Objective To analyze the therapeutic effect of the posterior pedicle screw system combined with interbody fusion cage on lumbarspondylolisthesis. Methods From February 2003 to March 2006, 37 lumbar spondylolisthesis patients were treated with this operation, including21 males and 16 females and aging 3969 years.The affected lumbars were L3(3cases)，L4(23 cases), and L5(11 cases). According to the Meyerdingevaluating system, 12 cases were lassified as degree Ⅰ, 20 cases as degree Ⅱ,and 5 cases as degree Ⅲ. Taillard index, Boxall index, slipping angle, lumbar lordosis angle and intervertebral height index were measured before operation, and 2 weeks and 3 months after operation. Results All patients were followed up 336 months. There were statistically significant differences in Taillard index, Boxall index, slipping angle, lumbar lordosis angle and intervertebral height index between before operation and 2 weeks after operation (P＜0.05),and no statistically significant differences between 2 weeks and 3 months afteroperation(P＞0.05). According to Dewei Zhou’s creterior for scoring, the results were excellent in 27 cases， good in 8 cases，and fair in 2 cases. Theexcellent and good rate was 94.6%. All of the embedded osseous were fused. Thefusing time was from 3 to 8 months (mean 3-9 months). There were no breakageof screw and rod. The position and configuration of the whole cages were good. Conclusion Applying the posterior pedicle screw system combined with interbody fusion cage may achieve synergism in the treatment of lumbar vertebral spondylolisthesis. Above procedure is served as solid internal fixationand offers a satisfactory reduction, and can improve the fusion rate of the spine. So it is an ideal procedure and worthily recommended method for treatment oflumbar vertebral spondylolisthesis.
Objective To assess the mid-term effectiveness of anterior decompression and fusion with nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage in treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Methods A retrospective study was made on 48 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent anterior decompression and fusion with n-HA/PA66 cage between August 2008 and January 2010. There were 33 males and 15 females with an average age of 54.5 years (range, 42-72 years). The disease duration was 3-12 months (mean, 6 months). The affected segments included 35 cases of single segment (C3, 4 in 7, C4, 5 in 18, and C5, 6 in 10) and 13 cases of double segments (C3-5 in 7 and C4-6 in 6). Of 48 patients, 28 was diagnosed as having intervertebral disc protrusion, 12 as having ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, and 8 as having vertebral osteophyte; 35 patients underwent single segmental anterior corpectomy and fusion, and 13 patients underwent single segmental anterior discectomy and fusion. The pre- and post-operative radiographs (cervical anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and three-dimensional CT scans) were taken to measure the segmental height and lordosis angle. Brantigan et al assessment standard and visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were used to evaluate the graft fusion and the improvement of clinical symptoms, respectively. Results All patients were followed up for 46 months on average (range, 36-54 months). No cage breaking, displacement, or sliding was found. At last follow-up, 36 cases were rated as Brantigan grade E, 10 cases as grade D, and 2 cases as grade C; the fusion rate was 96%. Both segmental height and lordosis angle were corrected significantly at immediate and 6 months after operation and last follow-up than those before operation (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found among different time points after operation (P gt; 0.05). At last follow-up, the cage subsidence was (1.3 ± 1.0) mm. The VAS and JOA scores at 6 months after operation and last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.05), and the scores at last follow-up were superior to ones at 6 months after operation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The mid-term effectiveness of anterior decompression and fusion with the n-HA/PA66 cage in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy is satisfactory because it can effectively restore and maintain segmental height and lordosis angle and promote osseous fusion.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 (n-HA/PA66) intervertebral cage for lumbar interbody fusion in the patients with lower lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods Between January and October 2011, 20 patients with lower lumbar degenerative diseases underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with n-HA/PA66 intervertebral cage. There were 8 males and 12 females, aged 22-80 years (mean, 51 years). The disease duration was 1 to 24 months (mean, 4 months). L4, 5 fusion was performed in 8 cases, L5, S1 fusion in 9 cases, and L4-S1 fusion in 3 cases. Among 20 cases, 3 were diagnosed as having recurrent lumbar disc protrusion, 5 as having lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, 9 as having lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis, and 3 as having lumbar spinal stenosis. The intervertebral height and lordosis were measured on X-ray film to assess the surgical correction and postoperative sustain while osseous fusion was observed on 3-dimensional CT. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) and short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) scores were obtained to assess the status of clinical recovery. Results All patients had incision healing by first intention. The pain and numb were relieved in varying degrees after operation. No cerebrospinal leakage, nerve root injury, or wound infection was occurred. All patients were followed up 6-9 months (mean, 7 months). No cage displacement or collapse was found. The intervertebral height and lordosis of single fusion segment were significantly improved at 3 days and 3, 6 months after operation when compared with those at preoperation (P lt; 0.01); there was no significant difference among each time point after operation (P gt; 0.05). The fusion rate was 74% at 3 months after operation and 96% at 6 months after operation, with an average of 4 months (range, 3-9 months) for interbody fusion. The ODI and SF-36 scores were significantly improved at 3 days and 6 months after operation when compared with the scores at preoperation (P lt; 0.01); there was no significant difference among each time point after operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The interbody fusion with n-HA/PA intervertebral cage is effective and safe to treat the lower lumbar degenerative diseases. The n-HA/PA66 intervertebral cage is an ideal device of interbody fusion with high fusion rate, low subsidence rate, and high transmission X-ray, but the long-term effectiveness need further observation.
Objective To evaluate the surgical procedure of reinforced acetabular cage with caudal flange in reconstruction of pelvic defect after acetabular tumor resection. Methods Between June 2003 and December 2009, 25 patients with Harrington class III pelvic defect underwent reconstruction with a reinforced acetabular cage with caudal flange and total hip arthroplasty (THA). There were 13 males and 12 females with an average age of 51.2 years (range，13-73 years). The main cl inical manifestations included hip pain and buttock pain, with a median disease duration of 6 months (range, 1-96 months). Pathological findings showed 18 cases of metastasis, 3 cases of multiple myeloma, 1 case of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 1 case of grade I chondrosarcoma, 1 case of giant cell tumor, and 1 case of chondroblastoma. For the patient with chondroblastoma, THA with LINK RIBBED system was used. An artificial total hip system made in China was used in 6 patients and LINK SP II system was used in the other 18 patients. Results No patients died perioperatively. Deep infection and hip dislocations occurred in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. At last follow-up, 8 of 18 patients with metastasis died of cancer and the average survival time was 11 months. The other 10 who were al ive were followed up 15 months on average. One patient with multiple myeloma died of pulmonary infection at 21 months after operation and the other 2 with multiple myeloma and 1 with lymphoma were al ive with an average follow-up of 17 months. The patient with grade I chondrosarcoma and patient with chondroblastoma were followed up 58 and 12 months, respectively, without recurrence. Recurrence occurred in the patient with giant cell tumor at 19 months afteroperation. Loosening of implant occurred in 3 patients because of local tumor recurrence. For the 23 patients at 6 months after operation, the mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 score was 81% (range, 57%-93%). Conclusion Reinforced acetabular cage with caudal flange could be used together with THA for reconstruction of Harrington class III pelvic defects after acetabular tumor resection, and low incidence of postoperative compl ication and good functional outcome could be expected.
Objective To evaluate the security and effectiveness of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage in reconstruction of spinal stabil ity after resection of spinal tumor. Methods Between January 2008 and December2009, 11 patients with spinal tumor underwent surgical resection and strut graft with n-HA/PA66 cage. There were 6 males and 5 females with an average age of 44.5 years (range, 16-61 years). The average disease duration was 6.8 months (range, 2-14 months). The locations of lesions included cervical spine (2 cases), thoracic spine (6 cases), and lumbar spine (3 cases). Among them, there were 5 metastatic carcinomas, 2 giant cell tumors, 1 osteoblastsarcoma, 1 chondrosarcoma, and 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. According to Frankel criteria for nerve function classification, there were 1 case of grade A, 3 cases of grade B, 2 cases of grade C, 2 cases of grade D, and 3 cases of grade E. Results Incisions healed by first intention in all patients, no operative or postoperative compl ication occurred. Four cases of metastatic carcinoma died of primary disease during 5-9 months after operation. Seven cases were followed up 14.4 months on average (range, 10-18 months). All patients gained significant improvement of the neurological function at 3 months after operation. All cases obtained bone fusion and good spinal stabil ity without displacement and subsidence of the n-HA/PA66 cage. The intervertebral height of the adjacent segments was (110.5 ± 16.1) mm at 3 months after operation and (109.4 ± 16.2 ) mm at the final follow-up, showing significant differenecs when compared with the preoperative height [(97.5 ± 15.4) mm, P lt; 0.05], but no significant difference between 3 months after operation and the final follow-up. In 2 patients undergoing surgery via anterior approach, bilateral pleural effusion on both sides occurred and were cured after closed thoracic drainage. During the follow-up, 2 cases (1 chondrosarcoma and 1 giant cell tumor) relapsed and underwent reoperations. Conclusion n-HA/PA66 cage can provide satisfactory bone fusion and ideal spinal stabil ity without increasing the risk of recurrence and compl ications during the surgical treatment of spinal tumors. It is an idealselection for reconstruction of spinal stability.
Objective To study the cl inical appl ication of anchoring cervical intervertebral fusion cage (ACIFC) in anterior cervical discectomy with fusion. Methods From November 2006 to June 2007, 21 cases of degenerative cervical disease were treated with anterior cervical discectomy, bone graft by ACIFC and anchoring stators, and 28 ACIFCs were implanted. There were 12 males and 9 females aged 25-68 years old (average 47.9 years old). The course of disease rangedfrom 3 days to15 years (median 2.3 years). There were 7 patients with single-segment cervical spondylosis, 3 with two-segment cervical spondylosis, 2 with single-segment lower cervical spine instabil ity, 4 with single-segment cervical spondylosis and lower cervical spine instabil ity, and 5 with cervical disc herniation. Postoperatively, X-ray films were taken regularly to detect the fusion of bone graft and the intervertebral height of fused segment was measured. The symptoms, signs and cervical functions of patient before operation, shortly after operation and during the follow-up period were evaluated by “40 score” system. And the occurrence of postoperative axial symptom (AS) was assessed with the standard set by Zeng Yan et al. Results All incisions healed by first intention. AS occurred in 1 case 48 hours after operation and was improved from poor to good after symptomatic treatment. No other kind of compl ication was identified or reported during intra-operative and postoperative period. All the cases were followed up for 16-24 months (average 20.5 months), and fusion was reached in all the intervertebral discs. Evaluated by “40 score” system, the average score for the cervical spinal cord function before operation, shortly after operation and during the final follow-up period was 26.2, 30.6, and 35.5 points, respectively, indicating there were significant differences between different time points (P lt; 0.05). During the follow-up period of above 1 year, the average improvement rate was 67.4%. The average intervertebral height before operation, shortly after operation and during the last follow-up period were 1.9, 4.4 and 4.3 mm, respectively, showing there were significant differences between the preoperation and the immediate postoperative and last follow-up periods (P lt; 0.05). No degeneration of adjacent segment was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion Using ACIFC in bone graft fusion and internal fixation for degenerative cervical disease is convenientand fast, has wide range of indications with satisfying cl inical effect, and can achieve obvious therapeutic effect in restoring and maintaining cervical intervertebral height.
Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of expandable pedicle screw (EPS) combined with interbody fusion cage on lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods From June 2004 to March 2008, 23 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesiswere treated, including 9 males and 14 females aged 24-72 years old (average 48.7 years old). The course of the disease varied from 6 months to 6 years (average 30.4 months). There were 18 cases of degenerative spondylol isthesis and 5 of isthmic spondylolisthesis, including 1 case at L3,4 level, 14 at L4,5 level, and 8 at L5 and S1 levels. There were 17 cases of grade I, 4 of grade II, and 2 of grade III (including 1 case of recurrent L5 spondylolysis) according to Meyerding classification system. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion was performed using 48 PLIVIOS interbody fusion cages, and spondylolisthesis reduction and internal fixation were conducted using 84 pieces of EPS. The indications for use of EPS were initial operation with bone mass reduction or osteoporosis, reoperation of previous pedicle instrumentation, intraoperative screw relocation, sacral anchoring, and construct reinforcement. Cl inical outcomes, radiographic reduction of spondylol isthesis and bone fusion of lumbar interbody were evaluated based on JOA score, Boxall index, and Cook criteria. Results The incision healed by first intension in all cases except for one revision case that suffered from postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and obtained delayed-healing without infection 23 days after operation using conservative treatment. No operative compl ications such as nerve and organ injuries were found.All cases were followed up for 12-39 months (average 17.8 months). X-ray exams of spine AP, lateral, fully extended position and fully flexed position view showed all 84 EPS were fully expanded within vertebral body. The improvement rate of JOA at the final follow-up visit was markedly effective in 14 cases, and effective in 5 cases, and noneffective in 4 cases, with a total effective rate of 82.61%. Anatomic reduction was achieved in 14 cases, improvement was obtained in 6 cases, no improvement was observed in 3 cases, and the reduction rate was 86.69%. Lumber interbody fusion was achieved in 20 cases, fixation was achieved in 2 cases, failure was observed in 1 cases, and the fusion rate was 86.69%. Conclusion EPS in complex with interbody fusion cage provides effective reduction, internal fixation and interbody fusion for the reconstruction of lumbar spondylolisthesis.
【Abstract】 Objective To explore the midterm efficacy of superelastic cage implantation for the treatment of osteonecrosisof femoral head (ONFH). Methods From July 1996 to January 1998, 54 patients (75 hips) of ONFH were treatedwith superelastic cage and followed up. Among 54 patients, 5 patients were lost to follow up and 3 patients were dead of myocardialinfarction, renal failure and gastric cancer, respectively. Forty-six patients completed follow up including 32 males and14 females, aged from 21 to 61 with an average of 39 years old. Twenty-nine hips were classified as Ficat Stage Ⅱ and 36 as StageⅢ . Harris score was 58.20 ± 13.82. All patients were evaluated both cl inically and radiographically. Results Postoperatively,forty-six patients (65 hips) were followed up for 86 to 125 months with an average of 8 years and 8 months. Harris score was 80.78 ± 18.77. Twenty-nine hips were rated excellent, 21 good, 2 fair and 13 poor．A total of 76.9% of overall cl inical results were rated as good or excellent. Eight hips (12.3%) with the cage broken were turned to total hip replacement. Radiographicevaluation: 16 hips (24.6%) rated as grade Ⅰ , 34 (52.3%) grade Ⅱ and 15 (23.1%) grade Ⅲ . Conclusion Superelastic cage implantation is one of alternative treatments for ONFH at early and midterm stages. However, long-term follow-up is needed to know whether it is able to cure ONFH and whether cages will be broken as time passes by.
Objective To evluate the clinical outcome of autograftsof ilium and interbody fusion cage or bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)／artificial bone material／ cage in treating lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods From January 1997 to January 2004，114 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were treated with posterior lumbar interbody fusion and pedicle screw fixation． There were 45 males and 69 females with an average age of 43 years ranging from 32 to 61 years. Of 114patients, 85 cases were classified as degree Ⅰ, 24 cases as degree Ⅱ and 5 cases as degree Ⅲ. The patients were divided into three groups accordingto the material used for interbody fusion: autografts of ilium (group A, n=42), interbody fusion cages(group B, n=36), and BMP／artificial bone material／ cage (group C, n=36)．The clinical and radiographic results of the patients were compared among three groups． Results All patients were followed from 13 to 30 months with an average of 15 months． There were no statistically significant differences in surgical time, blood loss, and disc space height of preoperation(P＞0.05) among three groups. No severe complication occurred in the three groups(P＞0.05). The excellent and good rates in groups A，B and C were 81.0％, 80.6％, and 83.3％ respectively, showing no statisticallysignificant difference(P＞0.05)．The fusion rate of group C(97.0%) was significantly higher than those of group A(81.0%) and group B(83.3%) (P＜0.05) after 1 year of operation．And the average loss of disc space height in groups B and C was significantly lower than that in group A(P＜0.05). Conclusion Higher fusion rate and lower loss of disc space height can beobtained in treating lumbar spondylolisthesis with BMP／artificial bone materiel.It is an effective method in the treatment of spondylolisthesis.
Objective To compare the clinical effects of treating prolapse of the cervical intervertebral disc by the Solis cage fusion, the titanium cage fusion or the autogenous iliac crest graft combined with the titanium plate fixation. Methods Sixty-four patients with prolapse of the cervical intervertebral discadmitted to hospital from February 2002 to May 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. In Group A, 20 patients (15 males and 5 females, aged 38.76 years, 30 intervertebral spaces) were treated with the Solis cage fusion, and the preoperative JOAscores were 9-16, averaged 11.4; in Group B, 21 patients (15 males and 6 females,aged 37-78 years, 23 intervertebral spaces) were treated with the titanium cagefusion, and the preoperative JOA scores were 8-13, averaged 10.1; in Group C, 23 patients (18 males and 5 females, aged 32-76 years, 28 intervertebral spaces)were treated with the autogenous iliac crest graft combined with the titanium plate fixation, and the preoperative JOA scores were 9-14, averaged 10.6. The comparative analysis was made among the 3 groups in the following aspects: X-ray exposure time, time working on the iliac bone, operation time, hemorrhage amount，complication incidence after operation, cervical vertebral fusion rate, symptom relief rate, and recovery rate of the JOA score. Results According to the follow-upfor 2-15 months averaged 12 months, the time working on the iliac bone was longer in Group C than in Groups A and B (11.5±2.4 vs 4.1±1.7 minand 4.2±1.9 min, P＜0.05); the operation time was longer in Group C than in Groups A and B (98.3±14.7 min vs 55.5±10.3 min and 56.8±12.6 min, P＜0.05); and the X-ray exposure time was longer in Group C than in Groups A and B (7.8±1.8 min vs 4.3±1.2 min and 4.2±1.3 min, P＜0.05). Also, the hemorrhage amount in Group C was much greater than in Groups A and B (145.8±19.3 ml vs 65.8±10.2 ml and 67.2±12.3 ml,P＜0.05). The postoperative complication rate was lower in Groups A and Bthan in Group C (P＜0.05). There was a significant difference in the complication rate in the cervical region between Group A (5.0%±1.8%) and Group B (14.3%±2.6%,Plt;0.05）. The fusion rate in Groups A and B was 100% 3-4 monthsafteroperation, and there was no difference when compared with that in Group C. The recovery rates of the JOA scores in the three groups were 81.9%±3.2%，78.9%±7.3%, and 76.3%±9.4%, respectively, and there was no significant difference among the three groups. Conclusion The Solis cage fusion has a better therapeutic effect in treating prolapse of the cervical intervertebral disc than the titanium cage fusion and the autogenous iliac crest graft combined with the titanium plate fixation. The Solis cage fusion also makes the operation easier, with a more rapid recovery rate and fewer postoperative complications in the patient.