The guiding value of ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block in the surgical treatment of multilevel lumbar degeneration / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the guiding value of ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block in the surgical treatment of multilevel lumbar degeneration.Methods:Retrospective case-control study was used. Clinical data of 47 patients with multi-level lumbar degeneration who underwent decompression surgery in Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into nerve root block group ( n=22)and non-nerve root block group( n=25) according to whether ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block was performed before decompression surgery. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of decompression laminae, postoperative drainage volume and length of stay of the two groups were recorded and compared. The visual analogue scale of low back pain, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of leg pain, the Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were all compared before surgery and during follow-up between the two groups. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and the comparison between groups was conducted using the paired t-test. Chi-square test was used for counting data. Results:All 47 patients successfully completed the operation without any serious complications such as neurovascular injury. All patients were followed up for (27.6±7.5)months. In the nerve root block group, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of decompression laminae, postoperative drainage volume and hospital stay were (90.5±12.6) min, (110.5±15.8) mL, 1.2±0.8, (85.6±15.8) mL, (6.2±2.8) d, respectively. In the non-root block group, they were (190.6±25.5) min, (450.5±24.8) mL, 3.8±1.6, (210.5±16.8) mL, (9.5±2.2) d, respectively. The above indexes in the nerve root closure group were less than those in the non-root closure group, and the difference was significant between the two groups ( P< 0.05). The scores of VAS of low back pain and leg pain, JOA and ODI in both groups were significantly improved after surgery and during the follow-up period when compared with those of pre-operation ( P< 0.05). The VAS scores of low back pain on the 3rd day, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the nerve block group were 3.2±1.4, 1.4±0.8, 0.5±0.2, the JOA scores were 15.8±4.3, 21.3±5.6, 25.6±1.4, and the ODI scores were 50.6±10.3, 22.8±7.8, 16.8±4.2, respectively. The VAS scores of low back pain on the 3rd day, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the non-nerve block group were 5.1±1.8, 3.4±1.2, 1.8±0.5, the JOA scores were 14.1±4.8, 20.5±3.2, 24.2±1.8, and the ODI scores were 60.5±9.8, 31.6±8.2 and 21.3±5.5, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the VAS scores of leg pain between the two groups after surgery and during follow-up ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the internal fixation position of the two groups was good, no loosening and displacement, and bone graft fusion was good. Conclusion:For patients with multi-level lumbar degeneration, ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block before surgery can identify the responsible segment, and selective decompression and fusion based on this can effectively reduce surgical trauma, while improving patients′ back and leg pain and physical function, which has important surgical guidance value.

Research progress on evaluation and prediction methods of dysphagia after occipitocervical fusion / 中华骨科杂志

Occipitocervical fusion (OCF) is used to treat the instability of the cranio-cervical junction due to various reasons (such as trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, tumor, congenital malformations and degeneration). A satisfactory fusion rate can be obtained and the stability of the occipital neck can be reconstructed by OCF. Dysphagia is one of the most common complications after OCF, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients after surgery. This article mainly focuses on the evaluation and prediction methods of dysphagia after OCF, and summarizes related research in the past 16 years, and provides guidance and direction for how to predict the occurrence of dysphagia during OCF and the evaluation of postoperative dysphagia. The evaluation of dysphagia is mainly conducted using the Bazaz dysphagia score, swallowing quality of life scale (SWAL-QOL) and eating assessment tool-10 (EAT-10) score. However, the clinical prediction of dysphagia is mainly based on the changes of cervical curvature parameters (O-C 2 angle, O-EA angle, Oc-Ax angle, PI angle). At present, there are many methods for clinical evaluation and prediction of dysphagia, but the best evaluation method is still uncertain. We reviews the evaluation and prediction methods of postoperative dysphagia of OCF, showing that the Bazaz dysphagia score, SWAL-QOL score and EAT-10 score scale are suitable for evaluating postoperative dysphagia of OCF. During OCF operation, adjustment of O-C 2 Angle >-5°, O-EA Angle >100°, Oc-Ax Angle >65°, and increase of postoperative PI Angle from preoperative PI Angle (that is, dPI Angle) ≥0° can reduce the probability of dysphagia to a certain extent.

Clinical outcome of lateral lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with redundant nerve roots / 中国脊柱脊髓杂志

Objectives:To investigate the clinical efficacy and outcome of lateral lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS)with redundant nerve roots(RNRs).Methods:The data of 48 LSS patients with RNRs(23 males and 25 females,aged 45-81 years,on average 65.4±7.5 years)treated with lat-eral lumbar interbody fusion between January 2018 and July 2022 in our hospital were analyzed retrospec-tively.Among the patients,17 cases received single-level surgery and 31 cases received multi-level surgery.On the basis of the postoperative supine MRI scans,the patients were divided into RNRs relieved group(group A)and RNRs unrelieved group(group B).Radiographic assessments included disc heights,segmental angle and cross-sectional area of the spinal canal at the RNRs segment before and after operation were per-formed.The visual analogue scale(VAS),Oswestry disability index(ODI)and Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes at preoperation and 1 month after surgery.Results:All patients underwent surgery successfully.The preoperative cross-sectional area of the spinal canal was 65.2±21.5mm2 in group A and 35.9±11.5mm2 in group B,with a significant difference(P＜0.05).The posterior disk height and cross-sectional area of the spinal canal was 8.3±1.7mm and 92.6±25.8mm2 respectively in group A,and that of group B was 6.0±2.3mm and 45.4±12.1mm2 respectively,the differences were significant-ly statistical(P＜0.05).Furthermore,in 1 month after operation the VAS leg pain,ODI and JOA scores was 2.4±0.8,(24.1±3.0)%and 22.8±1.9 respectively in group A,and that of group B was 3.3±0.8,(30.2±4.4)%and 17.7±2.5 respectively,the differences were significantly statistical(P＜0.05).The total incidence of complications was 10.4%,including anterolateral thigh pain in 4 cases and hip flexor weakness in 1 case,which were released at 3 months of follow-up.Conclusions:Lateral lumbar interbody fusion can eliminate RNRs by restoring postoperative posterior disc height and enlarging the cross-sectional area of spinal canal,which provides an effective treatment for most LSS patients with RNRs.

Risk factors and predictive model for prolonged length of stay after spinal tuberculosis lesion removal and bone graft fusion with internal fixation / 中国脊柱脊髓杂志

Objectives:To analyze the risk factors for prolonged length of stay(LOS)after lesion removal and bone graft fusion internal fixation in patients with spinal tuberculosis,and to develop and validate a predictive model.Methods:The clinical data of 152 patients with spinal tuberculosis who underwent lesion removal and bone grafting and fusion internal fixation at Honghui Hospital affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong Univer-sity from February 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the prolonged LOS(PLOS)group and normal LOS(NLOS)group according to whether their postoperative LOS ex-ceeded the postoperative LOS of the 75th percentile of the overall study cohort.Univariate analyses were per-formed for gender,age,hypertension,diabetes,paraplegia,anticoagulation history,tuberculosis resistance,pre-operative anti-tuberculosis time,blood transfusion,surgical site,surgical approach,number of fused vertebrae,operative time,intraoperative blood loss(IBL),postoperative complications,blood transfusion cost,hospital cost,C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),albumin(ALB),blood routine,and coagulation function in both groups.Based on Lasso regression,the risk factors significantly associated with postoperative LOS prolongation in spinal tuberculosis were selected and incorporated into a multivariate logistic regression analysis,and thereby a prediction model was established based on the results of multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis.The model was visualized by plotting a nomogram as a means of predicting the probability of risk for prolongation of LOS after spinal tuberculosis surgery.Internal validation of the model was performed using extended Bootstrap,where receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves and decision curve analysis(DCA)were plotted to verify the discrimination,accuracy and clinical applicability.Results:The 152 patients enrolled in the study had a median LOS of 10d,and the 75%LOS was 14d.There were 96 patients in the PLOS group and 56 in the NLOS group.Univariate analysis showed that the differences in age,hypertension,diabetes,anticoagulation history,tuberculosis resistance,preoperative anti-tuberculosis time,surgical site,surgical approach,surgical time,IBL,postoperative complications,CRP,ESR,preoperative ALB,blood routine,and coagulation function were not statistically significant between the two groups(P＞0.05),while the differences in gender,paraplegia,blood transfusion,number of fused vertebrae,blood transfusion cost,and hospitalization cost were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The operative time,IBL,preoperative Hb,and preop-erative ALB were divided according to the Yoden index of ROC as the dividing point,and the cut-off value of operative time was 198(min),the cut-off value of IBL was 1000(mL),the cut-off value of preoperative Hb was 118(g/L),and the cut-off value of preoperative ALB was 38.8(g/L).Through Lasso regression model,the risk factors closely related to the prolongation of LOS after spinal tuberculosis were female,blood transfusion,the number of fused vertebrae≥3,operative time≥198min and IBL≥1000mL,preoperative Hb＜118g/L and preoperative ALB＜38.8g/L.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female,number of fused ver-tebrae≥3,operative time≥198min and IBL≥1000mL were the risk factors for postoperative LOS prolongation in patients with spinal tuberculosis(P＜0.05).A visual nomogram model for logistic regression was constructed,and the predictors included female,number of fused vertebrae,operative time,and IBL.A Bootstrap self-sampling of 1,000 times was performed to complete the internal validation of the model,with a C-index value of 0.882 and an area under the curve(AUC)of ROC of 0.884(95%CI:0.782 to 0.985).The calibration curve showed that the apparent curve of the model fitted well with the curve after deviation correction.The DCA curve showed that the threshold range of 0.2 to 0.9 had the greatest clinical benefit.Conclusions:Female,number of fused vertebrae≥3,operative time≥198min and IBL≥1000mL are the main risk factors for pro-longed LOS after lesion removal and bone graft fusion with internal fixation in patients with spinal tuberculo-sis,and the predictive model based on the above risk factors can help physicians to make clinical decisions and optimize the perioperative management.

Cervical anterior arthrodesis: autologous or synthetic graft? / Artrodese cervical via anterior: enxerto autólogo ou sintético? / Artrodesis cervical anterior: ¿injerto autologo o sintético?

ABSTRACT: Objective: To compare patients who underwent anterior cervical arthrodesis with autologous iliac crest graft and those who used synthetic graft. Methods: Analysis of 38 patients aged between 18 and 100 years with anterior cervical spondylosis of 1 or 2 levels in a spine surgery service. Results: degenerative cervical spine changes associated with cervicalgia and cervicobrachialgia. Excluded: previous cervical spine surgeries, fractures, or surgery above two levels. Two groups were formed with 19 patients, one using autologous graft and the other using synthetic tricalcium phosphate - a questionnaire assessed satisfaction (Oswestry and VAS) pre- and postoperatively. Bone consolidation was evaluated by tomography at nine months. Results: Mean ODI (Group 1) was 68.5% ± 4.6% preoperatively and 27.2% ± 3.8% postoperatively, being statistically relevant (p<0.001). VAS performed to evaluate the cervical region, Group 1 pre and post-op was considered statistically relevant (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed when comparing the mean values found in the postoperative period between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.463). Only two patients complained of chronic pain, representing 10% of the total. In nine-month tomography, 100% of patients in Group 1 and 100% of Group 2 showed bone consolidation, with no statistically relevant difference (p=0.676) between the groups. Conclusion: Similar functional and osteointegration outcomes were observed in both types of grafts. Synthetic graft minimizes the risks and complications of using allografts. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective comparative study.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Comparar os pacientes que realizaram artrodese cervical anterior associada ao uso de enxerto autólogo de crista ilíaca e os que utilizaram enxerto sintético. Métodos: Análise de 38 pacientes entre 18 e 100 anos com espondilose cervical anterior de nível 1 ou 2 em um serviço de cirurgia da coluna. Inclusão: alterações degenerativas da coluna cervical, associado a cervicalgia e/ou cervicobraquialgia. Excluídos: cirurgias de coluna cervical prévia, fraturas ou cirurgia acima de 2 níveis. Foram formados 2 grupos com 19 pacientes cada, sendo num deles utilizado enxerto autólogo e, no outro, sintético fosfato tricálcico. Foi aplicado o questionário para avaliação de satisfação (Oswestry e EVA) pré e pós-operatória. Consolidação óssea foi avaliada por tomografia no nono mês. Resultados: O ODI médio do Grupo 1 apresentou 68,5% ± 4,6% na avaliação pré-operatória e 27,2%±3,8% no pós, sendo estatisticamente relevante (p<0,001). EVA realizada para avaliar a região cervical, o Grupo 1 no pré e pós foi considerada estatisticamente relevante (p<0,001). Não foi observada diferença relevante quando comparando os valores médios encontrados no pós-operatório entre o Grupo 1 e o Grupo 2 (p=0,463). Apenas 2 pacientes com queixa de dor crônica, representando 10% do total. Tomografia de 9 meses, 100% dos pacientes do Grupo 1 e 100% do Grupo 2 apresentaram consolidação óssea, não tendo diferença estatisticamente relevante (p=0,676) entre os grupos. Conclusão: Foram observados resultados funcionais e de osteointegração similares em ambos enxertos. O enxerto sintético minimiza riscos e complicações do uso de aloenxertos. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo Retrospectivo Comparativo

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Comparar los pacientes sometidos a artrodesis cervical anterior asociada al uso de un injerto autólogo de cresta ilíaca y los que utilizaron un injerto sintético. Métodos: Se analizaron 38 pacientes de entre 18 y 100 años con espondilosis cervical anterior de nivel 1 o 2 en un servicio de cirugía de la columna vertebral. Criterios de inclusión: cambios degenerativos en la columna cervical, asociados a cervicalgia y/o cervicobraquialgia. Excluidos: cirugía previa de la columna cervical, fracturas o cirugía por encima de 2 niveles. Se formaron dos grupos de 19 pacientes cada uno, en uno se utilizó un injerto autólogo y en el otro un injerto sintético de fosfato tricálcico. Se utilizó un cuestionario de satisfacción pre y postoperatorio (Oswestry y EVA). La consolidación ósea se evaluó mediante tomografía computarizada al noveno mes. Resultados: La media del ODI del Grupo 1 fue del 68,5% ± 4,6% en la valoración preoperatoria y del 27,2%±3,8% en la valoración postoperatoria, siendo estadísticamente relevante (p<0,001). La EVA realizada para valorar la región cervical en el Grupo 1 pre y post se consideró estadísticamente significativa (p<0,001). No se observaron diferencias relevantes al comparar los valores medios encontrados en el postoperatorio entre el Grupo 1 y el Grupo 2 (p=0,463). Sólo 2 pacientes se quejaron de dolor crónico, lo que representa el 10% del total. A los 9 meses, el 100% de los pacientes del Grupo 1 y el 100% del Grupo 2 presentaban cicatrización ósea, sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,676) entre los grupos. Conclusión: Se observaron resultados funcionales y de osteointegración similares con ambos injertos. El injerto sintético minimiza los riesgos y complicaciones del uso de aloinjertos. Nivel de Evidencia III; Estudio Retrospectivo Comparativo.

Access to the Lumbosacral Spine: A Current View / Acesso à coluna lombossacral: Visão atual

Abstract The surgical approach to the lumbosacral spine has been the subject of experimental and scientific anatomical studies since the Hippocratic era. However, it was in the 20th century that, with the evolution of asepsis and antibiotic therapy, spine surgery began to evolve at breakneck speed, and the various possibilities of access roads became objects of development and discussion. As a result, pathologies of the lumbosacral spine can be accessed in different ways and positions, from the traditional posterior approach in the prone position to the anterior, oblique, lateral, and endoscopic approaches. The current article brings state-of-the-art access routes to the lumbosacral spine. This article objective is to elucidate the possibilities of accesses the lumbar spine for any purposes, as decompression, fusion, tumour resections, reconstruction or deformity correction, despites type of implants or implants positioning.

Resumo A abordagem cirúrgica da coluna lombossacral tem sido objeto de estudos anatômicos experimentais e científicos desde a era hipocrática. Contudo, foi no século XX que, com a evolução da assepsia e da antibioticoterapia, a cirurgia da coluna começou a evoluir em velocidade vertiginosa e as diversas possibilidades de vias de acesso tornaram-se objetos de desenvolvimento e discussão. Desta forma, as doenças da coluna lombossacral podem ser acessadas de diferentes maneiras e posições, desde a abordagem posterior tradicional em decúbito ventral até as abordagens anterior, oblíqua, lateral e endoscópica. O presente artigo traz vias de acesso de última geração para a coluna lombossacral. O objetivo deste artigo é elucidar as possibilidades de acesso à coluna lombar para quaisquer finalidades, como descompressão, fusão, ressecções tumorais, reconstrução ou correção de deformidades, independentemente do tipo de implante ou seu posicionamento.

Sagittal Alignment Concepts and Spinopelvic Parameters / Conceitos de alinhamento sagital e parâmetros espinopélvicos

Abstract Spinal surgery continues to expand its horizons to care for disabled patients presenting pain and deformities. Over the past decade, our knowledge of spinal alignment, from the skull to the pelvis, has increased considerably. Such knowledge must expand to reach general orthopedists and improve the care required for so many people. Global spinal alignment is a critical concept in understanding the impact of pathological conditions (degenerative diseases, traumas, deformities) and their treatment, including spinal instrumentation and arthrodesis. Therefore, the treatment of any spinal disease must include the knowledge of the complexity of the spinopelvic alignment. At first, all parameters seem like pure mathematics, hardly applicable to the everyday life of the inattentive reader. However, it gradually becomes clear that, like everything else in orthopedics, biomechanics is an essential part of the knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, revealing the logic behind the physiology of movements. The knowledge of the sagittal alignment concepts and spinopelvic parameteres provide a better comprehension of the axial and appendicular skeletons, increasing the understanding of the physiological and adaptive spinal processes in the face of the degenerative process that increases throughout life.

Resumo A cirurgia da coluna continua a expandir seus horizontes para cuidar dos pacientes incapacitados com dor e deformidades. Desde a última década, nosso conhecimento sobre o alinhamento espinal, do crânio à pelve, aumentou consideravelmente. Portanto, faz-se necessária a expansão de tal conhecimento para o ortopedista geral, para que possamos proporcionar melhores cuidados para essa população. O alinhamento espinal global é um conceito crítico no entendimento do impacto ocasionado pela condição patológica (doença degenerativa, trauma, deformidade) e mesmo do seu tratamento, como na instrumentação e artrodese da coluna. O tratamento de qualquer doença na coluna deve incluir o entendimento da complexidade do alinhamento espinopélvico. A princípio, todos os parâmetros parecem puramente matemáticos e pouco aplicáveis à realidade do leitor mais desatento. Mas, aos poucos, fica claro que, como tudo em ortopedia, a biomecânica faz parte essencial do conhecimento do sistema musculoesquelético, tornando mais claras as lógicas da fisiologia do movimento. O conhecimento dos conceitos de alinhamento sagital e dos parâmetros espinopélvicos proporcionam uma melhor compreensão dos esqueletos axial e apendicular, além de um melhor entendimento dos processos fisiológicos e adaptativos da coluna frente ao processo degenerativo crescente que ocorre ao longo da vida.

Analgesic effect of buccal acupuncture on patients after lumbar spinal fusion: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of buccal acupuncture on pain after lumbar spinal fusion.@*METHODS@#Sixty patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 1 case was eliminated). The patients in the control group were treated with routine anesthesia. On the basis of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with buccal acupuncture at bilateral back point, waist point, and sacral point for 30 min per treatment. The first acupuncture was given before anesthesia induction, and then once a day postoperation for two days, totally 3 treatments. The dosage of sufentanil, the number of remedial analgesia, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting within 48 h after surgery were compared between the two groups; rest and motion visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 2 (T1), 8 (T2), 12 (T3), 24 (T4), and 48 (T5) h after surgery were observed; the quality of recovery-15 scale (QoR-15) at 24 and 48 h after surgery were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The dosage of sufentanil and the number of remedial analgesia within 48 h after surgery in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). There was no significant statistically difference in rest and motion VAS scores between the two groups in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 (P>0.05). The QoR-15 scores in the observation group at 24 and 48 h after surgery were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). The incidence of nausea in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Buccal acupuncture could reduce the amount of postoperative analgesic drugs of patients after lumbar spinal fusion, and promote early postoperative recovery.

Application of oblique lateral interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in patients with Modic change and endplate sclerosis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the feasibility and clinical effect of Stand-alone oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Modic changes and endplate sclerosis.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on 16 cases with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Modic changes and endplate sclerosis admitted to three medical centers from January 2015 to December 2018. There were 6 males and 10 females, the age ranged from 45 to 67 years old with an average of (55.48±8.07) years old, the medical history ranged from 36 to 240 months with an average of (82.40±47.68) months. The lesion sites included L2,3 in 2 cases, L3,4 in 5 cases, and L4,5 in 9 cases. All patients presented with chronic low back pain with lower limb neurological symptoms in 3 cases. All patients were treated by Stand-alone oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Clinical and radiological findings and complications were observed.@*RESULTS@#There was no vascular injury, endplate injury and vertebral fracture during the operation. The mean incision length, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss were(4.06±0.42) cm, (45.12±5.43) min, (33.40±7.29) ml, respectively. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) of the incision pain was (1.14±0.47) at 72 hours after operation. There was no incision skin necrosis, poor incision healing or infection in patients. Sympathetic chain injury occurred in 1 case, anterolateral pain and numbness of the left thigh in 2 cases, and weakness of the left iliopsoas muscle in 1 case, all of which were transient injuries with a complication rate of 25%(4/16). All 16 patients were followed up from 12 to 36 months with an average of (20.80±5.46) months. The intervertebral space height was significantly recovered after operation, with slight lost during the follow-up. Coronal and sagittal balance of the lumbar spine showed good improvement at the final follow-up. There was no obvious subsidence or displacement of the cage, and the interbody fusion was obtained. At the final follow-up, Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) score and Oswestry disability index(ODI) were significantly improved.@*CONCLUSION@#As long as the selection of case is strict enough and the preoperative examination is sufficients, the use of Stand-alone OLIF in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Modic changes and endplate sclerosis has a good results, with obvious clinical advantages and is a better surgical choice.

Analysis of the causes and clinical results of vertebral fracture during oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the causes of vertebral fracture during oblique lateral interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar spondylopathy, summarize the clinical results, and propose preventive measures.@*METHODS@#Retrospective analysis was made on the data of 8 cases of lumbar spondylopathy and vertebral fracture treated by oblique lateral interbody fusion in three medical centers from October 2014 to December 2018. All were female, aged from 50 to 81 years with an average of 66.4 years. Disease types included 1 case of lumbar degenerative disease, 3 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis, 2 cases of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis and 2 cases of lumbar degenerative scoliosis. Preoperative dual energy X-ray bone mineral density test showed that 2 cases had T-value >-1 SD, 2 cases had T-value -1 to -2.5 SD, and 4 cases had T-value <-2.5 SD. Single segment fusion was in 5 cases, two segment fusion in 1 case and three segment fusion in 2 cases. Four cases were treated with OLIF Stand-alone and 4 cases were treated with OLIF combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation. Postoperative imaging examination showed vertebral fracture, and all of them were single vertebral fracture. There were 2 cases of right lower edge fracture of upper vertebral body at fusion segment, 6 cases of lower vertebral body fracture at fusion segment, and 6 cases with endplate injury and fusion cage partially embedded in vertebral body. Three cases of OLIF Stand-alone were treated with pedicle screw fixation via posterior intermuscular approach, while one case of OLIF Stand-alone and four cases of OLIF combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation were not treated specially.@*RESULTS@#The 5 cases of initial operation and 3 cases of reoperation did not show wound skin necrosis or wound infection. The follow-up time was from 12 to 48 months with an average of 22.8 months. Visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain was preoperative decreased from 4 to 8 points (averagely 6.3 points) and postoperative 1 to 3 points (averagely 1.7 points) at the final follow-up. Oswestry disability index (ODI) was preoperative 39.7% to 52.4% (averagely 40.2%), and postoperative 7.9% to 11.2% (averagely 9.5%) at the final follow-up. During the follow-up, there was no loosening or fracture of the pedicle screw system, and no lateral displacement of the fusion cage;however, the fusion cage at the vertebral fracture segment had obvious subsidence. The intervertebral space height of vertebral fracture segment was preoperaive 6.7 to 9.2 mm (averagely 8.1 mm), and postoperative 10.5 to 12.8 mm (averagely 11.2 mm). The improvement rate after operation was 37.98% compared to preoperative. The intervertebral space height at final follow-up was 8.4 to 10.9 mm (averagely 9.3 mm), and the loss rate was 16.71% compared with that after operation. At the final follow-up, interbody fusion was achieved in all cases except for one that could not be identified.@*CONCLUSION@#The incidence of vertebral fracture during oblique lateral interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar spondylopathy is lower, and there are many reasons for fracture, including preoperative bone loss or osteoporosis, endplate injury, irregular shape of endplate, excessive selection of fusion cage, and osteophyte hyperplasia at the affected segment. As long as vertebral fracture is found in time and handled properly, the prognosis is well. However, it still needs to strengthen prevention.