脊柱颈段椎间盘平面椎管内前部结构的解剖学研究

目的　探讨经脊柱颈段椎间盘入路椎管内减压的相关解剖。 方法　取18具正常成人颈段脊柱防腐标本,通过不同断层,观察硬脊膜、后纵韧带与硬膜外前隙的毗邻关系和结构特点;测量椎间盘平面的硬脊膜厚度、后纵韧带宽度、椎体矢状径长度。 结果　颈段后纵韧带分为深、浅层,两层在中线两侧4～5 mm处分开,浅层与硬脊膜形成潜在的硬膜外前隙,该隙内有Hofmann's韧带连于硬脊膜与后纵韧带之间。深、浅层在硬脊膜前外侧形成一梭形腔隙－后纵韧带间隙; 椎体后面矢状正中线到两侧后纵韧带间隙外侧角的距离约为10 mm。 结论　根据后纵韧带的宽度和毗邻关系,颈椎前路手术经椎间盘达后纵韧带,逐渐由外进入后纵韧带间隙减压,可减少硬膜囊、脊髓或神经根的损伤。     

Posterior open‐wedge anterior longitudinal ligament release: Cadaveric technique analysis

Anterior column release is a powerful surgical technique for achieving spinopelvic balance in adult patients with sagittal plane deformities. We present an alternative strategy for focal deformity correction from a posterior‐only approach. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a novel surgical technique called posterior open‐wedge diskectomy and anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) release (POWAR). A cadaveric torso underwent POWARs at the L1‐L4 intervertebral disc spaces. Baseline measurements of end‐plate angle (EPA), anterior intervertebral disc height (ADH), and posterior intervertebral disc height (PDH) were obtained. These measurements were repeated after three stages of correction: posterior column compression alone, posterior column compression following Schwab grade 2 osteotomies, and posterior column compression following POWAR. A second cadaver underwent posterolateral spinal dissection to demonstrate the pertinent anatomical features relevant to this novel procedure. With each stage of correction, a sequential increase in EPA and ADH and a decrease in PDH were demonstrated. The large increase in ADH seen following POWAR confirmed successful release of the ALL. In situ investigation of the aorta and inferior vena cava following anterior exposure revealed no injury to the great vessels or surrounding structures. Ex vivo testing of the aorta and inferior vena cava took place at the L3‐4 level. This testing demonstrated no injury or tears to either vessel. POWAR is a new surgical technique that can provide an alternative to three‐column osteotomy for surgeons performing spinal reconstructions in adults through an open, posterior‐only approach. Clin. Anat. 32:348–353, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

经内镜颈前微创入路颈椎手术的解剖学研究

目的：研究经颈前路建立内镜微创入路的安全性、可行性及其对手术器械的要求。方法：使用Metrx椎间盘镜手术系统，共对5具C3-7椎体间的10个间隙进行内镜辅助下的颈椎前路减压操作。通过颈右前外侧约2cm的皮肤切口，经血管鞘与内脏鞘间放入直径18mm的工作套筒并将其通过可曲自由臂固定在手术床边。内镜固定在工作套筒上。在内镜辅助下行颈椎间盘切除及椎体后缘骨质刮除术。结果：未发现手术入路周围重要软组织结构的损伤；使用环锯、垂体钳、刮匙减压的5个间隙及单纯使用垂体钳、刮匙减压的5个间隙的间盘组织切除均较干净。由于工作套筒过长，垂体钳、刮匙等减压器械的可操作空间较小，环锯组椎体后缘有明显骨赘形成的6个椎体，3个发现有部分的骨赘被刮除，其余3个椎体的后缘骨赘无改变；单纯使用垂体钳、刮匙组，椎体后缘有明显骨赘形成的8个椎体仅3个发现有部分的骨赘被刮除，其余5个椎体的后缘骨赘无改变。未发现硬膜囊损伤。结论：内镜下的颈椎前路减压是可行的，工作套筒及用于减压的器械的有待改进。     

神经内镜经鼻经斜坡入路切除脑干腹侧肿瘤的解剖学研究

目的　探索内镜经鼻入路切除脑干腹侧肿瘤的解剖可行性。 方法　采用内镜扩大经鼻经斜坡入路,解剖5具成人尸头标本,观察暴露的骨窗范围及血管、神经。 结果　所有标本可暴露中脑、脑桥和延髓;暴露中脑受到蝶鞍限制,需要移位垂体才能显露中脑。骨窗外侧边界是颈内动脉和岩下窦;切除寰椎前弓和枢椎齿突可暴露延髓及延颈髓交界区。暴露的主要血管、神经包括：基底动脉及其分支、椎动脉及其分支、Ⅲ至Ⅶ脑神经以及颈神经。 结论　内镜经鼻经斜坡入路可暴露全部脑干腹侧区域及相应的血管、神经,采用该手术入路切除脑干肿瘤在解剖学上具有可行性。     

An anatomical study of the full-length phrenic nerve and its blood supply: clinical implications for endoscopic dissection

For surgeries aimed at the dissection of full-length phrenic nerve, a full appreciation of its trajectory, blood supply and correlation with adjacent anatomical structures is necessary, especially for endoscopic manipulations. A fresh cadaver study was conducted with the purpose of avoiding surgical complications and ensuring further efficacy and efficiency of endoscopic manipulations. Ten fresh adult cadavers were dissected. Special attention was paid to the topography of the origin, the trajectory of the phrenic nerve, and its anatomic communication with the surrounding vessels and organs. In the second side of the cadavers, thoracic endoscopic manipulations and observations were also performed. The full length of the phrenic nerve was 24.6 ± 1.7 and 30.6 ± 1.8 cm on the right and left side, respectively; the blood supply of the phrenic nerve in the thoracic cavity came exclusively from the pericardiacophrenic artery; the distance between the origin of the pericardiacophrenic artery and that of the internal thoracic artery ranged from 0.5 to 5.2 cm on the right side, and from 1.4 to 5.6 cm on the left; most of the pericardiacophrenic veins intermingled with small vessels of pericardium and pleura, forming a venous network and joining the innominate vein. Endoscopic dissection of the thoracic phrenic nerve together with the accompanying pericardiacophrenic artery can be performed. Extreme attention should be paid during surgery to a section of about 6 cm in length of the artery originating from the internal thoracic artery, while the accompanying veins do not require to be spared.     

神经内镜经鼻经斜坡入路切除脑干腹侧肿瘤的解剖学研究

目的　探索内镜经鼻入路切除脑干腹侧肿瘤的解剖可行性。 方法　采用内镜扩大经鼻经斜坡入路,解剖5具成人尸头标本,观察暴露的骨窗范围及血管、神经。 结果　所有标本可暴露中脑、脑桥和延髓;暴露中脑受到蝶鞍限制,需要移位垂体才能显露中脑。骨窗外侧边界是颈内动脉和岩下窦;切除寰椎前弓和枢椎齿突可暴露延髓及延颈髓交界区。暴露的主要血管、神经包括：基底动脉及其分支、椎动脉及其分支、Ⅲ至Ⅶ脑神经以及颈神经。 结论　内镜经鼻经斜坡入路可暴露全部脑干腹侧区域及相应的血管、神经,采用该手术入路切除脑干肿瘤在解剖学上具有可行性。     

第1齿状韧带形态特点及临床意义

目的 观测颅颈交界处第1齿状韧带的解剖结构,探讨其临床意义。 方法 收集颅颈标本18具,解剖显露第1齿状韧带等结构,观察其起止、毗邻、行程及形态;HE染色,观察其组织学特点。 结果 第1齿状韧带出现率为100%,薄膜型50%（9例）,致密型22.2%（4例）,疏松型27.8%（5例）;位于延髓上段脊髓侧方,纤维呈长三角形向外上方集中,在椎动脉后方跨越,在椎动脉的头侧止于硬膜并与之融合。其脊髓的附着部位于脊神经前后根之间,远端与第2~8齿状韧带融为一体,近端达延髓水平。组织学显示齿状韧带由胶原纤维组成。 结论 第1齿状韧带对维持脊髓位置稳定具有重要作用。齿状韧带将蛛网膜下腔分成前后两部分,脑脊液压力不平衡可导致脊髓前后部分所受的应力不等,脊髓前方可能承受更高的压力刺激从而加重或诱发脊髓前角细胞及皮质脊髓束的损伤,这可能是导致肌萎缩侧索硬化症的解剖因素之一。     

锁骨上入路内窥镜手术治疗胸廓出口综合征的应用解剖及临床应用

目的　报道锁骨上入路内窥镜手术治疗胸廓出口综合征的解剖学研究与临床疗效。 方法　选取成人标本，对颈外侧区及颈前区结构进行解剖学研究并经锁骨上入路模拟内窥镜手术，确定该术式的最佳路径。根据解剖研究结果，锁骨上入路内窥镜手术应用于临床治疗胸廓出口综合征。 结果　解剖研究表明锁骨上入路内窥镜手术治疗胸廓出口综合征的最佳手术入路点为头偏向健侧60 °轻微后仰时，胸骨头至乳突全长60%处与胸锁乳突肌后缘的交点；颈横动脉为镜下操作的解剖特异标志。临床完成锁骨上入路内窥镜手术5例，术后平均随访25个月（12~36个月），按照Roos评定标准，优4例，良1例。 结论　锁骨上入路内窥镜手术治疗胸廓出口综合征有其解剖学基础，临床应用安全可行，能有效解除臂丛神经血管受压征。     

Anatomy of the anterior spinal artery in pigs

The anatomy of the anterior spinal artery in pigs was studied to determine whether or not the artery was continuous, as it is humans, or discontinuous. Six porcine carcasses were embalmed, and 24 hr later injected with pigmented latex through the thoracic aorta. The spinal column was removed, and the spinal cord was dissected with analysis of the anterior spinal artery. In all cases, the artery was continuous, and perfused by 18 ± 3 medullary arteries. The pig would thus be suitable as a model for the study of human diseases in which the anatomy of the anterior spinal artery is a factor. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

颈椎后路减压与脊髓后移位距离及轴性症状的关系

背景：颈椎后路治疗后脊髓后移位距离受多方面因素的影响,实质是脊髓受到外力后的一种形态学改变。 目的：分析脊髓型颈椎病行颈后路单开门椎管成形减压后脊髓后移的影响因素。 方法：回顾性分析70例多节段脊髓型颈椎病行颈后路单开门椎管成形减压患者的病例资料,根据患者治疗后MRI脊髓后移位的距离不同将其分为3组：< 3 mm组,3-5 mm,> 5 mm组。采用日本骨科协会(JOA)评分、颈椎曲度改变程度、轴性症状指标评估比较。 结果与结论：3组间日本骨科协会(JOA)评分恢复率差异无显著性意义;3组患者治疗前后颈椎曲度的改变差异无显著性意义。治疗后脊髓后移> 5 mm组患者表现轴性症状的比例显著高于其他两组(P < 0.05)。提示脊髓型颈椎病行颈后路减压后脊髓后移位的距离与治疗后的轴性症状有关联。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程全文链接：     

内镜经鼻、上颌窦、翼突入路至Meckel囊区的解剖

目的通过解剖学研究,探讨内镜经鼻、上颌窦、翼突入路至Meckel囊区的解剖特点和方法,寻找手术入路中的重要解剖标志点,测量相关解剖数据,为内镜经鼻入路处理Meckel囊区病变提供解剖学依据。方法 5例共10侧新鲜成人头颅标本,采用内镜经鼻、上颌窦、翼突入路解剖和暴露Meckel囊区,寻找该手术入路中重要的解剖标志,研究具体的解剖方法,测量相关的解剖数据,解剖过程中使用导航。结果鼻小柱下缘至后鼻孔上缘为(66.5±3.3)mm,至蝶窦口下缘为(61.2±1.6)mm,至腭蝶管前口下缘为(64.6±1.4)mm,至蝶腭孔下缘为(62.8±2.3)mm,至翼管前口下缘的距离为(75.4±3.3)mm,翼管前口下缘与腭蝶管前口上缘距离为(2.1±0.7)mm,与圆孔下缘距离为(7.5±0.7)mm,腭蝶管长度为(6.4±0.5)mm,翼管长度为(13.3±1.2)mm。以腭蝶管为解剖标志可以寻找到翼管前口;以翼管为解剖标志可以寻找到岩骨段颈内动脉前膝部,以斜坡旁颈内动脉隆突可以寻找到斜坡旁颈内动脉,以圆孔可以寻找到上颌神经。导航能够准确定位上述解剖标志。结论运用内镜经鼻、上颌窦、翼突入路可以解剖和暴露Meckel囊区。此入路是由Meckel囊前方四边形区域暴露该区域,此四边形内侧为斜坡旁段颈内动脉,下方为岩骨段颈内动脉,上方为展神经,外侧方为上、下颌神经;实验数据和导航可以辅助定位重要的解剖结构和标志。     

经腋中线胸腔入路上胸椎侧方内固定与传统前方钢板内固定：生物力学稳定性的对照分析

文题释义： 上胸椎手术入路：上胸椎周围解剖结构复杂,常见的手术入路有经下颈椎低位前方入路、经胸骨柄入路、经胸入路等,虽然前路手术入路众多,但手术风险及难度系数极大,在临床上选择一种创伤较小的手术方式具有一定优越性。 脊柱内固定生物力学：脊柱病变的手术目的多为清除病灶、椎管减压、重建其稳定性,脊柱运动节段是由相邻的2个椎体和椎板及诸多韧带构成的功能单位,对于器械固定后的生物力学研究,无论是数学模型、人工材料还是动物实验都存在种种问题,因此多采用人尸体进行研究,主要评价术后三维运动范围的影响。 背景：随着脊柱内固定技术的全面推广,重塑脊柱力学稳定越来越引起人们的关注,经腋中线胸腔入路侧方内固定治疗上胸椎病损是一种新的手术入路,目前有关其固定后上胸椎生物力学的研究较为少见。 目的：对比侧方和前方钢板内固定模型的上胸椎三维运动稳定性和负重载荷强度,评估经腋中线胸腔入路侧方钢板内固定重建上胸椎是否可以达到符合脊柱生物力学稳定。 方法：从12具人尸体获取C₇-T₆脊柱并双侧肋椎关节标本,进行完整上胸椎模型三维运动稳定性测试,记录为完整椎体组。随后将标本随机分为2组,分别建立传统前方钢板内固定(前方内固定组)与经腋中线入胸腔路侧方钢板内固定模型(侧方内固定组),每组6例标本,先后进行三维运动实验、垂直加压实验与垂直加压破坏实验。实验通过广西医科大学第二附属医院伦理委员会批准,批准号：NO.伦审2017(KY-0080)号。 结果与结论：①完整椎体组左/右侧屈、前屈/后伸、左/右旋转运动下的载荷均小于侧方内固定组、前方内固定组(P < 0.01),前方内固定组左/右旋转运动下的载荷均小于侧方内固定组(P < 0.05),前方内固定组左/右侧屈、前屈/后伸运动下的载荷与侧方内固定组比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);②当载荷到达600 N时,前方内固定组椎体下沉位移小于侧方内固定组[(1.39±0.20),(2.15±0.17)mm,P < 0.01];③前方内固定组与侧方内固定组最大强度载荷比较差异无显著性意义[(1 839.70±122.45),(1 798.65±120.21)N,P=0.571];④结果表明,经腋中线胸腔入路侧方钢板内固定方式是稳定的,它能够满足脊柱重建生物力学需要。 ORCID: 0000-0002-5506-3469(施冬冬) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程     

Morphology of the human internal vertebral venous plexus: A cadaver study after intravenous araldite CY 221 injection

Reviewing the literature on the vascular anatomy of the spinal epidural space, it appeared that the knowledge of the internal vertebral venous plexus is limited. Injection studies of the entire internal vertebral venous plexus after application of modern techniques, to the best of our knowledge, have never been performed. Based on the clinical importance of these structures, it was decided to study the human vertebral venous system after Araldite CY 221 injection, in order to update the morphological characteristics of the internal vertebral venous system. The vertebral venous systems of ten fresh human cadavers, between 64 and 93 years of age, were injected with Araldite CY 221 mixture. All cadavers were dissected and the posterior and anterior internal vertebral venous plexuses were studied in detail. The anterior part of the internal vertebral venous plexus is fairly constant. On the contrary, the posterior internal vertebral venous plexus showed a striking segmental and interindividual variability. In the thoracic area, two types of traversing veins are observed. Both types show a somewhat symmetrical “inversed V” configuration. No anatomical valves were observed. Nevertheless, anterograde flushing (via the femoral veins) of the vertebral venous system appeared to proceed much faster than retrograde flushing (via the superior vena cava). The classical picture of the internal vertebral venous plexus appears a simplification of the actual situation. Especially in the posterior part, segmental and interindividual differences are prominent. The preferential direction of the flow during flushing suggests the presence of functional valves, which are probably located in the thoracic part of the posterior internal vertebral venous plexus, resulting from the typical shape of the veins in this area. This might explain the difficulties with imaging of the posterior part of the internal vertebral venous plexus in vitro as well as in vivo. Further study is needed to determine whether the configuration of the posterior internal vertebral venous plexus in younger individuals is different, compared with the presently studied aged subjects. Anat. Rec. 249:285–294, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

扩大经鼻-蝶窦入路至颅底中央区的显微及内镜解剖学研究

目的：为临床单纯内镜或内镜辅助下经鼻一蝶窦入路至颅底中央区的手术提供解剖学标志和参数。方法：乳胶灌注汉族成人尸头湿标本10例,在神经内镜下及手术显微镜下模拟经鼻-蝶窦入路至颅底中央区的手术,按手术步骤分鼻腔内、蝶窦内及蝶鞍和周围结构3部分进行观察和测量。结果：蝶窦是内镜下经鼻-蝶窦入路中的关键结构。蝶窦后壁常见的解剖标志有鞍底、斜坡凹陷、视神经颈内动脉隐窝、颈内动脉隆起、视神经隆起、蝶骨平台;其中,斜坡凹陷是确定鞍底最可靠的标志。此入路可分别向前、中、后颅底方向扩展,内镜下可清晰显露硬脑膜下及海绵窦内部分结构。结论：采用内镜经鼻-碟窦入路是显露颅底中央区病变的良好的手术方法。     

Thoracic paravertebral spread using two different ultrasound‐guided intercostal injection techniques in human cadavers

The continuity between the intercostal and paravertebral space has been established by several studies. In this study, the paravertebral spread of a colored dye was attempted with two different ultrasound‐guided techniques. The posterior area of the trunk was scanned with a linear probe between the level of the fifth and the seventh thoracic vertebrae in eleven embalmed human cadavers. In the first technique, the probe was placed transversely below the inferior margin of the rib, and a needle was inserted between the internal intercostal membrane and the pleura. In the second technique, the probe was placed longitudinally at the intercostal space 5 cm lateral to the spinous processes, and the needle was inserted between the internal intercostal membrane and the pleura. In both techniques, 1 ml of methylene blue was injected, and both the intercostal and paravertebral spaces were prepared. In total, 33 injections were performed: 19 with the transverse technique and 14 with the longitudinal technique. Successful spread of the dye to the thoracic paravertebral space was recorded in 89.5% cases using the transverse technique and 92.8% cases using the longitudinal technique. No intrapleural spread of the dye was recorded in either technique. Ultrasound‐guided injection into the intercostal space may offer an alternative approach to the thoracic paravertebral space. Clin. Anat. 23:840–847, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

颈胸段脊柱前路手术的应用解剖研究

目的为颈胸段脊柱前路手术提供应用解剖学资料。方法供局解教学操作使用的成人尸体30具（男25、女5），模拟经胸骨柄和部分锁骨切除的颈胸段脊柱前路术式，采用连续层次解剖方法，重点观测手术途径中暴露C5～T3椎体时必须牵开并加以保护的几个重要结构。结果左头臂静脉的长度为（68．5±10．0）mm，左静脉角与前正中线的水平距离为（43．3±8．8）mm。右喉返神经在颈部的行程可分为两部分，上部位于脏筋膜内，下部在脏筋膜外，其穿入脏筋膜的位置位于C7～T1椎间水平的有4例（14．3％），位于T1椎体上半部水平的26例（85．7％）。左侧喉返神经在颈部（包括T2椎体水平）均于脏筋膜内走行。胸膜顶最高点距锁骨内1／3上缘的垂直距离，左侧（7．5±1．9）mm、右侧（12．8±2．3）mm。胸导管弓最高点距环状软骨水平的垂直距离（18．0±3．9）mm。结论经胸骨柄和部分锁骨切除的颈胸段脊柱的前路术式可以充分暴露C5～T3，术者对局部解剖的熟悉程度是前路手术得以正常开展与减少医源性并发症发生的关键。     

内窥镜下经鼻蝶入路视神经管减压的解剖学研究

目的：为内窥镜卜经鼻蝶入路进行视神经管减压的手术方法建立解剖学基础。方法：选用8例成人头颅标本在内窥镜下进行解剖观察。模拟内窥镜下经鼻蝶于术入路，分别采用经鼻中隔旁入路、经中鼻道入路、经中鼻四切除三种手术入路对蝶窦外侧壁和后壁进行解剖观察。打开蝶窦前壁后进入蝶窦，咬除蝶窦间隔，去除蝶安粘膜，暴露蝶窦后壁和后外侧壁，对视神经管及周围结构进行逐层解剖。结果：在蝶窦后壁和外侧壁的所有解剖标志中，视神经-颈内动脉隐窝是相对恒定的解剖标志，在视神经管区各层中该隐窝是恒定的唯一骨性解剖标志。视神经-颈内动脉隐窝毗邻视神经、海绵窦、海绵窦内颈内动脉、眼动脉、动眼神经，是视神经管内段和颅内段的分界。两侧视冲经-颈内动脉隐窝的连线是鞍结节的投影。结论：视伸经-颈内动脉隐窝在视神经管减压术中是非常重要的解剖标志。     

Anatomical study of the articular branches innervated the hip and knee joint with reference to mechanism of referral pain in hip joint disease patients

Introduction : Referred pain in the anterior knee joint is the most common symptom in hip disease patients. The development of referred pain is considered to be related to dichotomizing peripheral sensory fibers. However, no gross anatomical findings identify any dichotomizing fibers innervating both the hip and knee joints. We dissected the femoral and obturator nerves in human cadavers to investigate the distribution of the articular branches in the hip and knee joints. Fourteen embalmed left lower limbs from 14 Japanese adult cadavers (five from females, nine from males, average age 73.8 ± 14.1 years) were observed macroscopically. The articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves were dissected at the anterior margin of the groin toward the thigh region. After dissections of the articular nerves of the hip joints, the femoral and obturator nerves were exposed from proximally to distally to identify the articular nerves of the knee joints. The branching pattern of the articular branches in the hip and knee joints was recorded. In six of 14 limbs (42.9%), the femoral nerve supplied articular branches to the anteromedial aspect of both the hip and knee joints. These articular branches were derived from the same bundle of femoral nerve. These gross anatomical findings suggested that dichotomizing peripheral sensory fibers innervate the hip and knee joints and these could relate to the referred pain confirmed in the anterior knee joints of patients with hip disease. Clin. Anat. 31:705–709, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Thoracoscopically assisted ligamentous release of the thoracic spine a cadaver study

The surgical treatment of thoracic kyphosis frequently requires an anterior release, which can be carried out by an open or endoscopic technique. This study concerns the reference points which are essential from the anatomic view for minimizing the operative risks. Furthermore we wanted to find the most convenient video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) technique for transection of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL). Transection of the ALL, as well as discectomy, was performed using this technique. The extensive anatomic dissection of 12 fresh cadavers was performed to define possible technical errors and surgical complications. The development of new instruments has made the VATS approach to the ALL a viable alternative to open procedures. With the help of a standardized technique, the isolated thoracoscopic ligamentous transection required less time than the comparable open procedure. The anatomic study showed, that in no case was a ligation of the intercostal or segmental vessels necessary as part of the approach to the spine, once an adequate mobilization of the esophagus and azygos vein had been carried out. The risk of an ischemic lesion of the spinal cord was thereby reduced. The thoracoscopic, limited anterior release consisting of a multilevel transection of the ALL proved to be a rapid and reliable procedure. Our anatomic studies provides suitable the reference points.     

Postoperative spinal epidural hematoma: risk factor and clinical outcome

We report a series of epidural hematomas which cause neurologic deterioration after spinal surgery, and have taken risk factors and prognostic factors into consideration. We retrospectively reviewed the database of 3720 cases of spine operation in a single institute over 7 years (1998 April- 2005 July). Nine patients who demonstrated neurologic deterioration after surgery and required surgical decompression were identified. Factors postulated to increase the postoperative epidural hematoma and to improve neurologic outcome were investigated. The incidence of postoperative epidural hematoma was 0.24%. Operation sites were cervical 3 cases, thoracic 2 cases, and lumbar 4 cases. Their original diagnoses were tumor 3 cases, cervical stenosis 2 cases, lumbar stenosis 3 cases and herniated lumbar disc 1 case. The symptoms of epidural hematomas were neurologic deterioration and pain. After decompression, clinical outcome revealed complete recovery in 3 cases (33.3%), incomplete recovery in 5 cases (55.6%) and no change in 1 case (11.1%). Factors increasing the risk of postoperative epidural hematoma were coagulopathy from medical illness or anticoagulation therapy (4 cases, 44.4%) and highly vascularized tumor (3 cases, 33.3%). The time interval to evacuation of complete recovery group (29.3 hours) was shorter than incomplete recovery group (66.3 hours). Patients with coagulopathy and highly vascularized tumor were more vulnerable to spinal epidural hematoma. The postoperative outcome was related to the preoperative neurological deficit and the time interval to the decompression.