OBJECTIVE: Both primary and metastatic tumor of spine can influence spinal stability, spinal cord and nerves. The principles of dealing spinal tumor are resection of tumor decompression on spinal cord and reconstruction of spinal stability. METHODS: Since Aug. 1993 to Oct. 1996, 15 cases with spinal tumor were treated, including 4 primary spinal tumor and 11 metastatic tumor. Tumor foci were mainly in thoracic and lumbar spine. Graded by Frankel classification of spinal injuries, there were 1 case of grade A, 1 of grade B, 3 of grade C, 5 of grade D and 5 of grade E. Tumors of upper lumbar spine and thoracic spine were resected through anterior approach. Posterior approach also was adopted once posterior column was affected. Tumors of lower lumbar spine were resected by two-staged operation: firstly, operation through posterior approach to reconstruct spinal stability: secondly, operation through anterior approach. After resection of tumor, the spines were fixed by Kaneda instrument, Steffee plate or Kirschner pins. To fuse the spine, bone grafting was used in benign tumor and bone cement used in malignant tumor. RESULTS: Except one patient died from arrest of bone marrow, the others were followed up for 3 to 20 months. Postoperatively, 11 patients could sit up on one foot with the help of body supporter, and 9 patients could walk in two weeks under careful monitoring. There was no exacerbation of symptom and failure of fixation. The function of spinal cord was improved: 1 case from grade B to grade E, 1 from A to C, 2 from C to E and 4 from D to E. CONCLUSION: The spine can be reconstructed for weight bearing early by internal fixation. The symptom can be relieved and the nervous function can be improved by resection of tumor and decompression.
Objective To elucidate the surgical indicationsand treatment outcome of total spondylectomy and reconstruction for thoracolumbar spinal tumors with neurological deficit. Methods From January 1999 to December 2005, 16 patients with thoracolumbar spinal tumors with neurological deficit were treated with total spondylectomy and reconstruction. There were 10 males and 6 females, with an average age of 31.5 years(16-62 years).There were 10 cases of primary tumors of spine (4 giant cell tumor of bone, 3 chondrosarcoma, 2 recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst, and 1 osteosarcoma), and 6 cases of solitary metastasis of thoracic or lumbar spine. Tomita’s surgical classification was as follows: 9 cases of type 4, 6 of type 5, and 1 of type 6. Frankel’s neurological classification was as follows: grade A in 1 case, B in 4, C in 7,and D in 4. All patients were treated with total spondylectomy and reconstruction through combined anterior and posterior approach. Results All patients were followed up from 10 to 63 months with an average of 27.5 months. Pain was relieved completely in all patients. The neurological function returned to grade D in 5 cases, to grade E in 11 cases. Among the 10 patients with primary spinal tumor, nine patients survived with tumor-free, and one with osteosarcoma died because of lung metastases 18 months after surgery. Among the 6 patients with spinal metastasis, three patients survived with tumorfree, and lung metastasis occurred in 1 case 10 months after surgery, two died because of multiple metastases of internal organs 10 months and 32 months after surgery. Conlusion Total spondylectomy and reconstruction is a safe and effective surgery for thoracolumbar spinal tumors with neurological deficit, with pain relief, neurological improvement and minimum tumor recurrence. It will be an optimal choice for patients with primary malignant, aggressive benign, or solitary metastatic bone tumors of the thoracolumbar spine with Tomita surgical classification type 3 to 5.
Objective To investigate the status of self-perceived burden (SPB) in patients undergoing spine surgery and to explore its influencing factors, in ordering to provide a basis for formulating corresponding nursing interventions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on patients undergoing spine surgery in Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University between May and August 2024. The patient general information questionnaire, the patient SPB Scale, the Barthel Index, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and the Social Support Rating Scale were used to investigate the SPB status and its influencing factors in patients undergoing spine surgery. Results A total of 230 patients were included. There were 113 cases in the non-SPB group and 117 cases in the SPB group. There were statistically significant differences in age, marital status, occupation, payment method, the number of family, disease diagnosis, Barthel Index score, caregiver identity, and caregiver gender between the two groups of patients (P<0.05). Among 117 patients with SPB, 83 (36.09%) had mild SPB, 27 (11.74%) had moderate SPB, and 7 (3.04%) had severe SPB. The average SPB scores for mild, moderate, and severe patients were (24.06±2.92), (33.07±2.87), and (44.86±4.56) points, respectively. The results of binary logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that the patient’s marital status, disease diagnosis, and caregiver gender were independent influencing factors for SPB in patients undergoing spine surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion The SPB of patients undergoing spine surgery is at a mild to moderate level, which is affected by factors such as marital status, disease diagnosis, and caregiver gender.
ObjectiveTo observe the medium-term clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior release internal distraction in treatment of severe and rigid scoliosis. MethodsBetween March 2009 and March 2012, 26 patients with severe and rigid scoliosis were treated with anterior release, posterior internal distraction, and two stage posterior spinal fusion. There were 11 males and 15 females with an average age of 19.6 years (range, 14-25 years). The average disease duration was 13.6 years (range, 3-24 years). All cases were idiopathic scoliosis. Of 26 cases, 2 cases were rated as Lenke type I, 8 as type Ⅱ, 13 as type IV, 1 as type V, and 2 as type VI. The apical vertebrae located at T6 in 1 case, at T7 in 3 cases, at T8 in 7 cases, at T9 in 13 cases, and at T10 in 2 cases. The average 4 vertebral bodies were released by anterior approach, and average 14 vertebral bodies were fused after posterior surgery. Fourteen patients received 2 times distraction. Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire was used to access health-related quality of life. The radiological parameters were measured, including coronal plane Cobb angel of major curve, apical vertebral translation (AVT), C7 plumb line-center sacral vertical line (C7PL-CSVL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and thoracic kyphosis (TK) at pre-and post-operation. ResultsThe average total operation time was 592.7 minutes; the average total blood loss volume was 1 311.2 mL; and total hospitalization cost was (14.7±1.4)×104 yuan RMB. The coronal plane Cobb angle of major curve was (55.7±16.5)°, and the TK was (43.2±16.2)° after first distraction. The patients were followed up 2-5 years (mean, 3.8 years). Temporary dyspnea and pleural effusion occurred in 1 case respectively after distraction, and symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. Screw loosening and pseudoarthrosis formation was observed in 1 case at 6 months after fusion, good recovery was achieved after revision. No infection or neurological complication was found. The coronal plane Cobb angel of major curve, TK, and AVT after fusion and at last follow-up were significantly lower than preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at post-fusion and last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in C7PL-CSVL and SVA between at pre-and post-operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, SRS-22 questionnaire scores were 4.32±0.42 for active degree, 4.54±0.58 for mental health, 3.97±0.76 for self-image, 4.09±0.64 for pain, and 4.03±0.83 for satisfaction degree. ConclusionAnterior release internal distraction can provide satisfactory correction results for severe and rigid scoliosis with higher safety and lower incidence of complication.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of freeze-driedcancellous allograft in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis. Methods From January 1999 to August 2004, there were 31 cases of spinal tuberculosis who underwent surgery. The freeze-dried cancellous allograft was used as grafting material in all the cases.The cancellous allograft was packed in a titanium mesh cage or an artificial vertebrae, and then used as a strut graft anteriorly to implant into the bone defect after the redical debridement, and the instrumentation was done. Results Twenty-three cases were followed up 1.5 years to 5 years (3.7 years on average), and bonyfusion was achieved in 21 cases 6 months later. In 2 cases ceasing antituberculous therapy after 2 months of operation, the local recurrence was obvious. The loosened screw was noticed in one of these two cases, who had tuberculosis in lumbar spine. When antituberculous therapy continued, the bony fusion was observed in these two cases 12 months later. No further position change of the instrument wasnoticed in the patient carrying loosened screw, but the kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine aggravated. Conclusion Freeze-dried cancellous allograft could be usedin the treatment of spinal tuberculosis. To achieve good results of allograft incorporation and remodeling, the rigid instrumentation should be performed, postoperative antituberculous therapy is also important.
In order to conduct surface monitoring of the three-dimensional spine morphology of the human body in daily life, a spine morphology measuring method using "single camera, multi-view" to construct stereo vision is proposed. The images of the back of the human body with landmarks of spinous process are captured from multiple angles by moving a single camera, and based on the "Zhang Zhengyou calibration method" and the triangulation principle of binocular stereo vision, the spatial conversion matrices corresponding to each other between all images and the 3D coordinates of the landmarks are calculated. Then the spine evaluation angle used to evaluate the spine morphology is further calculated. The tests’ results showed that the spine evaluation angle error of this method is within ±3°, and the correlation between the results and the X-ray film Cobb angles is 0.871. The visual detection algorithm used in this paper is non-radioactive, and because only one camera is used in the measurement process and there is no need to pre-set the camera's shooting pose, the operation is simple. The research results of this article can be used in a mobile phone-based intelligent detection system, which will be suitable for the group survey of scoliosis in communities, schools, families and other occasions, as well as for the long-term follow-up of confirmed patients. This will provide a reference for doctors to diagnose the condition, predict the development trend of the condition, and formulate treatment plans.
A new fixator for spine was designed to restore the stability of spine in improving the treatment of thoraco-lumbar dislocation. This instrument was composed of six nails, two longitudinal connecting rods and two transverse connecting rods. On the surface of the nails, there were furrows engraved, instead of screw thread. It fixed the spine through pedicle of vertebra from the posterior approach. The fixed vertebrae were limited between two vertebrae. From 1989 th 1995, twelve patients with fracture-dislocation of thoraco-lumbar spine were reduced with this instrument. After four years follow-up, it showed that the deformity was corrected and the spine firmly fixed. Compared with Dick’s screws, it had the following advantages such as simple manipulation, increased strergth of nails and minimal damage to tissue during operation.
Objective To explore the feasibilities, methods, outcomes and indications of atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion for the treatment of upper cervical diseases. Methods From October 2004 to January 2006, 17 patients with upper cervical diseases were treated with atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion. There were 13 males and 4 females, ageing 19 to 52 years. Of 17 cases, there were 14 cases of atlantoaxial dislocation(including 3 cases of congenital odontoid disconnection，4 cases of old odontoid fracture，2 cases of new odontoid fracture(typeⅡC), 3 cases of rupture of the transverse ligament, and 2 cases of atlas fracture； 2 cases of tumor of C2; 1case of giant neurilemoma of C2,3 with instability after the resection oftumors. JOA score before operation was 8.3±3.0. Results The mean operative time and bleeding amount were 2.7 hours (2.1-3.4 hours) and 490 ml (300-750 ml) respectively. No injuries to the vertebral artery and spinal cord were observed. The medial-superior cortex of lateral mass was penetrated by 1 C1 screw approximately 3 mmwithout affecting occipito-atlantal motions. All patients were followed up 3-18 months. The clinical symptoms were improved in some extents and the screws were verified to be in a proper position, no breakage or loosening of screw and rob occurred. All patients achieved a solid bone fusion after 3-6 months. JOA score 3 months after operation was14.6±2.2. JOA improvement rates were 73%-91%(mean 82%). Conclusion The atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion is feasible for the treatment of upper cervical diseases and has betteroutcomes, wider indications if conducted properly.
Objective To study the clinical effects of the artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (nHA/PA66) compositefor the structural reconstruction and the height restoring of the vertebral body in the thoracolumbar fractures by the anterior surgical procedures. Methods From December 2003 to January 2006, 42 patients with thoracolumbar fractures received the anterior surgical procedures to decompress and reconstruct the spinal vertebral structure with the artificial vertebral body of the nHA/PA66 composite. Among the patients, there were 28 males and 14 females, aged 1767 years, averaged 43.6 years. The thoracolumbar fractures developed at T12 in 5 patients, at L1 in 17, at L2 in 14, and at L3 in 6. The height of the anterior border of thevertebral body amounted to 29%-47% of the vertebral body height, averaged 40.6%.The Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 2138° averaged 27.6°. According tothe Frankel grading scale, the injuries to the nerves were as the following: Grade A in 7 patients, Grade B in 19, Grade C in 8, Grade D in 6, and Grade E in 2. Results All the 42 patients were followed up for 625 months. Among the patients, 36 were reconstructed almost based on the normal anatomic structure, and 6 were well reconstructed. The mean height of the anterior border of the vertebralbody was 40.6% of the vertebral body height before operation but 91.7% after operation. And the reconstructed height of the vertebra was maintained. The mean Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 27.6°before operation but 13.4° after operation. All the patients had a recovery of the neurological function that had a 1grade or 2grade improvement except 7 patients who were still in Grade A and 2 patients who were in Grade D. The implant was fused 35 months after operation. No infection, nail break, bar/plate break or loosening of the internal fixation occurred. Conclusion The artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic nHA/PA66 composite can effectively restore the height and the structure of the vertebra, can be fused with the vertebral body to reconstruct the spinal structural stability effectively, and can be extensively used in the clinical practice.