Extensive thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis treated with two-stage surgery using a minimally invasive posterior instrumentation

We report the case of extensive thoracolumbar tuberculosis involving eight vertebral bodies, and successful treatment by two-stage surgical procedure using a minimally invasive posterior instrumentation. There have been few reports about widespread spinal tuberculosis in recent years. However tuberculosis is on the rise in the developed countries. This can be attributred to the increase in HIV and immigration from countries where tuberculosis is common. The patient was a 32-year-old female from one of the developing countries with spinal tuberculosis of T7-L2. The delay until diagnosis was about one year. Medical and conservative treatment for eighteen months was not effective to her illness. Two-stage surgical treatment (first: anterior debridement and bone graft; second: minimally invasive posterior instrumentation) was performed. Anterior debridement was adequately performed through the right side thoracotomy at two site, and two weeks after the surgery, posterior instrumentation without additional arthrodesis was performed using a minimally invasive approach. Antituberculous chemotherapy was continued for three months after surgery. Three years after the surgeries, the patient is now completely asymptomatic and has not had a recurrence. The infected anterior site healed and bony fusion was successfully achieved without kyphotic progression.     

Candida albicans osteomyelitis of the spine: progressive clinical and radiological features and surgical management in three cases

Candida albicans vertebral osteomyelitis is rare. Three cases are presented. Without antifungal treatment, they developed spinal collapse and neurological deterioration within 3–6 months from the onset of symptoms. There was a delay of 4.5 and 7.5 months between the onset of symptoms and surgery. All patients were managed with surgical debridement and reconstruction and 12-week fluconazole treatment. The neurological deficits resolved completely. The infection has not recurred clinically or radiologically at 5–6 years follow-up. Although rare, Candida should be suspected as a causative pathogen in cases of spinal osteomyelitis. Without treatment the disease is progressive. As soon as osteomyelitis is suspected, investigations with MRI and percutaneous biopsy should be performed followed by medical therapy. This may prevent the need for surgery. However, if vertebral collapse and spinal cord compression occurs, surgical debridement, fusion and stabilisation combined with antifungal medications can successfully eradicate the infection and resolve the neurological deficits.     

微创技术在重症急性胰腺炎外科治疗中的应用——争议与共识

随着微创理念的发展,重症急性胰腺炎局部并发症的外科治疗方式发生了很大变化。传统开腹清创引流手术由于其并发症发生率和病死率较高,逐渐被经皮穿刺引流、内镜、肾镜、腹腔镜等微创技术取代。对有手术指征的重症急性胰腺炎患者,推荐采用创伤递进式治疗策略,先行经皮穿刺引流或内镜技术缓解急性感染症状,对效果不佳者可再行坏死组织清除术,提倡视频辅助、经皮肾镜、腹腔镜等微创术式,可减少危重患者外科干预后的创伤和相关并发症,对某些患者,微创治疗可能完全替代传统外科手术。     

The technique of laparoscopic-thoracoscopic esophageal resection for esophageal cancer--first experiences

Esophageal resection for carcinoma is still associated with high mortality and morbidity. Minimally invasive techniques are regarded to reduce operative trauma. However, to date only few studies on minimally invasive esophageal resection have been published. We describe in detail the technique of combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophageal resection with gastric-pull-up and conventional open cervical anastomosis for esophageal squamous carcinoma. Prone positioning of the patient with bilateral lung ventilation was used during the thoracoscopic part of the operation. Our first experiences in 5 patients confirm the feasibility of the technique. We did not observe any surgical related adverse incidences and found the typically advantages of minimally invasive surgery, such as early mobility, less pain and a comfortable cosmetic result in our patients. Although the number of procedures is to low to decide the value of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer, we think it could be a promising technology to reduce mortality and morbidity for esophageal resection.     

Minimal-invasive Kinderchirurgie

In recent years minimally invasive surgical techniques in children have made substantial progress. The feasibility and safety of a wide spectrum of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures have been confirmed in numerous studies. Moreover, it was reported that minimally invasive pediatric surgery is associated with lower morbidity, a shorter hospital stay, lower costs, better cosmetics and clinical results similar to those achieved by open surgery. The present article reviews information on established as well as feasible but not yet established surgical procedures. The discussion of potential hemodynamic, respiratory and organ perfusion effects of the CO₂ pneumoperitoneum and the notation of special logistic aspects should support the reader in the process of decision-making to schedule infants and children for minimally invasive surgery.     

An immunocompetent patient with primary Scedosporium apiospermum vertebral osteomyelitis

Scedosporium apiospermum, the asexual anamorph of Pseudallescheria boydii, is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus that usually causes cutaneous/subcutaneous infection but may manifest as an invasive disease, often in immunocompromised hosts. Following an extensive literature review, we think that this case represents the first documented report of a primary infection of the spine in an immunocompetent patient. Despite extensive surgical debridement and itraconazole therapy, the patient died of multisystem organ failure of unknown etiology. Our case and three previously reported cases of P. boydii vertebral osteomyelitis highlight the importance of obtaining repeat cultures in patients with culture-negative vertebral osteomyelitis who fail to adequately respond to empiric standard antibacterial and/or antimycobacterial therapy. Combined surgical debridement and antifungal therapy have been required for eradication of P. boydii spinal infections in two previously reported immunocompromised patients, although the optimal antifungal regimen for this infection has not been established.     

Case Report: Curetting Osteoid Osteoma of the Spine Using Combined Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Navigation

Background

A spinal osteoid osteoma is a rare benign tumor. The usual treatment involves complete curettage including the nidus. In the thoracic spine, conventional open surgical treatment usually carries relatively high surgical risks because of the close anatomic relationship to the spinal cord, nerve roots, and thoracic vessels, and pulmonary complications and postoperative pain.

Case Report

We report the case of a 16-year-old girl with a symptomatic osteoid osteoma at the T9 level whose lesion was currettaged using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) guided by a navigation system (VATS-NAV). There were no complications and the patient had immediate relief of the characteristic pain after surgery and was asymptomatic at 5 months’ followup.

Literature Review

Progressive advances in the technology of spinal surgery have evolved to offer greater safety and less morbidity for patients. The advent of minimally invasive surgery has expanded the indications for VATS for anterior spinal disorders. Spinal navigation systems have become useful tools allowing localization and excision of the nidus of osteoid osteomas with minimal bone resection and without radiation exposure.

Clinical Relevance

The VATS-NAV combination in our patient allowed accurate localization and guidance for complete excision of a spinal osteoid osteoma through a minimally invasive approach without compromising spinal stability.     

Preliminary results of staged anterior debridement and reconstruction using titanium mesh cages in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Vertebral osteomyelitis can be successfully treated with spinal immobilization and parenteral antibiotics. Failure of medical therapy may necessitate surgical treatment consisting of anterior debridement and structural anterior column reconstruction. Autologous structural bone graft has traditionally been the gold standard in anterior column reconstruction. Because of the morbidity related to graft harvest, vertebral body replacement cages have emerged as a viable option for reconstructing a deficient anterior column. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of titanium mesh cages in the reconstruction of anterior column defects in the presence of active pyogenic infection. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Eleven patients underwent operative treatment for osteomyelitis of the thoracolumbar spine using staged anterior debridement and reconstruction with cylindrical titanium mesh cages followed by delayed posterior spinal fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation during a 2-year period. Patients were postoperatively evaluated clinically and radiographically. RESULTS: Follow-up averaged 17+/-9 months. Average increase in kyphosis of 10+/-6 degrees corresponding to 4+/-4 mm loss in the height (subsidence) of the anterior construct. One patient died during revision surgery for hardware failure. Seven of the remaining 10 patients have not required antibiotics after the initial postoperative course of treatment. Three patients are maintained on chronic suppressive therapy as a precaution. There has been no evidence of recurrence or residual infection in any patient. Seven of the 10 patients were pain free at latest follow-up. There has been one case of pseudarthrosis. CONCLUSION: Cylindrical titanium mesh can be used with consistently good results for large anterior column defect reconstructions even in the face of active pyogenic infection. In our cohort of patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, the use of titanium mesh cages has not been associated with early recurrence of infection.     

Roboterassistierte minimal-invasive Ösophagektomie

Esophagolymphadenectomy is the cornerstone of multimodality treatment for resectable esophageal cancer. The preferred surgical approach is transthoracic, with a two-field lymph node dissection and gastric conduit reconstruction. A minimally invasive approach has been shown to reduce postoperative complications and increase quality of life. Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) was developed to facilitate this complex thoracoscopic procedure. RAMIE has been shown to be safe with good oncologic results and reduced morbidity. The use of RAMIE opens new indications for curative surgery in patients with T4b tumors, high mediastinal tumors, and lymph node metastases after neoadjuvant treatment.     

脊柱转移瘤分离手术联合立体定向放疗的研究进展

随着癌症治疗水平的不断提升,脊柱转移瘤患者的生存期得到显著延长。当前脊柱转移瘤的治疗呈现多模式趋势,临床采用的手术方式包括椎体肿瘤切除椎管减压重建内固定术、分离手术、微创手术和经皮消融技术等,放疗技术包括传统外照射治疗、立体定向放疗和近距离放疗等。椎体肿瘤切除椎管减压重建内固定术的手术风险较大,术中和术后并发症的发生率较高,术后恢复期的延长可能造成后续放疗和其他内科治疗的延误,对患者的生存期和治疗信心都造成严重影响。而传统外照射治疗的精准度不高,脊髓耐受性的限制使得放疗剂量常难以达到控制放疗不敏感肿瘤的目的。随着放疗和手术技术的发展,精准性更高的立体定向放疗和手术创伤更小的分离手术脱颖而出,成为目前临床医生关注的焦点。本文就分离手术联合立体定向放疗的Hybrid治疗的研究进展作一综述。     

Use of topically applied rt-PA in the evacuation of extensive acute spinal subdural haematoma

Spontaneous spinal subdural haematoma is a rare cause of spinal cord compression, usually confined to a few vertebral levels. When the haematoma extends over several spinal segments, surgical decompression is a major undertaking. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) has previously been used in a number of surgical procedures, but not in the setting of acute spinal subdural haematoma. A minimally invasive technique of decompression, using topical rt-PA, is presented in two patients with extensive spinal intradural haematoma. Two patients receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy presented with acute-onset back pain progressing to paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine demonstrated spinal subdural haematomas extending over 15 vertebral levels in one patient and 12 in the other. An angiography catheter was introduced into the subdural space through a limited laminectomy. Thrombolysis and evacuation of haematoma was then achieved by intermittent irrigation of the subdural space with rt-PA, followed by saline lavage. Postoperative imaging demonstrated satisfactory decompression in both patients. There was significant improvement of neurological function in one patient. Topical application of rt-PA for spinal subdural haematoma allows evacuation of the haematoma through a limited surgical exposure. Decompression of the subdural space by this minimally invasive technique may be advantageous over extensive surgery by minimising surgical exposure, reducing postoperative pain and risk of neuronal injury. This technique may be useful in patients presenting with compression extending over several vertebral levels or poor surgical candidates.     

Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy: initial experience and outcomes

Background: Although surgical resection currently is the preferred treatment for fit patients with resectable esophageal cancers, it is associated with a relatively high risk of morbidity and significant perioperative mortality. Currently, a range of open surgical approaches are used. More recently, minimally invasive approaches have become feasible, with the potential to reduce perioperative morbidity. This study investigated the outcomes from one such approach. Methods: Outcome data were collected prospectively for 36 consecutive patients who underwent a minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. A three-stage approach was used, with all the patients undergoing a thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization, combined with either open or hand-assisted laparoscopic abdominal gastric mobilization, and open cervical anastomosis. An open abdominal approach was used for 15 of the patients and a hand-assisted laparoscopic approach for 21. A total of 34 patients had invasive malignancy, whereas 2 had preinvasive disease. A group of 23 patients (68%) who had invasive malignancies also received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results: The mean operating time ranged from 190 to 360 min (mean, 263 min). The median postoperative hospital stay was 16 days. In-hospital mortality was 5.5% (2/36), and perioperative morbidity was 41%. The perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing an open abdominal approach and those who had hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery were similar. For the patients who underwent a hand-assisted laparoscopic abdominal procedure, the total operating time was shorter (248 vs 281 min), and the blood loss was less (223 vs 440 ml). The median follow-up period was 30 months. The 4-year survival predicted by Kaplan–Meir for the 34 patients with invasive malignancy was 44%. Conclusion: The outcome for esophagectomy using thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization, with or without hand-assisted laparoscopic abdominal surgery, was comparable with data from conventional open surgical approaches. These approaches can be performed with an acceptable level of perioperative morbidity. Further application of these techniques, with close scrutiny of outcome data, is appropriate.     

Better treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis using posterior stabilization and titanium mesh cages

There is no scientific consensus on the role of posterior instrumentation in vertebral osteomyelitis. No study has examined the use of titanium cages to reconstruct the anterior column of the spine with vertebral osteomyelitis. Here the authors evaluated the efficacy of using titanium mesh cages anteriorly and posterior instrumentation after anterior debridement in the surgical treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis. In one center, 21 consecutive patients had surgery for vertebral osteomyelitis. The mean follow-up time was 67 months (range, 24 to 120 months). Ten patients received supplemental posterior instrumentation. Five patients had reconstruction of the anterior column with titanium cages. Greater improvement in sagittal alignment was noted for patients with cages implanted (p = 0.0009) and for those with posterior instrumentation (p = 0.005). Patients who received cages had greater (p = 0.0006) correction of their coronal alignment than did those patients without cages. A trend toward fewer postoperative complications emerged for patients who had posterior stabilization or titanium cages. These results support the use of posterior stabilization and titanium cages in the surgical treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis.     

Single-stage treatment of pyogenic spinal infection with titanium mesh cages

STUDY DESIGN: Single institution retrospective review. OBJECTIVES: To report a series of pyogenic spinal infections treated with single-stage debridement and reconstruction with titanium mesh cages. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Various studies have reported surgical results of pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis with anterior debridement, strut grafting and fusion, including delayed posterior spinal instrumentation. Additionally, various authors have recommended against the use of instrumentation because of the concern about glycocalyx formation on the metal and chronic infection. At our institution, we routinely treat chronic vertebral osteomyelitis with single-stage debridement, reconstruction with a titanium mesh cage filled with allograft chips and demineralized bone matrix, and posterior pedicle screw instrumentation. To our knowledge, this is the largest single series reporting single-stage debridement and instrumentation of pyogenic spinal infection with titanium mesh cages and posterior instrumentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patient records and radiographs of 21 consecutive patients (average age 49.3 years, range 23 to 80 years) with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, all treated with titanium mesh cages. Average follow-up was 44 months (range, 25 to 70 months). Spinal levels included 6 thoracic, 4 thoracolumbar, 9 lumbar, and 2 lumbosacral (L5-S1) lesions. All patients had preoperative serum evaluation, which usually included blood cultures, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), in addition to plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. A positive needle biopsy was available in only 2/7 patients (29%), and overall, preoperative pathogen identification was available in only 7/21 patients (33%). All patients were treated postoperatively with a minimum of 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, with a specific antibiotic regimen directed toward the postoperative pathogen when identified (17/21 cases). Extensive radiographic evaluation was also performed. RESULTS: ESR and CRP were routinely elevated (18/20 and 11/17 cases respectively), whereas the white blood count was elevated in only 8 out of 21 cases (38%). The average duration of symptoms to diagnosis was approximately 13.6 weeks (range 3 weeks to 10 months). The indications for surgery included neurologic compromise, significant vertebral body destruction with loss of sagittal alignment, failure of medical treatment, and/or epidural abscess. All patients had resolution of infection, as noted by normalization of the ESR and CRP. Further, 16 out of 21 patients also had a significant reduction of pain. There were no deaths or new postoperative neurologic compromise. The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. Two patients required a second surgery (posterior irrigation and debridement) during the same admission for persistent wound drainage. Radiographically, the average segmental kyphosis (or loss of lordosis) was 11.5 degrees (range, 0 to 24 degrees) preoperatively, and +0.8 degrees (range, -3 to +5 degrees) at latest postoperative follow-up. There was an average of 2.2 mm cage settling (range, 0 to 5 mm) on latest follow-up. There were no instrumentation failures, signs of chronic infection, or rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Titanium mesh cages present a viable option for single-stage anterior surgical debridement and reconstruction of vertebral osteomyelitis, without evidence of chronic infection or rejection. When used in conjunction with pedicle screw instrumentation, there is minimal cage settling without loss of sagittal alignment.     

Surgical treatment of hematogenous vertebral Aspergillus osteomyelitis

Three cases of Aspergillus fumigatas vertebral osteomyelitis failed courses of medical treatment. Each was subsequently treated with anterior vertebral debridement and posterior segmental spinal instrumentation. Despite poor nutritional and immune systems, resolution of the infection and subsequent anterior ankylosis occurred in each patient, with follow-up ranging from 1 to 3 years. If patients with aspergillus vertebral osteomyelitis do not respond to medical treatment, early surgical debridement and stabilization in combination with intravenous amphotericin B can lead to resolution and bony ankylosis.     

Delayed reconstruction by titanium mesh-bone graft composite in pyogenic spinal infection: a long-term follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: Use of instrumentation in spinal osteomyelitis remains controversial because of the perceived risk of persistent infection related to a devitalized graft and spinal hardware. Particularly, limited information is available regarding the long-term follow-up of patients. We retrospectively reviewed the use of titanium mesh-bone graft composite after corpectomy in pyogenic spinal infection with a minimum 3-year follow-up outcome. METHODS: Four patients, two men and two women, with cervical and thoracic myelopathy caused by cervical (two cases) and thoracic (two cases) osteomyelitis and epidural abscess, were treated. Their age ranged from 49 to 74 years (mean age 58 years). In one case, the coexisting medical condition was diabetes. Neurologic deficits caused by direct spinal cord compression due to epidural abscess, segmental deformity, and instability were observed in all cases. After infection was clinically controlled by intravenous antibiotics, anterior debridement and fusion using titanium mesh cage along with anterior plate were performed. Two-stage treatment was performed in two cases. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful; all patients experienced relief of symptoms. No evidence of recurrence or residual infection was observed in any patient during the average follow-up period of 42-56 months (average 49.0 months). CONCLUSIONS: Once infection is clinically controlled, a titanium mesh-bone graft composite and plate in combination with aggressive debridement might provide an effective therapy for spinal osteomyelitis requiring surgery. Despite studying a small number of patients, we can conclude that titanium mesh reconstruction can be useful as a surgical method in selected low-risk patients with vertebral osteomyelitis.     

Minimally invasive approaches to vertebral column and spinal cord tumors

Minimally invasive approaches to spinal tumors have evolved rapidly over the past 15 to 20 years as clinicians seek to avoid the morbidity and long-term dysfunction associated with traditional open surgical procedures. We review the noninvasive, percutaneous, and minimally invasive surgical techniques currently available for the treatment of spinal column and intradural spinal tumors, including minimal access thoracic corpectomy and minimal access intradural tumor surgery. The various advantages and limitations of these approaches as well as their appropriate indications and uses are also presented here. A measured understanding of surgical objectives and iatrogenic effects on patients' quality of life allows the surgeon to implement such minimally invasive approaches in the design of individualized treatment plans that range from pure palliation to definitive cure.     

Anterior Column Reconstruction Using Titanium Ring Cages in Severe Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Abstract Background and Purpose: The use of instrumentation in spinal infections is still a controversial issue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of titanium cages in the surgical treatment of severe vertebral osteomyelitis (synonym spondylodiscitis) concerning eradication of the infection as well as biomechanical aspects. Materials and Methods: The peri- and postoperative data of 43 consecutive patients with vertebral osteomyelitis who underwent single-stage posterior stabilization, anterior debridement including decompression, and anterior column reconstruction using modular titanium ring cages filled with autologous bone were analyzed retrospectively. In 29 cases, a clinical and radiological follow-up of on average 2.5 years (median 2.2 years) was available. To assess the course of spinal alignment, a detailed radiometric analysis was performed. Results: The time of symptoms prior to surgery averaged 4.6 months. Preoperatively, 37% of the patients showed neurologic compromise with partial or complete recovery in 88% after surgery. In 25 patients (58%), a germ was isolated with Staphylococcus aureus being the most frequent pathogen (44%). Except for one patient with anterior revision and exchange of the cage for persistent infection, primary eradication of the infection was accomplished in all patients. At follow-up, all infections were eradicated, and all cages appeared radiographically fused. The present loss of correction in the sagittal plane amounted 1.5° at the affected segment(s) reconstructed by cage interposition and 4.4° at posterior fusion levels. Conclusion: Single-stage posterior instrumentation and fusion combined with anterior debridement and anterior column reconstruction using modular titanium ring cages represent a safe and efficient strategy in cases of severe vertebral osteomyelitis necessitating surgery. The use of titanium cages guarantees long-term maintenance of correction without increased risk of persistent or recurrent infection.     

Clinical study of a new approach to thoracolumbar surgery

Objective： The conventional approaches for treatment of thoracolumbar diseases require extensive surgical exposure, often leading to postoperative pain and morbidity. Thoracoscopic-assisted surgery in these regions usually requires an extended recovery period due to the placement of drainage. We developed an innovative retroperitoneal-extrapleural approach to thoracolumbar involvement by an extra-diaphragmatic technique using dedicated instruments. Neither incision nor reconstruction of the diaphragm was necessary. Exposure to the lateral part of the thoracolumbar vertebrae could be achieved without crus resection. This study is aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of this new surgical procedure.
Methods： A total of 9 cases （5 cases of thoracolumbar fracture-dislocation, 1 each of spinal infection, tumor, thoracolumbar scoliosis and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament） were subjected to the study. The average age of the patients was 52.3 years. The results were compared with the control group consisting of thoracoscopic surgery subgroup （5 patients, mean age 52.1 years） and conventional surgery subgroup （12 patients, mean age 61.3 years）.
Results： Compared with the control group, the average period of bed confinement and mean intra- and postoperative blood loss decreased significantly. Pulmonary complications were avoided in all cases. The surgical time was shortened, postoperative pain was reduced, and early postoperative ambulation became possible. Conclusion： The diaphragm-preserving retroperitoneal-extrapleural approach that we developed is a valid minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of thoracolumbar diseases.     

微创外科技术在中央型肺癌治疗中的应用

微创手术有助于减少手术创伤和疼痛,帮助患者康复,改善生活质量。包括胸腔镜和机器人在内的微创肺切除术目前主要用于早期周围型肺癌的外科治疗,中央型肺癌由于肿瘤位置、淋巴结转移和治疗模式等原因,手术难度较大、技术要求较高,尤其是袖状切除术和全肺切除术,大多需要开胸手术切除。随着微创手术技术的不断进步,近年来临床上开始尝试将其应用于中央型肺癌的外科治疗,其可行性和安全性已得到初步结果证明,代表了微创胸肺癌外科的发展方向。但仍需要更多研究结果证实其功能优越性和肿瘤学效果,让更多肺癌患者从外科技术的进步中获益。