The feasibility and safety of cocktail treatment of triple anti-inflammatory agents loaded with gelatin sponge promotes early recovery after posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether a cocktail therapy of dexamethasone, ropivacaine, dexmedetomidine, and vitamin B12 can achieve satisfactory pain relief and promote early functional recovery after PPECD. METHODS: Eighty single-level patients with CDH who received PPECD were retrospectively divided into two groups: the cocktail and control groups. Clinical data were recorded and evaluated by a dedicated physician who was not involved in the patient's treatment. The primary clinical outcomes included visual analog scores (VASs) for upper limber pain and neck disability index (NDI) scores. The follow-up time points were preoperatively and postoperative 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the surgical effect of the last follow-up. RESULTS: The follow-up data of 74 cases were complete, except 6 cases lost to follow-up. There was no significant difference between the two groups in demographics, duration of symptoms, operation stage (p > 0.05), and operation time (80.5 ± 5.5 vs. 81.5 ± 3.5 min). The VAS in the upper limbs pain was significantly higher postoperatively than preoperatively in both groups (p < 0.05). The cocktail group had a lower VAS than the control group 1 week postoperatively (p < 0.05); however, VAS not different between groups at the remaining time points. The NDI scores were significantly better postoperatively than preoperatively, and no significant differences were seen when comparing nodes at postoperative follow-up (p > 0.05). In the control group, two cases with foraminal stenosis were found to have unrelieved pain in the early postoperative period, but the pain was relieved at the final follow-up and did not convert to open decompression surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Cocktail treatment, in which a drug sustained-release material made of gelatin sponge was impregnated with dexamethasone, ropivacaine, dexmedetomidine and vitamin B12, facilitates pain relief and early postoperative recovery after PPECD.

Endo-TLIF versus MIS-TLIF in 1-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis: A prospective randomized pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative efficacy by comparing perioperative characteristics and 1.5-year observational outcomes in 1-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis between traditional minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and optimized Endoscopic TLIF techniques. METHODS: The study was a single-center, randomized controlled trial comparing two different treatment approaches for 1-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis. 102 patients treated by MIS-TLIF (48 cases) or Endo-TLIF (54 cases) were included from March 2018 to April 2019. Perioperative parameters and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Degree of slip were measured, and fusion rates were determined at 18 months after surgery. RESULTS: The Endo-TLIF group had similar return to work time and rate. Blood loss, left bed time, analgesic ratio were significantly less in Endo-TLIF group. The Endo-TLIF group had a significantly longer operative time. Significant postoperative reduction in %slip was showed in both groups. The VAS and ODI improved significantly in both groups after surgery. Significant decreases in low-back pain in Endo-TLIF group were found at postoperative day 1 and 3 months. The fusion rate in the two groups was similar. CONCLUSION: Endo-TLIF surgery with a C-shaped working tube and a visualization system may be regarded as an efficient alternative surgery for 1-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis. It is a safe and minimally invasive way to perform this surgery and has shown satisfactory clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800015197, 13 March 2018. TRIAL REGISTRY: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Registered 13 March 2018. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=25865.

Posterior percutaneous endoscopic versus traditional surgery for cervical disc herniation: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical diskectomy (P-PECD) can be used posterior microdiscectomy for cervical disc herniation. But only some small sample sizes of clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of P-PECD. This study aim to evaluated the efficacy and safety of P-PECD compared with traditional open surgery. METHODS: We will search the following seven electronic databases from their initiation to the May 1, 2020: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) and Wanfang database. All randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials and retrospective case controls that compared the efficacy and safety of P-PECD and traditional open surgery in the treatment of cervical disc herniation will be included. The pooled odds ratio with 95% credible intervals (CIs) was used for the dichotomous variables. The mean difference with 95% CIs was used for the continuous variables. All analyses were conducted by Comprehensive Meta Analysis 2.0. A 2-tailed P value < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The results of systematic review and meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: Our study will provide clarity regarding for clinicians to choices best surgical approach for patients with cervical disc herniation. Any changes that need to be made during the process of this study will be explained in the final full-text publication. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020164011.

Comparison of Clinical and Radiologic Outcome Between Mini-Open Wiltse Approach and Fluoroscopic-Guided Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure between mini-open pedicle screw (MPS) fixation with the Wiltse approach and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation in treatment of young and middle-aged patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: Of 60 patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fractures treated in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2018, 30 were randomly assigned to the MPS group and 30 were randomly assigned to the PPS group. Clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 42.2 ± 6.7 years in the MPS group and 43.0 ± 6.9 years in the PPS group (P = 0.668). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative visual analog scale score for back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index score. The vertebral body height and vertebral body angle of the MPS group were significantly better than those of the PPS group at the last follow-up. There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement between the MPS group and the PPS group; the facet joint violation was significantly higher in the PPS group. The average radiation exposure dosage was lower in the MPS group. CONCLUSIONS: Both MPS fixation with the Wiltse approach and PPS fixation are safe and effective in the treatment of single-segment thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. Nevertheless, considering the surgical duration, radiation exposure, facet joint violation, vertebral body height, and vertebral body angle at the last follow-up, MPS fixation with the Wiltse approach is a better choice than PPS.

Outcomes of Discectomy by Using Full-Endoscopic Visualization Technique via the Transcorporeal and Transdiscal Approaches in the Treatment of Cervical Intervertebral Disc Herniation: A Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference in clinical and radiographic outcomes between anterior transcorporeal and transdiscal percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (ATc-PECD/ATd-PECD) approaches for treating patients with cervical intervertebral disc herniation (CIVDH). METHOD: We selected 77 patients with single-segment CIVDH and received ATc-PECD or ATd-PECD in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between March 1, 2010, and July 1, 2015. 35 patients suffered from ATc-PECD, and there were 42 patients in the ATd-PECD group. Obtaining the data of 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively, the VAS for neck and arm pain and the modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes, comparing radiographic outcomes and complications of these two groups. RESULTS: We found that the mean operative time was significantly longer in the ATc-PECD group (P < 0.05). At the 2-year follow-up, the mean VAS score for neck and arm pain was significantly decreased in both two groups. There was no significant difference in the VAS score for arm pain and neck pain between the two groups at the 2-year follow-up (P=0.783 and P=0.785, respectively). For the ATc-PECD group, the difference in the height of IVS or vertebral body was significant between the preoperative and postoperative groups (P < 0.05, respectively). For the ATd-PECD group, there was only a significant decrease in the height of the IVS (P < 0.05); the decrease in the surgical vertebral body was not significant between the preoperative and postoperative groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the 2-year follow-up, there is no significant difference in the clinical outcomes between the 2 approaches. While the longer time was consumed in the ATc-PECD group, the lower rate of disc collapse and recurrence is notable. Additionally, when the center diameter of tunnel was limited to 6 mm, the bony defect can be healed without the occurrence of the collapse of the superior endplate, and ATc-PECD may be preferable in the endoscopic treatment of CIVDH.

[Transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy combined with anchorage technique of pedicle for the treatment of high prolapse free lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of percutaneous spinal endoscopy (percutaneous endoscopy) in the treatment of high prolapse free lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: From May 2016 to June 2018, 24 patients with highly prolapse free lumbar disc herniation were enrolled in this study, including 11 males and 13 females, ranging in age from 48 to 72 years old, with an average of (59.5±7.2) years old. There were 1 case of L2, 3, 5 cases of L3, 4, 18 cases of L4, 5. The course of disease ranged from 8 to 26 months, with an average of (16.2±6.3) months. All the patients were subjected to local infiltration anesthesia. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) for leg pain, low backpain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at preoperative, first day after operation and 6 month after surgery. All data were statisticed by SPSS 22.0. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 24 months, with a mean of (17.5±5.3) months. The average operation time was(69.8±14.2) minutes. One patient had cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which improved after supine rest. VAS scores of lower back pain were 6.36±1.27, 3.94±1.03, 1.62±0.87, 0.44±0.27, 0.37±0.29. VAS scores of leg pain were 8.28±1.74, 3.16±1.24, 2.83±1.13, 0.83±0.31, 0.46±0.31, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The ODI were (48.79±9.83)%, (36.51±11.24)%, (21.05±6.35)%, (9.83±4.62)% and (7.24±4.72)% 1 day before and 1 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after the operation, respectively. One year after the operation, the modified Macnab evaluation system was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the patients, 19 patients got an excellent result, 3 good, 2 fair and 0 poor. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous endoscopic pedicle anchoring technique for the treatment of high prolapse free lumbar disc herniation can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients, and has the advantages of less trauma, less bleeding, rapid recovery, complete removal of the nucleus pulposus, and less pain of patients, etc., its clinical efficacy is accurate, operability is strong, it is worth promoting in the clinical use.

Oxygen Embolism and Pneumocephalus After Hydrogen Peroxide Application During Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution is commonly used to irrigate wounds because of its hemostatic and antiseptic properties. Previous studies suggest that H2O2 can result in toxicity to keratinocytes and fibroblasts, but complications after H2O2 application, including oxygen embolism, which is one of the most severe, have rarely been reported. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 40-year-old woman was diagnosed with L4-5 lumbar spinal stenosis and subsequently underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion treatment at another hospital. Hypotension, hypoxia, and a decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure occurred immediately after H2O2 irrigation. After the operation, she was able to be extubated but remained comatose. Postoperative computed tomography scan revealed intracranial air trapping in the right frontal lobe and multiple cerebral infarction foci. CONCLUSIONS: When using a knee-prone surgical position or in cases of dural laceration, the application of undiluted H2O2 solution should be avoided, especially in a surgical wound within a closed cavity. When hypotension, hypoxia, and a decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure occur immediately after H2O2 irrigation, oxygen embolism should be strongly suspected.

Can Zero-Profile Cage Maintain the Cervical Curvature Similar to Plate-Cage Construct for Single-Level Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion?

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes after anterior cervical surgery between zero-profile (Zero-P) cage and plate-cage construct (PCC). METHODS: One-hundred and sixteen patients with single-level cervical disk herniation who underwent anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion between May 2015 and March 2017 were enrolled. They were divided into a Zero-P group (61 cases) and a PCC group (55 cases). At 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation, routine follow-up evaluation was recommended including visual analog scale score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. The lateral x-ray film was performed at 1 and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: All 116 patients successfully completed the operation and achieved bone fusion. While there was no significant difference in the amount of bleeding between the 2 groups, the operation time of the Zero-P group was significantly shorter than that of the PCC group with statistically difference. The visual analog scale score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of the 2 groups at each follow-up interval postoperatively were significantly improved compared with that before operation; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05, respectively). While all the C2-7 cervical curvature, segmental Cobb angle, and height of adjacent vertebral body were lost at the 24-month follow-up, the significant difference was observed in the Zero-P group (P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the Zero-P system, the PCC system provides a comparable clinical outcome. Although it showed the disadvantages in controlling the operation time and surgical bleeding, the radiologic outcome was better at the 2-year follow-up.

Treatment of Single-Level Thoracic Tuberculosis by Percutaneous Endoscopic Débridement and Allograft via the Transforaminal Approach Combined with Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation: A Multicenter Study with a Median Follow-Up of 36 Months.

OBJECTIVE: To examine effects of percutaneous endoscopic débridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation as treatment for single-level thoracic tuberculosis. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective analysis included 75 patients with single-level thoracic tuberculosis who underwent percutaneous endoscopic débridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and were followed for >36 months between January 2012 and December 2014. RESULTS: Follow-up was 36-48 months (average 41.1 ± 2.2 months). Intraoperative blood loss was low (average 30.5 ± 7.9 mL), and bed rest time was short (average 1.5 ± 0.3 days). No recurrence was observed in all 75 patients. Except for 3 patients, almost all patients (96%) achieved grade I or II fusion in interbody bone grafting. Segmental Cobb angle was 13.5° ± 4.1° before surgery, 10.5° ± 3.7° immediately after surgery, and 11.7° ± 3.9° at 36 months of follow-up. All patients achieved complete recovery of neurologic function (American Spinal Injury Association grade E), including 15 patients with spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association grade D) before surgery. The visual analog scale and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scores significantly improved at 1, 3, 12, and 36 months of follow-up. No complications related to internal fixation occurred within the follow-up period; complication rate was 9.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Median follow-up clinical experience with percutaneous endoscopic débridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation indicates that the technique is safe, effective, feasible, and minimally invasive.

Foraminoplasty at the Tip or Base of the Superior Articular Process for Lateral Recess Stenosis in Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Controlled Study with 2-Year Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and complications which obtained foraminoplasty at the tip or base of the superior articular process (SAP) for the patients with lateral recess stenosis treated by percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). METHODS: Between January 2015 and January 2016, 156 patients of lumbar disc herniation accompanying with lateral recess stenosis were treated with PELD in five tertiary hospitals and fulfilled the 2-year follow-up. Among them, 78 patients obtained a foraminoplasty at the tip of SAP (group A), and foraminoplasty at the base of SAP was performed in the other 78 cases (group B). Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) score for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) score. The intervals of follow-up were scheduled at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: Mean operative duration is shorter in group B (55 versus 61 min, P = 0.047). Only one case belonged to group A could not tolerate the neural irritation and required conversion to an open procedure. During the surgery, no dura tears, cauda equina syndrome, or infections were observed. 5 patients experienced transient dysesthesia located at the exiting nerve in group A, while no cases complained dysesthesia in group B. 2 cases who suffered temporary motor weakness all belonged to group A. A total of 5 cases obtained a revision surgery after recurrence in the follow-up, in which 3 patients belonged to group A. Compared to the preoperative data, significant improvements in VAS scores of low back pain and sciatica, ODI, and SF-36 PCS and MC were observed in the follow-up, respectively (P < 0.05, respectively). However, no statistical difference was observed at all time-points after surgery between these two groups (P > 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: For the patients of LDH accompanying with lateral recess stenosis, compared with the routine foraminoplasty at the tip of SAP, our modified foraminoplastic technique does not only change place of foraminoplasty to the base of SAP but also simplified puncture process in transforaminal PELD. Although there was no significant difference in symptom relief, the modified foraminoplasty showed the advantages in decreasing the incidence of postoperative neural dysfunction and reducing operation time.