Objective To investigate the surgical method and prel iminary cl inical result of managing the patient with lumbar burst fracture but not suitable for single-level fixation and fusion surgery with the reservation of the fractured vertebral body and the anterior decompression. Methods From September 2007 to December 2008, 11 patients with lumbar burst fracture underwent the removal of the posterior superior corner of the injured vertebral body, the removal of the inferior intervertebral disc adjacent to the injured vertebral body, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation. There were 8 males and3 females aged 21-48 years old (average 29.4 years old). All the fractures caused by fall ing from high places. Imaging exams confirmed all the fractures were Denis type B burst fracture. The fracture level was at the L1 in 4 cases, the L2 in 4 cases, the L3 in 2 cases, and the L4 in 1 case. Before operation, the nerve function was graded as grade B in 4 cases, grade C in 3 cases, and grade D in 4 cases according to Frankel scales; the visual analogue scale (VAS) was (7.30 ± 0.98) points; lateral X-ray films displayed the kyphosis Cobb angel was (24.94 ± 12.21)°; the adjacent superior and inferior intervertebral disc height was (12.78 ± 1.52) mm and (11.68 ± 1.04) mm, respectively; CT scan showed the vertebral canal sagittal diameter was (9.56 ± 2.27) mm; CT three-dimensional reconstruction revealed that the intact part of the injured vertebra was less than 50% vertebra body height and the fracture l ine crossed the pedicle. The time from injury to operation was 3-11 days (average 4.8 days). The neurological and radiological evaluations were carried out immediately and 3 months after operation, respectively, and compared with the condition before operation. Results All the patients successfully underwent the surgery. The wound all healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up for 6-18 months (average 14 months). All the patients had a certain degree of nerve function recovery. The Frankel scales in all the patients were increased by 1-2 grade immediately and 3 months after operation. The VAS score was (2.80 ± 1.49) points immediately after operation and (1.54 ± 0.48) points 3 months after operation, suggesting there were significant differences among three time points (P lt; 0.05). The vertebral canal sagittal diameter was significantly enlarged to (18.98 ± 4.82) mm immediately after operation and was (19.07 ± 4.37) mm 3 months after operation. The Cobb angle was (7.78 ± 4.52)° immediately after operation and (8.23 ± 3.57)° 3 months after operation. There were significant differences between before and after operation (P lt; 0.05). For the adjacent superior and inferior intervertebral disc height, there was no significant difference when the value immediately or 3 months after operation was compared with that of before operation (P gt; 0.05). X-ray films and CT scan 3 months after operation showed good internal fixation without theoccurrence of loosing and displacement. Conclusion For the treatment of lumbar burst fracture, the method of reserving the injured vertebral body and anterior decompression can decompress the vertebral canal and shorten the duration for bony fusion.
Objective To review the l iterature about the multiple level artificial disc replacement and investigate the prel iminary the cl inical outcome of the first case in China applying three-level PRESTIGE® LP artificial disc replacement for cervical disc degenerative disease. Methods In April 2009, one female patient aged 44 years old was treated. She was diagnosed as disc protrusion at the C4, 5, C5, 6, and C6, 7 level. She had paresthesia, decreased muscle strength and positivepathological reflex in her left upper extremity. The neck disabil ity index (NDI) was 43. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of the neck and the upper l imb was 6.6 and 8.1, respectively. SF-36 physical and psychological score was 28 and 36, respectively. The surgery was performed via routine anterior cervical approach. After complete decompression of three segments, prostheses were implanted from the cephal ic to the caudal end under radiographic monitoring. The patient was followed up 1 and 3 months after operation, respectively. Results The time of operation was 220 minutes and the blood loss during operation was 270 mL. The incision healed by first intention. There was no occurrence of compl ications such as aggravation of nerve symptoms, hoarse voice, difficult in swallow, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. At 3 months after the operation, the patient had pain rel ief, muscle force recovery and improvement of l ife qual ity. X-ray films showed that the sequence of cervical vertebra was well-maintained, there was no loosening and displacement of prosthesis, and the position and function were good. NDI was decreased to 7, indicating that the l imitation was mild. The VAS of the neck and the upper l imb was 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. SF-36 physical and psychological score was 48 and 53, respectively. The result of operation was graded as excellent according to Odom’s criterion. The patient went back to her job. Conclusion Three-level PRESTIGE® LP artificial disc replacement for cervical disc degenerative disease has satisfactory prel iminary cl inical results. However, more cl inical case studies and longer cl inical followup are needed to confirm its therapeutic effect on multi-level disc disease.