Objective To evaluate the efficacy of posterior approach discectomy with and without fusion in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1950 to June 2007), OVID (1950 to April 2007), PUBMED, the China Biological Medicine Database (1978 to June 2007) and Wanfang Database (1981 to February 2007). We also handsearched several relevant journals for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs) comparing posterior approach discectomy with and without fusion in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. The quality of the included trials was assessed. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.8 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Nine eligible trials involving 1911 patients were included. The meta-analyses found no statistically significant differences between the two operative procedures in the incidence of postoperative leg pain [RR 0.94, 95%CI (0.69, 1.28)], the proportion of patients requiring re-operation [RR 0.77, 95% CI (0.57, 1.04)], the incidence of post-operative lumbar canal stenosis [RR 1.23, 95%CI (0.26, 5.86)], and the relapse rate at other intervertebral spaces [RR 1.05, 95%CI (0.49, 2.26)] (Pgt;0.05).There is statistically significant differences between the two group in the incidence of peri-operative complications [RR 1.46, 95%CI (1.06, 2.00)]. Discectomy plus fusion was superior to discectomy alone in incidence of postoperative back pain [RR 0.70, 95%CI (0.53, 0.94)], relapse rate at either intervertebral space [RR 0.30, 95%CI (0.18, 0.48)] and at the same intervertebral space [RR 0.12, 95%CI (0.04, 0.37)]. Conclusions Since all the included studies were controlled trials with a great potential for biases, high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of varicose great saphenous vein (GSV) treatment alone versus combined treatment with iliac vein compression (IVC) intervention in improving lower extremity symptoms and prognosis among the patients with varicose GSV complicated by IVC. MethodsBased on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients with varicose GSV complicated by IVC treated at the Day Service Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from May 2022 to January 2025 were retrospectively enrolled. The patients were assigned into two groups according to the treatment strategies: the varicose GSV treatment alone group (control group) and the combined treatment group for varicose GSV and IVC (observation group). The primary endpoints included the closure rate of the GSV trunk, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), and venous insufficiency epidemiological and economic study quality of life/symptom (VEINES-QOL/Sym) questionnaire score at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The significance level was set at α=0.05. ResultsA total of 264 patients with left lower extremity varicose GSV complicated by IVC were included. The observation group comprised 32 patients, while the remaining 232 patients underwent 1∶3 propensity score-matching, resulting in 96 matched patients in the control group. The baseline characteristics, including gender, age, and comorbidities, showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, the GSV trunk closure rate was 100% in both groups. Within-group comparisons revealed significant improvements in the VCSS and VEINES-QOL/Sym points at 6 and 12 months as compared with preoperative (on admission) values (P<0.05). Between-group comparisons showed that the observation group had greater improvement in the VEINES-QOL/Sym score at 6 months (P=0.028), but no significant difference in the VCSS (P=0.775); At 12 months, the observation group demonstrated significantly better the VCSS (P<0.001) and VEINES-QOL/Sym points (P<0.001) as compared with the control group. ConclusionsFor patients with left lower extremity GSV varicosities complicated by IVC, both treatment strategies significantly improve symptoms. Results of short-term follow-up (6 months) demonstrate early advantages in quality of life improvement with concurrent IVC intervention, while results of 12-month follow-up indicate superior efficacy in both symptom relief and quality of life enhancement. Therefore, concurrent IVC intervention may provide greater clinical benefits for mid- to long-term prognosis for patients with left lower extremity GSV varicosities complicated by IVC.
OBJECTIVE To summarize the clinical results of hollow compression screw in treatment of fracture of neck of femur in the aged. METHODS: From November 1993 to October, 1998, 52 aged patients with several types of fracture of neck of femur were treated; among them, there were 25 males and 27 females aged from 60 to 83 years (70 years on average). There were 48 cases of fresh fracture and 4 cases of old fracture. Forty-two cases were performed closed reduction internal fixation, 10 cases with open reduction internal fixation. RESULTS: All the patients could sit by themselves 4 to 6 days after operation, and could walk with a crutch 10 to 15 days after operation. The mobility of hip joint was nearly normal 4 weeks after operation. All the patients were followed 26 to 84 months, 48.5 months on average. Bone union was achieved in 50 cases, nonunion in 2 cases. The average healing time was 4.7 months. There were no other complications, such as ankylosis and muscular atrophy, but ischemic necrosis in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: This method has following advantages, convenient manipulation, less injury, stable fixation, and the short-term recovery, which avoid some common complications. It is a reliable method worthy of popularizing.
Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of apoptosis-related gene Fas and recovery of neurological function after surgical decompression at different time points in acute spinal cord injury (SCI) rat model by cerclage. Methods A total of 100 13-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats (weighing, 255-376 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=25). The rats only received laminectomy in group A as control; the rats were made the acute SCI models by cerclage in groups B, C, and D. The spinal cord decompression was performed in group B at 8 hours and in group C at 72 hours, no spinal cord decompression in group D. At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score and inclined plane test were used to evaluate the recovery of neurological function; the neuronal apoptosis level of spinal cord was examined by TUNEL staining; HE staining and immunohistochemical staining were applied to analyze the expressions of Fas. Results The BBB score and inclined plane test score in group A were significantly better than those in groups B, C, and D at different time points (P lt; 0.05); group B was significantly better than groups C and D, and group C than group D at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days (P lt; 0.05). In group A, no bleeding, edema, or necrosis was found. The edema, hemorrhage, and neuron death were observed in spinal cord tissue of groups B, C, and D at 1 day after operation, especially in group D. The degree of cell degeneration in group B was lighter than that in groups C and D at 3 and 7 days after operation; few glial cells and fibroblast proliferation were found at damaged zone in group B at 14 and 21 days, but necrosis and cystic cavity in groups C and D. Fas and TUNEL expression was little in group A at different time points. Fas and TUNEL were expressed in groups B, C, and D; the expressions of Fas and TUNEL reached the maximum at 3 days, and then gradually decreased at 7 and 21 days. The number of positive cells was highest in group D, and the number of positive cells in group B was significantly less than that in groups C and D (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Early decompression of SCI is beneficial to recovering the neurological function. The Fas signal pathway may play an important role in the apoptosis of neuron and glial cells after SCI.
Objective To investigate the causes and preventive methods of the bone cement leakage in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral body compression fracture (OVCF). Methods From April 2003 to November 2007, 116 patients with OVCF were treated with PKP, including 57 males and 59 females aged 65-92 years old (average 67.7 years old). All the patients suffered from trauma and the course of disease was 1-14 days (average 5.7 days). There were 159compressed and fractured vertebral bodies, including one vertebral body in 83 cases, two vertebral bodies in 24 cases, three vertebral bodies in 8 cases, and four vertebral bodies in 1 case. The diagnosis of OVCF was confirmed by imaging examination before operation. All the patients had intact posterior vertebral walls, without symptoms of spinal and nerve root injury. During operation, 3.5-7.1 mL bone cement (average 4.8 mL) was injected into single vertebral body. Results The operation time was 30-90 minutes (average 48 minutes). Obvious pain rel ief was achieved in all the patients after operation. X-rays examination 2 days after operation revealed that the injured vertebral bodies were well replaced without further compression and deformation, and the bone cement was evenly distributed. Fourteen vertebral bodies had bone cement leakage (4 of anterior leakage, 4 of lateral leakage, 3 of posterior leakage, 2 of intervertebral leakage, 1 of spinal canal leakage). The reason for the bone cement leakage included the individual ity of patient, the standardization of manipulation and the time of injecting bone cement. During the follow-up period of 12-30 months (average 24 months), all the patients got their normal l ife back, without pain, operation-induced spinal canal stenosis, obvious height loss of injured vertebral bodies and other compl ications. Conclusion For OVCF, PKP is a mini-invasive, effective and safe procedure that provides pain rel ief and stabil ization of spinal stabil ity. The occurrence of bone cement leakages can be reduced by choosing the suitable case, improving the viscosity of bone cement, injecting the proper amount of bone cement and precise location during operation.
ObjectiveTo review the definition and possible etiologies for C5 palsy. MethodsThe literature on C5 palsy at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the possible etiologies were analyzed based on clinical practice experience. ResultsThere are two main theories (nerve root tether and spinal cord injury) accounting for the occurrence of C5 palsy, but both have certain limitations. The former can not explain the occurrence of C5 palsy after anterior cervical spine surgery, and the latter can not explain that the clinical symptoms of C5 palsy is often the motor dysfunction of the upper limb muscles. Based on the previous reports, combining our clinical experience and research, we propose that the occurrence of C5 palsy is mainly due to the instrumental injury of anterior horn of cervical spinal cord during anterior cervical decompression. In addition, the C5 palsy following surgery via posterior approach may be related to the nerve root tether caused by the spinal cord drift after decompression. ConclusionIn view of the main cause of C5 palsy after cervical decompression, it is recommended to reduce the compression of the spinal cord by surgical instruments to reduce the risk of this complication.
Objective To evaluates the appl ication of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique in treatment of distal tibia fractures with locking compression plate (LCP). Methods From August 2002 to August 2007, 62 subjects were recruited (36 males and 26 females) at mean age of 44 years old (range, 21-87 years old). According to AOclassification, there were 8 cases of type A1, 15 cases of type A2, 9 cases of type A3, 7 cases of type B3, 11 cases of type C1, and 12 cases of type C2. Of them, 52 patients had closed fractures and 10 had open fractures. Ten open fractures included 6 Grade I fracture and 4 Grade II fracture. The time from injury to operation was 8 hours to 6 days. The X-ray films were taken after 3 months of operation. Results Near anatomical reduction was achieved in 56 fractures and acceptable reduction in 6 fractures. Mean operation time was 43 minutes (range, 37-120 minutes). Primary heal ing of surgical wounds was observed in all cases. Subjects were followed up for 23 months on average (ranged, 18-45 months). All fractures healed with a mean heal ing time of 19.5 weeks (range, 16-32 weeks). According to Teeny and Wiss ankle scoring system, 30 patients got excellent results, 25 good, and 7 fair; and the excellent and good rate was 88.7% at 12-month follow-up. There were 7 cases of delayed soft tissue infection which needed implant removal. There was one compl ication of compartment syndrome which required fasciotomy. There was one case with loss of reduction (valgus tilting of tibial plafond) that required bone grafting. Conclusion The results of MIPO LCP in treatment of distal tibia fractures were satisfactory. This technique was safe with no incidence of serious compl ications.
Objective To investigate the effect of different treatment methods on the vertebral stability of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) by finite element analysis. MethodsTen patients with thoracolumbar OVCF admitted between January 2020 and June 2021 were selected, 5 of whom underwent operation (operation group), 5 underwent conservative treatment (conservative treatment group). Another 5 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. There was no significant difference in gender and age between groups (P>0.05). The operation group and the conservative treatment group received CT examination of the fractured vertebral body and adjacent segments before and after treatments, while the control group received CT examination of T12-L2. By importing CT data into Mimics 10.01 software, the finite element model was constructed. After comparing the finite element model of control group with the previous relevant literature measurement results to verify the validity, the spinal structural stress and range of motion (ROM) in each group under different conditions were measured. Results The three-dimensional finite element model was verified to be valid. There were significant differences in spinal structural stress after treatment between groups under different conditions (P<0.05). Before treatment, the ROMs of operation group and conservative treatment group under difference conditions were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05), and there was no difference between conservative treatment group and operation group (P>0.05). After treatment, the ROMs of the control group and the operation group were significantly higher than those of the conservative treatment group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the operation group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with OVCF, the minimally invasive operation can achieve better results. Compared with conservative treatment, it can reduce the effect on spinal stability, and can be as a preferred treatment method, which is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients.
Objective To introduce a method for fixation in periprosthetic fracture with locking compression plate (LCP). Methods Duringthe surgery, a long 12-hole LCP was placed to the lateral side of the femur. Six holes of the plate were placed proximal to the main fracture line to make sure that there could be enough cortex units for rigid fixation of proximal fragments. Locking screws used except for the most proximal hole where a 4.5 mm screw was used instead. Results The patient was pain free at the fracture site one week after the surgery,and was able to walk with a cane 3 months after the surgery. Bone union was evident radiographically 3 months after the surgery. There was no loose signs around the stem. Six months after the surgery, the patient recovered full function without pain. Conclusion In our experience from this case, LCP in treating periprosthetic fracture was easy and less time consuming, more over, extensive periosteal stripping could be avoided. LCP is a good choice in treating some periprosthetic fractures.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of volar locking compression plate (LCP) and radial styloid process plate for the treatment of type C fractures of the distal radius. Methods Between May 2010 and May 2011, 24 cases of type C fractures of the distal radius were treated, including 8 males and 16 females with an average age of 52 years (range, 23-73 years). Injury was caused by falling in 20 cases and by traffic accident in 4 cases. All were fresh closed fractures. The locations were the left side in 15 cases and the right side in 9 cases. According to AO typing, there were 16 cases of type C2 and 8 cases of type C3. The preoperative palmar tilt angle ranged from — 60 to 25° (mean, — 45.3°); the preoperative ulnar inclination angle ranged from — 16 to 13° (mean, 8.2°); and the preoperative radial length shortening was 8-18 mm (mean, 12 mm). The time from injury to operation was 3-10 days (mean, 5.2 days). Results All operation incisions healed primarily. All patients were followed up 9-16 months (mean, 13.5 months). The healing time of fracture was 8-12 weeks (mean, 10.2 weeks). The articular surface was smooth and the radial length was recovered. The postoperative palmar tilt angle ranged from 8 to 15° (mean, 12.3°); the postoperative ulnar inclination angle ranged from 18 to 26° (mean, 22.3°). No loss of reduction, refracture, or carpal tunnel syndrome occurred during follow-up. The average range of motion of the wrist was 45.3° (range, 30-70°) in dorsal extension, was 50.2° (range, 26-78°) in palmar flexion, was 13.5° (range, 8-25°) in radial inclination, was 23.6° (range, 15-32°) in ulnar inclination, was 65.7° (range, 35-90°) in pronation, and was 72.5° (range, 20-90°) in supination at last follow-up. According to the wrist function by Gartland-Werley scoring, the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 4 cases; and the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. Conclusion Treatment of type C fractures of the distal radius with volar LCP and radial styloid process plate can reconstruct normal anatomic structures and get good functional recovery.