Clinical Correlation between Muscle Damage and Oswestry Disability Index Score after Open Lumbar Surgery: Does Open Surgery Reduces Functional Ability?

STUDY DESIGN: Single-surgeon, single-center prospective study with prospective data collection. PURPOSE: To clinically evaluate muscle damage after open lumbar surgery and its relationship to functional activity and to validatethe improvement in function as indicated by improved Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score despite muscle damage. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Few studies have analyzed the functional loss and recovery pattern of muscles after open lumbar surgery. METHODS: The study included 30 patients who underwent open lumbar spine fusion surgery at our institution between August 2013 and May 2015. Preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, the patients were subjected to functional, biochemical, electrophysiological, and radiological assessments as outpatients, and the results were compared. RESULTS: Mean preoperative and 6-month postoperative values were as follows: creatine phosphokinase levels, 133.07±17.57 and 139±17.7 U/L (p <0.001); Visual Analog Scale scores for backache, 6.73±0.88 and 3.27±0.96 (p <0.001); and ODI scores, 41.6±5.51 and 22.4±4.48 (p <0.001), respectively. Preoperatively, electrophysiological studies showed that 20% of the patients had a polyphasic configuration whereas at 6 months postoperatively, all patients had polyphasic configuration (p <0.001). The mean cross-sectional area of the multifidus observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) decreased from 742.67±76.62 mm2 preoperatively to 598.27±66.38 mm2 6 months postoperatively (p <0.001), with all the patients exhibiting grade 2 atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Open lumbar fusion surgery resulted in significant damage to the lumbar paraspinal muscles, as indicated by a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the multifidus by MRI and denervation of the multifidus demonstrated using electromyography. Nevertheless, the patients reported reduced back pain and improved quality of life, which may have been due to increased stability of the previously unstable lumbar spinal segment after the surgery.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis Using Locking Plates for AO 43-Type Fractures: Lessons Learnt From a Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Managing fractures of distal tibia is still a subject of debate for orthopaedic surgeons in terms of both, reduction and fixation. Subcutaneous location and soft tissue anatomy predisposes it to angular and rotational instability as well as other bony and soft tissue complexities. Minimally invasive plating offers many advantages over conventional open techniques. It causes minimal soft tissue dissection and surgical trauma to the bone. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis(MIPO) maintains biological configuration of distal tibia and fracture hematoma and also provides a construct, which is biomechanically more stable. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of results of MIPO in management of distal tibia fractures considering radiological union, ankle function restoration, and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, 25 closed distal one-third tibia fracture with/without articular extension were taken, fulfilling the inclusion criteria (AO classification: 10, 43A1; 3, 43A2; 2, 43B1; 4, 43B2; and 6, 43C1). MIPO with locking plates was the treatment undertaken. Patients were followed up for 18 months prospectively. RESULTS: Average injury-hospital interval was 11.16 hours and average injury-operation interval was 2.44 days. All fractures showed radiological union at an average duration of 20.5 weeks (14-28 weeks). Olerud and Molander score was used for evaluation at 3, 6, and 18 months. One patient had union with valgus angulation >5° but there was no nonunion. There was 1 superficial postoperative wound infection. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that plating with MIPO is an effective treatment for closed distal one-third tibia fractures, considering union time and complications rate. Younger age promotes early union and functional recovery. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level II: Prospective.

Complex AO type C3 distal femur fractures: Results after fixation with a lateral locked plate using modified swashbuckler approach.

BACKGROUND: Complex AO type C3 fractures of the distal femur are challenging injuries, fraught with complications such as malunion and stiffness. We prospectively evaluated a consecutive series of patients with complex AO type C3 distal femur fractures to determine the clinicoradiological outcome after fixation with a single locked plate using modified swashbuckler approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 patients with C3 type distal femur fractures treated with a lateral locked plate, using a modified swashbuckler approach, were included in the study. The extraarticular component was managed either by compression plating or bridge plating (transarticular approach and retrograde plate osteosynthesis) depending on the fracture pattern. Primary bone grafting was not done in any case. The clinical outcome at 1 year was determined using the Knee Society Score (KSS). The presence of any secondary osteoarthritis in the knee joint was noted at final followup. RESULTS: All fractures united at a mean of 14.3 ± 4.7 weeks (range 6-26 weeks). There were no significant complications such as nonunion, deep infection, and implant failure. One of the patients underwent secondary bone grafting at 3 months. The mean range of motion of the knee was 120° ± 14.8° (range 105°-150°). Seven patients had excellent, three patients had good and two patients had a fair outcome according to the KSS at 1 year. At a mean followup of 17.6 months, three patients showed radiological evidence of secondary osteoarthritis of the knee joint. However, only one of these patients was symptomatic. CONCLUSION: The results of complex C3 type distal femur fractures, fixed with a single lateral locked plate using a modified swashbuckler approach, are encouraging, with a majority of patients achieving good to excellent outcome at 1 year.

Evaluation of Outcome of Transpedicular Decompression and Instrumented Fusion in Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. PURPOSE: We evaluated the functional, neurological, and radiological outcome in patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar tuberculosis operated through the transpedicular approach. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: For surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar tuberculosis, the anterior approach has been the most popular because it allows direct access to the infected tissue, thereby providing good decompression. However, anterior fixation is not strong, and graft failure and loss of correction are frequent complications. The transpedicular approach allows circumferential decompression of neural elements along with three-column fixation attained via pedicle screws by the same approach. METHODS: A total of 47 patients were diagnosed with tuberculosis of the thoracic or thoracolumbar region from August 2012 to August 2013. Of these, 28 patients had progressive neurological deterioration or increasing back pain despite conservative measures and underwent transpedicular decompression and pedicle screw fixation with posterior fusion. Antituberculosis therapy was given till signs of radiological healing were evident (9-16 months). Functional outcome (visual analog scale [VAS] score for back pain), neurological recovery (Frankel grading), and radiological improvement were evaluated preoperatively, immediate postoperatively, and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: Mean VAS score for back pain improved from 8.7 preoperatively to 1.1 at 1 year follow-up. Frankel grading preoperatively was grade B in 7, grade C in 11, and Grade D in 10 patients, which improved to grade D in 6 and grade E in 22 patients at the last follow-up. Radiological healing was evident in the form of reappearance of trabeculae formation, resolution of pus, fatty marrow replacement, and bony fusion in all patients. Mean correction of segmental kyphosis postoperatively was 10.5°. Mean loss of correction at final follow-up was 4.1°. CONCLUSIONS: Transpedicular decompression with instrumented fusion is a safe and effective approach for management of patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar tuberculosis.

Evaluation of Outcome of Posterior Decompression and Instrumented Fusion in Lumbar and Lumbosacral Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: For surgical treatment of lumbar and lumbosacral tuberculosis, the anterior approach has been the most popular approach because it allows direct access to the infected tissue, thereby providing good decompression. However, anterior fixation is not strong, and graft failure and loss of correction are frequent complications. The posterior approach allows circumferential decompression of neural elements along with three-column fixation attained via pedicle screws by the same approach. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome (functional, neurological, and radiological) in patients with lumbar and lumbosacral tuberculosis operated through the posterior approach. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with tuberculosis of the lumbar and lumbosacral region from August 2012 to August 2013. Of these, 13 patients had progressive neurological deterioration or increasing back pain despite conservative measures and underwent posterior decompression and pedicle screw fixation with posterolateral fusion. Antitubercular therapy was given till signs of radiological healing were evident (9 to 16 months). Functional outcome (visual analogue scale [VAS] score for back pain), neurological recovery (Frankel grading), and radiological improvement were evaluated preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean VAS score for back pain improved from 7.89 (range, 9 to 7) preoperatively to 2.2 (range, 3 to 1) at 1-year follow-up. Frankel grading was grade B in 3, grade C in 7, and grade D in 3 patients preoperatively, which improved to grade D in 7 and grade E in 6 patients at the last follow-up. Radiological healing was evident in the form of reappearance of trabeculae formation, resolution of pus, fatty marrow replacement, and bony fusion in all patients. The mean correction of segmental kyphosis was 9.85° postoperatively. The mean loss of correction at final follow-up was 3.15°. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior decompression with instrumented fusion is a safe and effective approach for management of patients with lumbar and lumbosacral tuberculosis.

Awareness and assessment of risk factors for lung cancer in residents of Pokhara Valley, Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the awareness and assessment of lung cancer risk factors with respect to sociodemographic factors among residents of Pokhara Valley, Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out in 240 residents between 01 September 2009 and 31 March 2010 using a structured questionnaire containing details of lung cancer risk factors viz., smoking, environmental pollution, insecticide exposure, hereditary factors, protective diet and socio demographic details. Descriptive statistics and testing of hypothesis were used for the analysis using EPI INFO and SPSS 16 software. RESULTS: In the 240 subjects, the mean age was 33.4 ± SD 11.4 years, with a slight male preponderance in gender distribution (57.5% males vs. 42.5% females). 32.5% out of the study population were smokers (43.5% of males and 17.6% of females). Relationships could be established between gender and smoking (p=0.001, odds ratio=3.58), stoppage or restriction of tobacco use (p=0.001), smoking by mother during subjects' childhood as a motivation to develop smoking habit (p= 0.001), tobacco use as a cause of cancer (p=0.001), cancer as the most dreaded disease (p=0.009). Positive relationships were found between educational level and risk factors viz. smoking by mother during subjects' childhood (p= 0.03), wood or coal exposure causing lung cancer (p=0.0001), protection from lung cancer by consumption of green and yellow vegetables (p=0.0001) and insecticide exposure as a cause of lung cancer (p=0.0001). No strong relationship could be established between gender and outdoor pollution (p=0.721), insecticide exposure (p=0.219), protective diet (p=0.979) and hereditary factors (p=0.273). CONCLUSION: Awareness of lung cancer by tobacco use and other risk factors varied with socioeconomic status amongst residents of Pokhara. Despite their awareness of smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer, most of them still continue to smoke. Government and NGOs should gear up a population based counselling programme in this community.