Perioperative complications after posterior spinal fusion versus minimally invasive fusionless surgery in neuromuscular scoliosis: a comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Early-onset scoliosis is a common deformity in neuromuscular disease. When conservative treatment becomes ineffective, several surgical options can be proposed. The most common technique is posterior spinal fusion (PSF) consisting of performing a multiple segmental instrumentation with pedicular screws on the full spine associated with decortication and bone graft. Minimally invasive fusionless surgery (MIFS) is an alternative to correct and fix definitively the spine without graft. The objective of this study was to compare early surgical inpatient period between PSF and MIFS in neuromuscular scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 140 NMS operated by PSF or MIFS between 2012 and 2017 was retrospectively reviewed. The following data were compared between groups: general characteristics (age, sex, etiology), preoperative preparation (halo traction, noninvasive ventilation or tracheostomy), Cobb angle and pelvic obliquity correction, use of drugs (vasopressor and/or inotropes, expansion fluids, transfusion and volumes), postoperative complications, and need of noninvasive ventilation. RESULTS: 75 patients were managed by PSF with a mean age of 14.3 ± 2.3y and 65 by MIFS with a mean age of 11.8 ± 3y. Average pelvic obliquity and major curve correction were similar postoperatively. Intraoperative blood transfusion was significantly more common in PSF group (OR, 14; 95% CI [6.3-33.0]). Vasopressors were used non-significantly more often in the PSF group and expansion fluids similar in the two groups. PSF group had more overall complications (OR, 4.6; 95% CI [2.3-9.8]), more infections (OR, 3.6; 95% CI [1.5-9.3]) and more hemodynamic complications (OR, 4.1; 95% CI [1.4-15.1]). Average intubation duration was 5 days in the PSF and 4 days in MIFS (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this series of neuromuscular patients, the complication rate was reduced in MIFS comparatively to PSF, with lower blood transfusion and less infections.

Minimally Invasive Fusionless Surgery for Scoliosis in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Long-term Follow-up Results in a Series of 59 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) scoliosis has evolved in the last decade, with the emergence of fusionless surgical techniques that allow correction of the deformity before the end of growth spurt. These techniques are expected to delay definitive spine fusion and preserve trunk growth. PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate long-term clinical, radiologic, and respiratory outcomes of a minimally invasive fusionless surgery (MIFLS) in SMA scoliosis. METHODS: All children affected with SMA scoliosis who underwent MIFLS in our department from 2011 to 2019 were included. The instrumentation consisted in a bilateral sliding rod construct from T1 to the sacrum, anchored proximally by double-hook claws and distally by iliosacral screws. Clinical, genetic, respiratory and radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. A patient's satisfaction survey was performed. RESULTS: A total of 59 children with genetic confirmation of SMA (9SMA1c, 47SMA2, and 3SMA3) underwent MIFLS at a mean age of 11±1.9 years. All of them were nonwalker at the time of surgery. Twenty-six were treated with intrathecal Nusinersen. Mean follow-up was 5.2 years (2 to 9.6 y). Mean major coronal curve improved from 79±15 to 41±16 degrees and pelvic obliquity decreased from 24±11 to 5.9±4 degrees. Mean space available for lung improved from 77% to 93%. Mechanical or infectious complications occurred in 9 patients, with removal of the implant in 1. 6 children required unplanned surgeries. Postoperative bracing was needed in 13 children. Mean gain weight 3 years after the first surgery was 6 kg. 91.5% of patients had a positive satisfaction of the surgery. There was no significant impact in respiratory function postoperatively. Only 30 children required rod lengthening procedures, with a mean interval between procedures of 1.9 years (0.5 to 3.7 y). No arthrodesis was required at last follow-up in any patient. CONCLUSION: Bipolar MIFLS in SMA preserves spinal and thoracic growth without interference with respiratory function. It provides a significant correction of spinal deformity and pelvic obliquity, having a reduced rate of complications. The correction of spinal deformity was maintained at long term, not requiring definitive fusion at the end of growth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Nocturnal Urinary Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical and Urodynamic Study of 309 Patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe nocturia with or without leakage in a population of patients with multiple sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, single center study of 309 patients with multiple sclerosis who were followed at an experienced neurourology center between 2011 and 2013. All patients had daytime urinary symptoms associated with this disorder. Among the patients with nocturia 2 groups were defined, including those with isolated nocturia but without nocturnal urinary incontinence and patients with nocturia associated with nocturnal urinary incontinence. The control group comprised patients without nocturia. The clinical variables and urodynamic data studied were gender, age, EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale), the USP (Urinary Symptoms Profile) questionnaire overactive bladder score, bladder capacity, detrusor activity and volume at the first detrusor contraction. RESULTS: Of our patients 53.3% had nocturia, including 35.7% with nocturnal urinary incontinence. The average ± SD USP overactive bladder score was statistically greater in patients with nocturia than in controls (9.14 ± 4.3 vs 5.1 ± 3.5, p = 8.21E-17). Mean maximum cystometric capacity was statistically higher in the control group than in patients with nocturia (380.17 ± 113.79 vs 313 ± 128.4 ml, p = 5.60E-6). A similar outcome was found for the first contraction (mean 232.58 ± 146.05 vs 181.14 ± 100.11 ml, p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Isolated nocturia or nocturnal urinary incontinence is a frequent problem encountered with multiple sclerosis. Our results suggest that an overactive detrusor is the main mechanism. Further studies are needed to verify the complications arising from nocturia.

Contribution of sacral neuromodulation to manage persistent voiding dysfunction after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis with colorectal involvement: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: Around 5% of women experience persistent voiding dysfunction after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) with colorectal involvement. The gold standard to manage persistent voiding dysfunction is intermittent self-catherization, but this treatment may reduce quality of life of the patients due to care constraints. The objective of our study was to assess the contribution of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in the management of persistent voiding dysfunction secondary to surgery for DIE with colorectal resection. STUDY DESIGN: Five patients referred for persistent voiding dysfunction after surgery for DIE with colorectal resection were included and fitted with a temporary SNM system to test for feasibility. This consisted of placing an electrode unilaterally next to the S3 sacral nerve root and connecting it to an external pacemaker. The patients wore the electrode and the external neurostimulator for 21 days and kept a voiding diary. The SNM test was considered positive when a 50% decrease in self-catheterization was achieved after removal of the electrode. The system was implanted permanently in patients with a positive SNM test. Urodynamic tests were performed before and after the SNM test. RESULTS: Two of the five patients had a positive SNM test and were implanted permanently. At 40 months the first patient had completely stopped self-catheterization and the second patient was performing self-catheterization twice a day with a post voiding residue volume of less than 100ml at 52 months. CONCLUSION: SNM could be a curative technique in some patients with persistent voiding dysfunction after surgery for DIE. Further studies are required to better select patients who might benefit from SNM testing and subsequent device implantation.

Need to void and attentional process interrelationships.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a strong urge to void could affect a person's attentional performance. To determine whether an attentional task could decrease a strong urge to void a prospective study was performed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Healthy adults were asked to perform two neuropsychological tests, the modified Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (mPASAT) and the Psychology Experiment Building Language Continuous Performance Test (pCPT), under two different conditions: no need to void, and a strong urge to void defined by a score of >70/100 mm on a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: In all, 21 healthy volunteers were included. There was no statistical difference between the mPASAT scores from the two sessions (P = 0.57). The mean total error score of the pCPT increased with the individual's urge to void (P = 0.043). The mean omission score decreased, but was not statistically different (P = 0.129), the commission error score increased with the urge to void (P = 0.017), with a shorter reaction time for the inter-stimuli intervals of 1 (P<0.001) and 2 s (P = 0.036), suggesting a tendency to hurry. CONCLUSIONS: A strong urge to void can alter attentional performance, with a tendency to hurry, in healthy volunteers taking part in a sustained attention test pCPT involving the use of the anterior cingulate cortex.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) modulation in functional bowel disorders.

BACKGROUND: Rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) is a physiological reflex implicated in anorectal continence. A lack of RAIR modulation is only described in spinal cord-injured patients with a lesion under L2. No quantitative data has been published concerning the normal modulation in amplitude and in duration in functional disorders. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of anorectal manometry, performed in 40 safe-neurological patients, suffering from idiopathic constipation and/or faecal incontinence, has been done. RAIR were obtained by five successive rectal distensions (10-50 ml).Resting pressure, residual pressure, percentages of relaxation, slope and duration of inhibition were estimated. Four hypotheses of normal modulation in amplitude and duration were set up using these parameters. The cut-off values chosen for the hypotheses were similar to results obtained by calculating median value +/- 2SD of the parameters. RESULTS: All the 40 patients had present RAIR. Concerning the modulation of RAIR, we tested the hypotheses with the aim of finding those applying to patient's largest number. Amplitude: 85% of the patients had a normal modulation defined by a difference >8 cm H2O between two non-consecutive residual pressure on three successive rectal distensions. DURATION: 77.5% of the patients had a normal modulation defined by a time difference >2 s between two non-consecutive durations on three successive rectal distensions. CONCLUSION: Determination of normal values of RAIR modulation in functional disorders is interesting in clinical practise, suggesting that the patients with a lack of normal RAIR modulation (in amplitude or in duration) may have a neurological disease.

Pencil and paper test: a new tool to predict the ability of neurological patients to practice clean intermittent self-catheterization.

PURPOSE: We created and validated the new pencil and paper test, which allows assessment of the ability of patients with a neurological disorder to practice clean intermittent self-catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed a simple test including common gestures mimicking the usual maneuvers needed during clean intermittent self-catheterization, and involving the same cognitive and physical resources needed for this technique. We evaluated the test in 118 patients with a neurological condition. Instruments needed to perform the pencil and paper test are limited to a sheet of paper and a pencil. Each test item was quantified and graded with a total score of 15. A specific clean intermittent catheterization learning scale was used to classify the outcome of the ability to perform clean intermittent self-catheterization with a score range of 5--learning easy and self-catheterization complete to 0--learning impossible. RESULTS: Enrolled in the study were 118 patients with a neurological condition. There was strong correlation between the global pencil and paper test score, and the ability to perform clean intermittent self-catheterization, as evaluated by the learning scale (r = 0.82, p = 0.000091). At a test cutoff of 10 and a clean intermittent self-catheterization cutoff of 3, which was the limit needed to practice self-catheterization alone, the positive predictive value of the pencil and paper test was 85% and its negative predictive value was 94% (Cronbach's α = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: The pencil and paper test is a valid way to predict the ability to practice clean intermittent self-catheterization in patients with a neurological disorder.