Comparison of unilateral and bilateral puncture percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Objectives:To compare the clinical efficacy of unilateral and bilateral puncture PKP in the treatment of OVCFs and explored whether there is a difference in the efficacy of unilateral and bilateral puncture PKP after surgery.Methods:A total of 98 patients with OVCFs treated by PKP from August 2016 to June 2018 were selected. There were 62 cases in the unilateral puncture group and 36 cases in the bilateral puncture group. The operation time, the amount of bone cement injection, the height of the anterior edge of the vertebral body and the visual analog scale (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) scores before and after the operation were analyzed, and whether the differences between the 2 groups were statistically significant was analyzed.Results:All patients were followed up completely. The operation time and the number of X-ray fluoroscopies of the unilateral puncture group were significantly reduced compared to those of the bilateral group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). In terms of the bone cement injection volume, the average injection volume of the bilateral group was greater than that of the unilateral group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05); the postoperative VAS scores of the 2 groups of patients were significantly improved, and the difference was statistically significant compared with that before surgery (p<0.05) but that of the unilateral group was not statistically significant compared with that of the bilateral group (p>0.05). The height of the anterior edge of the vertebral body in both groups was significantly improved compared with that before the operation, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion:Unilateral and bilateral puncture PKP can achieve good clinical efficacy in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, but unilateral PKP has the advantages of short operation time and low X-ray exposure.

Osteoporosis (OP) is caused by a decrease in bone mass for a variety of reasons, especially a decrease in the amount of cancellous bone in the vertebral body and damage to the microstructure of bone tissue, bone mineral composition and bone matrix per unit volume. Osteoporosis is one of the diseases with high morbidity and mortality in the world and has become an important disease that endangers the health of middle-aged and elderly people.¹ Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are one of the major complications of osteoporosis, which often cause stubborn waist and back aches. Severe thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures may lead to cardiopulmonary and other multisystem dysfunctions, seriously affecting the patient’s quality of life.²For the treatment of OVCFs, the current recommendations are conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative treatment may cause various complications due to long-term bed rest, including bedsores, delayed fracture healing, deformity healing or nonunion, respiratory and urinary tract infections, and lower extremity venous thrombosis, which can threaten the life of the patient.^3,4 Therefore, patients with OVCFs who have early out-of-bed activity requirements and surgical indications are more likely to undergo surgical treatment.The traditional surgical treatment for OVCFs is posterior laminectomy and decompression pedicle screw internal fixation, but due to the higher degree of osteoporosis in older patients, the long-term screw internal fixation effect is poor, and surgical trauma has a greater impact on patients; thus, the long-term efficacy is not ideal.⁵ In recent years, with the improvement of minimally invasive spine technology, percutaneous vertebralplasty (PVP) and percutaneous balloon dilatation kyphoplasty (Percutaneous kyphoplasty, PKP) have achieved satisfactory results in the treatment of OVCF. Compared with PVP, PKP uses a balloon or other expansion system to expand the compressed vertebral body to form a relatively low-pressure vertebral body space, followed by low-pressure injection of bone cement, which can better correct kyphosis and reduce the penetration of bone cement leakage.^6,7The PKP surgical puncture consists of a bilateral pedicle approach or a unilateral pedicle approach. While the advantages of the transdermal bilateral pedicle approach include better diffusion of bone cement and reduced risk of puncture, there are shortcomings, such as long operation time, large radiation exposure and high hospitalization costs.⁸ At present, there is no unified conclusion as to which PKP approach is better for use to treat OVCFs. Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to clarify the difference between unilateral and bilateral PKP in the treatment of OVCFs.The OVCFs are one of the common diseases that cause lumbago and kyphosis in the elderly. At present, PKP is one of the common methods for the treatment of OVCFs. Bilateral puncture of the pedicle approach is the classic operation method of PKP, but some scholars believe that unilateral puncture bone cement injection can achieve the same surgical effect. This record-based case–control study retrospectively analyzed patients with OVCFs treated in our hospital from August 2016 to June 2018, performed an in-depth analysis and comparison of the unilateral and bilateral PKP treatment of OVCFs, and provided a reference for the clinical approach to PKP treatment of OVCFs.     

单侧与双侧入路脊柱行后凸成形治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的Meta分析

背景：椎体后凸成形明显改善了骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的治疗过程,但临床上对于单侧入路还是双侧入路还存在一定争议。 目的：对比单侧与双侧入路脊柱后凸成形治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的疗效。 方法：全面收集椎体单侧与双侧入路脊柱后凸成形治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的随机对照研究,由两个研究者独立评价文献,并采集数据,在严格文献质量评价的基础上,进行Meta系统评价。 结果与结论：共纳入5篇文献,241例患者。在止痛及骨水泥渗漏方面,两种脊柱入路差异无显著性意义(P=0.99,P=0.56);在改善后凸角度方面,双侧入路优于单侧入路(P=0.05);在手术时间方面,单侧入路优于双侧入路(P < 0.000 01)。表明单侧入路与双侧入路均能明显减轻疼痛,二者差异无显著性意义;二者骨水泥渗漏率差异无显著性意义;双侧入路可更好地改善脊柱后凸角度,但手术时间较长;鉴于纳入的文献质量不高,结论尚需更多设计严谨的随机对照研究加以证实。     

单侧穿刺经皮椎体注入骨水泥后凸成形治疗多椎体骨质疏松性压缩骨折

背景：经皮椎体成形和经皮椎体后凸成形是一种治疗骨质疏松症所致椎体压缩性骨折的新方法,目前已经在各大医院广泛开展,但是在临床上很多病例有多个椎体的骨折,采用经典的手术方法操作次数多,增加手术风险,射线暴露量大,医疗费用高。 目的：观察单侧穿刺经皮椎体后凸成形治疗老年多椎体骨质疏松压缩骨折的疗效。 方法：选择2007-06/2009-06巢湖市第一人民医院骨二科和皖南医学院附属弋矶山医院骨一科收治的多椎体骨质疏松压缩骨折患者12例(29椎),根据治疗前MRI信号改变判断疼痛性椎体并进行选择性单侧穿刺球囊扩张后凸成形的治疗。根据目测类比评分评价手术前后疼痛变化,观察治疗后症状改善、骨折复位情况及有无并发症发生。 结果与结论：12例穿刺均顺利完成,48 h内疼痛缓解,平均随访14个月。治疗后目测类比评分较治疗前降低(P < 0.01)。椎体前缘、中部、后缘平均高度治疗前低于治疗后,至末次随访椎体复位后前缘、中部、后缘平均高度未见明显丢失(P > 0.05)。治疗前穿刺侧与对侧椎体高度差距有显著性意义(P < 0.01),治疗后两侧差距无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。治疗前后同侧相比差异均有显著性意义(P < 0.01)。提示对多椎体压缩骨折采用选择性单侧穿刺后凸成形治疗,临床效果满意,能够缩短治疗时间、减少并发症、射线暴露和治疗费用,适于老年多椎体骨质疏松压缩骨折的治疗。 关键词：骨质疏松;脊柱;压缩骨折;后凸成形;骨水泥 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.25.025     

经桡动脉路径行椎动脉支架成形术的临床研究

目的 探讨经桡动脉路径行椎动脉支架成形术的可行性与安全性。方法 对18例术前评估股动脉入路困难或不愿意术后卧床的患者经桡动脉路径行椎动脉支架成形术(桡动脉组),与同期30例经股动脉行椎动脉支架成形术(股动脉组)的穿刺成功率、X线曝光时间、手术操作时间、手术成功率、术中出血量、术后血管并发症、术后卧床时间进行比较。结果 2组穿刺成功率及手术成功率均为100%,桡动脉组X线曝光时间、手术操作时间、术中出血量与股动脉组比较均无明显差异(P>0.05); 桡动脉组卧床时间、术后血管并发症发生率明显低于股动脉组(P<0.05)。结论 经桡动脉入路行椎动脉支架成形术安全、可行,经桡动脉入路可作为经股动脉入路重要的补充术式     

西酞普兰联合普瑞巴林对椎体压缩性骨折患者睡眠、情绪和疼痛的影响

目的 探讨西酞普兰联合普瑞巴林对接受椎体成形术治疗的椎体压缩性骨折患者的治疗效果.方法 选取我院97例拟行椎体成形术治疗的椎体压缩性骨折患者,采用随机数字表法进行分组,对照组48例采用普瑞巴林治疗,观察组49例增加西酞普兰联合治疗,两组患者均于术前1d进行治疗,术后持续治疗13d,总疗程14d,对比两组患者术后12h、...     

Comparative Study of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion via Unilateral and Bilateral Approaches in Patients with Unilateral Leg Symptoms

Objective

We investigated the clinical and radiological advantages of unilateral laminectomy in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure comparing with bilateral laminectomy, under the same procedural condition including bilateral instrumentation and insertion of two cages, in patients with degenerative lumbar disease with unilateral leg symptoms.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 124 consecutive cases of PLIF via unilateral or bilateral approach between January 2006 and April 2010. In 80 cases (bilateral group), two cages were inserted via bilateral laminectomy, and in 44 cases (unilateral group), via unilateral laminectomy. The average follow-up duration was 29.5 months. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). The fusion rates and disc space heights were determined by dynamic standing radiographs and/or computed tomography. Operative times, intra-operative and post-operative blood losses and hospitalization periods were also evaluated.

Results

In clinical evaluation, the VAS and ODI scores showed excellent outcomes in both groups. There were no significant differences in term of fusion rate, but the perioperative blood loss and the operative time of the unilateral group were lower than that of the bilateral group.

Conclusion

Unilateral laminectomy can minimize the operative time and perioperative blood loss in PLIF procedure. However, the different preoperative disc height between two groups is a limitation of this study. Despite this limitation, solid fusion and satisfactory symptomatic improvement could be achieved uniquely by our surgical method. This surgical method can be an alternative surgical technique in patients with unilateral leg pain.     

经皮椎体后凸成形治疗中骨水泥渗漏对椎体高度恢复的影响

摘要 背景：将经皮椎体后凸成形通过球囊加压扩张在椎体内形成周围有相对致密松质骨的空腔,可有效降低骨水泥渗漏率,同时扩张的球囊有助于塌陷椎体的复位,矫正脊柱后凸畸形。 目的：回顾性分析手法复位后将经皮椎体后凸成形注入骨水泥治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折渗漏情况及对椎体高度恢复的影响。 方法：选择2008-02/2010-06华北石油总医院骨科行经皮椎体后凸成形治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折患者31例,41椎体。平均年龄69(53~82)岁。并于术前手法按压使腰部过伸复位。观察患者术后疼痛缓解、椎体高度恢复以及骨水泥渗漏情况。 结果与结论: 所有患者术后随访8~13(11.0±1.6)个月。患者视觉模拟疼痛评分由术前6.7±1.9下降至术后1.3±1.2,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。椎体高度由术前(15.7±5.2) mm恢复至(20.2±4.5) mm,椎体高度显著恢复(P < 0.05)。发生骨水泥渗漏3例,均无明显临床症状。说明术前手法复位后经皮椎体后凸成形将骨水泥注入骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折可以显著恢复椎体高度,止痛效果良好且无严重渗漏发生。 关键词：经皮椎体后凸成形;骨质疏松;骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折;骨水泥;生物材料 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.42.038     

经皮内镜下单侧入路双侧减压术治疗老年腰椎管狭窄症的疗效分析

目的 探讨经皮内镜下单侧入路双侧减压术治疗老年腰椎管狭窄症的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2016年3月至2018年6月应用经皮内镜下单侧入路双侧减压术治疗的41例单节段老年腰椎管狭窄症的临床资料。结果 手术均顺利完成，术中无更换术式；手术时间53~109 min，平均（88.7±12.6）min；术后住院时间2~7 d，平均（4.5±1.2）d。1例术中发生硬膜撕裂，无血管、神经损伤、椎间隙感染、椎管内血肿形成等并发症。术后1、6、12个月，腰痛、腿痛视觉模拟量表评分及Oswestry 功能障碍指数均较术前明显改善（P<0.05）。术后12个月，根据改良MacNab标准:优20例，良17例，可3例，差1例；优良率为90.2%。结论 经皮内镜下单侧入路双侧减压术是治疗老年腰椎管狭窄症的一种有效的手术方法。     

Unilateral versus bilateral pedicle screw instrumentation for single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) has become an increasingly popular method of lumbar arthrodesis. However, there are few published studies comparing the clinical outcomes between unilateral and bilateral instrumented MIS TLIF. Sixty-five patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease were enrolled in this study. Thirty-one patients were randomized to the unilateral group and 34 to the bilateral group. Recorded demographic data included sex, age, preoperative diagnosis, and degenerated segment. Operative time, blood loss, hospital stay length, complication rates, and fusion rates were also evaluated. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score data were obtained. All patients were asked to follow-up at 3 and 6 months after surgery, and once every 6 months thereafter. The mean follow-up was 26.6 months (range 18–36 months). The two groups were similar in sex, age, preoperative diagnosis, and operated level. The unilateral group had significantly shorter operative time, lower blood loss, and shorter hospital time than the bilateral group. The average postoperative ODI and VAS scores improved significantly in each group. No significant differences were found between the two groups in relation to ODI and VAS. All patients showed evidence of fusion at 12 months postoperatively. The total fusion rate, screw failure, and general complication rate were not significantly different. Results showed that single-level MIS TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw fixation would be sufficient in the management of preoperatively stable patients with lumbar degenerative disease. It seems that MIS TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation is a better choice for single-level degenerative lumbar spine disease.     

The Analysis of Patterns and Risk Factors of Newly Developed Vertebral Compression Fractures after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and the risk factors of newly developed vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP).

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of the 244 patients treated with PVP from September 2006 to February 2011. Among these patients, we selected 49 patients with newly developed VCFs following PVP as the new VCFs group, and the remaining 195 patients as the no VCFs group. The new VCFs group was further divided into 2 groups : an adjacent fractures group and a nonadjacent fractures group. The following data were collected from the groups : age, gender, body weight/height, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD) score of the spine and femur, level of initial fracture, restoration rate of anterior/middle vertebral height, and intradiscal cement leakage, volume of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

Results

Age, gender, mean body height/weight, mean BMI and volume of PMMA of each of the group are not statistically significantly associated with fractures. In comparison between the new VCFs group and the no VCFs group, lower BMD, intradiscal cement leakage and anterior vertebral height restoration were the significant predictive factors of the fracture. In addition, new VCFs occurrence at the adjacent spines was statistically significant, when the initial fracture levels were confined to the thoracolumbar junction, among the subgroups of new VCFs.

Conclusion

Lower spinal BMD, the greater anterior vertebral height restoration rate and intradiscal cement leakage were confirmed as risk factors for newly formed VCFs after PVP.     

Limited Unilateral Decompression and Pedicle Screw Fixation with Fusion for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Unilateral Radiculopathy: A Retrospective Analysis of 25 Cases

ObjectiveLumbar spinal stenosis is conventionally treated with surgical decompression. However, bilateral decompression and laminectomy is more invasive and may not be necessary for lumbar stenosis patients with unilateral radiculopathy. We aimed to report the outcomes of unilateral laminectomy and bilateral pedicle screw fixation with fusion for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and unilateral radiculopathy.MethodsPatients with lumbar spinal stenosis with unilateral lower extremity radiculopathy who received limited unilateral decompression and bilateral pedicle screw fixation were included and evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores preoperatively and at follow-up visits. Ligamentum flavum thickness of the involved segments was measured on axial magnetic resonance images.ResultsTwenty-five patients were included. The mean preoperative VAS score was 6.6±1.6 and 4.6±3.1 for leg and back pain, respectively. Ligamentum flavum thickness was comparable between the symptomatic and asymptomatic side (p=0.554). The mean follow-up duration was 29.2 months. The pain in the symptomatic side lower extremity (VAS score, 1.32±1.2) and the back (VAS score, 1.75±1.73) significantly improved (p=0.000 vs. baseline for both). The ODI improved significantly postoperatively (6.60±6.5; p=0.000 vs. baseline). Significant improvement in VAS pain and ODI scores were observed in patients receiving single or multi-segment decompression fusion with fixation (p<0.01).ConclusionLimited laminectomy and unilateral spinal decompression followed by bilateral pedicle screw fixation with fusion achieves satisfactory outcomes in patients with spinal stenosis and unilateral radiculopathy. This procedure is less damaging to structures that are important for maintaining posterior stability of the spine.     

经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗严重骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折

目的 探讨经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗严重骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折的疗效。方法 2014年1月至2015年1月应用经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗严重骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折42例,分析手术前后Cobb's角、疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数及骨折椎体高度变化。结果 术后椎体三柱高度显著大于术前（P<0.05）,而术后Cobb's角、VAS评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数均显著低于术前（P<0.05）。结论 经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗严重骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折,可以明显改善患者疼痛症状,恢复椎体高度,矫正后凸角度,有着较好的疗效。     

Vertebroplasty for pain relief and spinal stabilization in multiple myeloma

Mechanical stabilization of oncological vertebral fractures with cement augmentation is the first mechanism of pain relief, with or without restoration of vertebral body height. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of vertebroplasty for painful vertebral body fractures in patients with multiple myeloma, in each phase of the disease. The authors reviewed a consecutive group of patients with multiple myeloma who underwent vertebroplasty at our Institute between November 2003 and December 2005. Twenty-eight levels were performed on 11 patients during 14 treatment sessions. All patients suffered from intractable back pain, and presented various lesion types (with and without fractures of posterior wall, and with and without epidural disease). The preoperative median visual analog scale (VAS) score was 7. The median duration of symptoms was 1.1 months. Eight patients were ambulating with orthopaedic devices (57%) in the pre-treatment period. Improvement or complete pain relief was observed in all patients (immediately in 8 cases, and after 2 days in 6 cases). The median VAS pain score decreased to 2. There was no symptomatic procedure-related complication. There were three cases (21%) of PMMA leakage: in the disc space in one case (7%), and in the anterior spinal canal in two cases (14%). Complete removal of orthopaedic devices was obtained in five patients (36%). No new deformation or collapse of the treated vertebrae was observed during the follow-up (range 1 day–25 months). In conclusion, vertebroplasty is a safe and efficient procedure in the treatment of painful vertebral body fractures in patients with multiple myeloma, without potential contraindications, such as fractures of the posterior wall or epidural disease. We also treated three and more levels in 28% of cases in a single session without complications. Due to the early pain relief and the low complication rate, it is possible to expand the indication to vertebroplasty for the prophylactic augmentation of those vertebral bodies at risk of fracture in which significant neoplastic substitution of the body is present.     

Efficacy and safety of vertebral stenting for painful vertebral compression fractures in patients with metastatic disease

Abstract

Background and Purpose:

Painful vertebral compression fractures in cancer patients reduce quality of life and may limit survival. We assessed pain relief, vertebral height restoration, and kyphosis correction following vertebral augmentation using a novel expandable titanium stent implant in cancer patients with painful vertebral compression fractures.

Materials and Methods:

Patients >18 years of age with metastatic disease who presented symptomatic compression fractures of vertebral bodies T5–L5, with or without a history of osteoporosis, were included in the study. Back pain at presentation, immediately after vertebral stenting, and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up was estimated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Vertebral height and local kyphotic angle (alpha angle) were measured on lateral standing X-ray before and 1–3 months after stenting.

Results:

Forty-one cancer patients with painful vertebral compression fractures underwent vertebral stenting procedures at 55 levels. There was no perioperative mortality and no significant complication. Median preoperative VAS was 8·0 (range 8–10), falling to 2·0 immediately postop (range 1–6, P = 0·000) and 0 at all subsequent follow-up (P ≤ 0·012). Mean preoperative vertical height loss was 25·8% (range 0–84·0%) versus a postoperative mean of 18·0% (range 0–66·0%, P = 0·000). Median pre- and postoperative kyphotic angle improved from 8·3° (range 0·2°–54·0°) to 7·1° (range 0·2°–25·0°, P = 0·000). Wilcoxon signed rank test or student's t-test was used for comparisons.

Conclusions:

Vertebral augmentation using a novel vertebral stenting system provided immediate and enduring pain relief and improved vertebral height loss and kyphotic angle.     

双侧深低温停循环顺行性脑灌注对主动脉弓替换术患者脑损伤的影响

目的 探讨双侧深低温停循环(Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest,DHCA)+顺行性脑灌注(Anterograde cerebral perfusion,ACP)对主动脉弓替换术患者脑损伤的影响。方法 选择2018年1月-2020年1月本院实施主动脉弓替换术的DebakeyⅠ型主动脉夹层患者96例,根据不同的脑保护技术将患者分为单侧ACP组和双侧ACP组,各48例; 2组均进行DHCA,单侧ACP组经右侧腋动脉进行单侧ACP,双侧ACP组经右侧腋动脉和左颈总动脉进行双侧ACP。结果 全部患者痊愈出院,出院前CT复查显示主动脉弓和升主动脉的人工血管血流畅通,无人工血管扭曲和造影剂渗漏等状况。双侧ACP组术后短暂性脑损伤发生率为2.08%(1/48),明显低于单侧ACP组的16.67%(8/48)(P<0.05)。双侧ACP组术后苏醒时间为(13.18±3.42)h,明显短于单侧ACP组的(16.98±4.18)h(P<0.05)。体外循环开始后2组血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(Neuron-specific enolase,NSE)、中枢神经特异性蛋白 100-β亚型(Specific protein 100-β,S100-β)水平均逐渐升高,且在体外循环结束时达到峰值,随后开始降低; 脑灌注5min后双侧ACP组血清NSE,S-100β水平明显低于单侧ACP组(P<0.05)。结论 双侧深低温停循环顺行性脑灌注对主动脉弓替换术患者脑损伤的影响程度更小,其机制可能是通过降低血清NSE,S-100β水平,进而有效保护脑组织。     

Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up Result of Degenerative Spinal Stenosis Treated with Interspinous U (Coflex?)

Objective

Clinical and radiological results of posterior dynamic stabilization using interspinous U (ISU, Coflex™, Paradigm Spine Inc.®, NY, USA) were analyzed in comparison with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted for a consecutive series of 61 patients with degenerative LSS between May 2003 and December 2005. We included only the patients completed minimum 24 months follow up evaluation. Among them, 30 patients were treated with implantation of ISU after decompressive laminectomy (Group ISU) and 31 patients were treated with wide decompressive laminectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF; Group PLIF). We evaluated visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for clinical outcomes (VAS, ODI), disc height ratio disc height (DH), disc height/vertebral body length ×100), static vertebral slip (VS) and depth of maximal radiolucent gap between ISU and spinous process) in preoperative, immediate postoperative and last follow up.

Results

The mean age of group ISU (66.2 ± 6.7 years) was 6.2 years older than the mean age of group PLIF (60.4 ± 8.1 years; p = 0.003 ). In both groups, clinical measures improved significantly than preoperative values (p < 0.001). Operation time and blood loss was significantly shorter and lower in group ISU than group PLIF (p < 0.001). In group ISU, the DH increased transiently in immediate postoperative period (15.7 ± 4.5% → 18.6 ± 5.9%), however decreased significantly in last follow up (13.8 ± 6.6%, p = 0.027). Vertebral slip (VS) of spondylolisthesis in group ISU increased during postoperative follow-up (2.3 ± 3.3 → 8.7 ± 6.2, p = 0.040). Meanwhile, the postoperatively improved DH and VS was maintained in group PLIF in last follow up.

Conclusion

According to our result, implantation of ISU after decompressive laminectomy in degenerative LSS is less invasive and provides similar clinical outcome in comparison with the instrumented fusion. However, the device has only transient effect on the postoperative restoration of disc height and reduction of slip in spondylolisthesis. Therefore, in the biomechanical standpoint, it is hard to expect that use of Interspinous U in decompressive laminectomy for degenerative LSS had long term beneficial effect.     

Unilateral C1 Lateral Mass and C2 Pedicle Screw Fixation for Atlantoaxial Instability in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Comparison with the Bilateral Method

Objective

Bilateral C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw fixation (C1LM-C2P) is an ideal technique for correcting atlantoaxial instability (AAI). However, the inevitable situation of vertebral artery injury or unfavorable bone structure may necessitate the use of unilateral C1LM-C2P. This study compares the fusion rates of the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw in the unilateral and bilateral methods.

Methods

Over five years, C1LM-C2P was performed in 25 patients with AAI in our institute. Preoperative studies including cervical X-ray, three-dimensional computed tomography (CT), CT angiogram, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. To evaluate bony fusion, measurements of the atlanto-dental interval (ADI) and CT scans were performed in the preoperative period, immediate postoperative period, and postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

Unilateral C1LM-C2P was performed in 11 patients (44%). The need to perform unilateral C1LM-C2P was due to anomalous course of the vertebral artery in eight patients (73%) and severe degenerative arthritis in three patients (27%). The mean ADI in the bilateral group was 2.09 mm in the immediate postoperative period and 1.75 mm in 12-months postoperatively. The mean ADI in the unilateral group was 1.82 mm in the immediate postoperative period and 1.91 mm in 12-months postoperatively. Comparison of ADI measurements showed no significant differences in either group (p=0.893), and the fusion rate was 100% in both groups.

Conclusion

Although bilateral C1LM-C2P is effective for AAI from a biomechanical perspective, unilateral screw fixation is a useful alternative in patients with anatomical variations.     

Anterior versus combined anterior and posterior fixation/fusion in the treatment of distraction-flexion injury in the lower cervical spine.

This study compared the results of combined anterior and posterior fixation/fusion with those of anterior fixation/fusion alone through a retrospective review of 50 patients with a distraction flexion injury of the cervical spine. Group A (n=28) had unilateral facet joint subluxation or dislocation (Allen stage I or II) and anterior fixation/fusion alone. Group B (n=10) had bilateral dislocation (Allen stage III) and anterior fixation/fusion alone. Group C (n=5) had unilateral subluxation or dislocation and combined anterior and posterior fixation/fusion. Group D (n=7) had bilateral dislocation or total dislocation (Allen stage III or IV) and combined anterior and posterior fixation/fusion. The following parameters were analyzed: the change in the vertebral height and Cobb's angle, neurologic recovery, fusion time, fusion rate, surgery time, and the rate of complications. The mean fusion time was 3.75+/-2.10, 6.00+/-2.82, 3.60+/-1.34, and 3.85+/-2.26 months in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Group B had a significantly longer mean fusion time than groups A and D (Mann-Whitney U-test, P=0,012, P=0.014). There was a significant difference in the operation time between groups A and B and groups C and D. There were no significant differences in the changes in vertebral height and Cobb's angle, fusion rate, and neurologic recovery. The complications encountered were three cases of distal screw loosening in group A (n=2) and B (n=1), and three cases of delayed union in group A (n=2) and B (n=1). There were no complications in groups C and D. In those with a bilateral dislocation, the fusion time was increased when only anterior fixation/fusion had been performed but the clinical results, such as neurologic recovery and complications, were similar in the four groups. Overall, anterior fixation/fusion alone in a bilateral dislocation is recommended as an alternative method.     

Segmental Deformity Correction after Balloon Kyphoplasty in the Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture

Objective

Balloon kyphoplasty can effectively relieve the symptomatic pain and correct the segmental deformity of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. While many articles have reported on the effectiveness of the procedure, there has not been any research on the factors affecting the deformity correction. Here, we evaluated both the relationship between postoperative pain relief and restoration of the vertebral height, and segmental kyphosis, as well as the various factors affecting segmental deformity correction after balloon kyphoplasty.

Methods

Between January 2004 and December 2006, 137 patients (158 vertebral levels) underwent balloon kyphoplasty. We analyzed various factors such as the age and sex of the patient, preoperative compression ratio, kyphotic angle of compressed segment, injected PMMA volume, configuration of compression, preoperative bone mineral density (BMD) score, time interval between onset of symptom and the procedure, visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain rating and surgery-related complications.

Results

The mean postoperative VAS score improvement was 4.93±0.17. The mean postoperative height restoration rate was 17.8±1.57% and the kyphotic angle reduction was 1.94±0.38°. However, there were no significant statistical correlations among VAS score improvement, height restoration rate, and kyphotic angle reduction. Among the various factors, the configuration of the compressed vertebral body (p=0.002) was related to the height restoration rate and the direction of the compression (p=0.006) was related with the kyphotic angle reduction. The preoperative compression ratio (p=0.023, p=0.006) and injected PMMA volume (p<0.001, p=0.035) affected both the height restoration and kyphotic angle reduction. Only the preoperative compression ratio was found to be as an independent affecting factor (95% CI : 1.064-5.068).

Conclusion

The two major benefits of balloon kyphoplasty are immediate pain relief and local deformity correction, but segmental deformity correction achieved by balloon kyphoplasty does not result in additional pain relief. Among the factors that were shown to affect the segmental deformity correction, configuration of the compressed vertebral body, direction of the most compressed area, and preoperative compression ratio were not modifiable. However, careful preoperative consideration about the modifiable factor, the PMMA volume to inject, may contribute to the dynamic correction of the segmental deformity.     

Results of decompressive-stabilizing procedures via unilateral approach in lumbar spinal stenosis

Aim of this study was to investigate the capabilities, advantages and limitations of bilateral decompression via unilateral approach in decompressive-stabilizing procedures in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease, and to develop the technology and its technical performance. The controlled study included 372 patients (age range was 27-74 years). All of them were operated due to clinical manifestation of lumbar spinal stenosis. The main group consisted of 44 patients who underwent bilateral decompression via unilateral approach with stabilization of involved segments. The control group included 328 patients who were operated using standard bilateral technique with stabilization. A total of 52 segments were treated in the first group and 351 in the second one. In all patients with neurogenic intermittent claudication symptoms relieved after decompressive-stabilizing surgery. Analysis of duration of surgery (considering 1 segment) demonstrated that less invasive technique requires as much time as conventional. However mean intraoperative blood loss in the first group was twice as low as the second. Neither patient from the first group required hemotransfusion while in the second group in 57 (17.4%) cases hemotransfusion was performed due to blood loss. In the early postoperative period in both groups intensity of pain (according to VAS) gradually decreased. Mean hospital stay was 9.9 +/- 3.1 day in the main group and 14.7 +/- 4.7 days in the control group. Bilateral spinal canal decompression via unilateral approach decreases surgical trauma, blood loss, complication rate and hospital stay. Postoperative results are comparable with conventional technique.