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 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 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.
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.
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．
Objective To make a mouse model of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) by Allen’s weight dropping (WD),which might be helpful for further research on the mechanism of SCI. Methods A total of 180 healthy female mice, weighing 17 - 23 g (20 g on average), were randomized into 4 groups (n=45 per group): the experimental groups of A, B and C and the control group of D. Experimental groups were distinguished by the amount of weight or the height from which the weight was dropped onto an impounder resting on the dura (2.0 × 2.5 g·cm, 2.5 × 3.0 g·cm, 3.0 × 5.0 g·cm). In group D, neural scute was opened only and spinal cord was exposed without SCI. The recovery of the lower extremity was observed at various time points (0,6 and 12 hours, 1 and 3 days, 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks) by using the Basso mouse scale (BMS) scoring system, motor evoked potentials (MEP) and histological observation. Results MEP displayed that the incubation period of N1 wave was extended in group B after 6 hours and in group C after 12 hours. As time passed by, the incubation periods of N1 wave in group A, group B and group C began to shorten. The incubation period in group A was close to normal at 4 weeks (2.40 ± 0.12) ms, and there was no significant difference compared with group D (P gt; 0.05). The incubation period in group B was close to normal at 8 weeks (2.96 ± 0.15) ms, and there was no significant difference compared with group D (P gt; 0.05). The incubation period in group C was still relatively high at 8 weeks (3.76 ± 0.13) ms, and there was a significant difference compared with group D (P﹤0.05). Both hind l imbs of all mice were paralytic instantly after SCI, the score of main BMS was 0 point; the score of main BMS was close to 0 at the first 3 days after SCI, the score of main BMS of group A was 8.00 ± 0.13 and group B was 7.50 ± 0.31 at 8 weeks;the score of main BMS of group A was 5.45 ± 0.12 at 1 week and group B was 5.45 ± 0.15 at 2 weeks which were significant difference compared with group D (P﹤0.05).There were significant differences among groups A, B and C after 1 week of SCI (P lt; 0.05), and group C was lower than the others(P﹤0.01). The score of adjuvant BMS of group A was 10.12 ± 0.76 at 2 weeks and group B was 9.85 ± 0.55 at 8 weeks which was no significant difference compared with the group D at the same time (P gt; 0.05). Histological observation showed hemorrhage, cellular edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, nerve cell swell and solution of Nissl body 12 hours after SCI in group C. As time passed by, the number of nerve cells decreased, the gl ial cell prol iferated and Nissl body vanished. There was much gl ial cell prol iferation and cavitation 2 weeks after SCI in group C. The nerve cell decrease and cavitation in group B was sl ighter than that in group C, and group A was the sl ightest. In group D, there was no obvious change of the number of cells during the observation apart from sl ight edema in early period. Conclusion The mouse model precisely reflects the pathological and physiological features and law of change after different degrees of SCI, and can be used as a standard of mouse model of traumatic SCI by Allen’s WD.
Objective To explore the effectiveness and related issues in the treatment of multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis through posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients with multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis who met the selection criteria were retrospective analyzed between January 2012 and July 2015. There were 17 males and 12 females, with age of 21-62 years (mean, 37.4 years). Lesions contained 3-8 vertebral segments, including 3 segments in 6 cases, 4-6 segments in 17 cases, and 7-8 segments in 6 cases. The center lesions located at thoracic spine in 8 cases, lumbar spine in 10 cases, and thoracolumbar segment in 6 cases, and thoracic lumbar skip lesions in 5 cases. The complications included vertebral abscess in 7 cases, psoas major abscess in 6 cases, sacral spine muscle abscess in 7 cases, iliac fossa and the buttocks abscess in 1 case, spinal canal abscess in 2 cases. Preoperative neurological function was assessed according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification: 1 case of grade B, 3 cases of grade C, 8 cases of grade D, and 17 cases of grade E. The disease duration was 6-48 months (mean, 19.3 months). All the patients were treated with posterior unilateral transpedicular or transarticular debridement with bone graft fusion and internal fixation under general anesthesia. Pre- and post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and sagittal Cobb angle were recorded and compared. Bridwell classification standard was used to evaluate bone graft fusion. According to the number and the center of the lesion, the necessity to placement of titanium mesh cage was analyzed. Results All the patients were followed up 18-30 months (mean, 24 months). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases, intercostal neuralgia in 2 cases, wound unhealed and fistula formation in 1 case, and ofiliac fossa abscess recurred in 1 case, and all recovered after symptomatic treatment. During follow-up, no fracture or loosing of internal fixation was found and all the lesions were cured at last follow-up. According to Bridwell classification standard, bone graft achieved bony fusion during 4-9 months after operation. The VAS score, ODI, and Cobb angle at immediate after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the neural function of all patients improved significantly when compared with preoperative one (Z= –3.101, P=0.002). The ratio of no placement of titanium mesh cage was significantly higher in patients with more than 6 lesion segments (6/6, 100%) than in patients with less than 6 lesion segments (4/23, 17.4%) (χ2=14.374, P=0.000). And the ratio of placement of titanium mesh cage was not significantly different between the patients with the different locations of center focus (χ2=0.294, P=0.863). Conclusion For treating multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis, the method of posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation can decrease the damage of posterior spinal structures and surgical trauma.