[The importance of interspinous spacers in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis]. / Stellenwert der interspinösen Implantate in der Therapie der lumbalen Spinalkanalstenose.

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, interspinous spacers can be used in a tissue and time sparing technique. Relief of low back pain might be achieved by stress reduction of facet joints and limitation of segmental mobility. AIM: Presentation of dynamic stabilization by means of an interspinous spacer with and without decompression and to compare it with the outcome of decompression and fusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: As part of a PubMed search, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs from high-quality controlled clinical trials were selected and contrasted with our own experience. RESULTS: The current literature was evaluated, which assesses interspinous spacers with and without decompression in comparison with the "gold standard", the microsurgical interlaminar decompression. CONCLUSION: Published data indicate that the use of interspinous spacers with or without decompression for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis is not less effective than stand-alone decompression. The reoperation rate can only be proven for implants without decompression on the basis of Level I studies. However, as a link between decompression alone and fusion, it cannot yet provide a scientifically clear solution.

[Lumbar synovial cysts: literature review and original long-term results after microsurgical resection]. / Die lumbalen Synovialzysten: Literaturreview und originäre Langzeitergebnisse nach mikrochirurgischer Resektion.

BACKGROUND: Intraspinal lumbar vertebral joint cysts are an unusual cause of nerve root compression symptoms and do not differ clinically from the symptoms of a herniated disc. PATHOGENESIS: The cysts originate from the small vertebral joints and, depending on their size, compress the nerval structures. The affected vertebral joints typically show activated arthritic circumstances, which are associated with degenerative spondylolisthesis in about 50% of cases. In the majority of cases, MRT and CT can be used for diagnostic purposes. The exact etiology has not been fully clarified; various factors such as activated arthritis of the vertebral joints appear to be the major cause. TREATMENT: Treatment options include conservative, semi-invasive and surgical therapy. Conservative and semi-invasive treatment methods lead to temporary improvement. The result of surgical treatment, however, is excellent in a complete resection of synovial cysts. In In rare cases, an initial fusion is necessary in rare cases.

[ALIF and PLIF interposition in low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis L5/S1 : Longterm-Comparison of interbody fusion techniques (ALIF - PLIF)]. / ALIF- und PLIF-Interposition bei low-grade isthmischen Spondylolisthesen L5/S1 : Langzeitvergleich der interkorporellen Fusionstechnik (ALIF - PLIF).

INTRODUCTION: For the treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis two alternative interbody fusion techniques are available, the dorsoventral interposition in ALIF technique and the dorsal access interposition in PLIF technique. Due to the complications of anterior lumbar surgery and in order to avoid a second operation, the dorsoventral fusion technique is becoming uncommon and mainly a pure dorsal supply is performed. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical long-term results of both treatment techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 138 patients were treated surgically between 2003 and 2012 in symptomatic isthmic spondylolysis in L5/S1 with a Meyerding degree of I-III. 72 patients were evaluated finally (ALIF n = 25 and PLIF n = 47). The average follow-up period was 7.9 years for the ALIF group and 5.6 years for the PLIF group. In both groups the average drug consumption, duration of recovery, resumption of work and resumption of sport activities was recorded. RESULTS: The results showed an extended time of surgery and a prolonged hospitalization of 5.4 days for the ALIF group. The ODI had a greater improvement in the PLIF group but this difference was not significant. The VAS was reduced in both groups. 36.8 % of the ALIF group and 44.7 % of the PLIF group reported a reduced pain medication postoperatively. The average recovery was 16 weeks for both groups. 29 % of PLIF and 9 % of ALIF patients had no pain relief. ALIF patients were able to get back to work after 149 days and the PLIF patients after 178 days. 31 % of the PLIF group and 13 % of the ALIF group were not able to return back to work. Revisions of fusion and the rate of wound revisions were increased in the PLIF group, adjacent segment diseases occurred more frequently in the ALIF group. CONCLUSION: Both treatment and fusion techniques (ALIF/PLIF) were able to achieve a significant pain relief and reduced consumption of pain medication postoperatively. The recovery period was similar in both groups, but there were differences regarding the date of return to work, hospitalization, duration of surgery and ODI score. Neither of the two methods could show a definite advantage.

[Management of postoperative wound infections following spine surgery : First results of a multicenter study]. / Management postoperativer Wundinfektionen nach Wirbelsäuleneingriffen : Erste Ergebnisse einer multizentrischen Studie.

INTRODUCTION: The number of spinal surgeries has increased significantly in the last decade, which has led to a correlating increase in the number of problems related to wound healing infection. Current literature has reported a spinal wound infection rate of 0.4 to 20 %. The gold standard for surgical restoration of the infection is to use supportive antibiotics, but this concept of wound management in infections is often not sufficiently standardized and shows a large variance between individual clinics. The present study is to first collect data on the number of wound infections, the clinic's internal standards, the use of methods and tools and the management of revisions in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire has been designed for detecting the number of postoperative wound infections, which need to be treated surgically, and the various treatment regimens used. The questionnaire was sent to all members of the DWG (n = 1275). An example of the questionnaire was to determine clinical internal standards and the procedure for the initial treatment of wound infection, the procedure for second look surgery and the number of revisions requested to infection healing. RESULTS: The study has accepted 67 answer sheets covering a period from June 2013-November 2013. On average, the participating hospitals perform 582 spinal operations and an average of 8 revision surgeries due to infection annually. The average rate of infection was 1.7 %. 55 % reported having no fixed standard of care. 97 % reported wound irrigation and debridement during the first revision. Indication for second look revisions was based on the local examination of the wound conditions. On average 2.2 revisions had been performed to reach effective wound healing. 81 % of the colleagues showed readiness to participate in a multicenter trial. CONCLUSION: The results show that there is a need for uniform standards in the treatment of postoperative infections. Surgical debridement and lavage have a major role in the treatment of infection. The overall rate of postoperative infections, of the clinics surveyed, was approximately 1.7 % per year. The infections were healed with approximately 2 revisions utilizing variety of different treatment strategies.

[Posterior lumbar interbody fusion implants. Software assisted planning--preliminary results]. / Posteriore lumbale interkorporelle Fusionscages. Softwarebasierte Operationsplanung--erste Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: Sagittal imbalance, adjacent segment degeneration, and loss of correction due to cage sintering are the main reasons for revision surgery after lumbar fusion. Based on the experience from hip and knee replacement surgery, preoperative software-assisted planning combined with the corresponding cages is helpful to achieve better long-term results. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the procedure regarding intraoperative application of preoperative planning and examination to what extent the planning was correct. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 30 patients were included in the period from September 2012 to May 2013 in an observational study, planned preoperatively with the planning software, and treated with the corresponding PLIF cages. The radiological evaluation was performed by thin-layer CT after 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 24 (80%) patients were followed up after 3 months. In these 24 patients, the preoperative planning actually was correct in 17 cases with the intraoperatively implanted cage, which corresponds to a match of about 71%. The fusion rate for these 24 patients who underwent full examinations was 91.7%. CONCLUSION: The results of this observational study to evaluate the planning of intervertebral cages show positive experience with this novel therapeutic concept. Despite the limited number of participants, good results were observed for the intraoperative implementation of the planned cages and an adequate fusion rate was obtained. Irrespective of this, a software-based surgical planning must be questioned critically any time. Ultimately, it is the surgeon's responsibility to modify the planned procedure intraoperatively if necessary. Currently, the influence of this planning regarding the long-term course and the important question of adjacent segment instability remains unanswered.

[Pre- and postoperative fast-track treatment concepts in spinal surgery : patient information and patient cooperation]. / Prä- und postoperative Fast-track-Behandlungskonzepte in der Wirbelsäulenchirurgie : Patienteninformation und Patientenkooperation.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based procedures and pathways to reduce peri- and postoperative complications, while simultaneously achieving a high satisfaction rate of patients and lower costs are important goals in the treatment of orthopedic patients. PURPOSE: This article describes the key factors to improve treatment of patients with indications for stabilization of one or two segments in the field of degenerative lumbar spine pathologies. A fast-track concept was developed to optimize the pathway of treatment, while increasing patient satisfaction and shortening the hospital stay. In the present patient cohort, significantly greater patient satisfaction and significantly shorter hospital stays were achieved. RESULTS: The hospital stay was reduced from 10.9 to 6.2 days after introduction of a multimodal patient school that was held 10 days prior to admission, with mobilization on the day of surgery with a strictly followed treatment plan supervised by therapists and taking into account the patient's own assessment, as well an early plan for discharge based on fixed established criteria. This concept is a very successful tool to achieve high quality standard of treatment paired with a reduction of hospital stay.

[Historical development of arthrodesis of pes cavus]. / Korrigierende Arthrodesen des Klauenhohlfusses aus historischer Sicht.

In contrast to the present, the diagnosis and treatment of pes cavus was a major subject of research at the beginning of last century. This was due to the high incidence of certain neurological disorders (poliomyelitis, myelodysplasia) which led to the development of this foot deformity. Advances in anaesthetic technique and the establishment of antisepsis contributed largely to the development of the surgical treatment of pes cavus. Ladislaus Leo Freiherr von Lesser performed the first surgically induced ankylosis of the ankle by denuding the joint surfaces of cartilage followed by fixation with a metal nail. This procedure was then introduced as arthrodesis; a word derived from the Greek meaning "binding of the joint". Numerous methods and modifications of arthrodesis have been developed for the correction of foot deformities. With increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis of pes cavus, soft tissue and tendon transfer procedures were added to the surgical treatment. Today, the philosophy of arthrodesis in the treatment of foot deformity is the same, but the development of fixation techniques and implant materials could improve postoperative care and outcome.

[Diagnostics and minimally invasive therapy for chronic low back pain]. / Diagnostik und minimal-invasive Therapie bei chronischen Lumbalgien.

Chronic low back pain is one of the most frequent causes for seeking medical help in Germany. Many factors play a causal role in its pathogenesis. This is where the dilemma resides in narrowing down the diagnosis and deciding on subsequent therapeutic intervention. There is overall agreement on the concept of when it is expedient to initiate further diagnostic measures. With the exception of clear pathomorphological findings and the presence of cardinal symptoms or warning signs, so-called "red flags", primary back pain should not be subjected to any specific diagnostic tests and therapy during the first 3 months. We present well-established techniques for blockade, discography, and minimally invasive treatment options such as cryotherapy, procedures for thermal ablation, and intradiscal electrotherapy. Vertebroplasty, currently a frequently applied method, is also included in the discussion of minimally invasive treatment for chronic low back pain.

[Dose-dependent prevention of early periprosthetic bone loss by alendronate]. / Dosisabhängige Prophylaxe des frühen periprothetischen Knochenschwundes durch Alendronat.

AIM: Periprosthetic bone loss occurs in the first six months after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and is felt to be largely the result of initial operative irritation, immobilization, and stress shielding. This study (a prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint evaluation) aims at preventing bone loss around the stem with an oral bisphosphonate. METHOD: 66 healthy subjects with uncemented THA and low lumbar bone mass density (BMD) (negative T score) were treated post-operatively with alendronate as follows: n = 21 with 10 mg/d for 10 weeks (A), n = 21 20 mg/d for 5 weeks (B), n = 24 no treatment for controls (C). The periprosthetic BMD in the Gruen zones (ROI) was measured after the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 12th month by DEXA as a percentage of the value measured one week after surgery. RESULTS: In C, there was significant bone loss in all ROI during the first months and a deficit of 29 % in ROI 7 following one year. In B, bone loss was completely prevented up to the second month, in ROI 7, a significant difference in comparison to C was registered for the entire year. In A, significant bone loss reduction during 12 months was seen. CONCLUSION: Alendronate, therefore, is capable of preventing initial periprosthetic bone loss. A dosage of 20 mg/d is required initially with daily treatment lasting at least 10 weeks.