Posterior approach to the lumbar plexus combined with a sciatic nerve block using lidocaine

A combination of lumbar plexus block, by a posterior technique, and sciatic nerve block can be a useful technique for outpatient anaesthesia. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of these blocks using lidocaine and to measure the serum lidocaine concentrations. Forty-five patients, undergoing lower extremity surgery, were studied. Sciatic nerve and lumbar plexus blocks were made with lidocaine, 680 mg with adrenaline 0.3 mg. For each patient the following data were collected: weight, age, sex, site of surgery, time to perform each block, needle depth, speed of onset of the sensory and motor blocks in the territories of the sciatic, femoral, obturator and lateral cutaneous (sensory) nerves and postoperative analgesic requirements. Lidocaine serum concentrations were measured in ten of these patients at 0, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the second block. Analgesia was complete in 88% (40/45) of the patients. The remaining five patients needed analgesics (fentanyl 150 μg or less). Despite the high dose of lidocaine, the serum concentrations were within safe limits (mean ± SD) (C_MAX = 3.66 ± 2.21 μg · ml^?1). Only one patient had a serum concentration > 5 μg · ml^?1 (C_MAX = 9.54 μg · ml^?1). This was associated with a contra-lateral extension of the block. We conclude that this combination of blocks is a valuable alternative for unilateral lower extremity anaesthesia. However, clinicians must be aware of the implications of a contra-lateral extension of the block.     

退变性腰椎管狭窄症手术治疗的探讨

目的：探讨退变性腰椎管狭窄症的手术治疗。方法：对９４例６０岁以上患者进行分型和手术治疗。结果：将本病分为Ⅰ型（侧隐窝狭窄型）;Ⅱ型（中央管狭窄型）;Ⅲ型（混合型）。对Ⅰ型手术方式采用单侧或双侧椎板开窗,扩大神经根管或（和）摘除髓核;对Ⅱ型行半椎板或全椎板切除术;对Ⅲ型行全椎板切除术。结论：通过术后疗效观察和３年随访,根据分型的不同选择不同的手术方式,可达到较好的临床疗效     

硬脊膜的蠕变率与椎间盘突出症的自然病程

目的　为探讨椎间盘突出症缓慢自愈的机理和治疗方法的选择提供一定的帮助。方法　应用２１ 例新鲜的猪的腰段硬脊膜,分组测量其蠕变率的变化。结果　各组蠕变率均与时间和载荷成正比,控温组发生速度快而大,模拟组发生慢而小。结论　蠕变率是椎间盘突出症症状缓解的力学基础,促进蠕变率发生的治疗,同减压治疗一样,都是病因治疗。     

节段内固定治疗腰椎峡部裂的生物力学研究

在8具成人新鲜腰椎标本上,通过脊柱三维运动实验机,研究了横突棘突钢丝捆绑法、钩螺钉固定法及Buck螺钉固定法对峡部裂腰椎三维稳定性的影响。实验结果表明：三者均能显著地恢复脊柱的稳定性,且三者之间无显著差别。     

Postoperative Pain Therapy After Lumbar Disc Surgery

Summary  Object. This study was undertaken to determine whether a special postoperative pain administration of tramadol and diclofenac provides any benefits in patients who underwent microsurgical lumbar discectomy.  Methods. The study consisted of 60 patients undergoing microsurgical lumbar discectomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the postoperative pain management: 1) Group A (n=30): no standardized pain therapy; these patients received on demand different analgesics and at variable dosages which were selected by the neurosurgeons; 2) Group B (n=30): standardized pain therapy with specific dosages of tramadol and diclofenac in regular time intervals during the first 48 hours after surgery. After surgery follow-up data from a special standardized questionnaire were obtained for all 60 patients during the first 48–72 postoperative hours. The patients were asked for course and intensity of pain as well as about some specific circumstances of clinical therapy after surgery.  The postoperative pain intensity of patients treated with the special combination of tramadol and diclofenac was significantly diminished (24 hours after surgery: p=0.0002, 48 h: p=0.0047, 72 h: p=0.0034) in relation to the group without standardized pain therapy. Similarly, the frequency of breakthrough pain was significantly reduced (24 h: p=0.0001, 48 h: p=0.003, 72 h: p=0.004).  Conclusions. The results suggest that the application of tramadol and diclofenac during the first 48 hours after lumbar microdiscectomy results in a reduction in postoperative pain without complications. We suggest that the use of this combination can be a beneficial adjunct to lumbar disc surgery.     

腰椎间盘突出症419例3种非手术疗法疗效分析

为比较下腰痛非手术疗效,４１９例腰椎间盘突出症患者采用腰椎牵引（甲组１９５例）、激素硬膜外注射（乙组１９２例）及经皮穿刺椎间盘切吸术或胶原酶溶解术（丙组３２例）进行治疗和随访,采用改良Ｍａｃｎａｂ标准评定。结果：优良率甲组４９％,乙组６６％,丙组８４％,Ｐ＜０．０１;甲组疗效与病程相关,病程＜６个月疗效较好（Ｐ＜０．０５）;平均治疗次数有甲组＞乙组＞丙组的倾向。结论：单纯腰椎牵引对病程较短者疗效较好;病程较长,神经根刺激症状明显者加用激素硬膜外注射可提高疗效;经腰牵、激素硬膜外注射等非手术治疗无效者,如严格掌握适应证和操作技术,采用经皮穿刺椎间盘切吸术或胶原酶溶解术可取得很好疗效     

Transpedicular reduction and stabilization for postlaminectomy lumbar instability

Summary This study retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 17 patients with postlaminectomy lumbar instability treated by transpedicular reduction and stabilization. The criteria of instability were defined strictly by both the clinical symptom of instability catch and the radiological findings that fulfilled Nachemson's criteria. Low back pain and/or sciatica that interfered largely with the patients' work or quality of life were the indications for this treatrment. All the operations were performed by one surgeon with the same spinal instrumentation system — AO internal fixator. The follow-up period was between 16 and 36 months (mean 24 months).Face to face questionnaire revealed that this treatment modality is encouraging. Fourteen patients (82%) had complete or nearly complete relief from all the pre-operative symptoms. Two (12%) had partial relief of the symptoms that required a subsequent discectomy or wider laminectomy. Only one case (6%) with osteoporosis remained unchanged after the operation. On the follow-up radiographs, sixteen patients (94%) showed good alignment and solid arthrodesis of the treated motion segment. These radiological findings correlated quite well with the absence of the clinical symptom of instability catch.A common, but acceptable, complication found in this series was a variable degree of low back stiffness secondary to the instrumentation. Fracture of the screw was found in one patient and pull out of the screw was found in another patient. However, they did not elicit detectable symptoms.Osteoporosis, concomitant disc herniation and persistent spinal stenosis at/or adjacent to the operated level were the three main factors that may contribute to unsatisfactory results secondary to this treatment. These problems remain to be resolved in thp future.     

Continuous lumbosacral block using a Tuohy needle and catheter technique

Three cases are reported where continuous lumbosacral block was performed using a catheter through an epidural needle technique. Good unilateral lower limb surgical anaesthesia was achieved in all three cases with successful blockade of the lumbar and sacral plexuses. A 17-gauge Tuohy needle was positioned between the transverse processes of L4 and L5 and an epidural catheter inserted into the space between the quadratus lumborum and psoas muscles. Forty to seventy millilitres of local anaesthetic were injected and resulted in good surgical anaesthesia within 12-20 min. Radiographic studies in these patients confirmed placement of the catheter in close proximity to the lumbosacral plexus. Experience in a further 12 cases is also reported. There were no side-effects. The technique is successful and is recommended when unilateral lower limb anaesthetic is required and when spinal and epidural anaesthesia are contraindicated.     

Unusual fractures and dislocations of the axis vertebra

Seven percent of 400 patients with cervical spine fractures and/or dislocations had unusual lesions of the axis. The authors have analyzed axis injuries by review of radiographs and clinical data and have derived a classification of traumatic conditions. Uncommon traumatic axis abnormalities are discussed with reference to incidence, causes, clinical findings, mechanism of injury, and roentgen characteristics.Picker Scholar, James Picker Foundation     

钛钢螺纹椎体融合器治疗退行性腰椎间盘突出症的远期疗效观察

目的　观察钛钢螺纹椎体融合器 (TFC)手术治疗退行性腰椎间盘突出症的远期疗效。方法　选择 36例腰椎间盘突出症患者 ,随机分为 2组各 18例 ,治疗组采用TFC手术治疗 ,对照组采用单纯椎板开窗、髓核摘除术治疗。治疗后进行融合率、椎间隙高度、椎间孔高度观测和主、客观疗效评价。结果　治疗组椎体融合率达 94 % ,术后椎间隙高度及椎间孔高度增加 ,远期随访无明显丢失 ,临床疗效主客观评估均优于对照组。结论　TFC治疗退行性腰椎间盘突出症 ,可以有效地撑开或保持受累椎间隙 ,扩大椎间孔 ,有利于骨融合 ,可缓解疼痛 ,其远期疗效可靠。