The Safety and Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Major spinal corrective surgeries can be associated with critical intra-operative blood loss. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA), a commonly used antifibrinolytic agent, in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, defined as fusion of five or more levels. METHODS: Articles from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov were screened using PRISMA guidelines through December 2018. Thromboembolic events, blood loss, and transfusion levels were primary outcomes of interest. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OBSs) with adult patients (≥ 18 years) were included. Continuous variables were analyzed using mean difference (MD) and categorical variables were analyzed using Peto odds ratio (OR), via random effects models. RESULTS: Of the 604 articles screened, seven studies (two RCTs and five cohort studies) were included. Incidence of thromboembolic events was not statistically significantly different between TXA (1 event/19) and placebo (0 events/13) in the RCT (Peto OR = 1.41, 95% CI 0.05-37.2; 32 patients; 1 study) and in the OBSs (TXA [2 events/135] vs control [0 events/72]; Peto OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.16-7.61; p-heterogeneity = 0.85; 207 patients; 3 studies). Data from OBSs showed that the pooled MD was statistically significantly lower in the TXA group compared with the control group for intraoperative blood loss (MD: - 620.2 mL, 95% CI - 1066.6 to - 173.7; p-heterogeneity = 0.14; 228 patients; 4 studies) and total transfusion volume (MD: - 958.2 mL, 95% CI - 1867.5 to - 49.0; p-heterogeneity = 0.23; 93 patients; 2 studies). CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, TXA was not significantly associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events but was associated with lower intraoperative blood loss and lower total transfusion volumes in ASD surgery.

The effects of backward adjustable thoracic support in wheelchair on spinal curvature and back muscle activation for elderly people.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of backward adjustable thoracic support on spinal curvature and back muscle activation during wheelchair sitting. METHODS: Twenty elderly people were recruited for this study. The backward adjustable thoracic support sitting posture was compared with the slumped, normal, and lumbar support sitting postures. Spinal curvatures (pelvic, lumbar, and thoracic angles) and muscle activations of 4 back muscles on both sides (maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the lumbar multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis, and thoracic erector spinae at T9) were measured and compared between the different sitting postures using one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. RESULTS: The backward adjustable thoracic support sitting posture showed a relatively neutral pelvic tilt (-0.32±4.80°) when compared with the slumped (22.84±5.27°) and lumbar support (-8.97±3.31°) sitting postures (P<0.001), and showed relatively higher lumbar lordosis (-23.38±6.50°) when compared with the slumped (14.77±7.83°), normal (0.44±7.47°), and lumbar support (-16.76±4.77°) sitting postures (P<0.05). It also showed relatively lower back muscle activity when compared with the normal and lumbar support sitting postures (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The backward adjustable thoracic support sitting concept was suggested because it maintains a more neutral pelvic tilt, higher lumbar lordosis, and lower back muscle activation, which may help maintain a better sitting posture and reduce the risk of back pain.

Post-laminectomy deformities / Deformidades pós-laminectomia / Deformidades post-laminectomía

Objective: To present the deformities and evaluate the results of their treatment. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with deformity following surgical access to the spinal canal. Fifteen patients who met the inclusion criteria were included. Patients without complete data in medical records were excluded. Results: Fourteen patients underwent surgical treatment and one patient received conservative treatment with vest type TLSO. The average angle of kyphosis correction was 87° preoperatively to 38° postoperatively, while the associated scoliosis correction was 69° preoperatively to 23° postoperatively. Conclusions: The prevention of deformity should be emphasized to avoid laminectomy alone, while laminoplasty should be the procedure of choice for canal access in surgeries where there is no need for resection of the posterior elements. .

Objetivos: Apresentar as deformidades e avaliar os resultados de seu tratamento. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes portadores de deformidade após cirurgia de acesso ao canal vertebral. Incluíram-se quinze pacientes que satisfaziam os critérios de inclusão. Foram excluídos os pacientes que não apresentavam dados completos no prontuário. Resultados: Quatorze pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico e um paciente ao tratamento conservador com colete do tipo OTLS. A correção angular média da cifose foi de 87° no pré-operatório para 38° após a cirurgia, enquanto a correção da escoliose associada foi de 69° no pré-operatório para 23° no pós-operatório. Conclusões: A prevenção da deformidade deve ser enfatizada evitando-se a laminectomia isolada, enquanto a laminoplastia deve ser o procedimento de escolha para acesso ao canal nas cirurgias em que não há necessidade de ressecção dos elementos posteriores. .

Objetivo: Presentar las deformidades y evaluar los resultados de su tratamiento. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con deformidad después del acceso quirúrgico al canal espinal. Quince pacientes que cumplían los criterios de inclusión fueron incluidos. Se excluyeron los pacientes que no tenían dados completos en la historia clínica. Resultados: Catorce pacientes fueron sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico y un paciente recibió tratamiento conservador con ortesis OTLS. La corrección de la cifosis angular promedio fue de 87° antes de la operación a 38o después de la cirugía, mientras que la escoliosis asociada fue de 69° antes de la operación a 23° después de la operación. Conclusiones: La prevención de la deformidad debe ser destacada para evitar laminectomía solo, mientras que laminoplastia debe ser el procedimiento de elección para el acceso al canal durante la cirugía donde no hay necesidad de resección de los elementos posteriores. .

[Treatment of multi-segmental spinal tuberculosis by using focal debridement and internal fixation with CD rod].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical results of focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod in treatment of multi-segmental spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: From July 1999 to November 2002, 16 patients with multi-segmental spinal tuberculosis were given focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod trans sick vertebra. There were 9 males and 7 females, aging from 21 to 59 years. The course of disease was 2 to 11 months. The locations of lesion were T6-T11 in 11 patients and T10-L2 in 5 patients. The involved vertebral bodies were 3 segments in 13 patients, 4 or more than 4 segments in 3 patients. There were 5 cases of Pott's paralysis (according to Frankel classification system: 3 cases of degree C, 2 cases of degree D) and 4 cases of kyphosis and 2 cases of collapse. Focal debridement and internal fixation was performed in 1 or 2 incisions according to concrete conditions. RESULTS: All patients were followed up 11 months (6 months-3 years), spinal tuberculosis was completely cured and the grafted bones were fused in all 16 patients. All patients obtained primary healing of the incision. Postoperative complication met with cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 1 case. After 6 months, 5 cases of paraplegia recovered. The kyphosis was corrected partly. No loose and dislocation of the nails and rods was found. CONCLUSION: Focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod can stabilize involved spinal segments, prevent and correct local deformity, and improve its curative ratio and fused ratio of grafted bone.

Management of iatrogenic flat-back syndrome.

Iatrogenic loss of lordosis is now frequently recognized as a complication following placement of thoracolumbar instrumentation, especially with distraction instrumentation. Flat-back syndrome is characterized by forward inclination of the trunk, inability to stand upright, and back pain. Evaluation of the deformity should include a full-length lateral radiograph obtained with the patient's knees and hips fully extended. The most common cause of the deformity includes the use of distraction instrumentation in the lumbar spine and pseudarthrosis. Surgical treatment described in the literature includes opening (Smith-Petersen) osteotomy, polysegmental osteotomy, and closing wedge osteotomy. The authors will review the literature, cause, clinical presentation, prevention, and surgical management of flat-back syndrome.