The differential effect of BMI on prosthetic versus autogenous breast reconstruction: A multivariate analysis of 12,986 patients

BackgroundThe comparative safety of breast reconstruction in obese patients remains to be clearly defined. This study utilized multi-institutional data to characterize the effect of body mass index (BMI) on breast reconstruction outcomes.MethodsUtilizing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, patients undergoing tissue expander, pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and free flap breast reconstruction were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Patients were stratified as obese (BMI ≥ 30) and non-obese (BMI < 30). Overall postoperative morbidity, flap complications, non-flap complications, and reoperation rates were compared among the groups.ResultsOf 12,986 patients who underwent breast reconstruction, 3636 (28.0%) were obese. Overall morbidity was significantly elevated in obese patients across all forms of reconstruction (p < 0.05). BMI was correlated with increased surgical complications for tissue expander, pedicled TRAM, and free flap reconstructions (OR = 1.09, OR = 1.05, OR = 1.10, respectively; p < 0.05). Medical complications were higher in obese patients undergoing tissue expander and pedicled TRAM reconstructions (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed in latissimus and free flap reconstruction patients. Compared with obese tissue expander recipients, obese patients reconstructed using autologous tissue had higher rates of reoperations (12.8% versus 9.1%), overall morbidity (18.0% versus 9.5%), surgical (12.7% versus 8.3%), and medical complications (9.0% versus 2.2%).ConclusionsThe NSQIP database allows for evaluation and comparison of reconstructive outcomes in the obese population. Increased BMI was associated with higher morbidity in autologous reconstruction than tissue expander reconstruction. Among autologous procedures, latissimus flaps experienced the lowest captured 30 day morbidity.     

不同入路减压内固定治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折

目的 探讨不同入路减压内固定治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折的疗效.方法 将92例胸腰锥爆裂性骨折患者根据病情和患者知情同意分为两组：后路短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定融合术47例,前路减压钛网植骨内固定术45例.对两种治疗方式的疗效进行比较.结果 两组均获满1年随访.两组患者的神经功能均好转;两组患者治疗1年后较治疗前的椎体前缘高度、Cobb角均有明显改善（P〈0.05）;治疗后两组间椎体前缘高度、Cobb角比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;两组均无顽固性腰痛及内固定断裂等并发症发生.结论 后路短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定融合术和前路减压钛网植骨内固定术治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折均可取得较好效果.     

多节段退行性腰椎管狭窄症的手术治疗

目的探讨选择性融合减压节段结合棘突椎板回植椎管成形术治疗多节段退行性腰椎管狭窄症的临床疗效。方法2008年6月至2011年1月采取选择性融合减压节段结合棘突椎板回植椎管成形术治疗多节段退行性腰椎管狭窄症患者35例,男23例,女12例,年龄47～76岁,平均68岁。根据临床表现和影像学检查确定减压部位和融合节段,应用JOA评分（29分法）对手术前后临床疗效进行主客观评价。结果随访12—36个月,平均18个月。术后患者JOA评分较术前有显著提高（P〈0．05）,随访时优良率91．43％。结论选择性融合减压节段结合棘突椎板回植椎管成形术治疗多节段退行性腰椎管狭窄症可取得良好临床疗效。     

甲基强的松龙在脊髓型颈椎病围手术期的应用

目的观察脊髓型颈椎病患者围手术期应用甲基强的松龙（methyloprednisonlone,MP）预防脊髓神经功能损害的效果,探讨最佳用药方案。方法 2009年3月至2012年3月,36例确认为脊髓型颈椎病的患者随机分为A、B两组。采用颈前路减压植骨融合内固定或一期后、前路椎管减压内固定治疗,手术由同组医师完成。A组20例,减压前30min给予MP 1 000mg冲击,术后第1天起MP按照200mg、200mg、80mg、80mg逐日减量,共应用5d。B组16例,减压前不予冲击,减压即刻80mg及术后80mg/日静推共5d。如果减压后8h内出现脊髓损害加重的情况,立即按第三次全美急性脊髓损伤研究冲击方案执行,并排除血肿压迫等原因。两组手术开始后均给予20%甘露醇125mL静滴,术后按125mL/8h静滴,共4d。对两组术前、术后1周、术后3个月及术后6个月进行脊髓型颈椎病JOA评分。结果 A组有1例,B组有2例减压后8h内出现神经症状加重,按第三次全美急性脊髓损伤研究方案冲击后缓解;两组术前JOA评分比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;术后1周、3个月、6个月两组JOA评分与术前比较均明显提高（P〈0.05）;术后1周JOA评分A组优于B组（P〈0.05）;术后3个月、6个月两组间比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论脊髓型颈椎病围手术期应用MP可预防脊髓神经功能损害,促进近期神经功能恢复。术前宜权衡利弊,术中、术后仔细观察神经功能变化并及时处理,MP冲击应用并无必要。     

Complications in degenerative lumbar disease treated with a dynamic interspinous spacer (Coflex)

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to quantify the intra- and postoperative complications of an interspinous process device (Coflex) in managing degenerative lumbar diseases and to investigate corresponding therapeutic strategies.

Methods

Between January 2008 and December 2012, we retrospectively analysed a total of 131 patients who underwent decompressive surgery along with the Coflex system for the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases. The related complications were reported, and appropriate measures were taken. Clinical outcomes and radiological data were collected and analysed, and clinical outcomes were evaluated with paired-samples T test.

Results

Related complications occurred in 11 patients. Among them, six cases were found with surgical technique-related complications, including device-related complications in three cases: spinal process fracture (n = 1), Coflex loosening (n = 1), fixed-wing breakage (n = 1), dura mater tear in two cases and superficial wound infection in one case. All of them received corresponding conservative treatment and obtained a good result. The other five cases had non-device-related complications and required additional spinal surgery. The conservative therapy group had apparent improvement of VAS score and ODI, and remained well to final follow-up (P < 0.05). The second operation group also improved postoperatively (each P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The Coflex dynamic interspinous process device shows a low complication and re-operation rate. Standard operation and strict follow-up observation can effectively avoid surgical technique-related complications. The key points to ensure surgical effect and to reduce non-device-related complications are mastering surgical indications and thorough intra-operative decompression.     

Anterior decompression with single segmental spinal interbody fusion for Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture: a midterm follow-up study

Purpose

Our goal was to observe the midterm results of a case series of Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture treated with anterior decompression with single segmental spinal Interbody fusion.

Methods

Twenty patients with Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fractures underwent anterior decompression with single segmental spinal Interbody fusion. They underwent clinical and radiologic follow-up for at least three years after the surgery.

Results

The mean follow-up period lasted 57 months. To the last follow-up, there were no cases of internal fixation loosening, failure and other complications. Titanium mesh or interbody bone grafts were in good position. Spinal kyphosis was not observed. Interbody fusion was achieved for all cases. The average fusion time was 4.5 months. Based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, percentage of vertebral body height loss and Cobb angle, the difference was statistically significant between the preoperative period and postoperative one year or final follow-up (P < 0.05). Results at postoperative one year and final follow-up were better than the preoperative period. However, the difference was not significant between postoperative one year and final follow-up (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Good midterm results on clinical and radiologic evaluation of anterior decompression with single segmental spinal Interbody fusion for suitable patients with Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture can be achieved. The incident rate of relative complications is low.     

The Comarr Memorial Award for Distinguished Clinical Service: The Legacy of A. Estin Comarr,MD

Abstract

Background

Subfascial wound suction drains are commonly used after spinal surgery to decrease the incidence of post-operative hematoma. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding their effectiveness.

Objective

To report four cases of post-operative spinal epidural hematoma causing massive neurological deficit in patients who had subfascial suction wound drains.

Methods

During an 8-year period, a retrospective review of 1750 consecutive adult spinal surgery cases was performed to determine the incidence, commonalities, and outcomes of catastrophic neurological deficit caused by post-operative spinal epidural hematoma.

Findings

Epidural hematoma causing major neurological deficit (American Spinal Injury Association B) was identified in 4 out of 1750 patients (0.23%). All four patients in this series had subfascial wound suction drains placed prophylactically at the conclusion of their initial procedure.

Results

Three patients developed massive neurological deficits with the drain in place; one patient had the drain removed at 24 hours and subsequently developed neurological symptoms during the following post-operative day. Significant risk factors for the development of hematoma were identified in two of the four patients. Average time to return to the operating room for hematoma evacuation was 6 hours (range 3–12 hours). Neurological status significantly improved in all four patients after hematoma evacuation.

Conclusions

Post-operative epidural hematoma causing catastrophic neurological deficit is a rare complication after spinal surgery. The presence of suction wound drains does not appear to prevent the occurrence of this devastating complication.     

Neuroendoscopy in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm: Technical note

Abstract

Miocrovascular decompression is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). A complete cure cannot be obtained, and additional adjuncts for extended use of endoscopy are needed. The use of an endoscope combined with the operating microscope can enhance the surgeon’s ability to view deep structures during operation. We study the application of combined microsurgical and endoscopic techniques in 21 cases of HFS and 12 cases of TN. With these techniques the surgeon can explore the ventral aspect of the brainstem and cranial nerves without further retraction, can see the groove caused by compression of the offending artery, and can confirm the proper position of the prosthesis after attachment to the dura by fibrin glue. In HFS the most common offending vessels in 75% of cases were the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and in 25% of cases the vertebral artery (VA). In trigeminal neuralgia the offending vessel in 60% of cases was the superior cerebellar artery (SCA), and in 40% of cases the AICA. The overall success rate was 97% with minimal morbidity 3% (facial palsy) and no mortality. The aim of this work is to study advantages and disadvantages of using endoscopy during microvascular decompression for TN and HFS. [Neural Res 2000; 22: 522-526]     

Microvascular decompression of the cochlear nerve in patients with severe tinnitus. Preoperative findings and operative outcome in 22 patients

Abstract

We evaluated the operative outcome in 22 consecutive patients who underwent microvascular decompression (MVO) of the intracranial portion of the cochlear nerve to relieve incapacitating tinnitus and related it to preoperative findings. The patients were selected for operation from the following criteria: severe tinnitus with sensorineural hearing loss and/or changes in brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). Fifty percent had unilateral tinnitus. Before operation, 77 patients (77%) had sensorineural hearing loss in their affected ear. BAEPs were abnormal in 27 patients (95%) and acoustic middle ear reflex response was abnormal in six patients (27%). Vascular compression of the cochlear nerve was found in all patients during the operation. After the operation, 33% had relief of their tinnitus (two patients were totally free of tinnitus and five were markedly improved). Eight patients were slightly improved (38%), and the tinnitus did not change in four patients; two patients (70%) became worse. Of the patients with unilateral tinnitus, 63% had relief oftheir tinnitus. In one patient hearing was noticeably improved after the operation. Five patients (23%) had mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss due to the operation. No other complications were detected. [Neural Res 1998; 20: 242-248]