Objective To evaluate the cl inical effectiveness and advantages of one-stage posterior debridement, bone graft, and internal fixation for thoracic tuberculosis. Methods The data were retrospectively analysed, from 21 cases of thoracic tuberculosis undergoing one-stage posterior debridement, bone graft, and internal fixation between June 2007 andNovember 2009. There were 16 males and 5 females with an average age of 42.2 years (range, 22-73 years). The average disease duration was 13.2 months (range, 7-21 months). The lesions were located at the level of T5, 6 (1 case), T6, 7 (1 case), T8, 9 (4 cases), T9, 10 (3 cases), T10, 11 (5 cases), T11, 12 (6 cases), and T9-11 (1 case). According to the Frankel grading criterion, the neurological function was rated as grade B in 2 cases, grade C in 6 cases, grade D in 10 cases, and grade E in 3 cases. The preoperative Cobb angle was (26.3 ± 9.2)°. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was (35.9 ± 11.2) mm/ 1 hour. Results Thoracic tuberculosis was confirmed in postoperative pathological examination in all 21 cases. All incisions healed primarily without fistules formation. The average follow-up time for 21 patients was 16.2 months (range, 1-3 years). Bony fusion was achieved within 7-12 months (mean, 9 months) without pseudoarthrosis. No loosening and breakage of internal fixation were found, and no local recurrence occurred. The ESR decreased to (25.1 ± 8.9) mm/1 hour at 1 week postoperatively, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=5.935, P lt; 0.01); it decreased to (14.1 ± 4.6) mm/1 hour at 3 months postoperatively. According to Frankel grade, the neurological function was significantly improved at 1 year after operation (χ2=13.689, P=0.003). The average Cobb angle was (17.1 ± 4.5)° at 1 years postoperatively, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=7.476, P lt; 0.01). Conclusion One-stage posterior debridement, bone graft, and internal fixation has a good cl inical effectiveness for thoracic tuberculosis with less injury and complete focal cleaning, as well as a goodeffectiveness of spinal canal decompression and kyphosis deformity correction.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of short segmental pedicle screw fixation with and without fusion in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 57 patients with single segment thoracolumbar burst fractures, who accorded with the inclusion criteria between February 2012 and February 2014. The patients underwent posterior short segmental pedicle screw fixation with fusion in 27 cases (fusion group) and without fusion in 30 cases (non-fusion group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, time between injury and admission, fracture segment and classification, and neurologic function America Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification between 2 groups, which had the comparability (P > 0.05). The operative time, blood loss, and hospitalization days were compared between 2 groups. The height of the injured vertebra, the kyphotic angle, and the range of motion (ROM) were measured on the X-ray film. The functional outcomes were evaluated by using the Greenough low-back outcome score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back pain. The neurologic functional recovery was assessed by ASIA grade. ResultsThe operative time was significantly shortened and the blood loss was significantly reduced in the non-fusion group when compared with the fusion group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in hospitalization days between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The patients were followed up for 2.0-3.5 years (mean, 3.17 years) in the fusion group and for 2-4 years (mean, 3.23 years) in the non-fusion group. X-ray films showed that 2 cases failed bone graft fusion, the fusion time was 12-17 weeks (mean, 15.6 weeks) in the other 25 cases. Complication occurred in 2 cases of the fusion group (1 case of incision deep infection and 1 case of hematoma at iliac bone donor site) and in 1 case of the non-fusion group (fat liquefaction); primary healing of incision was obtained in the others. The Cobb angle, the height of injured vertebrae showed no significant difference between 2 groups at pre-operation, immediate after operation, and last follow-up (P > 0.05). The ROM of injured vertebrae showed no significant difference between 2 groups at 1 year after operation (before implants were removed) (P > 0.05). The implants were removed at 1 year after operation in all cases of the non-fusion group, and in 11 cases of the fusion group. At last follow-up, the ROM of injured vertebrae in the non-fusion group was significantly higher than that in the fusion group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in Greenough low-back outcome score, VAS score, and ASIA grade between 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionFusion is not necessary when thoracolumbar burst fracture is treated by posterior short segmental pedicle screw fixation, which can preserve regional segmental motion, shorten the operative time, decrease blood loss, and eliminate bone graft donor site complications.
Objective To evaluate the effects of in situ subtalar arthrodesis with bone graft for subtalar traumatic arthritis, and to analyse the plantar pressure distribution so as to provide the evidence for effectiveness evaluation. Methods Between March 2004 and December 2008, 26 patients with unilateral subtalar arthrodesis undergoing bone graft fusion wereenrolled (test group). After operation, the imageology diversity and the effect of subtalar arthrodesis on adjacent joint wereobserved. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankel Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and radiographs were used to assess the foot function before and after operation. Twenty-six normal subjects served as controls. Footscan system was used to test the distribution of maximum plantar pressure and the change of gravity center curve. No significant difference was found in gender, age, height, and weight between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All patients were followed up 18.2 months on average (range, 14-71 months). The mean subtalar arthrodesis time was 5.6 months (range, 4 months and 15 days to 11 months). The mean AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score improved from 35.18 ± 8.16 preoperatively to 76.36 ± 6.90 postoperatively (t=13.910, P=0.000). Nine (34.6%) patients had satisfactory functional effects, and 13 (50.0%) patients basically satisfactory. The talocalcaneal height, talocalcaneal angle, talar decl ination angle, and calcaneus patch angle were 87.04% ± 6.17%, 76.73% ± 5.13%, 65.86% ± 7.01%, and 70.19% ± 8.33% of the contralateral side, respectively. Osteoarthritis of the adjacent joints occurred in 7 cases. The maximum plantar pressure increased in the third to fifth metatarsal bones and decreased in the first to second metatarsal bones, showing significant differences when compared with normal controls (P lt; 0.05). No significant difference was found in the plantar pressure between arthrodesis foot and contralateral foot of the test group (P gt; 0.05). The plantar pressure was well distributed in patient who was satisfied with the effect, but it was still different from normal controls. In patients who had high plantar pressure n middle foot, mild heel inversion occurred. The gravity center curve of the contralateral foot in the test group was almost the same as that of normal controls; curve medially shifted when forefoot touched down. The curve irregularly and laterally shifted in the subtalar arthrodesis foot; the curve did not medially shift when forefoot touched down. Conclusion In situ subtalar arthrodesis with bone graft has good cl inical results for subtalar traumatic arthritis. Gait analysis can be appl ied to assess the therapeutic effectiveness, and contribute to make a surgical plan. For the adaptive alteration of contralateral side after subtalar arthrodesis, a cohort of normal subjects should be used for comparison in gait analysis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal surgical opportunity timing of posterior hemivertebra resection by comparing the outcomes of surgical treatment for congenital spinal deformity in patients at different ages. MethodsBetween January 2007 and Februay 2013, 36 cases of congenital hemivertebra scoliosis underwent one-stage posterior hemivertebra resection and segmental instrumentation fixation and fusion. There were 22 males and 14 females, with an average age of 16.8 years (range, 5-48 years). The patients were divided into 3 groups:group A (≤10 years, n=7), group B (10-20 years, n=22), and group C (>20 years, n=7). There was no significant difference in gender, segment, type, and complication among 3 groups (P>0.05). Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films were taken before and after operation to measure the scoliosis Cobb angle, kyphosis Cobb angle, and C7 plumb line-center sacral vertical line (C7PL-CSVL). The improvement rate was calculated. And the perioperative and long-term complications were recorded. ResultsThe operation time of group A was significantly less than that of group C (P<0.05); the intraoperative blood loss of group B and group C were significantly more than that of group A (P<0.05); and the fixed segments of group B and group C were significantly more than those of group A (P<0.05). Thirty-six cases were followed up 7-62 months (mean, 31.3 months). No poor wound healing, pedicle cutting, pseudoarticulation formation, and other complications occurred during the follow-up. At last follow-up, 31 patients obtained a balance of double shoulders and double hips. The scoliosis Cobb angle, kyphosis Cobb angle, and C7PL-CSVL at immediate after operation and last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 3 groups (P<0.05). The scoliosis Cobb angle at last follow-up of group B was significantly larger than that of group C, the kyphotic correction rate at immediate after operation was significantly larger in groups A and C than in group B, the kyphotic correction rate of group B at last follow-up was significantly less than that of group C, and C7PL-CSVL correction rate of group A at immediate after operation was significantly larger than that of group B, all showing significant differences (P<0.05). ConclusionEarly one stage posterior hemivertebra resection is safe and effective, especially in patients who had no formation of structural compensatory bending and spinal stiffness, which can shorten the operation time and reduce the fixed segments and intraoperative hemorrhage. Influence on the growth and activity of the spine is relatively small.
Objective To evaluate the cl inical significance of the combination of intensified anti-tuberculosis treatment, posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation, intertransverse bone grafting, and anterior approach focus debridement for the treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis. Methods From January 2005 to December 2007, 20 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis (T10-L3) were treated. There were 13 males and 7 females aged 21-64 years old (average 44 years old). The course of disease was 3 months to 3 years (average 10 months). The focus involved single vertebrae bodies in 8 cases, two vertebrae bodies in 9 cases, and three vertebrae bodies in 3 cases. The preoperative Cobb angle was 9-35° (average 26.7°). The neurological function was evaluated according to the Frankel grading criterion, there were 2 cases of grade B, 5 of grade C, 7 of grade D, and 6 of grade E. Vertebral body defect index score: 9 cases of 1-2 points, 7 cases of 2-3 points, and 4 cases above 3 points. After receiving the systemic five-drug treatment of anti-tuberculosis for 2-3 weeks, the patients underwent the posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation and intertransverse bone grafting, and then received tuberculosis focus debridement via anterior approach, nerve decompression, and bone grafting fusion. Results The time of operation averaged 210 minutes and the mean blood loss during operation was 650 mL. Postoperatively, 2 patients had mild belting sensation in their thorax and 2 patients had mild pneumothorax. Their symptoms rel ived 2-3 weeks later without specific treatment. All the patients were followed up for 12-23 months. X-ray films showed that all the patients achieved successful bony fusion 6-18 months after operation, and the Cobb angle was 7-21° (average 15.2°) 12 months after operation without aggravation. The Frankel gradingsystem was used to assess the postoperative neurological function, 1 patient in grade B before operation was improved to grade C after operation, 1 patient in grade B was improved to grade D, 1 patient in grade C was improved to grade D, 4 patients in grade B were improved to grade E, and 7 patients in grade D were improved to grade E. All of the incisions healed and erythrocyte sedimentation rate became normal 2 weeks to 3 months after operation. All the patients showed no obvious abnormity in l iver and kidney function. There was no recurrence of tuberculosis. Conclusion It seems that the systemic drug treatment of antituberculosis before and after operation, the thorough debridement of focus during operation, and the effective and rel iable wayto reconstruct for the spinal stabil ity are the key points for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.
Objective To discuss the selection of anterior or posterior or a combination of anterior and posterior surgical treatment of lower cervical dislocation. Methods A retrospectively study was performed on 28 patients with lower cervical dislocation who received operative treatment between January 2005 and October 2008. There were 19 males and 9 femaleswith an average age of 38 years (range, 19-57 years), including 21 cases of fresh dislocation and 7 cases of old dislocation. The time from injury to hospitalization was 3 hours to 58 days. According to Allen classification, all cases had flexion injury, including 19 cases of degree I dislocation, 2 cases of degree II, 5 cases of degree III, and 2 cases of degree IV. At admission according to Frankel classification, 7 cases were rated as grade A, 4 as grade B, 9 as grade C, 3 as grade D, and 5 as grade E. All patients received open reduction, internal fixation, and il iac bone graft spinal fusion. Of them, combined anterior and posterior approach operation were given in 4 cases, single anterior operation in 22 cases, and single posterior operation in 2 cases. Results All operations were completed successfully and the spinal cord injury did not deteriorate after operation. Esophageal fistula occurred in 1 case receiving anterior approach operation and was cured after 1 month. Infection of wound occurred in 1 case and was cured after dressing change. The other incisions healed by first intention. One case (Frankel grade A) died of pulmonary infection 6 weeks after operation. Twenty-seven patients were followed up 21-38 months. Two cases suffered from shoulder pain 12 months after operation. X-ray films showed complete reduction, normal height of vertebral space and normal sequence of cervical spine after operation. All cases obtained bone fusion after 3.5-6.0 months of operation (4.2 months on average). Frankel grades were improved in different degrees after operation. Conclusion The operation plan of lower cervical dislocation should be determined by the neurologic status of the patient, and the classification of the injury as a unilateral or bilateral dislocation. Anterior cervical discectomy, fusion, and fixation were available in the lower cervical dislocation.
This study aims to investigate the range of motion (ROM) and the stress variation in the intervertebral disc and the vertebral body on adjacent segments and the influence of force transmission mode after the dynamic cervical implant (DCI) surgery. Two types of surgery, DCI implantation and interbody fusion were used to establish the finite element model of the cervical C5, 6 segment degeneration treatment. The ROM and the adjacent discs and vertebral body stresses of two procedures under flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation working conditions were analyzed. The results showed that ROM of the surgical segment in DCI model was well preserved and could restore to the normal ROM distributions (reduction of the amplitude was less than 25%), and the kinetic characteristics of adjacent segments was less affected. In fusion surgery model, however, ROM of the surgical segment was reduced by 86%-91%, while ROM, disc stress and vertebral stress of adjacent segments were increased significantly, and stress of the C5 vertebral body was increased up to 171.21%. Therefore DCI surgery has relatively small influence on cervical ROM and stress. The study provides a theoretical basis for DCI and fusion surgery in clinic.
To explore the treatment of multi-segmental lumbar disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis by laminectomy, removal of nucleus pulposus, fusion of intra-transverse process and general spine system(GSS) fixation. Methods From January 2004 to January 2006, 21 patients with multi-segmental lumbar disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis were treated by laminectomy, removal of nucleus pulposus and GSS pedicle screw spinal system. There were 14 males and 7 females with an average age of 53 years ranging from 46 to 61 years, and with an average disease course of 18 months ranging from 8 months to 15 years. All of the patients were examined by X-ray with AP position, lateral position and dynamic lateral position, CT and MRI, and all of them proved to be with multi-segmental lumbar disc herniation and different degrees of spinal canal stenosis. A total of 47 nucleuses were picked out, and 47 instable segments were filled in with granule selfbone. Results There were 21 patients who were followed up for 1 to 2 years with an average of 13 months. All patients achieved successful fusion and bony union postoperative from 8 to 12 months, and no artificial joint was formed. As to the cl inical results in 21 cases, according to the Macnab outcome criteria, 14 were excellent, 6 were good and 1 was poor, the excellent and good rate was 95.2%. Conclusion The methods of laminectomy, removal of nucleus pulposus, fusion of intra-transverse process and GSS system fixation are effective in treatment of multi-segmental lumbar disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis．
To evaluate the method and effectiveness of anterior focus clearance with autograft bone fusion and internal fixation in treating of adjacent multivertebral tuberculosis in one-stage. Methods Between March 2007 and September 2009, 8 cases of thoracic vertebra tuberculosis were treated. Of 8 cases, 6 were male and 2 were female, aged 32 years on average (range, 20-42 years). The disease duration ranged from 8 to 14 months (mean, 10.2 months). Affected vertebrae included thoracic vertebrae in 35 cases and lumbar vertebrae in 11 cases; 5 vertebrae were involved in 4 cases, 6 vertebrae in 3 cases, and 8 vertebrae in 1 case. According to Frankel classification, there were 2 cases of grade C, 4 cases of grade D, and 2 cases of grade E. All patients had different kyphosis with the Cobb angle of (25.1 ± 6.6)°. All patients received antituberculous therapy 4-6 weeks preoperatively; after complete clearance lesions, autograft bone fusion and internal fixation were performed, and then antituberculous therapy was given for 18 months. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Eight patients were followed up 18-48 months (mean, 29 months). According to JIN Dadi et al. criterion, 7 cases recovered after first operation, 1 case of relapsed tuberculosis with sious was cured after re-focus clearance. The Cobb angle was (19.5 ± 4.2)° at 7 days after operation and was (22.3 ± 3.6)° at last follow-up, showing significant differences when compared with the preoperative value (P lt; 0.05). The nerve function of all cases were classified as Frankel grade E. CT scan showed bone graft fusion at 6-8 months after operation. No loosening or displacement of grafted bone and internal fixation occurred during follow-up. Conclusion The treatment of adjacent multivertebral tuberculosis by anterior focus clearance, intervertebral autograft, and internal fixation in one-stage is effective. Anterior bone fusion and internal fixation in one-stage can correct kyphosis effectively and rebuild spinal stabil ity, so it is a good choice for surgical treatment of adjacent multivertebral tuberculosis.