Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and the value of balloon kyphoplasty in treating aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture. Methods Between January 2003 and January 2008, 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture patients were treated. There were 15 males and 21 females with an average age of 65.4 years (range, 59-72 years). Fourteen cases had no obvious history of trauma, 19 had a history of sl ight trauma, and 3 had a history of severe trauma. Forty vertebral bodies were involved, including 1 T7, 3 T9, 8 T10, 10 T12, 9 L1, 7 L2, and 2 L4. All patients displayed local pain and osteoporosis by bone density measurement with no neurological symptom of both lower limbs. Balloon kyphoplasty through unilateral (31 cases) or bilateral (5 cases) vertebral pedicles with polymethylmethacrylate was performed at the injection volume of (3.46 ± 0.86) mL per vertebral body. Before and after operation, the anterior height and posterior height of fractured vertebral body and the sagittal displacement were measured. Results Two cases had intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage; 1 case had no remission of waist-back pain and pain was released after symptomatic treatment. All 36 patients were followed up 2.3 years on average (range, 1.5-4.0 years). No cement leakage was found with good diffusion of cement on X-ray film. The restoration of the height of vertebral bodies was satisfactory without nerve compression symptoms and other compl ications. The Visual Analogue Score at last follow-up (2.34 ± 1.03) was significantly lower than that of preoperation (6.78 ± 1.21), (P lt; 0.05). The compressive percentage of anterior height (19.80% ± 1.03%) of fractured vertebral body after operation was significantly lower than that before operation(25.30% ± 2.50%), (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in posterior compressive percentage and sagittal displacement between pre- and post- operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Based on roentgenographic scores, balloon kyphoplasty is selectively used to treat aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture, and the radiographic and cl inical results were satisfactory.
A new fixator for spine was designed to restore the stability of spine in improving the treatment of thoraco-lumbar dislocation. This instrument was composed of six nails, two longitudinal connecting rods and two transverse connecting rods. On the surface of the nails, there were furrows engraved, instead of screw thread. It fixed the spine through pedicle of vertebra from the posterior approach. The fixed vertebrae were limited between two vertebrae. From 1989 th 1995, twelve patients with fracture-dislocation of thoraco-lumbar spine were reduced with this instrument. After four years follow-up, it showed that the deformity was corrected and the spine firmly fixed. Compared with Dick’s screws, it had the following advantages such as simple manipulation, increased strergth of nails and minimal damage to tissue during operation.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of robot-assisted (RA) minimally invasive surgery versus traditional fluoroscopy-assisted (FA) open posterior fixation surgery in treating thoracolumbar fractures with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsA clinical data of 21 cases of thoracolumbar fractures with AS who met the selection criteria between December 2016 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. Ten cases underwent RA minimally invasive surgery group (RA group) and 11 cases underwent FA open posterior fixation surgery (FA group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, fracture segment distribution, fracture type, time from injury to surgery, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading between RA group and FA group (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, radiation exposure time, radiation dose, hospital stay, and complications of the two groups were recorded. According to Gertzbein-Robbins criteria, the accuracy of screw implantation was evaluated by CT within 1 week after surgery. During follow-up, pain and nerve function were evaluated by VAS score and ASIA grading. ResultsAll patients underwent surgery successfully, and there was no significant difference in operation time (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay in the RA group were significantly less than those in the FA group (P<0.05), and the radiation exposure time and radiation dose were significantly more than those in the FA group (P<0.05). A total of 249 pedicle screws were implanted in the two groups, including 118 in the RA group and 131 in the FA group. According to the Gertzbein-Robbins criteria, the proportion of clinically acceptable screws (grades A and B) in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the FA group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 3-12 months, with an average of 6.8 months. The VAS scores of the two groups after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). The RA group had lower scores than the fluoroscopy group at 1 week and 3 months after surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in neurological function grading between groups at 1 week and 3 months after surgery (P>0.05). In the FA group, 1 case of deep infection and 1 case of deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity occurred, while no complication occurred in the RA group, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Both RA minimally invasive surgery and FA open posterior fixation surgery can achieve good effectiveness. Compared with the latter, the former has more advantages in terms of intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and accuracy of pedicle screw insertion.
Objective To explore the safety and effectiveness of one-stage posterior eggshell osteotomy and long-segment pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis combined with acute thoracolumbar vertebral fracture. Methods A clinical data of 20 patients with ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis combined with acute thoracolumbar spine fracture, who were treated with one-stage posterior eggshell osteotomy and long-segment pedicle screw fixation between April 2016 and January 2022, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 16 cases were male and 4 cases were female; their ages ranged from 32 to 68 years, with an average of 45.9 years. The causes of injury included 10 cases of sprain, 8 cases of fall, and 2 cases of falling from height. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 12 days, with an average of 7.1 days. The injured segment was T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 2 cases, L1 in 6 cases, and L2 in 10 cases. X-ray film and CT showed that the patients had characteristic imaging manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis, and the fracture lines were involved in the anterior, middle, and posterior columns and accompanied by different degrees of kyphosis and vertebral compression; and MRI showed that 12 patients had different degrees of nerve injuries. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, intra- and post-operative complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate the low back pain and quality of life, and the American spinal cord injury association (ASIA) classification was used to evaluate the neurological function. X-ray films were taken, and local Cobb angle (LCA) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured to evaluate the correction of the kyphosis. Results All operations were successfully completed and the operation time ranged from 127 to 254 minutes (mean, 176.3 minutes). The amount of intraoperative bleeding ranged from 400 to 950 mL (mean, 722.5 mL). One case of dural sac tear occurred during operation, and no cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred after repair, and the rest of the patients did not suffer from neurological and vascular injuries, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and other related complications during operation. All incisions healed by first intention without infection or fat liquefaction. All patients were followed up 8-16 months (mean, 12.5 months). The VAS score, ODI, LCA, and SVA at 3 days after operation and last follow-up significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05), and the difference between 3 days after operation and last follow-up was not significant (P>0.05). The ASIA grading of neurological function at last follow-up also significantly improved when compared with that before operation (P<0.05), including 17 cases of grade E and 3 cases of grade D. At last follow-up, all bone grafts achieved bone fusion, and no complications such as loosening, breaking of internal fixation, and pseudoarthrosis occurred. Conclusion One-stage posterior eggshell osteotomy and long-segment pedicle screw fixation is an effective surgical procedure for ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis combined with acute thoracolumbar vertebral fracture. It can significantly relieve patients’ clinical symptoms and to some extent, alleviate the local kyphotic deformity.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of posterior and anterior psoas abscess debridement and local chemotherapy in abscess cavity combined with focus debridement, bone grafting, and fixation via posterior approach in treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis, and explore the feasibility of psoas abscess debridement via posterior approach.MethodsBetween June 2012 and December 2015, the clinical data of 37 patients with thoracolumbar spine tuberculosis and psoas abscess were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent posterior focus debridement, bone grafting, and internal fixation, and were divided into two groups according to different approaches to psoas abscess debridement. Twenty-one patients in group A underwent abscess debridement and local chemotherapy in abscess cavity via posterior approach; 16 patients in group B underwent abscess debridement and local chemotherapy in abscess cavity via anterior approach. No significant difference was found between two groups in gender, age, disease duration, involved segments, preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP), side of psoas abscess, maximum transverse diameter and sagittal diameter of psoas abscess, accompanying abscess, abscess cavity separation, preoperative Cobb angle of involved segments, preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, time of abscess absorption and bone fusion were recorded and compared between 2 groups. The change of pre- and post-operative involved segments Cobb angle was observed. Neurological function was assessed according to ASIA classification.ResultsExcept that the operation time of group B was significantly longer than that of group A (t=–2.985, P=0.005), there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, time of abscess absorption and bone fusion between 2 groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 18-47 months (mean, 31.1 months). No cerebrospinal ?uid leakage occurred intra- and post-operation. Four patients in group A underwent second-stage operation of abscess debridement and local chemotherapy in abscess cavity via anterior approach. All patients got abscess absorption, meanwhile ESR and CRP level normalized at last follow-up. The involved segments Cobb angle improved significantly when compared with preoperative values in both 2 groups (P<0.05); and there was no significant difference between 2 groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). Nine patients with spinal cord injury had significant neurological recovery at last follow-up (Z=–2.716, P=0.007).ConclusionPosterior focus debridement, bone grafting, and internal fixation combined with abscess debridement and local chemotherapy in abscess cavity is effective in treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis, but in some cases anterior abscess debridement is still required.
Objective To review the latest progress in classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment with posterior approaches. Methods Recent l iterature about classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment was reviewed. Results For the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture, the surgeon first should decide whether the surgical treatment was necessary. Recently, a new classification system had been developed to help the surgeon make the right decision. The surgical methods included short segment internal fixation and long segment internalfixation with or without fusion, and minimally invasive internal fixation. Conclusion The progress in the surgical treatmentof thoracolumbar fracture will help spinal surgeon decide the necessary surgery beneficial for the patients. The most appropriate and effective surgical method with the minimum damage should be used to treat the fracture. The advantages of non-fusion surgical treatment still need a further study.
Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) guided with photoelectric navigation for thoracolumbar fractures. Methods Between May 2013 and June 2015, the clinical data of 39 patients with thoracolumbar fractures in accordance with the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into photoelectric navigation PPS group (trial group, 20 cases) and C-arm X-ray guidance PPS group (control group, 19 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, fracture vertebrae, AO classification, operation time after injury, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and vertebral compression ratio (VCR) between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The operation time, bleeding amount, perspective times, VAS score, and one-time success rate (OSR) of screw placement were recorded; VCR and endplate-screw angle (ESA) were measured; and pedicle-screw relationship (PSR) was assessed by Ringel’s method in radiographic result. Results Differences in operation time and bleeding amount were not significant between 2 groups (P > 0.05); perspective times of control group was significantly more than t hat of trial group (t=-15.658, P=0.000). The OSR of trial group (95.60%, 87/91) was significantly better than that of control group (86.75%, 72/83) (χ2=4.323, P=0.038). The patients were followed up 6-11 months (mean, 7.6 months) in trial group, and 7-11 months (mean, 7.8 months) in control group. No neurovascular complications associated with screw insertion occurred. Difference was not significant in VAS score at 7 days and 6 months after operation between 2 groups (P > 0.05), but VAS scores at 7 days and 6 months were significantly improved when compared with preoperative score in 2 groups (P < 0.05), and significant difference in VAS score was shown between at 7 days and 6 months in 2 groups (P < 0.05). VCR of trial group and control group were significantly improved to 94.75%±5.10% and 92.40%±5.09% at 6 months after operation from preoperative 71.97%±5.66% and 73.50%±5.97% (t=11.865, P=0.000; t=11.359, P=0.000), but there was no significant difference between 2 groups (t=1.442, P=0.158). ESA of trial group and control group were (1.82±1.13)° and (3.36±2.43)° at 6 months after operation, showing significant difference (t=5.421, P=0.000). At 6 months after operation, according to PSR classification, 83 screws rated as grade I, 6 as grade II, and 2 as grade III, and excellent and good rate of screw replacement was 97.80% in trial group; 54 screws were rated as grade I, 19 as grade II, 7 as grade III, and 3 as grade IV, and excellent and good rate of screw replacement was 87.95% in control group; difference was significant between 2?groups (χ2=18.347, P=0.000). Conclusion Application of photoelectric navigation can guide screws placement by the two-dimensional multi pl ane dynamic image, has better accuracy of screws position in thoracolumbar fractures, reduces the introperative X-ray perspective times, maintains good reduction of vertebral body, and achieves satisfactory effectiveness.
Objective To design a new extracorporeal reduction device for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation of thoracolumbar fractures (short for “new reduction device”), and to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods According to the mechanism of thoracolumbar fractures and biomechanics characteristic of reduction, a new reduction device was designed and used in a combination with long U-shaped hollow pedicle screw system. Between January 2014 and January 2016, 36 patients (group A) with single segment thoracolumbar fracture without neurological complications underwent percutaneous pedicle screw fixation, and the clinical data were compared with those of another 39 patients (group B) with thoracolumbar fracture underwent traditional open pedicle screw fixation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, classification of fractures, segments of fractures, injury to operation interval, height percentage of injury vertebrae, and kyphotic angle between 2 groups (P>0.05). The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, length of incision, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, visual analogue scale (VAS) at postoperative 24 hours, fluoroscopy frequency, ambulation time, height percentage of injury vertebrae, kyphotic angle and correction. Results Group A was significantly better than group B in the operation time, length of incision, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, VAS score at postoperative 24 hours, and ambulation time (P<0.05). However, fluoroscopy frequency of group B was significantly less than that of group A (P<0.05). All patients were followed up 11.2 months on average (range, 7-15 months). There was no intraoperative and postoperative complications of iatrogenic nerve injury, infection, breakage of internal fixation. Mild pulling-out of pedicle screws occurred in 1 case of group A during operation. The kyphotic angle and height percentage of the fractured vertebral body were significantly improved at 3 days after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 3 days after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Minimally invasive extracorporeal reduction device for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is an effective and safe treatment of thoracic vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae fractures, because of little trauma, less bleeding, and quicker recovery.
Objective To observe and evaluate the clinical effect of the new fenestration rammer in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture by posterior internal fixation and reduction of lamina with finite fenestration decompression. Methods Patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures admitted to Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital between September 2017 and January 2020 were retrospectively selected. The patients were divided into observation group and control group according to different surgical methods. The observation group used a new tamping device with finite fenestration rammer of unilateral lamina to reduce the spinal occupying bone mass, and the control group used conventional instruments for reduction of intraspinal fracture masses. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, CT measurement of sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal and the number of cases of postoperative vertebral empty shell phenomenon were recorded in the two groups, and Frankel grading evaluation of spinal nerve function was conducted. Results A total of 67 patients were included. There were 33 cases in the observation group and 34 cases in the control group. The patients in both groups were followed up for 12 to 16 months, with an average of (14.45±2.25) months. The improvement rate of Frankel rating in each group was 100%. In the control group and the observation group, except for the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal before operation (P=0.616), the operation time [(150.44±26.47) vs. (120.91±20.86) min], the intraoperative blood loss [(244.41±42.97) vs. (183.33±34.56) mL], the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal one week after operation [(92.50±2.32)% vs. (93.72±2.40)%], the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal at the last follow-up [(91.50±2.96)% vs. (93.17±3.27)%] and the occurrence of empty shell phenomenon (13 vs. 5 cases) were statistically significant (P<0.05). The intragroup comparison showed that the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal was improved one week after operation and at the last follow-up compared with that before operation (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal between one week after operation and the last follow-up (P>0.05). Conclusions The new fenestration rammer can effectively reduce the spinal occupying bone mass in thoracolumbar burst fracture, effectively restore the volume of the spinal canal, achieve the purpose of decompression, effectively prevent the formation of vertebral shell, maximize the retention of the stable structure of the posterior column, and avoid iatrogenic nerve injury. It is safe and effective.