Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of lumbar interbody fusion impacted bone grafts combined with regrafting in situ with spinous process and vertebral plate complex and pedicle screw fixation for lumbar degenerative instabil ity. Methods Between January 1998 and October 2010, 48 patients with lumbar degenerative instabil ity were treated by posterior decompression, lumbar interbody fusion impacted bone grafts combined with regrafting in situ with spinous processand vertebral plate complex and pedicle screw fixation. There were 26 males and 22 females, aged 52-76 years (mean, 62.4 years). The disease duration was 7 months to 25 years (mean, 6.5 years). One segmental instabil ity was located at L3, 4 in 1 case, at L4, 5 in 10 cases, and at L5, S1 in 11 cases; multi-segmental instabil ity was located at L3, 4, L4, 5, and L5, S1 in 5 cases, at L2, 3 and L3, 4 in 2 cases, at L3, 4 and L4, 5 in 10 cases, and at L4, 5 and L5, S1 in 9 cases. Of 48 patients, 32 complicated by lumbar disc herniation, 46 by lumbar spinal stenosis, and 16 by degenerative scol iosis. The cl inical results were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, recovery rate, disc height, and lumbar lordosis angles. Results The incisions obtained healing by first intention after operation. No nerve injury, rod or screw breakage, and infection occurred during and after operation. All 48 patients were followed up 1 to 6 years. The fusion time was 12-18 weeks (mean, 16.2 weeks). Vertebra sl i pping or degenerative scol iosis was corrected, and spinal column series became normal. At preoperation, 6 months after operation, and last follow-up, the disc heights were (5.2 ± 2.3), (11.9 ± 2.0), and (11.6 ± 2.1) mm, respectively; the JOA scores were 3.2 ± 2.1, 12.8 ± 1.6, and 13.6 ± 1.2, respectively; and the lumbar lordosis angles were (—20.5 ± 10.5), (30.5 ± 8.5), and (31.2 ± 5.6)°, respectively. The JOA scores, disc heights, and lumbar lordosis angles were significantly improved at 6 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 6 months after operation and last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). The recovery rate of JOA was excellent in 36 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 2 cases at 6 months after operation, with an excellent and good rate of 95.8%. Conclusion Lumbar interbody fusion impacted bone grafts combined with regrafting in situ with spinous process and vertebral plate complex and pedicle crew fixation for lumbar degenerative instabil ity can restore and maintain the intervertebral disc height effectively with high fusion rate. It is a plasty close to anatomic reconstruction.
Objective To elucidate the new development, structural features and appl ication of the lumbar interspinous process non-fusion techniques. Methods With the review of the development course and important research works in the field of the lumbar inter-spinous process non-fusion techniques, the regularity summary, science induction, and prospect were carried out. Results The lumbar inter-spinous process non-fusion technique was a part of non-fusion insertof spinal division posterior surface. According to the design, it could be divided into two major categories: dynamic and static systems. The dynamic system included Coflex and device for intervertebral assisted motion; the static system included X-STOP, ExtenSure and Wall is. The lumbar inter-spinous process non-fusion technique was a new technique of spinal division, it could reserve the integrated function of intervertebral disc and zygapophysial joint, maintain or recover the segmental movement to a normal level, and have no adverse effect on the neighboring segments. A lot of basic and cl inical researches indicated that lumbar inter-spinous process insert had extensive appl ication to curatio retrogression lumbar spinal stenosis, discogenic low back pain, articular process syndrome, lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and lumbar instabil ity and so on. Conclusion With the matures of lumbar inter-spinous process non-fusion techniques and the increased study of various types of internal fixation devices, it will greatly facil itate the development of treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. But long-term follow-up is needed to investigating the long-term efficacy and perfect operation indication.
In order to modify the plastic operation for lumbar spinostenosis, [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process was designed. Fifty-six patients with lumbar spinostenosis were treated. There were 36 males and 16 females, age ranged from 32-67 years old (with an average of 48.9 years old). Among them, 8 patients operation on L2-L5 segments, 16 on L3-L5 segments and 22 patients on L4-L5 segments. After operation, 32 cases were followed up from 8 to 27 months. The results were: 1. The result of operation was excellent in 21 cases, good in 8 fair in 2 and poor in 1. The effective rate was 90.6%. 2. The rate of bony union from laminectomy was 95.1%. 3. The sagittal diameter and transverse diameter of the spinal canal were enlarged in an average of 6.4 mm and 3.2 mm, respectively, with a mean enlargement of 37.6%. The conclusion were that the plastic operation with [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process for lumbar spinal canal was easy to handle and it could effectively prevent the lumbar instability and secondary stenosis following operation.