ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of over-bending rod reduction and fixation technique via posterior approach in the treatment of unstable fresh thoracolumbar burst fracture.MethodsA clinical data of 27 patients with unstable fresh thoracolumbar burst fracture, who were met the inclusive criteria and admitted between January 2018 and October 2019, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 12 females with an average age of 41.8 years (range, 26-64 years). The fractures were caused by falling from height in 14 cases, traffic accident in 8 cases, and crushing by a heavy objective in 5 cases. The interval between injury and operation was 1-7 days (mean, 3.2 days). The injured fracture was located at T10 in 1 case, T11 in 3 cases, T12 in 6 cases, L1 in 7 cases, L2 in 7 cases, and L3 in 3 cases. According to AO classification, there were 11 cases of type A3, 7 cases of type B, and 9 cases of type C. Neurological function was rated as grade A in 3 cases, grade B in 7 cases, grade C in 5 cases, and grade D in 12 cases according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading. All cases were treated by over-bending rod reduction and fixation technique via posterior approach, and 16 cases were combined with limited fenestration decompression. The evaluation indicators consisted of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the compression ratio of the anterior vertebral height, the invasion rate of the injured vertebra into the spinal canal, the Cobb angle of segmental kyphosis, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).ResultsThe operation time was 67-128 minutes (mean, 81.6 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 105-295 mL (mean, 210 mL). All patients were followed up 12-23 months (mean, 17.2 months). A total of 178 pedicle screws were implanted during operation, and the accuracy of the implantation was 98.9% (176/178). The compression ratios of the anterior vertebral height at the early postoperatively and last follow-up were significantly increased when compared with preoperative one (P<0.05), and the invasion rate of the injured vertebra into the spinal canal, Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI were significantly lower than those preoperatively (P<0.05). Except that the ODI at last follow-up was significantly lower than that of the early postoperative period (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the last follow-up and the early postoperative period for other indicators (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the neurological function was rated as grade A in 1 case, grade B in 2 cases, grade C in 4 cases, grade D in 9 cases, and grade E in 11 cases according to the ASIA grading, showing significant difference when compared with that before operation (Z=–3.446, P=0.001).ConclusionOver-bending rod reduction and fixation technique can effectively restore vertebral height, reset the invaded vertebral block, and selectively perform limited decompression and posterolateral bone grafting to ensure the completeness of intravertebral decompression and stability, which is one of the effective methods to treat unstable fresh thoracolumbar burst vertebral fracture.
Objective To explore the safety and effectiveness of multisegmental thoracic ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL) treated by laminectomy, posterior longitudinal ligament ossification block release combined with dekyphosis orthopedic surgery using ultrasonic bone scalpel system. Methods The clinical data of 8 patients with multisegmental T-OPLL treated with laminectomy, posterior longitudinal ligament ossification block release combined with dekyphosis orthopedic surgery using ultrasonic bone scalpel system between January 2020 and April 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 5 females; the age ranged from 41 to 67 years, with a mean of 57.1 years. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 74 months, with a mean of 33.4 months. Symptoms were progressive numbness and weakness of both lower limbs, unsteady walking, chest and back pain in 3 cases, and urinary and bowel dysfunction in 5 cases; 7 cases showed increased muscle strength of the lower limbs, hyperreflexia of the tendons, and a positive Babinski sign, and 1 case showed decreased muscle strength of the lower limbs, decreased skin sensation, decreased knee and Achilles tendon reflexes, and a negative pathologic sign. Multisegmental posterior longitudinal ligament ossification of thoracic spine was found in 8 cases, with 4-8 segments of ossification, and in 5 cases with multisegmental ossification of the ligamentum flavum. The preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) thoracic spinal function score was 4.3±0.9, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.9±1.0, and the the kyphotic Cobb angle of the stenosis segment was (34.62±10.76)°. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded. VAS score was used to evaluate the back pain, JOA score was used to evaluate the thoracic spinal cord function and the JOA improvement rate was calculated, and the kyphotic Cobb angle of the stenosis segment was measured and the Cobb angle improvement rate was calculated. Results The operation time ranged from 210 to 340 minutes, with a mean of 271.62 minutes; intraoperative blood loss ranged from 900 to 2 100 mL, with a mean of 1 458.75 mL; the number of resected vertebral plates ranged from 4 to 8, with a mean of 6.1; dural tears and cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases, and the incisions healed by first intention. All 8 cases were followed up 12-26 months, with a mean of 18.3 months. There was no complication such as loosening of internal fixator, breakage of screws and rods, and no significant progress of ossification. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 1.4±0.7, the JOA thoracic spinal function score was 9.8±0.7, and the the kyphotic Cobb angle of the stenosis segment was (22.12±8.28)°, all of which significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (t=11.887, P<0.001; t=13.015, P<0.001; t=7.395, P<0.001). The JOA improvement rate was 81.06%±10.93%, of which 5 cases were rated as excellent and 3 cases as good; the Cobb angle improvement rate was 36.51%±14.20%. Conclusion Laminectomy, posterior longitudinal ligament ossification block release combined with dekyphosis orthopedic surgery using ultrasonic bone scalpel system is a safe, effective, and simple method for the treatment of multisegmental T-OPLL, which is a feasible option.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of modified recapping laminoplasty preserving the continuity of supraspinous ligament in the treatment of intraspinal benign tumors in upper cervical vertebrae and its influence on the stability of the cervical vertebrae. MethodsThe clinical data of 13 patients with intraspinal benign tumors in upper cervical vertebrae treated between January 2012 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 8 females, the age ranged from 21 to 78 years, with an average of 47.3 years. The disease duration ranged from 6 to 53 months, with an average of 32.5 months. The tumors located between C1 and C2. Postoperative pathology showed 6 cases of schwannoma, 3 cases of meningioma, 1 case of gangliocytoma, 2 cases of neurofibroma, and 1 case of hemangioblastoma. During operation the continuity of the supraspinal ligament were retained, the lamina ligament complex was lifted to expose the spinal canal via the approach of the outer edge of the bilateral lamina, and the lamina was fixed after the resection of the intraspinal tumors. Before and after operation, the atlantodental interval (ADI) was measured on three-dimensional CT; the effectiveness was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the neck dysfunction index (NDI) was used to evaluate the cervical function, and the total rotation of the cervical spine was recorded. Results The operation time was 117-226 minutes (mean, 127.3 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 190-890 mL (mean, 227.8 mL). The tumors were completely removed in all patients. There was no vertebral artery injury, aggravation of neurological dysfunction, epidural hematoma, infection, or other related complications. Two patients occurred cerebrospinal fluid leakage after operation, which were healed through electrolyte supplement and local pressure treatment of incision. All the patients were followed up 14-37 months, with an average of 16.9 months. Imaging examination showed no recurrence of tumor, displacement of vertebral lamina, loosening and displacement of internal fixator, and secondary reduction of vertebral canal volume. At last follow-up, JOA score significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05). Among them, 8 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and 2 cases were medium, with an excellent and good rate was 84.6%. There was no significant difference in ADI, total rotation of the cervical spine, and NDI between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). ConclusionThe treatment of intraspinal benign tumors in upper cervical vertebrae with modified recapping laminoplasty preserving the continuity of the supraspinous ligament can restore the normal anatomical structure of the spinal canal and maintain the stability of the cervical spine.
Objective To investigate whether recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) can replace traditional B27 as a basic medium for differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into cardiomyocytes. Methods hPSCs were seeded at a cell density of 1.2×104/cm2; until up to 75% confluency hPSCs were induced by differentiation medium containing various concentration of rHSA (0, 50, 100, 200 g/L). Light microscope and fluorescence microscope recorded the whole process of stem cells differentiating into myocardium. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cardiac differentiation efficiency at different concentrations of rHSA. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the cardiac specific protein α-actinin and troponin T (cTnT) and electron microscope to observe the ultrastructure of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CM) and beating rates of hPSC-CMs response to drugs. Results A large number of spontaneous beating cardiomyocytes were observed 9 days after induction and differentition. The percentage of colonies showing beating cardiomyocytes was 60.4% at the concentration of 200 g/L of rice derived-rHSA. Beating cardiomyocytes were α-actinin and cTnT positive. Ultrastructural analysis showed scattered sarcomeres and mitochondrial. hPSC-CMs were dose-dependent on isopropyl adrenaline and verapamil. Conclusion Using such simple media to differentiate hPSCs into functional cardiomyocytes is cost-effective and highly efficient, and can be used in the clinical research.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the single-stage anterior eccentric kyphotic distraction reduction technique (EKD-RT) for treating lower cervical dislocation with locked facet joints, assessing its reduction success rate, neurological improvement, and safety. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 67 patients with lower cervical dislocation and locked facet joints (21 unilateral, 46 bilateral) treated between January 2015 and January 2024. There were 39 males and 28 females, with an average age of 49.5 years (range, 22-75 years). The injured segments included C3, 4 in 4 cases, C4, 5 in 13 cases, C5, 6 in 22 cases, and C6, 7 in 28 cases. The interval between injury and admission ranged from 2 hours to 2 days (mean, 5.6 hours). Preoperative Frankel grading included grade A in 9 cases, grade B in 28 cases, grade C in 17 cases, grade D in 11 cases, and grade E in 2 cases. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 7.0±1.4. All patients underwent single-stage anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Following discectomy at the dislocated level, the EKD-RT was applied to unlock and reduce the locked facet joints, followed by internal fixation. Operation time, blood loss, reduction success rate, and complications were recorded. Interbody fusion status was evaluated using Bridwell criteria. Neurological status was assessed pre- and post-operatively using Frankel grading. Spinal cord function was scored using the 17-point JOA score, and the improvement rate was calculated. Results Successful reduction of the locked facet joints achieved in all cases. The operation time was 41-85 minutes (range, 63.3 minutes), and intraoperative blood loss was 50-360 mL (range, 125.0 mL). Complications included cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 2 cases; no severe complications such as major vascular injury or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17.9 months). At last follow-up, radiological examination confirmed interbody fusion in all patients, with no implant failure or migration. The Frankel grading included grade A in 3 cases, grade B in 9 cases, grade C in 13 cases, grade D in 16 cases, and grade E in 26 cases; the JOA score reached 13.7±2.3; all of which significantly improved compared to preoperative levels (P<0.05). The improvement rate of JOA score was 66.1%±24.7%. Conclusion The EKD-RT is an effective surgical approach for lower cervical dislocation with locked facet joints. It enables safe and efficient reduction of the locked facet joints via a single incision, resulting in significant neurological improvement with a low complication rate.
Sub-threshold depression refers to a psychological sub-health state that fails to meet the diagnostic criteria for depression. Appropriate intervention can improve the state and reduce the risks of disease development. In this paper, we focus on music neurofeedback stimulation improving emotional state of sub-threshold depression college students.Twenty-four college students with sub-threshold depression participated in the experiment, 16 of whom were members of the experimental group. Decompression music based on spectrum classification was applied to 16 experimental group participants for 10 min/d music neural feedback stimulation with a period of 14 days, and no stimulation was applied to 8 control group participants. Three feature parameters of electroencephalogram (EEG) relative power, sample entropy and complexity were extracted for analysis. The results showed that the relative power of α、β and θ rhythm increased, while δ rhythm decreased after the stimulation of musical nerofeedback in the experimental group. The sample entropy and complexity were significantly increased after the stimulation, and the differences of these parameters pre and post stimulation were statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the differences of all feature parameters in the control group were not statistically significant. In the experimental group, the scores of self-rating depression scale(SDS) decreased after the stimulation of musical nerofeedback, indicating that the depression was improved. The result of this study showed that music neurofeedback stimulation can improve sub-threshold depression and may provides an effective new way for college students to self-regulation of emotion.
Objective To evaluate the effect of associated ulnar styloid fracture on wrist function after distal radius fracture by comparing the cl inical data between the cases of distal radius fracture with or without ulnar styloid fractures. Methods The cl inical data of 182 patients with distal radius fracture between February 2005 and May 2010 were retrospectively analyzed, including 75 with ulnar styloid fracture (group A), and 107 without ulnar styloid fracture (group B). There was no significant difference in sex, age, disease duration, and fracture classification between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In groups A and B, closed reduction and spl intlet or cast fixation were performed in 42 and 63 cases respectively, and openreduction and internal fixation in 33 and 44 cases respectively. All ulnar styloid fractures were not treated. Results Thepatients were followed up 21 months on average in group A and 20 months on average in group B. All incisions healed by first intention after operation. Ulnar wrist pain occurred in 4 patients (5.3%) of group A and 6 patients (5.6%) of group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.063, P=0.802). The fracture heal ing time was (10.9 ± 2.7) weeks in group A and (11.6 ± 2.3) weeks in group B, showing no significant difference (t=1.880, P=0.062). There was no significant difference in the palmar tilt angle, the ulnar incl ination angle, and the radial length between groups A and B when fracture healing (P gt; 0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in wrist flexion-extension, radial-ulnar deviation, pronation-supination, and grip and pinch strength between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). According to the Gartland-Werley score in groups A and B, the results were excellent in 24 and 35 cases, good in 43 and 57 cases, fair in 5 and 10 cases, and poor in 3 and 5 cases with execllent and good rate of 89.3% and 86.0%, respectively, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (Z= —0.203, P=0.839). There were significant differences in the above indexes between patients undergoing closed reduction and open reduction in group A (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Associated ulnar styloid fracture has no obvious effect on the wrist function after distal radius fracture. The anatomical reduction of distal radial fracture is the crucial importance in the treatment of distal radial fracture accompanying ulnar styloid fracture.
Objective To investigate the safety and reliability of ultrasonic bone curette in posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty. Methods The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, from 193 patients who underwent single open-door laminoplasty (C 3–7) from January 2012 to January 2016. The patients were divided into three groups according to different instruments: posterior single open-door laminoplasty was performed with ultrasonic bone curette in 61 cases (group A), with bite forceps in 73 cases (group B), and with micro-grinding drill in 59 cases (group C). There was no significant difference in gender, age, the course of disease, underlying disease and preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) between groups (P>0.05). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume at 48 hours, JOA score, improvement rate, VAS and perioperative com-plication were compared. Results The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and drainage volume at 48 hours of group A were significantly less than those in groups B and C (P<0.05), but there was no significant between groups B and C (P>0.05). The follow-up time was 12-21 months (mean, 14.6 months) in group A, 24-36 months (mean, 27.5 months) in group B, and 28-47 months (mean, 38.1 months) in group C. There were no cerebrospinal fluid leakage and incision infection in three groups. No complications of internal fixation loosening and rupture occurred during the follow-up. Rediating pain occurred in 6 cases of group A, 8 cases of group B, and 6 cases of group C, and was cured at 1 week after dehydration and physical therapy. No nerve root palsy was found in three groups. Fracture of portal axis occurred in 5 cases (7 segments) of group B and was fixed by micro titanium plate. The JOA score and VAS score at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores in three groups (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in JOA score and improvement rate and VAS score between groups (P>0.05). Conclusion It is safe and reliable to use the ultrasonic bone curette in posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty. It can shorten the operative time and has similar clinical curative effect to the traditional operation, and the lateral rotation of the lamina can be avoided.
ObjectiveTo investigate reliability and short-term effectiveness of axis laminar screws for reducible atlantoaxial dislocation (RAAD).MethodsA clinical data of 41 patients with RAAD who were admitted between February 2013 and February 2018 and met the inclusion criteria was retrospectively analyzed. The atlases in all patients were fixated by lateral mass screws, and the axes were fixed by laminar screws in 13 cases (LS group) and by pedicle screws in 28 cases (PS group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, and preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The effectiveness was estimated by post-operative JOA score; and the accuracy of the axis screw, atlantoaxial bone graft fusion, and the fixation stability were examined by X-ray film and CT.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-17 months (mean, 13.8 months) in LS group and 12-20 months (mean 14.1 months) in PS group, and the difference in follow-up time was not significant (Z=?0.704, P=0.482). At last follow-up, JOA scores were 13.9±1.6 in LS group and 14.3±1.8 in PS group, which significantly improved when compared with the pre-operative scores in the two groups (t=?9.033, P=0.000; t=?15.835, P=0.000); while no significant difference was found between the two groups (t=?0.630, P=0.532). Twenty-five screws of 26 screws in LS group and 54 screws of 56 screws in PS group were implanted accurately, with no significant difference in the accuracy of the axis screw between the two groups (Z=?0.061, P=0.951). All patients obtained atlantoaxial bone graft fusion, except 1 case in PS group. There was no significant difference in the atlantoaxial bone graft fusion between the two groups (Z=?0.681, P=0.496).ConclusionFor RAAD, Axis laminar screws can maintain the atlantoaxial primary stability and had a good short-term effectiveness. So, it could be an alternative and reliable technique for axis screw.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of a zero-profile three-dimensiaonal (3D)-printed microporous titanium alloy Cage and a conventional titanium plate combined with a polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK)-Cage in the treatment of single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods The clinical data of 83 patients with single-segment CSM treated with ACDF between January 2022 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into 3D-ZP group (35 cases, using zero-profile 3D-printed microporous titanium alloy Cage) and CP group (48 cases, using titanium plate in combination with PEEK-Cage). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, surgical intervertebral space, and preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neck disability index (NDI), vertebral height at the fusion segment, Cobb angle, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, complications, interbody fusion, and prosthesis subsidence were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score, NDI, and JOA score were used to evaluate the improvement of pain and function before operation, at 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the vertebral height at the fusion segment and Cobb angle were measured by imaging. The degree of dysphagia was assessed by the Bazaz dysphagia scale at 1 week and at last follow-up. Results The operation was successfully completed in all the 83 patients. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05), but the operation time in the 3D-ZP group was significantly shorter than that in the CP group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 24-35 months, with an average of 25.3 months, and there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence and grade of dysphagia in CP group were significantly higher than those in 3D-ZP group at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no dysphagia in 3D-ZP group at last follow-up. There was no complication such as implant breakage or displacement in both groups. The intervertebral fusion rates of 3D-ZP group and CP group were 65.71% (23/35) and 60.42% (29/48) respectively at 3 months after operation, and there was no significant difference between the two groups [OR (95%CI)=1.256 (0.507, 3.109), P=0.622]. The JOA score, VAS score, and NDI significantly improved in the 3D-ZP group at 3 months and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement rate of JOA between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). At 3 months after operation and at last follow-up, the vertebral height at the fusion segment and Cobb angle significantly improved in both groups, and the two indexes in 3D-ZP group were significantly better than those in CP group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the incidence of prosthesis subsidence in 3D-ZP group (8.57%) was significantly lower than that in CP group (29.16%) (P<0.05). ConclusionThe application of zero-profile 3D-printed Cage and titanium plate combined with PEEK-Cage in single-segment ACDF can both reconstruct the stability of cervical spine and achieve good effectiveness. Compared with the latter, the application of the former in ACDF can shorten the operation time, reduce the incidence of prosthesis subsidence, and reduce the incidence of dysphagia.