【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the clinical significances of the thoracic pedicle classification determined by inner cortical width of pedicle in posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) with free hand technique for the treatment of rigid and severe spinal deformities. Methods Between October 2004 and July 2010, 56 patients with rigid and severe spinal deformities underwent PVCR. A total of 1 098 screws were inserted into thoracic pedicles at T2-12. The inner cortical width of the thoracic pedicle was measured and divided into 4 groups: group 1 (0-1.0 mm), group 2 (1.1-2.0 mm), group 3 (2.1-3.0 mm), and group 4 (gt; 3.1 mm). The success rate of screw-insertion into the thoracic pedicles was analyzed statistically. A new 3 groups was divided according to the statistical results and the success rate of screw-insertion into the thoracic pedicles was analyzed statistically again. And statistical analysis was performed between different types of thoracic pedicles classification for pedicle morphological method by Lenke. Results There were significant differences in the success rate of screw-insertion between the other groups (P lt; 0.008) except between group 3 and group 4 (χ2=2.540，P=0.111). The success rates of screw-insertion were 35.05% in group 1, 65.34% in group 2, and 88.32% in group 3, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.017). According to Lenke classification, the success rates of screw-insertion were 82.31% in type A, 83.40% in type B, 80.00% in type C, and 30.28% in type D, showing no significant differences (P gt; 0.008) among types A, B, and C except between type D and other 3 types (P lt; 0.008). In the present study, regarding the distribution of different types of thoracic pedicles, types I, II a, and II b thoracic pedicles accounted for 17.67%, 16.03%, and 66.30% of the total thoracic pedicles, respectively. The type I, II a, and II b thoracicpedicles at the concave side accounted for 24.59%, 21.13%, and 54.28%, and at the convex side accounted for 10.75%, 10.93%, and 78.32%, respectively. Conclusion A quantification classification standard of thoracic pedicles is presented according to the inner cortical width of the pedicle on CT imaging: type I thoracic pedicle, an absent channel with an inner cortical width of 0-1.0 mm; type II thoracic pedicle, a channel, including type IIa thoracic pedicle with an inner cortical width of 1.1-2.0 mm, and type IIb thoracic pedicle with an inner cortical width more than 2.1 mm. The thoracic pedicle classification method has high prediction accuracy of screw-insertion when PVCR is performed.
Objective To explore the feasibil ity and efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), and to assess the cl inical result of the PKP technique. Methods From May 2006 to October 2007, 12 patients with severe OVCF affecting more than 2/3 of the original vertebral body height were treated by using domestic PKP and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) tool systems. There were 3 malesand 9 females, with the age of 56-82 years and a mean disease course of 4.2 months (1-49 months). Eleven thoracic vertebra and 4 lumbar vertebra suffered from severe vertebral compression fractures, which included 3 extremely severe thoracic OVCF. Four thoracic vertebra and 3 lumbar vertebra had not severe OVCF. There were 4 cases of single vertebral compression fracture, 6 cases of double fractures, and 2 cases of triple fractures. Only single side PKP and PVP were performed via extrapedicular approach in thoracic vertebra, and via transpedicular approach in lumbar spine under fluoroscopic control. Eight patients with severe thoracic compression fractures and 4 with severe lumbar fractures were treated by PKP. Four patients with relatively mild thoracic compression fractures and 3 with lumbar fractures were treated by PVP. Results The operation was successfully, 3 patients with extremely severe thoracic compression fractures received no intervention. The maximum expansion pressure of balloon was (1 068 ± 298) kPa, and the volume was (3.1 ± 1.2) mL during operation. The average operative time of PKP was (44.9 ± 10.6) minutes per vertebra, while the average operative time of PVP was (36.5 ± 6.8) minutes per vertebra. The average volume of injected bone cement was (2.5 ± 0.6) mL per thoracic vertebra, and (3.6 ± 1.2) mL per lumbar vertebra. The mean hospitalization time were (3.7 ± 1.6) days. Twelve cases were followed up 5-18 months (mean 8.6 months). The visual analogue scale scoreswere (2.35 ± 0.61) points 2 days after operation and (2.89 ± 1.07) points at last follow-up, there were statistically significant differences when compared with before operation (8.27 ± 1.36) points (P lt; 0.01). Extravertebral leakage of the bone cement into the paravertebral tissue and/or disc occurred in 6 patients (9 vertebra) without significant symptom. Conclusion One side approach PKP is a safe and effective technique for treatment of severe OVCF with markedly rel ief of pain.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the value of anterior operation in fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae. METHODS: From 1997, 21 patients with fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebra and thoracic vertebrae were operated on. The interval between injury and operation was within 24 hours in 4 cases, 2-7 days in 9 cases, 8-14 days in 3 cases and within 4 weeks in 5 cases. The locations were C6,7 in 7 cases, C7 in 9 cases and T1 in 5 cases. The nerves function of spinal of all the cases have different degrees of injury. Classification of Frankel were the following: 3 cases of grade A, 6 cases of grade B, 9 cases of grade C, and 3 cases of grade D. The operative procedure included the following: anterior operation of cervical vertebrae; incision of most fracture vertebral body to decompress; transplantation of ilium bone grafting fusion; and internal fixation of anterior cervical vertebrae with locking-steel. RESULTS: In 21 patients, 1 died of accompanying by pulmonary infection; 20 were followed up 8 months to 3 years with an average of 21 months. All transplanted ilium had fused. The nerve function of spinal cord had recovered in different degrees(2 cases of grade A, 1 case of grade C, 9 cases of grade D and 8 cases of grade E); the turn of vertebral column was normal. No internal fixation failed. CONCLUSION: Anterior operation is a better way to treat fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae with easy operation, less complications, satisfactory reduction of fracture and good stability.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of lesion clearing, decompression and fusing, and fixation with single nail from the anterior way for thoracic vertebra tuberculosis. MethodsFrom January 2008 to September 2011, 42 patients with thoracic vertebra tuberculosis were treated in our hospital. There were 28 males and 14 females with the age between 27 and 63 years old, averaging 45. The course of the disease ranged from 4 to 12 months, averaging 8 months. According to the affected parts and segments, there was 1 case of upper thoracic vertebrae involvement, 20 of inner thoracic spine, 21 of lower thoracic vertebrae, 9 of multiple segments, and 2 of multi-level noncontiguous tuberculosis. All patients accepted preoperative normal anti-tuberculosis drugs for 2 to 4 weeks. After confirming that the anti-tuberculosis treatment was effective, we cleared the lesion, fused by decompression at iliac crest bone graft sites and fixed by single nail from the anterior way. Postoperative regular follow-up was carried out. X ray film was used to detect the fusion, paralysis Frankel classification was adopted to evaluate the function recovery of patients, and visual analog pain score (VAS) was used to assess the relief of patients' symptoms. ResultsAll incisions of the patients were healed by the first intention. There was no recurrence in the tuberculosis focus area. Follow-up was done in forty cases for 12 to 34 months, averaging 23 months. X-ray review showed that the bone graft area turned into osseous fusion in all patients with the fusion time ranging from 10 to 16 months, averaging 13 months. No nail bar system loose or fracture occurred. Paralyzed patients Frankel classification showed that there were 2 A-level, 3 B-level, 9 C-level, 25 D-level, and 3 E-level cases before operation. During the last follow-up, there were no A-level, 1 B-level, 5 C-level, 10 D-level, and 26 E-level cases. Local pain VAS score results showed that preoperative point was 7.82±1.03, and the final follow-up point was 0.52±0.31, with a significant difference (P<0.05). ConclusionLesion clearing, fusion and single nail application from the anterior way is one of the reliable and efficient ways in thoracic vertebra tuberculosis surgery and the results are satisfying.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and effectiveness of pedicle screw implantation via vertebral arch-transverse pathway in clinical application by a prospective randomized controlled trial.MethodsTwenty-four patients who were admitted between May 2015 and June 2017 and met the selection criteria for thoracic pedicle screw fixation were included in the study. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the trial group (screw implantation via vertebral arch-transverse pathway) and the control group (traditional screw implantation technology), with 12 patients in each group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, cause of injury, injured segment, and the interval between injury and operation (P>0.05). The time of screw implantation was recorded and compared between the two groups. The acceptable rate of screw implantation and the penetration rate of pedicle wall were calculated after operation.ResultsThe time of screw implantation of trial group was (5.08±1.74) minutes, which was significantly shorter than that of control group [(5.92±1.66) minutes], and the difference was significant (t=4.258, P=0.023). Patients in both groups were followed up 1-2 years, with an average of 1.5 years. During the follow-up, no failure of internal fixation occurred. At 1 week after operation, the screw implantation in trial group was rated as gradeⅠin 54 screws, gradeⅡ in 3 screws, and grade Ⅲ in 2 screws, with the acceptable rate of 93.61%. The screw implantation in control group was rated as gradeⅠin 40 screws, grade Ⅱin 10 screws, grade Ⅲ in 8 screws, and grade Ⅳ in 1 screw, with the acceptable rate of 84.75%. There was significant difference in the acceptable rate of screw implantation between the two groups (χ2=3.875, P=0.037). The penetration rate of pedicle wall in trial group was 8.47% (5/59), which was significantly lower than that in the control group [32.20% (19/59); χ2=4.125, P=0.021].ConclusionCompared with the traditional technique, the pedicle screw implantation via vertebral arch-transverse pathway can obtain a good position of the screw canal with higher accuracy and simpler operation.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted and C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) via pedicle of vertebra in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) of thoracic vertebrae. Methods The clinical data of 85 patients with OVCF of thoracic vertebrae who were admitted between January 2020 and March 2023 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed including 40 patients (50 vertebrae) undergoing PKP assisted by TiRobot (group A) and 45 patients (50 vertebrae) undergoing PKP assisted by C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy (group B). There was no significant difference in the comparison of baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, bone mineral density T-value, fracture segment, trauma history, and preoperative numerical rating scale (NRS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Cobb angle of injured vertebra between the two groups (P>0.05). The effectiveness evaluation indexes of the two groups, including the operation time, the volume of injected cement, the times of fluoroscopies, the length of hospital stay, and the occurrence of postoperative complications were collected and compared. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and CT of the injured vertebra were reviewed at 1 day after operation to observe whether there was cement leakage and to evaluate the distribution of cement in the injured vertebra. Before and after operation, pain was assessed using the NRS score, dysfunction was assessed using the ODI, and vertebral height recovery was assessed by measuring the Cobb angle of the injured vertebrae by X-ray films. Results Both groups of patients successfully completed the operation, the operation time, the volume of injected cement, the times of fluoroscopies, and the length of hospital stay in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). The patients in two groups were followed up 4-12 months (mean, 9.6 months). Bone cement leakage occurred in 5 vertebrae in group A and 15 vertebrae in group B after operation, all of which leaked to the intervertebral space and around the vertebral body, and the patients had no obvious clinical symptoms. The difference of bone cement leakage between the two groups was significant (P<0.05). No severe complication such as intraspinal leakage, infection, or vascular embolism was found in the two groups. At 1 day after operation, the distribution index of bone cement in group A was mostly grade Ⅴ, which was well dispersed; while in group B, it was mostly grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅴ; the difference of bone cement distribution index between the two groups was significant (P<0.05). The NRS score, ODI, and Cobb angle of injured vertebra in both groups were significantly improved at 1 day after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the difference of the above indexes between the two groups before and after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion TiRobot-assisted unilateral PKP in the treatment of OVCF of thoracic vertebrae is safe and effective, which can reduce the X-ray transmission times during operation, shorten the operation time, reduce the volume of bone cement injection, and thus decrease incidence of bone cement leakage.