[Clinical classification and the operative curative effects of microendoscopic discectomy in the elderly lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of the classification of the elderly lumbar disc herniation(LDH) as an indication of microendoscopic discectomy(MED). METHODS: Based on the pathological features of the elderly LDH, eighty-one patients over fifty years old (Group A) were proved to be intraspinal complications by traditional operation and were divided into I and II types which were compared with what were seen in the operation. Sixty-two patients over 50 years old (Group B) were treated with MED and reviewed retrospectively, and their curative effects were compared with their types. RESULTS: A general intraspinal narrowness rate of Group A was 62.07% in Type I, 107.69% in Type II (P < 0.01). Group B was all followed up (mean 10 months). According to the macnnab criterion, the satisfactory rate was 100% in Type I, 75% in Type II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical classification of the elderly LDH makes a significant effect on the treatment of MED, can be used as an indication of MED, and can be popularized in clinic.

[Reamed interlocking intramedullary nail in the treatment of tibial and fibular fractures].

To analyse retrospectively the results of thirty-eight fractures of the tibial and fibular treated with reamedintramedullary interlocking nail from May 1997 to June 2000. The patients were followed for an average of 14.6(range: 6-32) months. The mean age was 32.8(range: 18-64) years, the sex distribution was 29 males and 9 females. 26 fractures were closed (One case was failure of plate and screws) and 12 were opened: 6 were graded I, 4 were II, 2 IIIa, according to Gustilo's classification. A solid union was achieved in all patients within a period of 6 months. There were no deep infections except one case of superficial infection. Cases of deformity or peroneal nerve injury were no noticed. It is believed that reamed intramedullary interlocking nail allows a stable and safety fixation in open or closed tibial and fibular fractures.