Objective To review the progress in the features, early cl inical outcomes, and cl inical appl ication of axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF) for the minimally invasive treatment of lumbosacral degenerative diseases. Methods The l iterature about the features, early cl inical outcomes, and cl inical appl ication of AxiaLIF for the minimally invasive treatment of lumbosacral degenerative diseases in recent years was reviewed. Results Almost 9 000 procedures performed globally in recent years, AxiaLIF has shown its safety and effectiveness because of high fusion rates, short hospital ization days, and less iatrogenic compl ications in comparison with standard fusion procedures. ConclusionPostoperative long-term outcomes, biomechanics stabil ity, and extended appl ication of AxiaLIF still need a further study,though it suggests an original minimally invasive treatment of lumbosacral degenerative diseases.
ObjectiveTo review the latest progress in minimally invasive treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). MethodsRelevant literature on minimally invasive treatment of OVCF was reviewed, different minimally invasive technologies were analyzed, compared, and future prospected. ResultsThere are various minimally invasive technologies for treatment of OVCF to aim at analgesia, deformity correction, and vertebral stabilization, thus improving the patients' quality of life. Percutaneous vertebroplasty as the classical technology has a good effectiveness on analgesia, while percutaneous kyphoplasty has a better performance in vertebral height restoration and a lower complication of cement leakage. Obvious deformity correction can be achieved by skyphoplasty, with a risk of endplate damage and uncertain vertebral height maintenance. With OptiMesh vertebroplasty, physiological environment within the fractured vertebra is less likely to be disturbed, but paravertebral tissues are more vulnerable due to a bigger working cannal. Compared with traditional bone cement, Cortoss has advantages of less toxicity, less heat release, and proper stiffness. In addition, the combination use of different minimally invasive technologies has greatly extended the surgical indications of OVCF and improved the success rate. ConclusionMinimally invasive treatment of OVCF is becoming more safety and efficacy with the development of new material and technology, however, further studies are required for quality confirmation and better improvement.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of channel-assisted minimally invasive repair (CAMIR) for acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures. MethodsBetween January 2011 and June 2012, 30 patients (30 sides)with acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures were treated with CAMIR technique. Among 30 patients, 18 were male and 12 were female with an average age of 30.4 years (range, 22-50 years); the locations were left side in 10 cases and right side in 20 cases. All the causes were sports injury. B-ultrasound was used to confirm the diagnosis, with the average distance from the rupture site to the Achilles tendon insertion of 4.4 cm (range, 2-8 cm). The time from injury to operation was 3 hours to 9 days (median, 4 days). All injuries were repaired by CAMIR technique. ResultsThe average operation time was 17.0 minutes (range, 10-25 minutes), and the mean incision length was 2.0 cm (range, 1.5-2.5 cm). All the incisions healed by first intention. There was no complication of wound problem, deep vein thrombosis, re-rupture, or sural nerve injury. All cases were followed up 12-24 months with an average of 16 months. At last follow-up, the patients could walk normally with powerful raising heels and restored to normal activity level. MRI imaging suggested the continuity and healing of ruptured tendon. The circumference difference between affected leg and normal leg was less than 1 cm, and the ankle dorsi-extension was 20-30°, plantar flexion was 20-30°. Arner Lindholm score showed that the surgical results were excellent in 28 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. ConclusionCAMIR is a safe and reliable method to repair acute closed Achilles tendon rupture, with many advantages of minimal injury, low re-rupture and infection. Sural nerve injury can be minimized using CAMIR by carefully placing the suture channel with a stab incision and special trocar based on a modified Bunnel suture technique.