Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of using pedical screw at the fracture level, intervertebral distraction, and Cage insertion by posterior approach to treat thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old fracture. Methods Between June 2008 and June 2010, 15 cases of thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old fracture were treated with pedical screw at the fracture level, intervertebral distraction, and Cage insertion by posterior approach. There were 9 males and 6 females with a mean age of 54.6 years (range, 39-65 years). The disease duration was 5 months to 3 years with an average of 1.5 years. Fractured segments included T11 in 1 case, T12 in 4 cases, L1 in 5 cases, and L2 in 5 cases. Ten patients had nerve symptom, according to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading, 3 cases were classified as grade B, 4 cases as grade C, and 3 cases as grade D, of which 3 cases had sexual and sphincter dysfunction. At preoperation, the Cobb angle was (47.4 ± 10.2)°; the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was 67.9% ± 6.9%; and the visual analogue scale (VSA) was 8.6 ± 1.4. Results The wounds obtained primary healing. The mean follow-up time was 28 months (range, 13-60 months). X-ray films showed intervertebral bone fusion was obtained within 6-11 months (mean, 10.2 months). No fixation loosening or breaking occurred during follow-up. Kyphosis was corrected, and lumbar back pain was relieved. At 1 year after operation, Cobb angle was significantly corrected to (13.3 ± 7.7)° (t=72.80, P=0.00); ODI score was significantly improved to 25.2% ± 4.6% (t=48.04, P=0.00); VAS score was significantly decreased to 2.3 ± 0.6 (t=26.52, P=0.00). According to ASIA grading in 10 patients with spinal cord injury, the spinal cord function was improved by 1 grade in 8 cases (3 cases from grade B to C, 3 cases from grade C to D, and 2 cases from grade D to E); 3 patients with sexual and sphincter dysfunction recovered in different degrees. Conclusion Using pedical screw at the fracture level, intervertebral distraction, and Cage insertion by posterior approach is an effective method to treat thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old fracture.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness of anterolateral decompression and three column reconstruction through posterior approach for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fracture. Methods Between March 2009 and October 2011, 39 patients with unstable burst thoracolumbar fracture were treated. Of them, there were 32 males and 7 females, with an average age of 43.8 years (range, 25-68 years). The injury causes included falling from height in 17 cases, bruise in 10 cases, traffic accident in 4 cases, and other in 8 cases. The fracture was located at the T10 level in 1 case, T11 in 9 cases, T12 in 6 cases, L1 in 14 cases, L2 in 7 cases, L3 in 1 case, and L4 in 1 case. According to Frankel classification before operation, 5 cases were classified as grade A, 5 as grade B, 9 as grade C, 14 as grade D, and 6 as grade E. Before operation, the vertebral kyphosis Cobb angle was (26.7 ± 7.1)°; vertebral height loss was 37.5% ± 9.5%; and the space occupying of vertebral canal was 73.7% ± 11.3%. The time between injury and operation was 1-4 days (mean, 2.5 days). All patients underwent anterolateral decompression of spinal canal by posterior approach and three column reconstruction. After operation, the vertebral height restoration, correction of kyphosis, decompression of the spinal canal, and the recovery of nerve function were evaluated. Results Increase of paraplegic level, urinary infection, and pressure sore occurred in 1 case, 1 case, and 2 cases, respectively; no incision infection or neurological complications was observed in the other cases, primary healing of incision was obtained. The patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 27 months). The patients had no aggravation of pain of low back after operation; no loosening and breaking of screws and rods occurred; no titanium alloys electrolysis and titanium cage subsidence or breakage was observed. The imaging examination showed that complete decompression of the spinal canal, satisfactory restoration of the vertebral height, and good physiological curvature of spine at 2 years after operation. At last follow-up, 1 case was classified as Frankel grade A, 2 as grade B, 2 as grade C, 10 as grade D, and 24 as grade E, which was significantly improved when compared with preoperative one (Plt; 0.05). At immediate after operation and last follow-up, the Cobb angle was (6.3 ± 2.1)° and (6.5 ± 2.4)° respectively; the vertebral height loss was 7.9% ± 2.7% and 8.2% ± 3.0% respectively; and the indexes were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The technique of anterolateral decompression and three column reconstruction through posterior approach is one perfect approach to treat unstable thoracolumbar fracture because of complete spinal cord canal decompression, three column reconstruction, and immediate recovery of the spinal stability after operation.
Objective To compare the surgical efficacy of different operating methods for treating old thoracolumbarfracture with spinal cord injury. Methods From September 2000 to March 2006, 34 cases of old thoracolumbar fractures with spinal cord injury were treated. Patients were divided into 2 groups randomly. Group A (n=18): anterior approach osteotomy, il iac bone graft and internal fixation were used. There were 10 males and 8 females with the age of 17-54 years. The apex level of kyphosis was T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 5 cases, L1 in 8 cases and L2 in 3 cases. The average preoperative Cobb angle of kyphosis was (36.33 ± 3.13)°, and the average preoperative difference in height between anterior and posterior of involved vertebra was (22.34 ± 11.61) mm. Neurological dysfunction JOA score was 10.44 ± 1.12. Group B (n=16): transpedicular posterior decompression and internal fixation were used. There were 8 males and 8 females with the age of 18-56 years. The apex level of kyphosis was T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 6 cases, L1 in 7 cases and L2 in 1 case. The preoperative Cobb angle of kyphosis was (38.55 ± 4.22)°, and the preoperative difference in height between anterior and posterior of involved vertebra was (20.61 ± 10.22) mm. Neurological dysfunction JOA score was 10.23 ± 2.23. Results All the patients were followed up for 9-46 months with an average of 13.5 months. Cobb angle was (12.78 ± 3.76)° in group A, which was improved by (24.23 ± 1.64)° campared to that of preoperation; and was (10.56 ± 4.23)° in group B, which was improved by (26.66 ± 1.66)°. JOA score was 14.21 ± 1.08 in group A, which wasimproved by 3.92 ± 1.33; and it was 13.14 ± 2.32 in group B, which was improved by 3.12 ± 1.95. The average postoperative difference between anterior height and posterior height of vertebral body in group A was (3.11 ± 1.06) mm, which was improved by (18.03 ± 2.14) mm; and it was (2.56 ± 1.33) mm in group B, which was corrected by (20.36 ± 3.78) mm. There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between preoperation and postoperation in 2 groups (P lt; 0.01), but no significant differences between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In group A, pleural effusion occurred in 2 cases and local pulmonary collapse in 4 cases and intercostals neuralgia in 1 case. In group B, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid occurred in 3 cases. Conclusion Both anterior and posterior approach are capable of treating of the old thoracolumbar fracture with incomplete spinal cord injury and providing the satisfying result of deformation correction, neurological decompression and neurological functional recovery to a certain extent.
ObjectiveTo compare short-term effectiveness between robot-guided percutaneous minimally invasive pedicle screw internal fixation and traditional open internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 52 cases of thoracolumbar fracture without neurological injury symptoms admitted between January 2018 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different surgical methods, they were divided into minimally invasive group (24 cases, treated with robot-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive pedicle screw internal fixation) and open group (28 cases, treated with traditional open internal fixation). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the general data such as gender, age, cause of injury, fracture segment, thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS), preoperative back pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, fixed segment height, and fixed segment kyphosis Cobb angle (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time of the two groups were recorded and compared; as well as the VAS score, ODI score, fixed segment height, and fixed segment kyphosis Cobb angle of the two groups before operation and at 3 days, 1 month, 6 months, and 10 months after operation. CT scan was reexamined at 1-3 days after operation, and the pedicle screw insertion accuracy rate was determined and calculated according to Gertzbein-Robbins classification standard.ResultsThe operation time of the minimally invasive group was significantly longer than that of the open group, but the intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time were significantly shorter than those of the open group (P<0.05). There were 132 pedicle screws and 158 pedicle screws implanted in the minimally invasive group and the open group respectively. According to the Gertzbein-Robbins classification standard, the accuracy of pedicle screws was 97.7% (129/132) and 96.8% (153/158), respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=0.505, P=0.777). The patients in both groups were followed up 10 months, and there was no rejection or internal fixation fracture. In the minimally invasive group, the internal fixator was removed at 10 months after operation, but not in the open group. The VAS score, ODI score, fixed segment heigh, and fixed segment kyphotic Cobb angle of the two groups were improved in different degrees when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). Except that the VAS score and ODI score of the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those of the open group at 3 days after operation (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05).ConclusionRobot-assisted percutaneous minimally invasive pedicle screw internal fixation for thoracolumbar fractures has significant advantages in intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, and early postoperative effectiveness and other aspects, and the effect of fracture reduction is good.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness and screw planting accuracy of percutaneous reduction and internal fixation with robot and traditional fluoroscopy-assisted in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms.MethodsThe clinical data of 58 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms between December 2016 and January 2018 were retrospectively analysed. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into group A (28 cases underwent robot-assisted percutaneous reduction and internal fixation) and group B (30 cases underwent fluoroscopy-assisted percutaneous reduction and internal fixation). There was no neurological symptoms, other fractures or organ injuries in the two groups. There was no significant difference in general data of age, gender, fracture location, AO classification, time from injury to surgery, and preoperative vertebral anterior height ratio, sagittal Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The screw placement time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, hospitalization time, operation cost, postoperative complications, VAS score, ODI score, anterior vertebral height ratio, and sagittal Cobb angle before operation, at 3 days, 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up were recorded and compared between the two groups. The accuracy of the pedicle screw placement was evaluated by Neo’s criteria.ResultsThe screw placement time, operation time, and intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency of group A were significantly less than those of group B, and the operation cost was significantly higher than that of group B (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time between the two groups (P>0.05). Both groups were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 15.2 months. The accuracy rate of screw placement in groups A and B was 93.75% (150/160) and 84.71% (144/170), respectively, and the difference was significant (χ2=5.820, P=0.008). Except for 1 case of postoperative superficial infection in group A and wound healing after dressing change, there was no complication such as neurovascular injury, screw loosening and fracture in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (χ2=0.625, P=0.547). The anterior vertebral height ratio, sagittal Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI score of the two groups were significantly improved (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the two groups at all time points after operation (P>0.05).ConclusionThe spinal robot and traditional fluoroscopy-assisted percutaneous reduction and internal fixation can both achieve satisfactory effectiveness in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms. However, the former has higher accuracy, fewer fluoroscopy times, shorter time of screw placement, and lower technical requirements for the operator. It has wide application potential.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw combined with multiple level Schwab grade Ⅰ osteotomy for chronic thoracolumbar osteoporotic fractures with kyphosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 27 patients with symptomatic chronic thoracolumbar osteoporotic fractures combined with kyphosis treated between June 2015 and June 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Among them, there were 8 males and 19 females, with an average age of 69.5 years (range, 56-81 years). The damage segment (kyphosis vertex) included T11 in 4 cases, T12 in 12 cases, L1 in 10 cases, and L2 in 1 case. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 21 months, with an average of 12.5 months. The T value of lumbar vertebral bone mineral density ranged from −4.9 to −2.5, with an average value of −3.61. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification was used to evaluate spinal cord injury, there were 1 case of grade D and 26 cases of grade E. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), kyphosis Cobb angle of fracture site, and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) data were obtained before operation, at 2 weeks after operation, 3 months after operation, and last follow-up, to evaluate the quality of life and improvement of sagittal spine parameters.ResultsNo complications related to pedicle screw and bone cement occurred. The incisions healed by first intention in 26 cases, and 1 incision healed after dressing change due to poor blood glucose control. There were no complications such as bedsore, hypostatic pneumonia, or deep venous thrombosis. All patients were followed up 8-24 months, with an average of 16.6 months. The VAS score, ODI score, Cobb angle, and SVA were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Cobb angle between each time point after operation (P>0.05); the VAS score and ODI score at 3 months after operation and last follow-up were significantly better than those at 2 weeks after operation (P<0.05), and the ODI score at last follow-up was further improved when compared with the score at 3 months (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in VAS score (P>0.05); SVA at last follow-up was significantly worse than that at 2 weeks and 3 months after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between at 2 weeks and 3 months after operation (P>0.05). During the follow-up period, there was no complication such as pedicle screw loosening, breakage or cutting, adjacent vertebral fracture, proximal junctional kyphosis, and so on.ConclusionFor the chronic thoracolumbar osteoporotic fractures combined with kyphosis, the cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw and multiple level Schwab grade Ⅰ osteotomy has the advantages of less operation trauma, quick recovery, and remarkable effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of three-dimensional (3D) printed drill guide template-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for multiple-level thoracolumbar fractures.MethodsClinical data of 19 patients with multilevel thoracolumbar fracture without nerve injury who underwent surgical treatment between May 2017 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 10 females and their age ranged from 22 to 63 years, with an average age of 43.6 years. Injury cause included traffic accident injury in 12 cases, and fall from height injury in 7 cases. A total of 40 fractured vertebrae were involved in T10 to L3 levels. According to AO classification, there were 29 fractures of type A1, 9 fractures of type A2, and 2 fractures of type A3. According to TANG Sanyuan classification, multiple-segment thoracolumbar fractures were classified as 17 cases of type ⅠA, 1 case of type ⅠB, and 1 case of type ⅡC. The time from injury to operation was 2-6 days, with an average of 3.1 days. The 3D-printed universal drill guide template was used for assisting percutaneous pedicle screw fixation during operation. Intraoperative blood loss, average operation time and fluoroscopy frequency of each screw were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the improvement of low back pain before operation, at 3 days after operation, and at last follow-up. According to the CT at 3 days after operation, the Gertzbein and Robbins scales were used to evaluate the accuracy of screw insertion (the grade A and grade B were regarded as accuracy, the grade A was regarded as excellent of screw insertion). The Cobb angle in sagittal plane of the fracture segment was measured, and the percentage of anterior edge of injured vertebral height was calculated. The consistency of the inclination of bilateral pedicle screws were analyzed postoperatively, and compared the angle of the intraoperative guide plate with the inclination of screw to verify the effectiveness of the guide plate in controlling the inclination.ResultsAll the 19 patients completed the operation successfully, and the intraoperative blood loss was 44-67 mL, with an average of 54.3 mL. The average operation time for each screw insertion was 7.3-11.1 minutes, with an average of 9.6 minutes. The average fluoroscopy frequency of each screw insertion was 1.6-2.5 times, with an average of 2.0 times. No spinal cord, nerve root injury, infection, and other complications occurred. All patients were followed up 24-38 months, with an average of 28.7 months. The accuracy of pedicle screws was evaluated by using Gertzbein and Robbins scales: 145 screws were grade A and 11 screws were grade B. The accuracy of screw insertion was 100% and the excellent rate was 92.9%. The CT data at 3 days after operation showed no significant difference in the inclination between the left and right screws in the same vertebral body (t=0.93, P=0.36). There was no significant difference between the angle of guide plate and the screw inclination (P>0.05). The VAS score, Cobb angle in sagittal plane, and the percentage of anterior edge of injured vertebral height were significantly improved at 3 days after operation and at last follow-up, and the VAS score was declined at last follow-up compared with 3 days after operation, all showing significant differences (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the sagittal Cobb angle and the percentage of anterior edge of injured vertebral height between two postoperative time points (P>0.05). At last follow-up, no internal fixators were loosened or broken, and all fractures healed well.ConclusionFor the multiple-level thoracolumbar fractures, 3D-printed drill guide template assisting percutaneous pedicle screw fixation can reduce the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and fluoroscopy frequency and the screw insertion is accurate and has a good reduction effect.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety of TiRobot-guided percutaneous transpedicular screw implantation.MethodsThe medical records of 158 patients with thoracolumbar fractures and lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent percutaneous transpedicular screw implantation were retrospectively analyzed between January 2018 and December 2020. The patients were divided into trial group (TiRobot-guided screw implantation, 86 cases) and control group (fluoroscopy-guided screw implantation, 72 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, pathology, lesion segment, and the average number of screw implantation per case (P>0.05). The operation time, fluoroscopic dose, fluoroscopic time, and fluoroscopic frequency were compared between the two groups. One day postoperatively, the convergence angle was measured and the penetration of the pedicle cortex was evaluated according to Gertzbein-Robbins classification standard.ResultsThe operation time, fluoroscopic dose, fluoroscopic time, and fluoroscopic frequency of the trial group were significantly lesser than those of control group (P<0.05).One day postoperatively, the convergence angle of trial group was (21.10±4.08)°, which was significantly larger than control group (19.17±3.48)° (t=6.810, P=0.000). According to the Gertzbein-Robbins classification standard, 446 pedicle screws were implanted in trial group, trajectories were grade A in 377 screws, grade B in 46 screws, grade C in 23 screws, and the accuracy of screw implantation was 94.8%; 380 pedicle screws were implanted in control group, trajectories were grade A in 283 screws, grade B in 45 screws, grade C in 44 screws, grade D in 6 screws, grade E in 2 screws, and the accuracy of screw implantation was 86.3%. There was significant difference in the accuracy of screw implantation between the two groups (χ2=25.950, P=0.000). ConclusionCompared with traditional percutaneous transpedicular screw implantation, TiRobot-guided percutaneous transpedicular screw implantation can improve the accuracy of screw implantation, reduce radiation exposure, and improve surgical safety, which has a good application prospect.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Wiltse approach with fulcrum reduction technique and pedicle internal fixation in the treatment of AO-A type thoracolumbar fractures. Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with AO-A type thoracolumbar fractures treated with Wiltse approach with fulcrum reduction technique and pedicle internal fixation between September 2013 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 7 females, the age ranged from 38 to 60 years, with an average age of 50.7 years. Causes of injury included 9 cases of falling from height, 3 cases of traffic accidents, 3 cases of falling, and 1 case crushed by heavy objects. Fractured segment involved T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 5 cases, L1 in 7 cases, and L2 in 2 cases. There were 6 cases of type A1, 3 cases of type A2, 5 cases of type A3, and 2 cases of type A4 according to AO fracture classification. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and removal time of internal fixator were recorded. Before operation, immediately after operation, before and after removal of internal fixator, the local kyphotic angle (LKA), anterior vertebral height (AVH), and posterior vertebral height (PVH) of fractured vertebral body were measured; visual analogue scale (VAS) score of back pain were evaluated before operation, at 3 days after operation, before and after removal of internal fixator. Results The operation time of the patients was 50-95 minutes, with an average of 70.7 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 50-230 mL, with an average of 132.9 mL; the internal fixator was removed after 18-30 months, with an average of 23.6 months. All patients were followed up 20-32 months, with an average of 25.6 months. No incision infection, hematoma, and other surgery-related complications, and internal fixator rupture residual complications occurred. All 16 patients achieved satisfactory reduction results. Immediate postoperative LKA, AVH, and PVH were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). There was a certain degree of reduction loss before internal fixator removal, and the difference in LKA was significant (P<0.05), but the difference in AVH and PVH were not significant (P>0.05). There was a certain degree of reduction loss after internal fixator removal, but only the difference in AVH was significant (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in LKA and PVH (P>0.05). The VAS score of the back pain significantly improved at 3 days after operation and before internal fixator removal when compared with preoperative score (P<0.05). The pain after internal fixator removal was significantly worse than that before internal fixator removal (P<0.05). ConclusionThe Wiltse approach with fulcrum reduction technique and pedicle internal fixation in the treatment of AO-A thoracolumbar fractures has a short operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and the posterior soft tissue and other structures are well protected during the operation. It can provide satisfactory clinical reduction results.
Objective To analyze the clinical effect of TINAVI robotic system-assisted pedicle screw internal fixation for thoracolumbar fracture with a Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS) of 4. Methods A total of 38 patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fracture treated between January 2019 and January 2021 who met the selection criteria of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of doctor-patient communication, 18 cases were treated with robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (robot group), and 20 cases were treated with traditional conservative treatment (non-surgical group). Complications during hospitalization were observed. After discharge, the patients in the two groups were followed up by telephone and outpatient clinic. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score at admission, at discharge, and 3 and 6 months after discharge, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score 3 and 6 months after discharge were compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistically significant difference in age, sex, body mass index or distribution of injured vertebrae segment between the two groups (P>0.05). No serious complication occurred in any group during hospitalization. The difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The bed rest in the robot group was shorter than that in the non-surgical group [(4.83±0.92) vs. (43.05±2.70) d, P<0.05]. The VAS scores at discharge (2.50±0.51 vs. 5.05±1.00), 3 months after discharge (1.83±0.71 vs. 3.10±0.72) and 6 months after discharge (1.50±0.51 vs. 1.90±0.79) in the robot group were lower than those in the non-surgical group (P<0.05). The ODI scores 3 months after discharge (21.89±1.41 vs. 30.40±3.00) and 6 months after discharge (10.72±2.37 vs. 12.10±2.29) in the robot group were significantly lower than those in the non-surgical group (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fracture, the early clinical effect of robot-assisted surgical treatment is better than that of non-surgical treatment.