Objective To study the effectiveness of transpedicular intervertebral bone graft and pedicle screws fixation in injured vertebrae for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Methods Between February 2007 and January 2009, 25 patients with thoracolumbar fractures were treated by posterior short-segment fixation combined with transpedicular intervertabral bone graft and pedicle screw fixation in injured vertebrae. There were 18 males and 7 females with a mean ageof 46 years (range, 28-63 years). The injured vertebrae were located at T10 in 1 case, T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 8 cases, L1 in 6 cases, L2 in 6 cases, L3 in 1 case, and L4 in 1 case. According to Denis classification, there were 14 cases of burst fractures and 11 cases of compression fractures. Based on Frankel classifications, 2 cases were rated as grade A, 4 cases as grade B, 8 cases as grade C, 7 cases as grade D, and 4 cases as grade E. The time between injury and operation was 6 hours to 7 days (mean, 4.6 days). The X-ray film was taken to measure the relative height of fractured vertebrae and Cobb angle, and Frankel classification was conducted to evaluate the function recovery of the spinal cord. Results The operations were performed successfully, and incisions healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 12-25 months (mean, 16 months). CT and X-ray films showed good bone graft heal ing and no loosening or breakage of screws and rods. The relative height of fractured vertebrae were 56.8% ± 15.6% at preoperation, 91.2% ± 10.7% immediately after operation, and 89.6% ± 10.3% at 1 year after operation, showing significant differences between preoperation and postoperation (P lt; 0.01), while no significant difference between immediately after operation and 1 year after operation. The Cobb angles were (18.2 ± 2.6), (7.5 ± 1.4), and (8.7 ± 1.1)°, respectively, showing significant differences between preoperation and postoperation (P lt; 0.01), while no significant difference between immediately and 1 year after operation. At 1 year after operation, the neural function in 16 cases was improved 1-3 grades. ConclusionTreatment of thoracolumbar fractures with transpedicular intervertebral bone graft and pedicle screw fixation in injuredvertebrae has satisfactory effectiveness, which can reconstruct vertebral body height, increase the stabil ity of anterior and middle
ObjectiveTo compare the predictive values of dynamic energy expenditure (EE) monitoring and the traditional method (rapid shallow breath index) for weaning in patient who is suitable for weaning from mechanical ventilation and accepts sequentially reduced support of ventilator.MethodsThis study included a total of 93 patients who were admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Medicine in 2018 to 2019, and were eligible for weaning from mechanical ventilation. The energy expenditure monitoring device of GE ventilator (CARESCAPE R860) was used to record the patient's change rate of EE [δEE(%), T1 (PSV 20/5), T2 (PSV 15/5), T3 (PSV 10-5/5), T4 (PSV 5/5)] while the ventilation support was declined. The differences in δEE were compared between the two groups of patients who were successful weaned (a successful group S) or failed (a failed group) at different phases. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of δEE to the success rate of weaning.ResultA total of 36 patients failed weaning procedure. There was no significant difference in the basic status and disease type between the successful group and the failed group. There was no difference in δEE1 between T1-T2 phases [(5.67±2.31)% vs. (6.40±1.90)%, P>0.05], but significant difference in δEE between T2-T3 and T3-T4 phases [δEE2: (11.35±5.39)% vs. (14.21±6.33)%, P<0.05; δEE3: (8.39±3.90)% vs. (17.32±9.07)%, P<0.05]. The area under the ROC curve predicted by δEE2 and δEE3 for the patient's weaning results was higher than rapid shallow breath index (0.83 and 0.75 vs. 0.64, P<0.05).ConclusionDynamic energy expenditure monitoring can effectively evaluate and predict the success rate of weaning from mechanical ventilation, and can be applied to the clinical treatment process.