OBJECTIVE To study the difference between two internal fixation methods Kaneda and Z-plate in the operation of anterior surgical approach and decompression after thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: The bio-mechanical structure of the internal fixture, install when operating, complications and time of the operation were compared in the cases by Kaneda and Z-plate. RESULTS: Z-plate method had the following characteristics: reasonable of the bio-mechanical structure; stability after internal fixture being installed; capability of completely propping up the injured centrum and keeping the height of middle-column; simple operation when installing internal fixture and shorter time of operation (1.1 hours, P lt; 0.05); fewer complications. CONCLUSION: Z-plate is an ideal internal fixation method in the operation of anterior surgical approach after thoracolumbar fractures. Thoracolumbar vertebra Fracture Internal fixation
Objective To explore the effectiveness of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation on the indirect reduction of posterosuperior fracture fragment in the thoraculumbar burst fractures. Methods Patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated in the Fourth People’s Hospital of Zigong from September 2017 to September 2019 were collected retrospectively. All patients were treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. The main observation indexes before operation, 3 days after operation and 1 year after operation were compared, including the height ratio of the anterior margin of fractured vertebra, the inversion angle of posterosuperior fracture fragment, the fragment displacement, the occupancy rate of spinal canal, the Cobb angle of kyphosisat, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results A total of 38 patients were included. All patients were followed up for more than 1 year. During the follow-up period, there were no complications such as nerve injury, incision infection, internal fixation loosening or fracture. The operation time was (91.7±10.4) min, the amount of intraoperative bleeding was (94.3±19.5) mL, and the length of surgical incision was (9.3±1.8) cm. The height ratio of the anterior margin of fractured vertebra, the inversion angle of posterosuperior fracture fragment, the fragment displacement, the occupancy rate of spinal canal, the Cobb angle of kyphosisat 3 days after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05); the height ratio of the anterior margin of fractured vertebra, the occupancy rate of spinal canal, and the Cobb angle of kyphosisat 1 year after operation were also significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05); the height ratio of the anterior margin of fractured vertebra and the occupancy rate of spinal canalat 1 year after operation were significantly improved than those 3 days after operation (P<0.05), but the Cobb angle of kyphosis 1 year after operation was significantly lost than that 3 days after operation (P<0.05). The VAS score and ODI index 3 days and 1 year after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05), and the VAS score and ODI index 1 year after operation were improved compared with those 3 days after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion The percutaneous pedicle screw fixation can effectively reduce the retropulsed bone fragment indirectly and restore the Cobb angle of kyphosis of the thoraculumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit, and at the same time reduce the operation time and surgical trauma.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in anterior approach surgery for thoracolumbar fractures.MethodsFrom January 2017 to January 2020, a total of 68 thoracolumbar fracture patients undergoing anterior approach surgery were included and randomly divided into TXA group (n=33) and control group (n=35). Patients in the TXA group were given a dose of 15 mg/kg of TXA by intravenous infusion during 30 min before skin incision and an additional 15 mg/kg of TXA intravenously at 8 h after the first infusion, while the ones in the control group were given 15 mg/kg of normal saline at the same time. Basic data of the patients were collected. The hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, coagulation and fibrinolysis indexes of the patients were monitored preoperatively, 24-hour postoperatively, and 72-hour postoperatively. The intraoperative blood loss and wound drainage of the patients were recorded. The incidence of blood transfusion and thrombotic events were collected. Statistical analysis was performed.ResultsThere was no significant difference in age, sex, body mass index, operation time, fracture location distribution, anesthesia classification of American Society of Anesthesiologists, neurologic grade of American Spinal Injury Association, injury time, or length of hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with those in the control group, the total blood loss [(1 398.49±312.24) vs. (1 642.30±357.78) mL, P=0.003], intraoperative blood loss [(432.83±74.76) vs. (486.31±86.51) mL, P=0.008], and wound drainage [(276.73±89.42) vs. (389.24±125.71) mL, P<0.001] in the TXA group reduced. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in the preoperative hemoglobin or hematocrit (P>0.05), but the 24-hour postoperative hemoglobin concentration [(112.67±20.59) vs. (102.64±19.41) g/L, P=0.042] and hematocrit [(32.25±4.12)% vs. (30.13±4.28)%, P=0.042] in the TXA group were higher than those in the control group. The incidence of allogeneic blood transfusion in the TXA group was lower than that in the control group (6.1% vs. 25.7%, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative, 24-hour postoperative, or 72-hour postoperative prothrombin time, international standardized ratio, activated partial prothrombin time, platelet count, fibrinogen, d-dimer, or fibrinogen degradation products between the two groups (P>0.05), and no thrombotic complications were found.ConclusionTXA has good efficacy and safety in the anterior approach surgery for thoracolumbar fractures.
Objective To investigate the effects of different puncture levels on bone cement distribution and effectiveness in bilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Methods A clinical data of 274 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures who met the selection criteria between December 2017 and December 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent bilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty. During operation, the final position of the puncture needle tip reached was observed by C-arm X-ray machine. And 118 cases of bilateral puncture needle tips were at the same level (group A); 156 cases of bilateral puncture needle tips were at different levels (group B), of which 87 cases were at the upper 1/3 layer and the lower 1/3 layer respectively (group B1), and 69 cases were at the adjacent levels (group B2). There was no significant difference in gender, age, fracture segment, degree of osteoporosis, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between groups A and B and among groups A, B1, and B2 (P>0.05). The operation time, bone cement injection volume, postoperative VAS score, ODI, and bone cement distribution were compared among the groups. Results All operations were successfully completed without pulmonary embolism, needle tract infection, or nerve compression caused by bone cement leakage. There was no significant difference in operation time and bone cement injection volume between groups A and B or among groups A, B1, and B2 (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 3-32 months, with an average of 7.8 months. There was no significant difference in follow-up time between groups A and B and among groups A, B1, and B2 (P>0.05). At 3 days after operation and last follow-up, VAS score and ODI were significantly lower in group B than in group A (P<0.05), in groups B1 and B2 than in group A (P<0.05), and in group B1 than in group B2 (P<0.05). Imaging review showed that the distribution of bone cement in the coronal midline of injured vertebrae was significantly better in group B than in group A (P<0.05), in groups B1 and B2 than in group A (P<0.05), and in group B1 than in group B2 (P<0.05). In group A, 7 cases had postoperative vertebral collapse and 8 cases had other vertebral fractures. In group B, only 1 case had postoperative vertebral collapse during follow-up. ConclusionBilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures can obtain good bone cement distribution and effectiveness when the puncture needle tips locate at different levels during operation. When the puncture needle tips locate at the upper 1/3 layer and the lower 1/3 layer of the vertebral body, respectively, the puncture sites are closer to the upper and lower endplates, and the injected bone cement is easier to connect with the upper and lower endplates.
Objective To investigate the effect of the sequence of intermediate instrumentation with long screws and distraction-reduction on mild to moderate thoracolumbar fractures treated by posterior open and short-segmental fixation. MethodsThe clinical data of 68 patients with mild to moderate thoracolumbar burst fractures who met the selection criteria between January 2016 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into group ISDRF (intermediate screws then distraction-reduction fixation, 32 cases) and group DRISF (distraction-reduction then intermediate screws fixation, 36 cases) according to the different operation methods. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, body mass index, fracture segment, cause of injury, and preoperative load-sharing classification score, thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score, vertebral canal occupational rate, back pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, anterior height of fractured vertebra, and Cobb angle (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. The vertebral canal occupational rate, anterior height of fractured vertebra, kyphosis Cobb angle, and back pain VAS score before and after operation were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and operation time between the two groups (P>0.05). No vascular or spinal nerve injury and deep infections or skin infections occurred in both groups. At 1 week after operation, the vertebral canal occupational rate in the two groups was significantly improved when compared with that before operation (P<0.05), no significant difference was found in the difference of vertebral canal occupational rate before and after operation and improvement between the two groups (P>0.05). The patients in both groups were followed up 18-24 months, with an average of 22.3 months. All vertebral fractures reached bone union at 6 months postoperatively. At last follow-up, there was no internal fixation failures such as broken screws, broken rods or loose screws, but there were 2 cases of mild back pain in the ISDRF group. The intra-group comparison showed that the back pain VAS score, the anterior height of fractured vertebra, and the Cobb angle of the two groups were significantly improved at each time point postoperatively (P<0.05); the VAS scores at 12 months postoperatively and last follow-up were also improved when compared with that at 1 week postoperatively (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the anterior height of fractured vertebra in the ISDRF group was significantly lost when compared with that at 1 week and 12 months postoperatively (P<0.05), the Cobb angle had a significant loss when compared with that at 1 week postoperatively (P<0.05); the anterior height of fractured vertebra and Cobb angle in DRISF group were not significantly lost when compared with that at 1 week and 12 months postoperatively (P>0.05). The comparison between groups showed that there was no significant difference in the remission rate of VAS score between the two groups at 1 week postoperatively (P>0.05), the recovery value of the anterior height of fractured vertebra in ISDRF group was significantly higher than that in DRISF group (P<0.05), the loss rate at last follow-up was also significantly higher (P<0.05); the correction rate of Cobb angle in ISDRF group was significantly higher than that in DRISF group at 1 week postoperatively (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the loss rate of Cobb angle between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). ConclusionIn the treatment of mild to moderate thoracolumbar burst fractures with posterior short-segment fixation, the instrumentation of long screws in the injured vertebrae does not affect the reduction of the fracture fragments in the spinal canal. DRISF can better maintain the restored anterior height of the fractured vertebra and reduce the loss of kyphosis Cobb angle during the follow-up, indicating a better long-term effectiveness.
【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the surgical management of rigid post-traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis (RPTK) by simultaneous posterio-anterior circumferential releasing, correction and anterior corpectomy with preserved posterior vertebral wall. Methods Twenty patients with RPTK were treated between October 2004 and October 2010 by posterior releasing, anterior subtotal corpectomy with preserved posterior vertebral wall, correction, strut graft, and short segmental fixation. There were 14 males and 6 females with an average age of 43.2 years (range, 23-63 years). The time between injury and operation was 4 months to 23 years (mean, 1.4 years). The affected locations were T11 in 1 case, T12 in 8 cases, L1 in 10 cases, and L2 in 1 case. The Cobb angle and the intervertebral height of the fractured vertebra body were measured before and after operations. The degrees of low back pain were assessed by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. Results No incision infection, nerve injury, or cerebral spinal fluid leakage occurred. Seventeen patients were followed up 1-5 years with an average of 2.8 years. The JOA score at last follow-up (26.2 ± 3.9) was significantly improved when compared with the pre-operative score (14.0 ± 5.7) (t=4.536, P=0.001). One patient had aggravation of kyphosis at 3 months postoperatively, who was in stabilized condition after prolonging immobilizated time. The Cobb angle was corrected from (43.2 ± 11.5)° preoperatively to (9.8 ± 5.7)° at last follow-up, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.01). There was significant difference in the intervertebral height of the fractured vertebra body between preoperation and last follow-up (P lt; 0.05). The intervertebral height of fractured vertebra was restored to 87.0% ± 11.2% of adjacent disc height. Conclusion Posterio-anterior circumferential releasing and anterior corpectomy with preserved posterior vertebral wall can achieve satifactory clinical results, not only in pain relieving, kyphosis correction, vertebral height restoration, and spinal stability restoration, but also in the risk reduce of bleeding and spinal cord disturbance.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous puncture of thoracolumbar vertebral pedicle assisted by mixed reality technology based on multi-point registration algorithm. Methods The operator used two methods, namely MR-assisted puncture (a self-developed MR calibration method based on multi-point registration algorithm combined with MR head mounted equipment) and manual puncture, to perform percutaneous puncture of the thoracolumbar pedicle on the spinal prosthesis model. The distance between the first blind puncture point and the preset nail center point, and single registration and puncture time were compared among different puncture methods. Results Four operators completed a total of 48 MR-assisted punctures and 48 manual punctures. The deviation distance of MR-assisted puncture [(1.69±0.29) vs. (4.99±2.06) mm], registration and puncture time [(131.41±5.35) vs. (475.98±65.26) s] were all better than manual puncture (P<0.05). Conclusion The prosthetic model data shows that MR technology-assisted puncture based on multi-point registration algorithm can improve the accuracy and efficiency of percutaneous puncture of thoracolumbar vertebral pedicle compared to traditional manual puncture.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the clinical manifestation of thoracolumbar vertebral osteoid osteoma and to evaluate the surgical procedure and effectiveness of transpedicular tumor resection and spine reconstruction with posterior pedicle screw system and bone graft. Methods Between January 2001 and June 2010, 8 cases of thoracolumbar vertebral osteoid osteoma underwent one-stage transpedicular intralesional excision and bone graft combined with spine reconstruction with pedicle screw system through posterior approach. There were 5 males and 3 females with a median age of 15.5 years (range, 6-27 years). Affected segments included T8 in 1 case, T10 in 1 case, L2 in 2 cases, L3 in 1 case, L4 in 1 case, and L5 in 2 cases. All of the cases had back pain, 1 had radiating pain of lower extremity, and 4 patients presented with scoliosis. The mean diameter of lesions was 1.6 cm (range, 0.9-2.0 cm). Results The mean operation time was 110 minutes (range, 70-170 minutes) and the mean blood loss was 720 mL (range, 300-1 400 mL). The postoperative pathologic examination showed osteoid osteoma in all cases. All patients achieved healing of the incisions by first intention. Immediate relief of pain was observed after operation in all patients without complication. The patients were followed up 12-58 months (mean, 39 months). No local recurrence or spinal deformity was observed during the follow-up. Conclusion CT can show a low attenuation nidus with central mineralization and varying degrees of perinidal sclerosis, so it has great value for final diagnosis of thoracolumbar vertebral osteoid osteoma. One-stage transpedicular intralesional excision supplemented by impaction bone graft and combined posterior pedicle screw stabilization is a safe and effective treatment.
Objective To determine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of common pedicle screw placement under direct vision combined with dome shaped decompression via small incision for double segment thoracolumbar fracture with nerve injury. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 32 patients with double segment thoracolumbar fracture with nerve injury undergoing common pedicle screw placement under direct vision combined with dome shaped decompression via small incision between November 2011 and November 2015 (combined surgery group), and another 32 patients undergoing traditional open pedicle screw fixation surgery (traditional surgery group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, time of injury-to-surgery, injury segments and Frankel classification of neurological function between two groups (P>0.05). The length of soft tissue dissection, the operative time, the blood loss during surgery, the postoperative drainage, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of incision after surgery, and recovery of neurological function after surgery were evaluated. Results All cases were followed up 9 to 12 months (mean, 10.5 months) in combined surgery group, and 8 to 12 months (mean, 9.8 months) in traditional surgery group. The length of soft tissue dissection, the operative time, the blood loss during surgery, the postoperative drainage, and the postoperative VAS score in the combined surgery group were significantly better than those in the traditional surgery group (P<0.05). Dural rupture during surgery and pedicle screw pulling-out at 6 months after surgery occurred in 2 cases and 1 case of the combined surgery group; dural rupture during surgery occurred in 1 case of the traditional surgery group. The X-ray films showed good decompression, and fracture healing; A certain degree of neurological function recovery was achieved in two groups. Conclusion Common pedicle screw placement under direct vision combined with dome shaped decompression via small incision can significantly reduce iatrogenic trauma and provide good nerve decompression. Therefore, it is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment method for double segment thoracolumbar fracture with neurological injury.