A Morphometric Study of Cadavers for the Anterior Approach to the Lower Lumbar Spine.

AIM: To explore the relationship between the retroperitoneal vasculature and anterior surface of the lower spine, and to establish values for aiding in prediction of the pertinence of anterior approach at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 intervertebral discs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 13 fresh human cadavers. After exploration of the abdominal cavity and removal of the visceral organs, the vasculature, and anterior spinal surface were revealed beneath the lower extension of the perirenal fascia. Morphometric measurements of the great vessels and the intervertebral discs were obtained. All measurements were analyzed and presented as mean and standard deviation. Differences in the values between sexes were assessed. RESULTS: The anterior height of the L4-L5 and L5-S1 intervertebral disc was 6.8 ± 0.81 mm and 6.7 ± 0.99 mm, respectively. The widths of the aorta, inferior vena cava, right and left common iliac arteries, and right, and left common iliac veins were 16.4 ± 3.58, 20.6 ± 3.36, 11.5 ± 2.32, 11.5 ± 2.43, 14.7 ± 3.13, and 15.5 ± 3.27 mm, respectively. The mean aortic bifurcation angle was 45.5°. The aortic bifurcation was located above the lower endplate of the L4 vertebrae in 53.8% of the cadavers. The area of the interarterial and interiliac trigones was 14.6 ± 5.33 cm < sup > 2 < /sup > and 7.1 ± 4.35 cm2, respectively. No statistically significant differences were noted between the sexes. CONCLUSION: An elaborate radiological examination of the vasculature should be performed prior to surgery to avoid unwanted vascular complications during the anterior approach. Knowing the area of the interarterial and interiliac triangles and the aortic bifurcation location could be aid in assessing the safe working zone.

A novel guide device for pedicle screw insertion using three-dimensional preoperative planning in open lumbar spinal surgery: a comparative retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Pedicle screw stabilization (PSS) surgeries for spinal instability are still the most effective treatment approach. The use of preoperative planning can minimize the complications related to transpedicular screw (TPS) misplacement. The study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of a guide device developed to improve the accuracy of the free-hand technique using three-dimensional planning in PSS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with degenerative spinal diseases who underwent open PSS between 2019 and 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. FG group included patients who were operated on using the fluoroscopy alone with preoperative two-dimensional planning. AFG group included patients who were operated on using a guide advice-assisted technique with preoperative 3DP. Between-group comparisons were performed. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients with a mean age of 59.6 years were included in the study. 71 patients were assessed in the FG group and 72 patients in the AFG group. Between-group comparisons regarding demographics, etiologies, radiation exposure, and functional improvements showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Although the accuracy of TPSs positioning was 94.2% and 96.5% in the 2DG and 3DG, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The statistically significant differences regarding the upper-level facet joint violation and pedicle breach rates were lower in the AFG group (p < 0.0001; X2 = 19.57) and (p < 0.0001; X2 = 25.3), respectively. CONCLUSION: Using a guide device associated with preoperative 3PD reduced the upper-level facet joint violation and pedicle breach rates in open PSS surgeries performed by free-hand technique for degenerative spinal diseases.

Comparing Three-dimensional and Two-dimensional Preoperative Planning for Lumbar Transpedicular Screw Placement: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Transpedicular screw (TPS) misplacement is still a nightmare for spine surgeons. Preoperative planning is one of the methods that a surgeon could use to minimize this complication. This study aims to compare the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) preoperative planning in posterior lumbar TPSs placement performed using the freehand technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent posterior TPSs placement for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis using the freehand technique between November 2021 and October 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. In total, 33 and 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively operated on with preoperative 2D and 3D planning, respectively. The patients were divided into the 2D preoperative planning group (2DG) and 3D preoperative planning group (3DG) and the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were operated during the study period. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding blood transfusion, operation time, and radiation exposure. Although the accuracy of TPSs positioning was 94.2 and 96.5% in the 2DG and 3DG, respectively, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The upper facet joint violation rate was 12.8% (n = 20) in the 2DG versus 3.5% (n = 5) in the 3DG (p = 0.006). All L4 TPSs were inserted with their standard entry points without any modification (p < 0.0001; relative/risk ratio = 0.64). The modification rate was higher in L1, L2, and L5 TPSs (p < 0.0001; χ 2 = 24.7). CONCLUSION: For patients with degenerative lumbar diseases, 3D preoperative planning in posterior lumbar instrumentation surgeries performed with the freehand technique decreased the upper facet joint violation rate.

Local Prophylactic Teicoplanin Effect on Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Comparative Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the severe complications of spinal fusion surgery that leads to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Prophylactic antibiotic usage is one of the methods that reduce the SSI possibility in this procedure. To determine the effect of local subfascial teicoplanin and compare it to vancomycin on surgical outcomes in patients who underwent decompression with posterior instrumentation (DPI) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical charts of patients with LSS who received DPI and met the study criteria were divided into three groups: the teicoplanin group included patients who underwent DPI with local teicoplanin before closure, the vancomycin group, included patients who underwent DPI with local vancomycin, and the control group included patients who underwent DPI without any local prophylactic antibiotics. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included in the study. No significant differences were found among groups regarding demographics, follow-up, and clinical and functional outcomes. No significant differences were observed among groups regarding postoperative improvements in SF-36-MCS, SF-36-PCS, Oswestry disability index, and VAS (p>0.05). In the teicoplanin and vancomycin groups, the SSI rate was lower without statistical significance (2/35, 1/34, and 5/32, respectively, p=0.136); however, the postoperative fusion volume was significantly higher in the teicoplanin group when compared to other groups (3.35±1.08 cm3, 2.68±1.17 cm3, and 2.65±1.28 cm3, respectively, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Although its cost is relatively higher, teicoplanin was a good alternative for vancomycin in preventing SSIs with a higher fusion rate, but no superiority was observed regarding other outcomes.

Lateral Horizontal Head Position Approach for the Lateral and Anterior Third Ventricles: A Subependymoma Clinical Case and Literature Review.

Subependymomas are benign, slow-growing, noninvasive solitary lesions of World Health Organization Grade I cerebral ependymal origin that are rare compared with other types of ependymomas. Anterior third ventricle subependymomas are usually detected during autopsies in cases of sudden death due to acute or intermittent obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid passage. Different surgical approaches are used for these cerebral lateral and third ventricular lesions. Serious complications can occur, either because of brain edema and acute intracranial pressure due to the lesion itself or the chosen head position and continuous use of brain retractors during the surgical procedure. In this case report, we trust that the surgical principles we applied with the aid of two cotton pads, gravity assist, and lateral horizontal head position, and without continuous use of brain retractors in the third ventricular lesion in the transcallosal interhemispheric approach are safe and secure in preventing perioperative brain edema or early postoperative neurological complications.