Objective To review the progress of surgical treatment for the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. Methods The related literature of surgical treatment for the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis was reviewed and analyzed from the aspects such as surgical approach, fixed segments, fusion ranges, bone graft, and bone graft material research progress. Results Most scholars prefer anterior or combined posterior approach for surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis because it possessed advantage of precise effectiveness. In recent years, a simple posterior surgery achieved satisfactory effectiveness. The fixation segments are mainly composed of short segments or intervertebral fixation. The interbody fusion is better for the bone graft fusion range and manner, and the bone graft materials is most satisfied with autologous iliac Cage or titanium Cage filled with autologous cancellous bone. Conclusion The perfect strategy for treating the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis has not yet been developed, and the personalized therapy for different patients warrants further study.
Objective To study the prevention and management of early compl ications associated with anterior cervical spinal surgery. Methods From November 1998 to December 2006, 363 cases were treated with anterior cervicalsurgery, including 268 males and 95 females aged 17-79 years．In these cases, 224 suffered from cervical spondylosis, 39 from cervical disc herniation, 87 from cervical trauma, 9 from cervical tumor and 4 from cervical tuberculosis. Forty-eight cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by autogenous il iac bones, 132 cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by autogenous il iac bones and anterior cervical spine locking plates, and 183 cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by titanium mesh cage and anterior cervical spine locking plates. Results A total of 282 cases were followed up for 3 months to 5 years with the average of 1 year and 11 months. Twenty-three compl ications associated with surgery were found, with an incidence of 8.16%. Three cases of transient superior laryngeal nerve palsy recovered within 3-7 days after the restriction of l iquid diet and fluid replacement. Two cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy recovered by 3-month pronunciation practice. One case of spinal cord injury was treated with medicine for dehydration and anti-inflammation, and was restored to preoperative muscle power of inferior extremity after 6 months. Two cases of CSF leakage were cured with moderate local compression and meticulous water-tight wound closure. Among the 10 patients with compl ications of internal fixation, one suffering mild dysphagia was reoperated, while the others were treated with cephal-cervico-thorax plaster external fixation and recovered with sol id fusion within 3-18 months. Among the 4 cases with cervical hematoma, 1 died of wrong rescue procedures and 1 was infected. Conclusion Adequate preoperative preparation, thorough understanding of anatomy related to the anterior approach and skilled surgical technique are essential for preventing the early postoperative compl ications of anterior cervical spinal surgery．
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.
ObjectiveTo compare the short-term effectiveness of one-stage posterior debridement with non-structural bone graft and structural bone graft in the treatment of single segment thoracic tuberculosis.MethodsThe data of 61 patients with single segment thoracic tuberculosis, who were treated by one-stage posterior debridement, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation between June 2011 and August 2015, was retrospectively analyzed. All of them, 26 cases were treated with structural bone graft (group A) and 35 cases with non-structural bone graft (group B). No significant difference was found between the two groups in gender, age, disease duration, comorbidity, involved segments, paravertebral abscess, and preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, C reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Cobb angle of involved segments (P>0.05). But the preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (t=3.128, P=0.003). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, VAS score, ESR, CRP, ASIA grade, postoperative complications, Cobb angle of involved segments and its correction rate and loss rate, and bone fusion time were recorded and compared between the two groups.ResultsCompared with group A, group B had shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and longer hospitalization stay, showing significant differences (P<0.05). The follow-up time of group A was (36.3±10.0) months, which was significantly longer than that of group B [(18.4±4.2) months] (t=10.722, P=0.000). At last follow-up, the VAS score, ESR, and CRP in the two groups all significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); the CRP of group B was significantly higher than that of group A (t=–2.947, P=0.005); but there was no significant difference in ESR and VAS score between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the ASIA grade of the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (Z=–1.104, P=0.270). There were 9 cases and 10 cases of complications in groups A and B, respectively, and there was no significant difference (χ2=0.254, P=0.614). The Cobb angle in group B was significantly higher than that in group A at 3 days after operation (t=–2.861, P=0.006), but there was no significant difference in Cobb angle between the two groups at last follow-up (t=–1.212, P=0.230). The postoperative correction rate and loss rate of Cobb angle in group A were higher than those in group B, and there was a significant difference in the loss rate between the two groups (t=2.261, P=0.031). All patients got bone graft fusion and the bone fusion time of group B was significantly shorter than that of group A (t=4.824, P=0.000).ConclusionNon-structural and structural bone graft can both achieve good effectiveness in the treatment of single segment thoracic tuberculosis, but the former has the advantages of less surgical trauma and shorter fusion time.
To analyze the effectiveness of posterior pedicle screw system combined with interbodyfusion in treating lumbar spondylol isthesis. Methods Between January 2005 and January 2009, 26 patients with lumbar spondylol isthesis underwent posterior pedicle screw system combined with interbody fusion, including 11 males and 15 females with an average age of 56.8 years (range, 36-73 years). The disease duration was 7 months to 11 years. The affected lumbars were L3 in 3 cases, L4 in 12 cases, and L5 in 11 cases. According to the Meyerding evaluating system, 21 cases were classified as degree III, 5 cases as degree III-IV, and 1 case as degree IV. The cl inical results were investigated by measuring radiographic measurements, including Taillard index, Boxall index, sl i pping angle, lumbar lordosis angle,and intervertebral height index preoperatively, immediately, 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, respectively. SUK’s criteria was used to judge bone graft fusion. Results Primary heal ing of the incisions was achieved in all cases. Allpatients were followed up 25.8 months on average (range, 10-51 months). There were significant differences in Taillardindex, Boxall index, sl i pping angle, lumbar lordosis angle, and intervertebral height index between preoperatively andimmediately, 2 weeks, 3 months after operation (P lt; 0.05). Bone graft fusion was achieved at 3-8 months after operation(mean, 3.5 months); and the fusion rate was 100%. According to Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring, theresults were excellent in 17 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case; and the excellent and good rate was 92.3%. Compl ications occurred in 2 cases, including nail or rod breakage and nerve injury, and they were cured aftertreatment. Conclusion Posterior pedicle screw system combined with interbody fusion treating lumbar vertebralspondylol isthesis can afford sol id internal fixation and achieve a satisfactory reduction, so it maybe an ideal procedure and a worthy recommended method for treating lumbar spondylol isthesis.
Objective To explore the surgical feasibil ity and cl inical outcome of transpedicle screw fixation in treatment of atlantoaxial instabil ity and dislocation. Methods From January 2007 to June 2009, 16 patients with atlantoaxial instabil ity and dislocation were treated with transpedicle screw fixation. There were 13 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 42 years (range, 24-61 years). The transpedicle screw fixation was employed in 5 patients with old odontoid fracture (4 of Anderson type II and 1 of type III), in 4 patients with fresh odontoid fracture, in 4 patients with traumatic disruption of transverse atlantal l igament, and in 3 patients with congenital odontoid disconnection for atlantoaxial instabil ity. All patients had symptoms of cervical pain and l imition of cervical motion, 10 patients compl icated by dyscinesia and hypoesthesia of extremities. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before operation was from 5 to 13, with an average of 8.5. The image examination showed atlantoaxial instabil ity or dislocation in all patients. Granulated autogenous il ium (20-30 g) was placed onto the surface of the posterior arches of both atlas and axis in some patients with old fracture of odontoid process or disruption of transverse atlantal l igament. Results The mean operative time and bleeding amount were 1.6 hours (1.2-2.5 hours) and 100 mL (50-200 mL), respectively. All the incision healed by first intension. All patients were followed up for 3-18 months, with an average of 11.5 months. The JOA score 3 months after operation was from 12 to 17, with an average of 14.2. All screws were successfully placed in atlas and axis. No postoperative compl ications such as vertebral artery injury, dural rupture, exacerbation of neurological symptoms, wound infection, and broken srews were observed in 16 cases. Postoperative radiograph and CT showed that only one screw penetrated into vertebral canal, but there was no neurological symptoms. Bony fusion was observed after 6 to 18 months of operation, and atlantoaxial rotational function in all patients restored satisfactorily, but axial rotation was partially lost. Conclusion Transpedicle screw fixation in upper cervical spine for treatment of atlantoaxial instabil ity and dislocation is safe and rel iable
Objective To investigate the cl inical outcomes of one stage debridement and closed-suction drainage for treatment of infection after lumbar instrumentation. Methods Between June 2002 and March 2008, 12 patients with infection after lumbar instrumentation were treated with one stage debridement and closed-suction drainage, including 9 males and 3females and aging 35-68 years (48.5 years on average). The disease duration varied from 7 days to 183 days (56 days on average). The segments of internal fixation included 7 cases single segment at levels of L4, 5, 4 cases of double segments at levels of L 4, 5, L5, S1 (2 cases), and L3, 4, L4, 5 (2 cases), and 1 case of three segments at levels of L3, 4, L4, 5, L5, S1. Two patients were treated with internal fixator removal. Results The bacterial culture results of intervertebral discs were positive in 8 cases for Staphylococcus aureus and in 3 cases for Enterobacter cloacae, negative in 1 case. Primary healing of incisions were achieved in all cases. Twelve patients were followed up 18-53 months (34.7 months on average). The white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C reactive protein significantly decreased after operation, showing significant differences at 15 days after operation when compared with those before operation (P lt; 0.05). No obvious low back pain was observed. Pathological-changed vertebra-space fused. No displacement and breakage of internal fixator occurred; in 2 patients who were given internal fixator removal, no removal of the instrumentation was performed again. The X-ray films showed that the average kyphosis decreased 0.8° at 18 months after operation. At last follow-up, the visual analogue scale score was 2 ± 1, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05) when compared with that (10 ± 2) before operation. Conclusion One stage debridement and closed-suction drainage therapy is an effective method for treating infection after lumbar instrumentation. The operation is easy and can reduce hospitalization days.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 (n-HA/PA66) Cage in interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.MethodsA retrospective analysis was designed and conducted for 43 patients, who underwent posterior decompression and n-HA/PA66 Cage interbody fusion with correction of deformity between January 2013 and June 2016. Eighteen cases were single-level fusion (single-level group) and 25 cases were double-level fusion (double-level group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, direction of convex, degree of apical rotation, fusion level, the number of osteoporotic patients, pre-operative intervertebral height of fusion segments, coronal Cobb angle, visual analogue score (VAS), and modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospital stay, and complications of the operation were recorded. Modified ODI, VAS score, and MacNab criteria were adopted to assess clinical outcomes. Radiographic indexes, including intervertebral height of fusion segments, coronal Cobb angle, disc insertion depth, and the bone graft fusion rate, were also evaluated.ResultsThere was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and hospital stay between 2 groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 18-62 months (mean, 30.9 months). Wound complications, postoperative delirium, and Cage retropulsion occurred in 4 cases (2 cases in single-level group, 2 cases in double-level group), 1 case of single-level group, and 1 case of double-level group, respectively. The intervertebral height of fusion segments after operation significantly improved compared with preoperative ones in both groups (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the intervertebral height in double-level group was superior to which in single-level group (P<0.05). The coronal Cobb angles after operation significantly improved compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found between 2 groups at each time point (P>0.05). The disc insertion depth showed no significant difference between different time points after operation in 2 groups (P>0.05) and between 2 groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). Bony fusion was obtained in all patients at last follow-up. The VAS score and modified ODI after operation in both groups were superior to those before operation (P<0.05). The VAS score in double-level group was higher than that in single-level group (P<0.05) at last follow-up, and no significant difference was found in VAS score and modified ODI between 2 groups at other time points (P>0.05). According to the MacNab criteria, the excellent and good rates at last follow-up were 94.4% and 84.0% in single-level group and double-level group, respectively.ConclusionThe n-HA/PA66 Cage can effectively restore and maintain the disc height of fusion segment, normal sequence, and biomechanical stability of the spine, and gain favorable effectivenss for degenerative lumbar scoliosis. And double-level fusion is superior to single-level fusion in maintaining disc height of fusion segment.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of posterior debridement, decompression, bone grafting, and fixation in treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis with myelopathy, and investigate the effects of surgical timing on postoperative outcomes.MethodsThe clinical data of 26 patients with thoracic spinal tuberculosis with myelopathy between August 2012 and October 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent posterior unilateral transpedicular debridement, decompression, bone grafting, and fixation and were divided into two groups according to surgical timing. Group A included 11 patients with neurological dysfunction lasting less than 3 months; group B included 15 patients with neurological dysfunction lasting more than 3 months. No significant difference was found between the two groups in gender, age, involved segments, preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Cobb angle of involved segment, and preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay, perioperative complications, and bone fusion time were recorded and compared between the two groups. The change of pre- and post-operative Cobb angle of involved segments was calculated. Neurological function was assessed according to ASIA classification.ResultsAll patients were followed up 25-60 months (mean, 41.6 months). No cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred intra- and post-operation. The hospitalization stay and perioperative complications in group A were significantly less than those of group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and bone fusion time between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in ESR and CRP between groups A and B (P>0.05), but they were all significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05). In group A, 1 patient with T6, 7 tuberculosis developed sinus that healed after dressing; the implants were removed at 20 months with bony union and no recurrence was found after 36 months of follow-up. One patient with T4, 5 tuberculosis in group B underwent revision because of recurrence and distal junctional kyphosis of the thoracic spine at 26 months after operation. There was no internal fixation-related complications or tuberculosis recurrence occurred in the remaining patients. At last follow-up, the Cobb angles in the two groups significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the Cobb angle and correction degree between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the ASIA classification of spinal cord function was grade C in 1 case and grade E in 10 cases in group A, and grade D in 2 cases and grade E in 13 cases in group B; the ASIA classification results in the two groups significantly improved compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the two groups (Z=–0.234, P=1.000).ConclusionPosterior unilateral transpedicular debridement, decompression, bone grafting, and fixation is effective in treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis with myelopathy. Early surgery can reduce the hospitalization stays and incidence of perioperative complications.
Objective To investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) with a certain concentration added to vitrification solution on peripheral nerve allografts regeneration. Methods Forty-eight healthy clean SD male rats were selected as donors, and 96 healthy clean Wistar male rats as recipients, all rats being 3 months old and weighing 200-250 g. The sciatic nerves segments of 15 mm were removed from the donors, then randomly divided into 4 groups according to vitrificationsolution containing TMP. No TMP was used in group A as the control group; 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L and 400 mg/L TMP were used in group B, group C and group D, respectively. Then them were cryo-preserved at — 196 ℃ for 3 weeks. Nerve defect of 10 mm in length was made in the sciatic nerves of recipients. After rewarming, the allografts were transplanted to the corresponding rats. The gross appearance, the morphological and electrophysiological changes, the image analysis of axons and motor end-plate were detected at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Results All rates survived to the end of the experiment. The adhesion and edema of allografts in group A and group B were obvious 4 weeks after operation; then adhesion and edema was obvious in group A and were improved in the other groups 8 weeks after operation. Adhesion was observed in groups A and B; no adhesion was observed in groups C and D at 12 weeks. The number of regeneration nerve, the latent, the ampl itude, the nerve conduction velocity, the medullary sheath/μm2, the medullary sheath density/μm2 and the image analysis of axons and motor end-plate in groups A and B were significantly lower than those in groups C and D (P lt; 0.01); and there were no significant differences between groups C and D (P gt; 0.05). The observation of transmission electron microscope showed that medullated nerve fibers and myel in sheath of groups C and D were thicker than groups A and B, layers of groups C and D were clear. Conclusion The vitrification solution with 200 mg/L tetramethylpyrazine has protective effect on regeneration of peripheral nerve allografts．