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
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 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 study the effect of inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1) gene transfection on bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) promoting the expressions of collagen type Ⅱ (COL Ⅱ) and aggrecan (ACAN) in intervertebral cartilage endplate cells (EPCs). MethodsEPCs were harvested from the New Zealand white rabbits, the 2nd generation EPCs were used for experiment. The transfection efficiency of green fluorescent protein blank lentivirus, high expression of Id1 lentivirus, RNA interference (RNAi) Id1 lentivirus transfection in the EPCs were observed by the fluorescence microscopy, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blot. Blank vector, single BMP-2 gene, BMP-2 and Id1 genes were transfected into EPCs, respectively. The cell morphology and the expressions of COL Ⅱ and ACAN in each group were observed. ResultsLentiviral transfection had no significant effect on the cell morphology. The EPCs were effectively transfected by the high expression Id1 lentivirus and RNAi Id1 lentivirus; the expression of Id1 mRNA was also significantly interfered. The expressions of COL Ⅱ and ACAN mRNA and synthesis of COL Ⅱ and ACAN protein were significantly higher in BMP-2 lentivirus and high expression Id1 lentivirus groups than control group (P<0.05). The expression of COL Ⅱ and ACAN protein were down regulated in the cartilage endplate cells when the expression of Id1 gene was decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionUp-regulation of Id1 gene expression can enhance the effects of BMP-2 on the synthesis of COL Ⅱ and ACAN in EPCs.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of intertransverse bone graft after debridement and fusion combined with posterior instrumentation in patients with single segmental thoracic tuberculosis. MethodsBetween March 2014 and May 2015, 17 cases of thoracic tuberculosis were treated by the surgery of intertransverse bone graft after debridement and fusion combined with posterior instrumentation. There were 10 males and 7 females with an average age of 48.5 years (range, 18-70 years), and with a mean disease duration of 4 months (range, 1-9 months). The affected segments included T4, 5 in 2 cases, T6, 7 in 5 cases, T7, 8 in 3 cases, T9, 10 in 2 cases, T10, 11 in 4 cases, and T11, 12 in 1 case. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time were recorded. Postoperative plain radiography was taken to assess the decompression and internal fixation, and the fusion effect was evaluated by X-ray or CT examination. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Kyphosis angle were recorded and compared; the nerve function was evaluated by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). ResultsThe mean operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time were 184 minutes (range, 165-220 minutes), 231 mL (range, 150-800 mL), and 18 days (range, 12-26 days) respectively. No complication of hematoma or wound dehiscence was found. All patients were followed up 17.9 months on average (range, 9-22 months). No bone graft failure, internal fixation broken, pleural effusion, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, wound infection, fistula formation, and other complications occurred. Satisfactory intervertebral fusion was obtained in all patients at 3-8 months (mean, 5.3 months) after surgery. The ESR, CRP, VAS score, ODI score, and Kyphosis angle were significantly improved at immediate after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05), and the ESR, CRP, VAS score and ODI score at last follow-up were significantly better than those at immediate after operation (P < 0.05). At last follow-up, the nerve function was recovered to ASIA grade E from grade C (1 case) and grade D (6 cases). ConclusionIntertransverse bone graft is a reliable, safe, and effective way of bone graft applied to the single segmental thoracic spinal tuberculosis.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of transvertebral space and under the pedicle osteotomy for thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old OVCF treated by transvertebral space and under the pedicle osteotomy between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 2 males and 9 females, with an average age of 61.3 years (range, 50-77 years) and with a median disease duration of 8 years (range, 6 months to 50 years). Fracture reasons: 9 cases had a clear history of trauma, and 2 cases had no obvious incentive. A total of 11 vertebrae was involved in fracture, including T12 in 3, L1 in 7, L2 in 1. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and complications were recorded. Full-length X-ray films of spine and local X-ray films of the operation area were examined before operation, at 7 days after operation, and at last follow-up. The Cobb angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis was measured, and the correction rate was calculated. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded to assess patients’ pain and functional improvement before operation, at 1 month after operation, and at last follow-up. Results All operations were successfully completed. The average operation time was 188.6 minutes (range, 140-215 minutes); the average intraoperative blood loss was 268.2 mL (range, 100-500 mL); the average postoperative drainage volume was 615.5 mL (range, 160-1 500 mL). One patient developed bilateral thigh rebound pain after operation, which relieved after symptomatic treatment of nutritional nerve and acesodyne. All patients were followed up 14.7 months on average (range, 6-56 months). At last follow-up, osseous fusion was observed in all patients, and no fracture, loose, or displacement of internal fixator was observed on imaging. At 7 days after operation and at last follow-up, the Cobb angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis significantly improved when compared with preoperative one (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between at 7 days after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05); the correction rates of Cobb angle at 7 days after operation and at last follow-up were 68.0%±9.8% and 60.3%±11.9%, respectively. At 1 month after operation and at last follow-up, the VAS score and ODI significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones, and further improved at last follow-up when compared with those at 1 month after operation, all showing significant differences (P<0.05). ConclusionTransvertebral space and under the pedicle osteotomy is an effective way to treat thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old OVCF with less trauma, shorter operation time, and less intraoperative blood loss. Patients can obtain good orthopedic results and quality of life.