ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of SRS-Schwab grade Ⅳ osteotomy combined with satellite rod for thoracolumbar old osteoporotic fracture with severe kyphosis.MethodsBetween April 2013 and August 2016, 20 cases of thoracolumbar old osteoporotic fracture with severe kyphosis were treated with SRS-Schwab grade Ⅳ osteotomy combined with satellite rod. All the patients were females, aged 49-71 years (mean, 54.8 years). The disease duration was 6-28 months with an average of 14 months. The T value of bone density was –4.4 to –1.8 (mean, –2.8). The preoperative Cobb angle was (43.0±11.3)°. The vertebral compression fracture segment was T12 in 9 cases, L1 in 8 cases, and L2 in 3 cases. Preoperative spinal cord function was evaluated by Frankel classification; there were 5 cases of grade D and 15 cases of grade E. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and perioperative complication were recorded. The Cobb angle for kyphosis and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were recorded beforeoperation, at 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the effectiveness before operation and at last follow-up, and the evaluation indicators included pain degree, daily life self-care ability, extracting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social activities, and traveling.ResultsThe operation time was 180-314 minutes (mean, 226 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 390-1 800 mL (mean, 750 mL). All the incisions healed by first intension without incision infection. Twenty patients were followed up 24-52 months, with an average of 30.9 months. During the follow-up period, no significant complication such as correction loss, nail breakage, rod breakage, pseudoarthrosis formation, or proximal and distal junctional kyphosis occurred. All patients were able to walk upright after operation, and the pain relieved significantly at 6 months after operation. Bone fusion achieved at 12 months after operation. The Frankel grade of nerve function improved from grade D to grade E at last follow-up in 5 patients with nerve damage before operation. At last follow-up, the indicator scores of ODI significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). Cobb angle significantly improved at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up (P<0.05) when compared with preoperative one, but there was no significant difference in the Cobb angles between 3 months after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in SVA between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05).ConclusionSRS-Schwab grade Ⅳ osteotomy combined with satellite rod for thoracolumbar old osteoporotic fracture with severe kyphosis is effective in achieving satisfactory clinical outcomes, as well as maintaining correction of kyphosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and effectiveness of debridement and interbody fusion via posterior pedicle lateral approach in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with thoracolumbar Andersson lesion (AL).MethodsBetween October 2011 and January 2017, 10 patients of ankylosing spondylitis with thoracolumbar AL were treated with debridement via posterior pedicle lateral approach and interbody fusion with bone grafting. There were 8 males and 2 females with an average age of 48.8 years (range, 31-79 years). The disease duration was 1.5-48.0 months (mean, 10.6 months). All patients were single-segment lesion, including 3 cases of T10, 11, 4 cases of T11, 12, and 3 cases of T12, L1. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 8.0±0.8, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) was 68.8%±5.5%, and the Cobb angle of local kyphosis was (26.3±7.1)°. According to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scoring system, neurological impairment was assessed in 1 case of grade C, 4 cases of grade D, and 5 cases of grade E.ResultsAll the operations of 10 patients completed successfully. The operation time was 120-185 minutes (mean, 151.5 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 300-750 mL (mean, 450.0 mL). Dural sac tear occurred in 1 case during operation and was repaired, with no cerebrospinal fluid leakage after operation. All patients were followed up 24-50 months (mean, 31.2 months). At last follow-up, the VAS score was 1.9±0.9 and ODI was 13.0%±3.0%, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=17.530, P=0.000; t=31.890, P=0.000). Neurological function was improved significantly at 24 months after operation, and rated as ASIA grade E. The Cobb angles were (12.6±4.6)° at 3 days and (13.6±4.6)° at 24 months after operation, which were significantly different from those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between 3 days and 24 months after operation (P>0.05). At 24 months after operation, the grafted bone obtained good fusion at AL segment. During the follow-up, there was no failure of internal fixation such as nail withdrawal, broken nail, and broken rod.ConclusionDebridement and interbody fusion via posterior pedicle lateral approach for the ankylosing spondylitis with thoracolumbar AL can achieve satisfactory effectiveness, good fusion, and a certain correction of local kyphosis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of robot-guided percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in treatment of multi-segmental thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).MethodsA clinical data of 63 cases with multi-segmental thoracolumbar OVCF without neurologic deficit treated with PKP between October 2017 and February 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into robot-guided group (33 cases) and traditional fluoroscopy group (30 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, fracture segment, bone mineral density, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, midline vertebral height, and Cobb angle between the two groups (P>0.05). The time to establish the tunnel, the times of fluoroscopy, the dose of fluoroscopy, the deviation of puncture, the distribution of bone cement, the leakage of bone cement, the puncture angle, and the postoperative VAS score, midline vertebral height, and Cobb angle were recorded and compared.ResultsThe patients in two groups were followed up 11-13 months (mean, 12 months). Compared with traditional fluoroscopy group, the time to establish the tunnel, the times and dose of fluoroscopy in robot-guided group were significantly lower, the deviation of puncture was slighter, the distribution of bone cement was better, and the puncture angle was larger, the differences between the two groups were significant (P<0.05). There were 8 segments (9.3%, 8/86) of bone leakage in robot-guided group and 17 segments (22.6%, 17/75) in traditional fluoroscopy group, the difference between the two groups was significant (χ2=5.455, P=0.020). There was no significant difference in VAS score, the midline vertebral height, and Cobb angle between the two groups at 2 days after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05).ConclusionRobot-guided PKP in treatment of multi-segmental thoracolumbar OVCF can shorten the operation time, improve the accuracy of puncture, reduce the times and dose of fluoroscopy, reduce the leakage of bone cement, and achieve better cement distribution.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of robot-guided percutaneous fixation and decompression via small incision in treatment of advanced thoracolumbar metastases. Methods A clinical data of 57 patients with advanced thoracolumbar metastases admitted between June 2017 and January 2021 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 26 cases were treated with robot-guided percutaneous fixation and decompression via small incision (robot-guided group) and 31 cases with traditional open surgery (traditional group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, lesion segment, primary tumor site, and preoperative Tokuhashi score, Tomita score, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Karnofsky score, and Frankel grading between groups (P>0.05). The operation time, hospital stays, hospital expenses, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, blood transfusion, complications, and survival time were compared. The pedicle screw placement accuracy was evaluated according to the Gertzbein-Robbins grading by CT within 4 days after operation. The pain, function, and quality of life were evaluated by VAS score, ODI, Karnofsky score, and Frankel grading. Results During operation, 257 and 316 screws were implanted in the robot-guided group and the traditional group, respectively; and there was no significant difference in pedicle screw placement accuracy between groups (P>0.05). Compared with the traditional group, the operation time, hospital stays, duration of ICU stay were significantly shorter, and intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume were significantly lesser in the robot-guided group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in hospital expenses, blood transfusion rate, and complications between groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 8-32 months (mean, 14 months). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between groups at 7 days after operation (P>0.05), but the robot-guided group was superior to the traditional group at 1 and 3 months after operation (P<0.05). The postoperative ODI change was significantly better in the robot-guided group than in the traditional group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the postoperative Karnofsky score change and Frankel grading change when compared to the traditional group (P>0.05). Median overall survival time was 13 months [95%CI (10.858, 15.142) months] in the robot-guided group and 15 months [95%CI (13.349, 16.651) months] in the traditional group, with no significant difference between groups (χ2=0.561, P=0.454) . Conclusion Compared with traditional open surgery, the robot-guided percutaneous fixation and decompression via small incision can reduce operation time, hospital stays, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, and complications in treatment of advanced thoracolumbar metastases.