后路cage椎体间植骨融合术在下腰椎融合的应用

目的 探讨后路cage椎间植骨融合术治疗下腰椎疾病的应用价值。方法 运用后路cage椎间植骨融合术治疗腰椎间盘突出症10例，单纯腰椎滑脱症11例，腰椎管狭窄症3例，腰椎狭部不连2例。结果 术后经6。12个月随访，临床疗效优良率92．3％(优80．8％，良11．5％)，植骨融合率96％，短时神经功能障碍1例。结论 后路cage椎间植骨融合术是治疗下腰椎不稳或滑脱的有效方法，临床疗效满意。     

脊柱椎弓根螺钉入路及手术方法的临床应用

目的：探讨椎弓根螺钉最佳入路及手术步骤。方法：对104例胸腰椎骨折脱位患者，分两组采用不同方法、步骤钻入椎弓根螺钉，并对其进行疗效比较。结果：经过技术改进后的方法较传统方法对骨折脱位的复位效果无明显差异，而两者在X线曝光次数、手术时间、出血量及并发症等方面存在显著性差异。结论：技术改进后的椎弓根螺钉进钉方法简单、安全、创伤小、疗效优良。     

Vascular anatomy and surgical approach in oblique lateral interbody fusion at lumbosacral transitional vertebrae

BackgroundOblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) at lumbosacral junction is typically performed on the central window between the bifurcations of iliac vessels. However, the central window of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTVs) is usually obstructed by the iliocaval venous structures. We aimed to describe the vascular anatomy and surgical approach in OLIF at LSTVs compared with those in OLIF at typical L5-S1 junction.MethodsSixty-eight consecutive patients who underwent OLIF at lumbosacral junction were included. Of these, 31 patients had LSTVs and 37 patients had typical L5-S1 junction. The position of the iliocaval junction and the configuration of the left common iliac vein were compared using the preoperative CT and MR images of the lumbar spine. The surgical approach and intraoperative vascular findings were analyzed.ResultsAlmost 70% of LSTVs had the iliocaval junction at low or very low position. Mobilization of left common iliac vein for central window was potentially difficult in almost 74% of OLIF at LSTVs while it was not required or was potentially easy in almost 80% of OLIF at typical L5-S1. Vascular injury was identified in 2 (6.5%) patients with OLIF at LSTVs and in 3 (8.1%) patients with OLIF at typical L5-S1 junction (P = 0.904).ConclusionsIn our series, OLIF at LSTVs was performed through lateral window in 93.5% of the cases. Preoperative evaluation of the iliocaval junction using CT/MR of lumbar spine was reliable and valid in the determination of OLIF approach at lumbosacral junction.     

Decompression of the anterior thoracic spinal canal using a novel full‐endoscopic uniportal transthoracic retropleural technique—an anatomical feasibility study in human cadavers

Surgery for thoracic disc herniation and spinal stenosis is comparatively rare and often demanding. The goal is to achieve sufficient decompression without manipulating the spinal cord. Individual planning and various surgical techniques and approaches are required. This anatomical study examines the feasibility of a novel full‐endoscopic uniportal technique with a transthoracic retropleural approach for decompression of the anterior thoracic spinal canal. Operations were performed on three fresh adult cadavers. The endoscope used, from RIWOspine, Germany, has a shaft cross‐section of 6.9 × 5.9 mm and a 25° view angle. It contains an eccentric intraendoscopic working channel with a diameter of 4.1 mm. A transthoracic retropleural approach was used. The anatomical structures were dissected and the anterior thoracic epidural space was decompressed. The planned steps of the operation were performed on all cadavers. The transthoracic retropleural approach allowed the target region to be accessed easily. The anatomical structures could be identified and dissected. The anterior thoracic epidural space could be decompressed sufficiently. Using the uniportal full‐endoscopic operation technique with a transthoracic retropleural approach, the anterior thoracic epidural space can be adequately reached. This is a minimally invasive method with the known advantages of an endoscopic technique under continuous irrigation. The retropleural approach allows direct access. The instruments are available for clinical use and have been established for years in other operations on the entire spine. Clin. Anat. 31:716–723, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The NEXUS criteria are insufficient to exclude cervical spine fractures in older blunt trauma patients

Background and objectiveThe National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) criteria are used to assess the need for imaging to evaluate cervical spine integrity after injury. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of the NEXUS criteria in older blunt trauma patients.MethodsPatients aged 65 years or older presenting between 1st July 2010 and 30th June 2014 and diagnosed with cervical spine fractures were identified from the institutional trauma registry. Clinical examination findings were extracted from electronic medical records. Data on the NEXUS criteria were collected and sensitivity of the rule to exclude a fracture was calculated.ResultsOver the study period 231,018 patients presented to The Alfred Emergency & Trauma Centre, of whom 14,340 met the institutional trauma registry inclusion criteria and 4035 were aged ≥65 years old. Among these, 468 patients were diagnosed with cervical spine fractures, of whom 21 were determined to be NEXUS negative. The NEXUS criteria performed with a sensitivity of 94.8% [95% CI: 92.1%–96.7%] on complete case analysis in older blunt trauma patients. One-way sensitivity analysis resulted in a maximum sensitivity limit of 95.5% [95% CI: 93.2%–97.2%].ConclusionCompared with the general adult blunt trauma population, the NEXUS criteria are less sensitive in excluding cervical spine fractures in older blunt trauma patients. We therefore suggest that liberal imaging be considered for older patients regardless of history or examination findings and that the addition of an age criterion to the NEXUS criteria be investigated in future studies.     

退行性腰椎滑脱症患者多裂肌退行性变与临床症状的相关性

目的探讨退行性腰椎滑脱症患者多裂肌退行性变程度与腰椎前凸角、腰腿痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分以及Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)的相关性。方法回顾性分析51例退行性腰椎滑脱症患者的腰痛VAS评分、下肢痛VAS评分和ODI等临床资料。通过腰椎X线片判断滑脱严重程度并测量腰椎前凸角,其中Ⅰ度滑脱30例(L_4/L_5 20例、L_5/S_1 10例),Ⅱ度滑脱21例(L_4/L_5 15例、L_5/S_1 6例)。通过腰椎MRI测量患者L_4/L_5、L_5/S_1水平双侧多裂肌平均横截面积和脂肪浸润率,用Pearson相关分析评估多裂肌横截面积、脂肪浸润率与腰椎前凸角、腰痛VAS评分、下肢痛VAS评分和ODI的相关性。结果不同滑脱程度患者腰椎前凸角、腰痛VAS评分、下肢痛VAS评分、ODI差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。在相同节段,不同滑脱程度患者多裂肌横截面积差异无统计学意义(P0.05);Ⅰ度滑脱者多裂肌脂肪浸润率均低于Ⅱ度滑脱者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。多裂肌横截面积、脂肪浸润率与腰椎前凸角、腰痛VAS评分、下肢痛VAS评分和ODI均无相关性。结论不同严重程度退行性腰椎滑脱症患者多裂肌的退行性变程度存在差异,多裂肌退行性变可能参与了退行性腰椎滑脱的进程,但尚不能证明多裂肌退行性变程度与临床症状存在相关性。     

Multivariable analysis of factors affecting length of stay and hospital charges after single-level corpectomy

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) is commonly employed for treating myelopathy, deformity, and a variety of other cervical pathologies. Limited data are available on factors associated with longer hospitalization and higher hospital charges following ACCF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables that are associated with length of hospital stay and hospital charges for patients undergoing single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion in a retrospective case series. We retrospectively identified from a clinical database 69 patients who underwent single-level ACCF at a single institution from 2010 through 2014. Demographic variables, clinical information, and intraoperative data were analyzed with respect to length of hospitalization and hospital charges. T-test and Chi-squared testing as well as univariate and multivariable analysis were performed with p < 0.05 considered significant. On multivariable analysis, polytrauma, postoperative complications, lower postoperative hematocrit, and two-staged procedures were significantly associated with longer lengths of stay. Length of stay, postoperative complications, and two-staged procedures were significantly associated with higher hospital charges. Patients undergoing a two-staged procedure and those having postoperative complications experience a longer postoperative length of stay and incur higher hospital charges. Avoidance of postoperative anemia may help to reduce length of stay following ACCF.     

The role and safety of the sitting position in instrumented cervical surgery

Placing patients who are undergoing neurosurgical procedures to the cervical spine in the sitting position offers significant advantages. These must be counterbalanced against the risk of venous and paradoxical air embolism. This study addresses the role and safety of the sitting position for instrumented cervical surgery. Twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent instrumented cervical surgery in the sitting position were recruited via retrospective analysis. Complications arising from the surgical procedure – specifically venous air embolism – were recorded, as well as pre- and post-operative haemoglobin levels. The incidence of venous air embolism was 0% (97.5% one-sided confidence interval: 0–13.7%). However, five other complications occurred (incidence rate of 20% with a 95% confidence interval of 6.8–40.7%). With appropriate precautions, screening and specific indications, the sitting position can be safely used in more complex instrumented cervical surgery.     

脊柱颈胸结合部C5~T2三维有限元建模与验证

目的基于CT图像数据建立人体脊柱颈胸结合部C5~T2的三维有限元模型,并验证模型的正确性和有效性。方法采用Mimics、Geomagic和Hypermesh软件对人体脊柱颈胸结合部C5~T2椎体进行三维重建、模型修复和有限元前处理,对模型顶面施加±0.5、1、1.5、2 N·m扭矩,用于模拟人体前屈和后伸活动时所产生的载荷作用,使用ANSYS软件计算脊柱颈胸结合部C5~T2节段在前屈和后伸承受扭矩载荷作用时的关节活动度(range of motion,ROM),将计算结果与前人研究结果进行对比分析。结果人体脊柱颈胸结合部C5~T2三维模型中C5~6、C6~7、C7~T1和T1~2各节段椎体在1 N·m载荷作用下,前屈时ROM分别为4.30°、3.21°、1.66°和1.41°,后伸时ROM分别为3.47°、2.86°、0.96°和0.92°。前屈时最大应力出现在椎体前缘,后伸时椎体后缘出现较大应力。ROM和应力分布的趋势与前人研究结果相一致。结论建立的脊柱颈胸结合部三维模型精确逼真,符合脊柱颈胸结合部的生物力学特性,模拟结果可为临床病理研究和颈胸部手术术式的评价提供理论依据。