Riluzole is Effective on Spinal Decompression for Treating Acute Spinal Injury When Compared With Methylprednisolone and the Combination of Two Drugs: In Vivo Rat Model.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal experiment. OBJECTIVES: To determine and compare the efficacy of riluzole, MPS and the combination of two drugs in a rat model with acute spinal trauma, electrophysiologically and histopathologically. METHODS: 59 rats were divided into 4 groups as control, riluzole (6 mg/kg, every 12 hours for 7 days), MPS (30 mg/kg, 2nd and 4th hours after injury) and riluzole + MPS. Spinal trauma was created and the subjects were followed for 7 days. Electrophysiological recordings were made via neuromonitoring. The subjects were sacrificed and histopathological examination was made. RESULTS: For the amplitude values, mean alteration in the period from the spinal cord injury to the end of the 7th day is 15.89 ± 20.00%, 210.93 ± 199.44%, 24.75% ± 10.13% increase and 18.91 ± 30.01% decrease for the control, riluzole, riluzole + MPS and MPS groups, respectively. Although the riluzole treatment group produced the greatest increase in amplitude, it was observed that no treatment provided a significant improvement compared to the control group, in terms of latency and amplitude. It was observed that there was significantly less cavitation area in the riluzole treatment group compared to the control group (P = .020). (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Electrophysiologically, no treatment was found to provide significant improvement. Histopathologically, it was observed that riluzole provided significant neural tissue protection.

Statistical Shape Analyses of Pediatric Patients with Scoliosis After Surgical Correction.

AIM: To investigate the preoperative and postoperative differences in the upper-body and spinal shapes of patients with scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Digitized two-dimensional X-ray images were used to obtain the shapes of the upper-body and spine. The preoperative and postoperative mean shapes were compared by using a Generalized Procrustes analysis. The thin plate spline (TPS) method was used to evaluate the spinal shape deformation between the preoperative and postoperative periods. RESULTS: The pre- and postoperative upper-body and spinal shape differences were significant. The TPS graphics showed highlevel deformations between the pre- and postoperative periods. The left superior border of the L4 spinous process showed the highest deformation. CONCLUSION: The preoperative and postoperative upper-body and spinal shape differences and structural deformations that correlated with scoliosis were shown to be significant.

Bilateral bi-level erector spinae plane blocks in scoliosis surgery: a retrospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effect of the ultrasound (US) guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on pain scores, opioid requirement, patient satisfaction, and the length of hospital stay with standard analgesia methods following scoliosis surgery. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (17 females, 10 males; mean age=15.59 ± 3.24 years) who underwent scoliosis surgery with preoperative bilateral bilevel US-guided ESPB were the sample group, and the remaining 30 patients (20 females, 10 males; mean age = 15.57 ± 2.75 years) without ESPB were the control group. Bilateral bilevel injection ESPB was performed at two levels (T4 and T10). Postoperative pain scores, morphine consumption, patient satisfaction scores, and the number of patients requiring rescue analgesia were recorded. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score postoperative pain. RESULTS: VAS at rest and when mobile, as well as postoperative cumulative morphine consumption in the first postoperative 24 h, was significantly lower in the ESPB group. Thirteen patients in the control group but no in the ESPB group required rescue analgesics in the postoperative period. Both the time to the requirement of the initial dose of PCA and patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the ESPB group (P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Given the need for improved recovery of the patients, ESPB seems to be an essential analgesic technique that may reduce both opioid consumption and the severity of the pain, thus increasing the satisfaction of the patients and decreasing the length of hospital stay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Comparison of efficacy between the genicular nerve block and the popliteal artery and the capsule of the posterior knee (IPACK) block for total knee replacement surgery: A prospective randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of popliteal artery and the capsule of the posterior knee (IPACK) block and genicular nerve block on postoperative pain scores, the need for rescue analgesics, range of motion (ROM), walking distance, and perioperative monitorization variables in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. METHODS: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III patients were enrolled in this study and then were randomly assigned into three groups: the IPACK block group (17 female, 3 male; mean age=67.5±1.4 years), genicular nerve block (16 female, 4 male; mean age=68±1.76 years), and the control group (13 female, 7 male; mean age=63±1.67years). All the patients underwent TKR under spinal anesthesia. The visual analog scale (VAS) score, mobility, pre- and intra-operative monitorization of systolic and diastolic holding area, non-invasive blood pressure, heart rate, and SPO 2 were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Patients in the IPACK and genicular block groups had a significantly lower visual analogous scale (VAS) at postoperative 4 hours (p<0.01), 8h (p<0.01), 12h (p<0.01), and 24h (p<0.05). VAS score was significantly lower in the genicular block group at the postoperative 4h (5.5±0.55) and 8h (5.0±0.53) in the mobile state compared to the IPACK (8.0±0.47 and 8.0±0.43, respectively) and the control group (9.5±0.20; 10±0.28, respectively) (p< 0.01). The use of patient-controlled-analgesia (PCA) devices and button push count for analgesics demand were significantly lower in the genicular block group on the immediate postoperative period (p<0.01 at the postoperative 0 to 4 h). The total consumption of morphine equivalents on the postoperative day 0 was significantly lower in the genicular block group (p<0.01, and p<0.001 for IPACK and control groups, respectively). The degree of flexion was significantly higher in the genicular block group at the postoperative 12h compared to the IPACK and the control group (p<0.001). The length of hospital stay was significantly lower in the genicular block group compared to the IPACK and the control group (p<0.05 for both variables). CONCLUSION: IPACK and genicular blocks both are effective in improving patient comfort during and after TKR surgery and reducing the potential need for systemic analgesic and opioids. The genicular block seems to be a promising technique that can offer improved pain management in the immediate and early postoperative period without adverse effects on systemic and motor variables.

Magnetically controlled growing rod in 13 patients with early-onset scoliosis and spinal improvement.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the use of magnetically controlled growing rods as a method of providing spinal improvement while preventing thoracic insufficiency in patients with early-onset scoliosis (EOS). METHODS: Of a total of 13 patients, 4 patients underwent a dual magnetic rod implantation, while 9 patients had a single magnetic rod procedure. The study group comprised 12 (93%) female and 1 (7%) male patients. Six patients (46%) had an idiopathic form of scoliosis, in 4 (30%) it was congenital, and in 3 (23%) it was neuromuscular scoliosis. The patients' Cobb angles, thoracic kyphosis, T1-T12 and T1-S1 distance prior to and following the treatment were compared. RESULTS: The mean Cobb angle before surgery was 53.780, whereas it decreased to 39.290 postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean thoracic kyphosis angle was 400 before and 29.790 after surgery (p < 0.001). The mean T1-S1 distance was 32.14 cm before and 36.36 cm after surgery (p < 0.001). The mean T1-T12 distance was 18.69 cm before and 20.64 cm after surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of magnetic rods is an effective method of EOS treatment. It allows for spinal growth while managing the progression of the scoliosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

The comparison of the results after spinal fusion with or without iliac screw insertion in the treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular scoliosis leads to a wide range of spinal disorders which disturb the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and radiological results of posterior spinal fusion with and without extending the instrumentation to iliac bones in treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis. METHODS: Medical records and radiographies of 36 patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent posterior instrumentation between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed. Age and body mass index at time of surgery, underlying diagnosis, gender, postoperative infection rates, perioperative and postoperative blood transfusion, duration of surgery, complication rates were identified for each patient retrospectively. SF-36 physical questionnaire was applied to all patients. Surgery was performed in each patient and included posterior spinal fusion with pedicle screws from the proximal thoracic spine (T2 or T3) to S1 (Group A) or extension of distal instrumentation to pelvis by bilateral iliac screws (Group B). RESULTS: A total of 23 patients in group A were compared with 13 patients in group B. Median age was 14 (9-38) years for group A and 16 (12-25) years for group B. Median follow-up period was 20 (12-66) months. Preoperative median Cobb angles were 66° and 60° and postoperative Cobb values were 33° and 31° in group A and B respectively. Median Cobb angle reduction was 40° and 34° for group A and B. We are able to see in this study that the usage of illiac screws do not increase implant failure and help achieve better functional results. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the extention of instrumentation to the pelvis with illiac screws can be beneficial in terms of functional and complicational incidences. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Comparison of hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures.

Objective This study was performed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs) treated with either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty (THA) in elderly patients. Morbidity and mortality were also evaluated. Methods Twenty-two patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty and 16 patients who underwent THA for treatment of Garden type 3-4 FNFs from 2012 to 2015 were enrolled in this study. All patients were >65 years of age. Cox regression analysis was performed for mortality evaluation. Results The postoperative blood loss volume, decrease in the hemoglobin level, and transfusion rate were significantly higher in the THA group. The univariate mortality risk was higher in patients with a Charlson comorbidity score of >4, American Society of Anesthesiologists score of >2, Singh index of <3, and postoperative hospitalization of >1 week. Conclusion This study revealed no significant difference in the short-term clinical and radiological results between cementless hemiarthroplasty and THA in elderly patients with displaced FNFs. However, morbidity and mortality were associated with the presence of additional systemic diseases. THA is the preferred surgical technique in patients with displaced FNFs and low comorbidities.

Solitary bone metastases of unknown origin.

Patients with a newly detected solitary bone metastasis and no history of cancer need extensive diagnostic testing. One hundred and twenty biopsy samples of patients with metastatic bone disease were referred to the authors' pathology department between June 2005 and December 2012. Thirty-three (27.5%) of these patients with a solitary metastasis of unknown origin, and without visceral metastases, were studied retrospectively. Most metastases were found in the spine (14/33 or 42.4%), or in the pelvis (7/33 or 21.2%). The lung was the most common primary site, but this is not universal in the literature. A useful flowchart for the clinician, confronted with a bone metastasis from an unknown primary site, is the following, according to the literature: history and physical examination, biochemistry with tumor markers and immunoelectrophoresis, chest radiograph, CT-scan of chest and abdomen, and bone scan.

Traumatic lumbosacral spondyloptosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Study Design Case report and review of the literature. Objective To report a case of traumatic L5-S1 spondyloptosis and review the literature. Method A 28-year-old man presented with severe low back pain, numbness at the soles of feet, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Two days before admission, a tree trunk fell on his back while he was seated. A two-stage posterior-anterior procedure was performed. At the first stage, posterior decompression, reduction, and fusion with instrumentation were performed. At the second stage, which was performed 6 days after the first stage, the patient underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The patient received physical therapy 1 week after the second stage. Results The patient's numbness improved immediately after the first posterior surgery. His fecal and urinary incontinence improved 6 months after discharge. He has been pain-free for a year and has returned to work. Conclusion A PubMed search was performed using the following keywords: lumbosacral spondyloptosis, lumbosacral dislocation, and L5-S1 traumatic dislocation. The search returned only nine reported cases of traumatic spondyloptosis. Traumatic spondyloptosis at the lumbosacral junction is a rare ailment that should be suspected in cases of high, direct, and posterior impact on the low lumbar area, and surgical treatment should be the standard choice of care.

Approach to supracondylar humerus fractures with neurovascular compromise in children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate neurovascular compromise in childhood Gartland Type 3 supracondylar humerus fractures (SHFs), identify the factors correlated with increased need of open reduction and compare the clinical outcome of anterior open reduction with that of closed reduction. METHODS: The study included 65 patients (46 male, 19 female; mean age: 7.03 years, range: 1 to 14 years) treated surgically for SCH fracture between January 2002 and June 2008. Fractures underwent closed reduction with percutaneous pinning when possible. Open reduction was performed when adequate reduction via the closed technique failed or vascular compromise were indications for open reduction. Patient demographics, physical examination findings, adequacy of reduction, functional and cosmetic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: During the antecubital approach, vascular pathology was noted in all patients with signs of vascular compromise at physical examination. Half of these patients underwent vascular intervention. Closed reduction failed in 93% of patients with concomitant edema, ecchymosis and dimple sign. Of these, the median nerve was trapped between the bone fragments in 4 patients with normal neurological examinations. Functional and cosmetic results of open reduction were similar to closed reduction (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Closed reduction should not be forced in cases with marked edema, ecchymosis, dimple sign, and absence of radial pulse. The anterior approach is the surgical approach of choice due to direct visualization of neurovascular bundle and availability of neurovascular intervention by extending the same approach.