Total hip arthroplasty improves systemic muscle atrophy in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate muscle volume changes in all body regions after total hip arthroplasty (THA) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and determine the positive effects of THA for systemic muscle atrophy in patients with hip osteoarthritis (HOA). METHODS: In total, 116 patients with a mean age of 65.8 (45-84) years who had undergone THA for unilateral HOA were included in this study. DEXA scans were performed serially at 2 weeks, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after THA. The normalized height squared muscle volume (NMV) and the change ratio of NMV (ΔNMV) were calculated independently for operated lower extremity (LE), non-operated LE, both upper extremities (UEs), and trunk. Skeletal mass index, which is a sum of NMV of both LEs and UEs, was evaluated at 2 weeks and 24 months after THA to identify systemic muscle atrophy equivalent to the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia. RESULTS: ΔNMVs in non-operated LE, both UEs, and trunk increased gradually up to 6, 12, and 24 months after THA, although that in operated LE did not increase during a 24-month period. The ΔNMVs in operated LE, non-operated LE, both UEs, and trunk at 24 months after THA were +0.6%, +7.1%, +4.0%, and +4.0%, respectively (P = 0.993, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.012). The proportion of systemic muscle atrophy significantly decreased from 2 weeks (38%) to 24 months (23%) after THA (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: THA can potentially have secondary positive effects for systemic muscle atrophy exception of operated LE.

The effects of patient characteristics and stem alignment on distal femoral cortical hypertrophy after cemented polished tapered stem implantation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of over 10 years of total hip arthroplasty (THA) practice with ExeterTM stems and the clinical relevance of distal femoral cortical hypertrophy (DFCH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 127 hips (120 patients) that had undergone THA with ExeterTM stems between 2004 and 2007. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses for the stem of all 127 hips were performed using different endpoints. Of 127 hips, 100 (94 patients) had complete 10-year follow-up data, including the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ) as the patient-reported outcomes, and the clinical relevance of DFCH was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The survival of the stem with the endpoint of re-operation for loosening, > 5-mm subsidence, and re-operation for any reason were 100%, 99.1% (95% CI 97.5-100%), and 98.3% (95% CI 96.0-100%), respectively. Of 100 hips followed completely for 10 years, DFCH occurred in 20 hips (20%). The satisfaction and pain visual analog scale of JHEQ revealed high satisfaction and less pain in patients with DFCH. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, body weight > 55 kg (odds ratio: 2.88, p = 0.035) and varus stem alignment (odds ratio: 6.56, p = 0.003) were found to be predictors for DFCH. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of DFCH with the ExeterTM stem was 20%. A body weight > 55 kg and varus stem alignment are predictors for future DFCH. DFCH with the ExeterTM stem indicates a good outcome with less hip pain.

Peri-prosthetic bone remodeling and change in bone mineral density in the femur after cemented polished tapered stem implantation.

OBJECTIVE: We examined longitudinal changes in bone mineral density (BMD) around the femur for 5 years after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using cemented collarless polished double-tapered stem implantation and investigated the influence of BMD changes on radiological remodeling of the femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty hips from 56 patients who underwent cemented THA with a collarless polished double-tapered stem were included. BMD was measured 2 weeks postoperatively (baseline), 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and annually thereafter until 5 years after surgery using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on the lumbar spine and proximal femur of the operated side according to the Gruen's zone classification. We analyzed predictable factors for BMD preservation in the proximal femur and compared radiological remodeling of the femur and changes in BMD. RESULTS: BMD at 5 years in zone 7 decreased less than 10%, whereas BMD in zone 1 increased to over the baseline (+ 1.9%). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that body weight was a predictor for positive BMD change in the proximal femur. The frequency of radiolucency of the femur was significantly lower in patients who exhibited an increase in BMD at 5 years compared with BMD at 2 weeks in zone 7. CONCLUSION: BMD preservation of the proximal femur after cemented collarless polished double-tapered stem implantation was more effective in heavier patients. Furthermore, the frequency of radiolucency around the stem was significantly lower in patients who exceeded 100% of the baseline BMD in zone 7 at 5 years.

A Possible New Radiographic Predictor of Progression of Osteoarthritis in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: The Center Gap.

BACKGROUND: Patients with comparable severities of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) may variably progress to osteoarthritis (OA) over time. Although joint congruency may be associated with OA progression in patients with DDH, it has only been assessed subjectively. We assessed the gap between the rotational centers of the acetabulum and femoral head (center gap) as a possible predictive measure of OA progression in patients with DDH. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In patients with bilateral DDH, we asked: (1) What is the probability of OA progression (Tönnis grade) or symptom development (pain) in the asymptomatic contralateral hip of patients with DDH undergoing unilateral joint-preserving surgery? (2) Is the center gap measurement associated with OA progression or symptom development in these hips? (3) Is the center gap measurement correlated with previous radiographic parameters? METHODS: A total of 297 patients (319 hips) underwent unilateral eccentric rotational acetabular osteotomy at our institution between July 1989 and December 1999. We performed no other joint-preserving surgery to treat patients with DDH during this timeframe. The inclusion criteria for the study were patients younger than 55 years of age, the contralateral hip classified as Tönnis Grade 0, no previous surgical interventions, and asymptomatic at the time of eccentric rotational acetabular osteotomy (155 patients, 155 hips). The exclusion criteria were a contralateral hip without dysplasia (four patients, four hips), loss to followup before 10 years (42 patients, 42 hips [27%]), or missing medical records or radiographs (21 patients, 21 hips [14%]). The remaining 88 patients (88 hips; 11 males and 77 females) with a mean age of 39 years (range, 17-53 years) and mean followup of 20 years (range, 10-27 years) were analyzed. From the institutional database, radiographic parameters including the center gap in the AP view were assessed using radiographs at the time of eccentric rotational acetabular osteotomy, and the Tönnis grade was recorded 1 year postoperatively and annually thereafter retrospectively. We defined migration of the rotational center of the femoral head based on the rotational center of the acetabulum in the horizontal plane as center gap X (mm) and in the vertical plane as center gap Y (mm) and defined the absolute value between the centers as center gap distance (mm). Using κ statistics, intra- and interobserver reliabilities were determined to be 0.896 and 0.857 for center gap X, 0.912 and 0.874 for center gap Y, and 0.912 and 0.901 for the center gap distance, respectively. When patients reported any contralateral ipsilateral hip pain during clinic visits, the hip was considered symptomatic. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses were performed with OA progression or symptom development in the nonoperative hip as the endpoint. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess risk factors for each outcome using the Cox proportional hazards model. Correlation analyses between the center gap and other parameters including lateral center-edge angle, femoral head extrusion index, acetabular depth-to-width index, femoral head lateralization, minimum width of the joint space, head sphericity, and joint congruency were performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: At 20 years postoperatively, the probability of OA progression in the nonoperative hip was 13% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1-22.1) and the probability of symptom development was 34% (95% CI, 24.7-46.1). The center gap X measurements in the groups with OA progression (lateral 2.0 ± 2.1 [SD] mm) or symptom development (lateral 0.9 ± 2.4 mm) took a more lateral direction than those in the group without OA progression (medial 0.4 ± 2.1 mm) or symptom development (medial 0.5 ± 2.0 mm) (OA progression, p < 0.001; symptom development, p = 0.005). The center gap Y measurements in the groups with OA progression (distal 2.7 ± 7.1 mm) or symptom development (distal 2.1 ± 6.0 mm) took a more distal direction than those in the group without OA progression (proximal 1.6 ± 6.2 mm) or symptom development (proximal 2.5 ± 6.1 mm) (OA progression, p = 0.027; symptom development, p = 0.001). Independent risk factors for OA progression were the femoral head extrusion index (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; p = 0.028) and the center gap X (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.07-2.16; p = 0.019), whereas no independent risk factors for symptom development were found. The center gap in the horizontal plane had no correlations with any other radiographic parameter studied. CONCLUSIONS: The center gap in the horizontal plane had a modest association with OA progression in this group of patients with DDH. Future studies are needed to determine the normal value of the center gap for patients without DDH and to assess the center gap in lateral radiographic views. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study.

Dynamic changes in the cross-sectional area of the dural sac and spinal cord in the thoracic spine.

PURPOSE: The thoracic spine is considered a rigid region because it is restricted by the rib cage. Previously, we reported functional alignments and range of motion (ROM) at all segmental levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate dynamic changes of the dural sac and spinal cord in the thoracic spine using a multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: Fifty patients with cervical or lumbar spinal disease were prospectively enrolled. After preoperative myelography, MDCT was performed at maximum passive flexion and extension. The anteroposterior diameter and cross-sectional area of the dural sac and spinal cord in the axial plane were measured using Scion imaging software. We also evaluated the correlation between the change ratio of the cross-sectional area and segmental kyphotic angle and ROM. RESULTS: In flexion, the anteroposterior diameter of the dural sac was larger than in extension. The cross-sectional area in the upper and middle regions was smaller, but was larger in the lower region. The anteroposterior diameter and cross-sectional area of the spinal cord in the upper and middle regions were smaller than in extension, but these values were nearly the same in both flexion and extension in the lower region. Change ratios of the cross-sectional area were correlated with segmental kyphotic angle rather than ROM. CONCLUSIONS: The thoracic spine showed some dynamic changes of the dural sac and spinal cord in the axial plane within functional motion. Segmental kyphotic angle, rather than segmental ROM, was the more important factor affecting dimensions of the dural sac and spinal cord.

Total Hip Arthroplasty After Periacetabular and Intertrochanteric Valgus Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: We performed periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) combined with intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy (TVO) to obtain better congruity for patients with acetabular dysplasia and nonspherical femoral head. These patients with PAO-combined TVO demonstrate long-term progression of osteoarthritis, thereby, needing conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and is difficult due to morphological changes. The objective of the present study was to investigate outcomes of patients who underwent THA after PAO-combined TVO. METHODS: We performed 3 groups' case-control study. The participants were 20 patients (20 hips) who underwent THA after PAO-combined TVO (PAO-TVO group); these patients had a mean age at surgery of 56.3 years and underwent postoperative follow-up for a mean period of 6.8 years. For the control group, we included 53 patients (57 joints) who underwent THA after PAO and 76 patients (80 joints) who underwent primary THA for hip dysplasia matching age, sex, and time of surgery. RESULTS: Harris hip score at the last follow-up was significantly poorer in PAO-TVO group compare with PAO group and primary group. Short Form-36 of Physical Component Summary was significantly poorer in PAO-TVO group compared with primary group. The socket position in the PAO-TVO group was significantly superior and lateral compared with that in the primary THA group. Considering socket placement in Lewinnek's safe zone and stem malalignment, there were no significant differences in the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Harris hip score and Short Form-36-Physical Component Summary for THA after PAO-combined TVO were significantly poorer compared to those of primary THA.

Differences in Femoral Head Penetration Between Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene Cemented Sockets and Uncemented Liners.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at investigating differences in femoral head penetration between highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) cemented sockets and uncemented liners during 5 years postoperatively. METHODS: Ninety-six patients (106 hips) with a mean age of 64.4 (range, 35-83) years underwent total hip arthroplasty using a HXLPE cemented socket or liner and were respectively divided into cemented (35 patients [37 hips]) and uncemented (61 patients [69 hips]) groups. Femoral head penetrations were evaluated on both anteroposterior (AP)-view and Lauenstein-view radiographs, and mean polyethylene (PE) wear rates were calculated based on femoral head penetration from 2 to 5 years. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess risk factors for PE wear. RESULTS: At 5 years postoperatively, the cemented and uncemented groups exhibited proximal direction femoral head penetrations of 0.103 mm and 0.124 mm (P = .226) and anterior direction penetrations of 0.090 mm and 0.151 mm (P = .002), respectively. The corresponding mean PE wear rates were 0.004 mm/y and 0.009 mm/y in the AP-view (P = .286) and 0.005 mm/y and 0.012 mm/y in the Lauenstein-view (P = .168), respectively. Left-side operation and high activity were independent risk factors for PE wear on AP-view. CONCLUSION: When HXLPE was used, all mean PE wear rates were very low and those of cemented sockets and uncemented liners were very similar. PE particle theory suggests that the occurrence of osteolysis and related aseptic loosening might consequently decrease.

Total Hip Arthroplasty After Transtrochanteric Rotational Osteotomy for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Mean 10-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to investigate clinical, quality of life, and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) after transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy (TRO) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: We performed a case-control study. The participants were 29 patients (34 hips) who underwent THA after TRO (TRO group). These patients had a mean age at surgery of 51.6 years (range, 30-72 years) and underwent postoperative follow-up for a mean period of 10.5 years (range, 3-19 years). For the control group (primary group), we included 58 patients (68 hips) who underwent primary THA for ONFH, matching for age and gender. RESULTS: The Harris Hip Scores at the last follow-up were significantly poorer in the TRO group than in the primary group. Similarly, preoperative and postoperative hip range of motion was significantly poorer in the TRO group than in the primary group. Quality of life (Short Form-36, Oxford Hip Score, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire) and complication rates were not significantly different between the groups. The survival rates at 10 years, with revision for any reason as the endpoint, were 81% in the TRO group and 91% in the primary group, showing no significant difference between the groups. The TRO group had a larger average postoperative leg length discrepancy and a higher rate of stem malalignment than the primary group. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of THA after TRO for ONFH were poorer than those of primary THA.

Favorable Results of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty With Acetabular Impaction Bone Grafting for Large Segmental Bone Defects in Dysplastic Hips.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess midterm results after acetabular impaction bone grafting (IBG) in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with large acetabular segmental defect. METHODS: Primary THA with IBG for DDH with large acetabular segmental defect was performed in 40 hips of 38 patients. The average age was 61.6 years (range: 33-82 years), and the average follow-up period was 7.5 years (range: 3-10.3 years). The Merle d'Aubigné and Postel hip score and complications were assessed. For radiological assessment, postoperative location of the hip rotation center, the socket inclination angle, and the socket center-edge angle were assessed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed with the end points of any type of reoperation and aseptic acetabular loosening. RESULTS: The mean Merle d'Aubigné and Postel hip score improved from 10.4 points to 16.2 points at the final follow-up. Reoperation was performed in 1 case for acute infection without loosening. In 39 out of 40 hips (97.5%), the center of hip rotation was located beneath the "high hip center." The average socket inclination angle was 39.3° (range: 30°-54°), and the average socket center-edge angle was -11.8° (range: -23° to 9°). Survival rate of acetabular component at 8 years with the end point of any reoperation and of aseptic loosening was 96.6% (95% confidence interval: 89.9%-100%) and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Acetabular IBG represents one of the useful options for restoring a normal hip center and acetabular bone stock in primary THA for DDH with large acetabular defect.

Bone restoration with cemented Exeter universal stem - Three-years longitudinal DEXA study in 165 hips for femur.

BACKGROUND: The pattern of strain distribution in the proximal femur changes following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) occur around the stem following cemented and uncemented THA. We herein prospectively examined changes in BMD for 3 years after THA with a cemented Exeter universal stem. METHODS: One hundred and sixty five hips from 150 patients who underwent unilateral THA were included as a cohort. Our patients included 20 men (20 hips) and 130 women (145 hips) with a mean age of 63.9 years. BMD was measured 2 weeks postoperatively (baseline) and 3, 6 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months (3 years) after surgery using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) on the lumbar spine and proximal femur of the operated side according to the Gruen zone classification. We quantified longitudinal changes in BMD for more than 3 years after surgery and detected several factors which affected these changes. RESULTS: In the first year, BMD in the most proximal femur showed a 5.5% reduction at the lateral side (zone 1) and 13% reduction at the medial side (zone 7), with no significant BMD reductions being observed thereafter. BMD reductions at 3 years were the most apparent at the proximal medial part of the femur (zone 7; -10.3%), while BMD ratio change in zone 1 was over the baseline (+2.9%). Especially in zone 7, the BMD ratio decreased with female, decreases in weight, decreases in height, decreases in BMI, and increases in age at the time of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bone restoration is expected with a cemented Exeter universal stem. Male patients, a younger age, a high body weight, being tall, and a high BMI were identified as factors associated with the restoration of BMD in proximal femur.

What factors predict the failure of curved intertrochanteric varus osteotomy for the osteonecrosis of the femoral head?

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine the 10-year survivorship and clinical outcome after curved intertrochanteric varus osteotomy (CVO) for the osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), and to determine what factors predict the failure of this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 102 consecutive CVOs in 93 patients diagnosed with ONFH. Mean follow-up duration was 10.1 years (3.0-23.2 years). Factors associated with radiographic failure (secondary collapse and/or osteoarthritic change), conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and low Harris Hip Score (HHS), were assessed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival rate. RESULTS: Radiographic failure occurred in 27 hips (26.5 %), and 11 hips (10.8 %) were converted to THA. The 10-year survival rate was 91.0 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 83.4-95.2 %] with conversion to THA as the endpoint and 72.4 % (95 % CI 62.3-80.3 %) with radiographic failure as the endpoint. Mean HHS improved from 70.0 preoperatively to 88.1 at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that postoperative intact ratio <33.3 % [hazard ratio (HR), 11.17; 95 % CI 4.14-30.14] and center-edge (CE) angle <25° (HR 4.91; 95 % CI 1.92-12.55) were independent factors determining radiographic failure. In addition, the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that postoperative intact ratio <33.3 % (HR 10.65; 95 % CI 2.24-50.53) and CE angle <25° (HR 7.81; 95 % CI 2.17-28.07) were also factors determining conversion to THA. Worse HHSs of <80 were seen in patients with postoperative intact ratio <33.3 % (p < 0.001), CE angle <25° (p < 0.001), and acetabular head index <75 % (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative intact ratio <33.3 % and CE angle <25° were identified as independent factors determining radiographic failure and conversion to THA. Therefore, these factors must be taken into consideration when selecting patients for CVO.

Grafted vertebral fracture after implant removal in a patient with spine-shortening vertebral osteotomy.

We experienced the rare complication of a vertebral fracture that was caused by implant removal after bony fusion had been achieved in a patient who underwent spine-shortening osteotomy (SSO) for tethered cord syndrome (TCS). We propose that the removal of the implant used for SSO should be contraindicated. The patient (a 27-year-old female) presented to our institution with a history of progressive severe lower back pain, gait disturbance, and urinary incontinence. As an infant, she had undergone surgery for spina bifida with lipoma. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed tethering of the spinal cord to a lipoma. We performed SSO at the level of the L1 vertebra level. After spine shortening and fixation using a posterior approach, the L1 vertebral body was completely removed anteriorly and replaced with a left iliac bone graft. The patient's symptoms improved after surgery. After bony fusion was achieved after surgery, we decided to remove the spinal implant after we explained the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure to the patient. We performed implant removal surgery safely 2 years later; however, the patient complained of severe lower back pain 10 days after the surgery without any history of trauma. Reconstruction computed tomography showed fracture of the grafted vertebra. We performed a repeat posterior fixation, which relieved the lower back pain; she has experienced no complications in the subsequent 5 years. In summary, we report a case of a rare complication of the fracture of a grafted vertebra after removal of an implant used in SSO for TCS. Spinal stability could not be maintained without the spinal posterior implant after SSO. Postoperative fracture after spinal implant removal is rare but possible, and patients must be informed of this potential risk.

Range of motion of thoracic spine in sagittal plane.

STUDY DESIGN: Imaging study of thoracic spine. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate dynamic alignment and range of motion (ROM) at all segmental levels of thoracic spine. Thoracic spine is considered to have restricted ROM because of restriction by the rib cage. However, angular movements of thoracic spine can induce thoracic compressive myelopathy in some patients. Although few previous studies have reported segmental ROM with regard to sagittal plane, these were based on cadaver specimens. No study has reported normal functional ROM of thoracic spine. METHODS: Fifty patients with cervical or lumbar spinal disease but neither thoracic spinal disease nor compression fracture were enrolled prospectively in this study (34 males, 16 females; mean age 55.4 ± 14.7 years; range 27-81 years). After preoperative myelography, multidetector-row computed tomography scanning was performed at passive maximum flexion and extension position. Total and segmental thoracic kyphotic angles were measured and ROM calculated. RESULTS: Total kyphotic angle (T1/L1) was 40.2° ± 11.4° and 8.5° ± 12.8° in flexion and extension, respectively (P < 0.0001). The apex of the kyphotic angle was at T6/7 in flexion. Total ROM (T1/L1) was 31.7° ± 11.3°. Segmental ROM decreased from T1/2 to T4/5 but increased gradually from T4/5 to T12/L1. Maximum ROM was at T12/L1 (4.2° ± 2.1°) and minimum at T4/5 (0.9° ± 3.0°). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic spine showed ROM in sagittal plane, despite being considered a stable region. These findings offer useful information in the diagnosis and selection of surgical intervention in thoracic spinal disease.

Massive bone defect compromises postoperative cup survivorship of acetabular revision hip arthroplasty with impaction bone grafting.

We evaluated 66 acetabular revision arthroplasties using cemented cup with impaction bone grafting (IBG) to detect the extent that bone defect affects the outcome. We defined the maximum acetabular defect distance (MADD), which indicates the greatest depth of the grafted layer. Cup survival analysis with aseptic loosening as the endpoint revealed that the "MADD≤20mm" group showed higher survivorship than the "MADD>20mm" group (95% vs. 74%, P=0.034), and that the simple-wall-defect group (none or one mesh used) showed higher survivorship than the complex-wall-defect group (two meshes used) (96% vs. 73%, P=0.044). A favorable indication for acetabular IBG reconstruction is cases in which those cups can be placed at≤20mm MADD with a simple wall defect.

Characterizing the need for tracheostomy placement and decannulation after cervical spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: There have been few reports on the risk factors for tracheostomy and the possibility of patients for decannulation. The purpose of this study was to identify factors necessitating tracheostomy after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and detect features predictive of successful decannulation in tracheostomy patients. METHODS: One hundred and sixty four patients with cervical fracture/dislocation were retrospectively reviewed. The patients comprised 142 men and 22 women with a mean age of 44.9 years. The clinical records were reviewed for patients' demographic data, smoking history, level of cervical spine injury, injury patterns, neurological status, evidence of direct thoracic trauma and head injury, tracheostomy placement, and decannulation. Risk factors necessitating tracheostomy and factors predicting decannulation were statistically analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (15.2%) required tracheostomy. Twenty-one patients were successfully decannulated. Smoking history (relative risk [RR], 3.05; p = 0.03) and complete SCI irrespective of injury level (C1-4 complete SCI: RR, 67.55; p < 0.001, C5-7 complete SCI: RR, 57.88; p < 0.001) were significant risk factors necessitating tracheostomy. C1-4 complete SCI was more frequent among those who could not be decannulated. However, even in patients with high cervical complete SCI at the time of injury, patients regaining sufficient movement to shrug their shoulders within 3 weeks after injury could later be decannulated. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for tracheostomy after complete SCI were a history of smoking and complete paralysis irrespective of the level of injury. High cervical level complete SCI was found to be a risk factor for the failure of decannulation in patients without shoulder shrug within 3 weeks after injury.

"Transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion" in the management of lower thoracic spine fracture dislocations: technical note.

STUDY DESIGN: A case-control clinical study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness and safety of a novel reconstructive procedure known as transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion (TTIF) in the treatment of lower thoracic spine fracture dislocations, and to compare its efficacy with posterior/anterior combined surgery (PACS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: We developed a TTIF procedure for thoracic spine lesions, and obtained good clinical outcomes for degenerative disorders of the thoracic spine. However, the technique of TTIF in the lower thoracic spine fracture dislocation has never been reported. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with lower thoracic spine fracture dislocations underwent TTIF (6 males, 1 female; mean age, 32 y), and 16 consecutive patients with lower thoracic spine fracture dislocations underwent PACS (14 males, 2 females; mean age, 37 y). Surgical complications, clinical outcomes, and sagittal alignment were investigated. Bony fusion was assessed using plain and functional x-rays and computed tomography scans. RESULTS: In the TTIF group and the PACS group, the mean operative times were 153 and 224 minutes, respectively, and the mean operative bleeding was 421 and 698 mL, respectively. All patients in the TTIF group were ambulatory within 2 days after surgery. Preoperative local sagittal alignments (kyphotic angles) were 22.9 and 22.5 degrees, respectively. Postoperative local sagittal alignments were 9.9 and 7.2 degrees, respectively. There were no instances of instrumentation failure or nonunion, and there were no serious complications such as neurological deficits in either group. In addition, a chest tube was necessary in 11 cases (69%) of PACS after thoracotomy, but was not required in any TTIF cases. CONCLUSIONS: TTIF achieves posterior rigid fixation with instrumentation, and anterior column reconstruction by interbody fusion. This procedure also enables early postoperative ambulation without respiratory problems. TTIF can be a useful option for reconstructive surgery of the lower thoracic spine after fracture dislocations.

Modified double-door laminoplasty in managing multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: surgical outcome in 520 patients and technique description.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study on surgical outcomes of double-door laminoplasty in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the efficacy and safety of modified double-door laminoplasty in a large series of patients with CSM. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Laminoplasty is an established procedure for the decompression of multisegmental CSM. However, no report has described the clinical outcomes of laminoplasty for a large number of patients with CSM (>500 patients). METHODS: Between April 1995 and December 2006, 520 consecutive patients (331 male and 189 female) with CSM who underwent double-door laminoplasty and were followed-up for more than 1 year were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 62.2 years (23 to 93 y), and the mean duration of disease was 20.1 ± 32.0 months. The severity of myelopathy before and after surgery was evaluated according to a scoring system proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association for cervical myelopathy (JOA score). Functional improvement was expressed by the recovery rate (RR) of the JOA score. RESULTS: The average surgery time for laminoplasty was 75.2 ± 23.3 minutes, and the average blood loss was 72.6 ± 84.6 mL. The average follow-up period was 33.3 ± 15.7 months. The mean JOA score was 10.4 ± 2.8 points preoperatively and 13.6 ± 2.5 points at final follow-up. The mean RR was 51.2 ± 2 9.0%. On the basis of RR, we found that the conditions of 493 patients (94.8%) improved (RR, >1%), 20 patients (3.8%) showed no change (RR, 0%), and 7 patients (1.3%) in worse condition (RR, < 0%). The 7 patients deteriorated for reasons (lumbar spinal canal stenosis and cerebral infarction) that were unrelated to CSM. CONCLUSIONS: Modified double-door laminoplasty is a safe, reliable, and effective procedure for patients with CSM.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus possibly affects the occurrence of proximal femoral fracture.

AIMS: The clinical triad of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) includes gait disturbance, dementia, and urinary incontinence. These symptoms are also frequently observed in patients with proximal femoral fracture (PFF). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PFF and iNPH retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the130 patients over 80-years-old with PFF included in this study, 48 were assigned to the PFF group. Forty-eight patients with peripheral vertigo matched with the PFF group for age and sex were included in the control group. We compared the Evans' index (EI), which is a head computed tomography finding of iNPH, and the percentages of patients with EI>0.3 between the two groups. The PFF group was further divided into two subgroups depending on whether EI was higher or lower than 0.3 (the higher or lower subgroup, respectively). We compared the patient's gait abilities before PFF, causes of PFF, cognitive functions, and occurrence of urinary incontinence between both groups. RESULTS: The mean value of EI in the PFF group was significantly higher than that in the control group (PFF group, 0.301; control group, 0.284; p=0.008). The percentages of patients with EI>0.3 in the PFF and control groups were 62.5% and 35.4%, respectively (p=0.014). In subgroup analyses, the gait ability before injury was worse in the higher subgroup than that in the lower subgroup and was prominent among individuals who could walk only with human assistance (p=0.018). There were no significant differences in other parameters. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with PFF may have underlying idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; case-control comparative study.

Prediction of lower limb functional recovery after laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy: focusing on the 10-s step test.

OBJECTIVE: Operative decompression is indicated for progressive neurological deterioration in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM). However, the best timing to ensure clinical recovery has not been determined because of the lack of a suitable method. 10 s step ("step") test is an easily performed physical test to assess the severity of CCM, particularly for the severity of lower limb dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to analyze the predictive value of preoperative step test results in relation to the results of expansive laminoplasty in patients with CCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and imaging data were prospectively collected from 101 patients who underwent cervical expansive laminoplasty for CCM. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the lower limb function section of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ-L) were used to evaluate surgical outcomes. Cutoff value was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to predict clinical recovery after surgery. JOA recovery rate exceeding 50% was defined as an effective clinical result. The treatment was judged to be effective in 30 patients based on the JOACMEQ-L. The cutoff value of the step test was 14.5 in cases of an effective judgment with JOA and JOACMEQ-L. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative patient age and duration of symptoms were predictive parameters for effectively judging JOA scores. A preoperative step test result of greater than or equal to 14.5 and male gender were significant predictive parameters for an effective judgment with JOACMEQ-L. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative step test results significantly reflected the effective results of JOACMEQ-L and were predictive of improved lower limb function after laminoplasty in patients with CCM. Patients with a score of greater than or equal to 14.5 can experience effective lower limb functional recovery.

Usefulness of nutritional assessment using Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is an objective nutritional status assessment tool used for predicting mortality risk in hospitalized patients. However, it is unclear whether GNRI reflects short-term mortality for hip fracture patients after surgery. We examined the usefulness of the nutritional status assessed by the GNRI and identified cutoff scores that predict mortality risk. Does GNRI on admission predict the mortality after surgery for hip fracture? HYPOTHESIS: Evaluation of GNRI could help identify patients at higher risk of 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study used data from 1040 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery. Fatalities within 30 days after hip fracture surgery were investigated. The GNRI was calculated on admission in all patients as follows: 14.89×serum albumin (g/dL)+41.7×body mass index/22. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and the optimal cutoff score that could predict 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery. This cutoff score was used for comparing the mortality rates between patient groups with a GNRI higher and lower than the cutoff score using Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors of 30-day mortality. RESULTS: There were 17 fatalities (1.6%) in the cohort. The ROC-AUC value was 0.811, and the cutoff GNRI was 75.4. Mortality was significantly higher in the group with a GNRI<75.4 compared with the group with a GNRI≥75.4 (odds ratio [OR], 22.99; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 7.55-78.05; p=0.00000004). A GNRI<75.4 was a significant predictor of mortality within 30-days after hip fracture surgery (OR, 27.1; 95% CI, 8.57-85.9; p≤0.0001). DISCUSSION: Our results show that nutritional status assessment using GNRI can help predict 30-day mortality among geriatric patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture. The GNRI is a simple and accurate tool for predicting the risk of mortality after hip fracture surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; case series study.