26.61%（29/109）,单节段融合无假关节发生,而4节段融合的假关节发生率为36.36%.术后平均神经功能改善率为68.49%,颈部症状的发生率为35.78%.有假关节者与无假关节者比较,其神经功能改善率的差异有显著性意义（P＜0.05）,其颈部症状发生率相近.结论：假关节形成是颈椎前路手术后的常见远期并发症,其发生率与融合节段的多少有关.假关节形成可对术后远期神经功能恢复造成影响,但与患者术后颈部症状的发生无明显相关性.     

内置物保留治疗脊柱内固定术后细菌感染8例报告

目的探讨脊柱内固定术后细菌感染发生时在保留内固定物的情况下手术联合药物治疗的效果。方法对来自滨州医学院附属医院的458例脊柱疾患采用脊柱内固定治疗,8例（1．75％）确诊术后感染接受治疗。结果在保留内固定物的情况下,所有确诊感染的患者接受外科彻底清创、抗感染及VSD辅助治疗,感染均得以根治,平均随访时间2．1年（1-2．5年）。结论脊柱内固定术后发生的细菌感染通过积极的手术清创、应用抗生素并联合VSD辅助治疗均可得到控制。结果显示术后细菌感染在不取出内固定物的情况下,可以成功治愈。     

Prospective clinical outcomes of revision fusion surgery in patients with pseudarthrosis after posterior lumbar interbody fusions using stand-alone metallic cages.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a popular method of arthrodesis for surgical treatment of instabilities and degenerative conditions of the spine. With the introduction of threaded titanium cage devices, surgeons began performing PLIF procedures using these cages as stand-alone devices. Complications have been reported, however, including pseudarthrosis with persistent pain. Outcomes after revision surgical treatment for these patients with failed PLIF are not known. PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate clinical outcomes of revision fusion surgery in patients who previously underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion with stand-alone metallic cages resulting in pseudarthrosis. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective case series. METHODS: Nineteen patients referred to the senior author were evaluated and diagnosed with pseudoarthrosis having previously undergone a PLIF procedure with stand-alone metallic cages. History, physical exam, and imaging studies were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. All underwent revision posterolateral fusion with iliac crest graft and pedicle screw instrumentation. Patient demographics, SF-36, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) data were collected prior to surgery and two years postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients undergoing revision fusion surgery were found to have had extensive facetectomies and pseudarthrosis intraoperatively. Outcomes data was collected on eighteen of nineteen patients (95%). Mean clinical follow up was 3.2 years (range 2.5-3.5 years). Seventeen patients (94%) achieved a solid fusion. Improvement was noted in seven of eight SF-36 sub-categories, but was significant only in two (Physical Function and Role Emotional). There was no significant difference in ODI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudarthrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis if severe symptoms persist in patients who undergo PLIF with stand-alone metallic cages. Successful revision fusion did not always correlate with improved clinical outcomes in these challenging patients undergoing further surgery. Performing PLIF using stand-alone metallic cages, especially after total resection of the facet joints, is not advocated unless supplemental instrumentation is utilized.     

脊柱后路器械矫正术后假关节的诊治与预防

２０６例脊柱后路器械矫正融合术，经６月至５年随诊，发现假关节８例，脊柱侧凸５例，脊柱骨折３例，发生率分别为４％和３．７％。逐例对其临床表现、各种方向投照的Ｘ线片、及发生原因进行分析，提出假关节早期识别和修复方法，并对预防措施进行了讨论。     

脊柱畸形后路内固定矫形术后深部感染的治疗

目的:探讨脊柱畸形后路内固定矫形术后深部感染的治疗效果。方法:2012年6月~2014年12月167例脊柱畸形患者行后路内固定矫形术,11例术后并发切口深部感染,男3例,女8例,年龄14.6±4.7岁(11~27岁);其中早发性感染(术后90d内)9例,迟发性(术后90d后)感染2例。9例早发性感染患者中,伤口渗出液或在B超引导下深层穿刺取脓液细菌培养阳性6例,其中2例为耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)、3例为甲氧西林敏感金黄色葡萄球菌(MSSA),1例为大肠杆菌;另3例培养阴性者,依据伤口脓性渗液、持续胀痛及术中大量脓性积液而诊断为早发性切口深部感染。2例迟发性感染患者分别于矫形术后7个月和10个月时因腰背部持续性疼痛不适,经MRI检查提示切口深部积液形成,以及血沉、C反应蛋白等炎性指标显著高于正常值而确诊,清创术时取内固定旁组织细菌培养均为表皮葡萄球菌感染。均行彻底清创、置管持续冲洗引流,同时联合敏感抗生素治疗。结果:9例早发性感染经一期切口清创、置管持续冲洗引流及联合敏感抗生素治疗后,伤口均愈合,感染获得控制,内置物得以保留;随访13.5±5.8个月(6~36个月),无内置物松动及感染复发迹象。2例迟发性感染经多次清创、置管持续冲洗引流及联合敏感抗生素治疗仍无法控制感染,于矫形术后1年时取出内置物后治愈,取出内置物后分别随访6个月和14个月,无感染复发迹象,但分别有25°和17°的矫形丢失。结论:对脊柱畸形后路内固定矫形术后早发性深部感染,积极采取彻底清创、置管持续冲洗引流联合敏感抗生素治疗,可有效控制感染,避免取出内置物;而迟发性感染则可能需取出内置物才能控制感染,但有矫形丢失风险。     

脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的治疗

目的评价清创术后置管冲洗、负压吸引及一期关闭伤口对脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的治疗效果。方法回顾1984年2月～1997年10月924例行脊柱后路矫形融合术的脊柱侧凸病例,发现感染15例,男5例,女10例,年龄11～32岁,平均17.5岁;特发性脊柱侧凸7例,先天性脊柱侧凸8例;内固定系统包括Harrington Luque3例,Harrington8例,CD4例。结果7例诊断为术后早期感染,平均发现时间为术后15d,清创术后除2例内固定物取出外,其余5例均予保留。8例迟发感染,平均发现时间为术后5.5个月,所有病例均予彻底清创,4例内固定物完全取出(其中1例因并发呼吸功能衰竭死亡),2例内固定物部分取出,2例保留。所有病例清创术后均置管持续冲洗及负压吸引,一期关闭伤口。平均置管冲洗2.8周,清创术后静脉使用抗生素19d。14例患者平均随访3.5年,未见感染复发。结论清创术后置管冲洗、负压吸引及一期关闭伤口,是治疗脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的有效方法。保留植入物,对多数病例并不影响对感染的控制。     

Spinal pseudarthrosis in ankylosing spondylitis. Clinicopathological correlation and the results of anterior spinal fusion

We reviewed 40 extensive destructive vertebral lesions in 35 patients with established ankylosing spondylitis. Of these, 31 had presented with localised pain while three had a neurological deficit. The radiographs suggested ununited fractures through either ankylosed discs (37) or vertebral bodies (3). Corresponding fractures were seen in the posterior column in 34 cases. Sixteen patients with 18 lesions underwent anterior spinal fusion, and pseudarthrosis was consistently proven by histopathology. Two pseudarthroses healed in conservatively treated patients. Thirteen of the operated patients were followed for an average of 7 years 7 months. There were two cases of non-union and one required an additional posterior fusion; in the remainder fusion was sound.     

Acquired spondylolysis after spinal fusion

Spondylolysis occurring after a spinal fusion is considered to result from operative damage to the pars interarticularis on both sides. Fourteen cases are reported, and compared with the 23 cases which have previously been published. The defects are usually recognised within five years of fusion, and usually occur immediately above the fusion mass. Other contributory causes may be: fatigue fracture from concentration of stress; damage and altered function of the posterior ligament complex; and degenerative disc disease immediately above or below the fusion. Fusion technique is critical, since virtually all cases occurred after posterior interlaminar fusions. This complication is easily overlooked in patients with recurrent back pain after an originally successful posterior spinal fusion.     

脊柱内固定术后感染的治疗

[目的]探讨脊柱内固定术后感染的治疗方法。[方法]对2005年1月~2014年5月本院收治的21例脊柱内固定术后感染患者的临床表现、诊断及治疗经过进行回顾性分析,男10例,女11例,平均年龄(58±2.3)岁(17~76岁)。早期感染17例,迟发性感染4例;其中浅部感染8例,深部感染13例。在抗生素治疗的同时,浅部感染采用搔刮、冲洗、引流等换药措施;深部感染采用彻底清创、对流冲洗术治疗。对上述治疗前、治疗后1、2个月的白细胞计数、ESR、CRP指标进行统计学分析。[结果]平均随访(44.95±24.83)个月(16~128个月)。病原菌以革兰阳性球菌为多,占66.67%,其中金黄色葡萄球菌最为常见。8例浅部感染,切口平均(14.15±5.60)d愈合;13例深部感染者,12例经一次清创治愈、1例经二次清创治愈,11例保留内置物、2例去除内置物,平均治愈时间为(35.12±18.10)d。所有患者白细胞计数、ESR、CRP在治疗后2个月均恢复正常。[结论]脊柱内固定术后感染,在敏感抗生素治疗的同时,浅部感染经局部换药、深部感染经及时彻底清创及对流冲洗术治疗可获得良好的效果。     

Outcomes of infection following pediatric spinal fusion

Background

Removal of instrumentation is often recommended as part of treatment for spinal infections, but studies have reported eradication of infection even with instrumentation retention by using serial débridements and adjuvant antibiotic pharmacotherapy. We sought to determine the effect of instrumentation retention or removal on outcomes in children with spinal infections.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of patients who experienced early (< 3 mo) or late (≥ 3 mo) infected spinal fusions. Patients were evaluated at least 2 years after eradication of the infection using the following protocol outcomes: follow-up Cobb angle, curve progression and nonunion rates.

Results

Our sample included 35 patients. The mean age at surgery was 15.1 ± 6.0 years, 65.7% were girls, and mean follow-up was 41.7 ± 26.9 months. The mean Cobb angle was 63.6° ± 14.5° preoperatively, 29.4° ± 16.5° immediately after surgery and 37.2° ± 19.6° at follow-up. Patients in the implant removal group (n = 21) were more likely than those in the implant retention group (n = 14) to have a lower ASA score (71.4% v. 28.6%, p = 0.03), fewer comorbidities (66.7% v. 21.4%, p = 0.03), late infections (81.0% v. 14.3%, p = 0.01) and deep infections (95.2% v. 64.3%, p = 0.03). Implants were retained in 12 of 16 (75.0%) patients with early infections and 2 of 19 (10.5%) with late infections. Patients with implant removal had a higher pseudarthrosis rate (38.1% v. 0%, p = 0.02) and a faster curve progression rate (5.8 ± 9.8° per year v. 0.2 ± 4.7° per year, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Implant retention should be considered, irrespective of the timing or depth of the infection.     

腰椎后路融合术后急性手术部位感染的危险因素分析

目的探讨腰椎后路融合术后发生急性手术部位感染的相关危险因素。方法回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年12月于我院脊柱外科行腰椎后路融合手术的330例病人的临床资料。病人主要诊断包括腰椎椎管狭窄、腰椎间盘突出症、腰椎骨折、肿瘤等。根据术后是否发生急性手术部位感染将病人分为感染组和非感染组,选择年龄、性别、身体质量指数(body mass index, BMI)、吸烟、高血压、糖尿病、骨质疏松症、手术节段数、手术时间、出血量、切口长度、术后引流时间、尿路感染和脑脊液漏等可能影响术后急性手术部位感染的因素,先后应用单因素分析和二元Logistic回归分析腰椎后路融合术后急性手术部位感染的危险因素。结果共有19例术后发生了急性手术部位感染,发生率为5.76%(19/330)。单因素分析结果显示:两组病人的年龄、BMI、糖尿病、骨质疏松、手术节段、手术时间、出血量、脑脊液漏、尿路感染以及切口长度的差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。二元Logistic回归分析结果显示:BMI[OR=1.429,95%CI(1.059,1.929),P=0.020]、合并糖尿病[OR=9.568,95%CI(2.183,41.935),P=0.003]、手术时间[OR=8.868,95%CI(1.992,39.482),P=0.004]、切口长度[OR=7.257,95%CI(2.937,16.719),P<0.001]为腰椎后路融合术后急性手术部位感染的独立危险因素。结论为了降低腰椎术后急性手术部位感染的发生率,围术期应合理评估控制相关危险因素,以获得更好的治疗效果和病人满意度。     

Functional activities in spinal muscular atrophy patients after spinal fusion

Spinal muscular atrophy patients present with weakness, greater in the proximal muscles, leading to scoliosis and limited upper extremity function. The purpose of this study is to identify unique aspects of these patients and to understand how spinal fusion affects their function. Forty patients underwent Harrington or Luque rod instrumentation with functional evaluations preoperatively and 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Biomechanical assessment of function is important. Flexibility of the spine is functionally advantageous because distal strength is used to align weaker proximal segments. Postoperatively, lack of spinal flexibility resulted in a decline in gross motor function and increased use of UE aids due to a change in the trunk position in the weaker patients. The stronger patients' activities were maintained. Earlier mobilization in patients with Luque procedures did not improve postoperative function.