Residual Motion and Graft Type Do Not Influence Patient-reported Outcomes Following One- or Two-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of graft type on residual motion and the relationship among residual motion, smoking, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although most patients develop solid fusion based on static imaging following ACDF, dynamic imaging has revealed that many patients continue to have residual motion at the arthrodesis. METHODS: Forty-eight participants performed dynamic neck flexion/extension and axial rotation within a biplane radiography system 1 year following ACDF (21 one-level, 27 two-level). PRO scores included the Short Form-36, Neck Disability Index, and Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire. An automated model-based tracking process matched subject-specific bone models to the biplane radiographs with sub-millimeter accuracy. Residual motion was measured across the entire arthrodesis site for both one- and two-level fusions in patients who received either allograft or autograft. Patients were divided into "pseudarthrosis" (>3° of flexion/extension residual motion) and "solid fusion" groups. Residual motion and PROs were compared between groups using Student t tests. RESULTS: Patients who received allograft showed more total flexion/extension residual motion (4.1° vs. 2.8°, P = 0.12), although this failed to reach significance. No differences were noted in PROs based on graft type (all P > 0.08) or the presence of pseudarthrosis (all P > 0.13). No differences were noted in residual motion between smokers and nonsmokers (all P > 0.15); however, smokers who received allograft reported worse outcomes than nonsmokers who received allograft and smokers who received autograft. CONCLUSION: Allograft may result in slightly more residual motion at the arthrodesis site 1 year after ACDF. However, there is minimal evidence that PROs are adversely affected by slightly increased residual motion, suggesting that the current definition of pseudarthrosis correlates poorly with clinically significant findings. Additionally, autograft appears to result in superior outcomes in patients who smoke.Level of Evidence: 2.

An Affordable and Feasible Technique for Minimally Invasive Tubular Lumbar Discectomy.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery are attainable only if hospitals have the financial resources to acquire essential equipment. We present a surgical approach readily available to countries where unacceptably expensive materials are the main limitation for use of minimally invasive spine surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study included 30 patients who underwent minimally invasive spine surgery using syringes as dilators and retractors for posterior lumbar approaches. Inclusion criteria were lumbar radicular/back pain, degenerative disc, spondylolysis, unilateral approach, and maximum of 2 affected spine levels. Demographic characteristics, affected radicular level, diagnosis, type and length of surgery, hospital length of stay, MacNab criteria, complications, and resumption of daily activities were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 30 patients, 17 (56.6%) presented with S1 radicular pain. Pain was mainly due to posterolateral hernia (70%; n = 21) requiring 1-level discectomy. In 6 patients (20%), discectomy and an interspinous process device were required. One patient (3.33%) underwent 2-level discectomy. All surgeries were performed using syringes as dilators and retractors. Maximum syringe diameter used was 2 cm (20-mL syringes) in 29 patients (96.6%) and 3 cm (60-mL syringe) in 1 patient. Average length of surgery was 1.5 hours, and average hospital stay was 1.8 days. Based on MacNab criteria, excellent, good, and fair outcomes were achieved in 25 patients (83%), 3 patients (10%), and 2 patients (6.7%). Complications were observed in 5 patients (16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This is a safe and feasible technique with excellent results obtained at low cost and is becoming an attractive surgical option in developing countries.

Comparative study between Plate-Graff, Plate-Cage and peek cage in cervical spine fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare results of Plate-Graff, Plate-Cage and PEEK cage in patients with cervical stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, with before and after intervention and comparative study. From January 2005 to October 2011 we included 37 patients (male: 48.6%, female: 51.4%) post-surgery by anterior approach; 3 groups via: Group I, arthrodesis with Plate-Graff n = 12 (M 41.7%, F 58.3%) with 22 levels, group II, Plate-Cage n = 11 (M 63.6% 36.4% F) 19 levels, group III, PEEK cage, n = 14 (M 0% F 50%) with 25 levels. Functional assessment pre- and postoperative with neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale for pain (VAS). The radiological assessment with X-rays only. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Wilcoxon method use according to data distribution, non parametric tests of ranges with sign of Kruskal-Wallis for comparison between more than two groups, and significance level with p 0.05. We used the statistical package SPSS version 15. RESULTS: The majority of patients was found between the sixth and eighth decade of life. At one year of follow up the NDI and pain with VAS shown improvement with statistical difference in three groups (p = 0.001). However, the radiographic measurements per year of follow-up showed a significant improvement of segmental lordosis (p = 0.02) only in patients with Plate-Graff. CONCLUSIONS: Using the graft offers best clinical and radiographic results compared with the Plate Cage and box peek to one year of follow-up.

OBJETIVO: Comparar resultados de placa-injerto, caja-placa y caja-PEEK, en pacientes con conducto cervical estrecho. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo, en panel antes y después, de intervención y comparativo. De Enero de 2005 a Octubre de 2011, muestra de 37 pacientes (masculino: 48.6%, femenino: 51.4%) postoperados por vía anterior; formando tres grupos: grupo I, artrodesis con placa-injerto n = 12 (M 41.7%, F 58.3%) con 22 niveles; grupo II, caja-placa n = 11 (M 63.6%, F 36.4%) con 19 niveles; grupo III, caja-PEEK, n = 14 (M 50%, F 50%) con 25 niveles. La evaluación funcional pre- y postoperatoria mediante la escala de discapacidad cervical y escala visual análoga de dolor. La evaluación radiológica con radiografías de columna cervical. Se obtuvo estadística descriptiva. De acuerdo con la distribución de los datos se usaron pruebas no paramétricas de rangos con signo de Wilcoxon, y Kruskal-Wallis para comparación entre más de dos grupos. Con nivel de significancia de p0.05. Se utilizó el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 15. RESULTADOS: La mayoría de los pacientes se encontró entre la sexta y octava década de la vida. Al año de postoperados el índice de discapacidad cervical y mejoría del dolor con EVA mostraron mejoría con diferencia estadística en los tres grupos (p = 0.001). Sin embargo, las mediciones radiográficas al año de seguimiento mostraron una mejoría significativa de la lordosis segmentaria (p = 0.02) sólo en pacientes operados con placa-injerto. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de la placa-injerto ofrece mejores resultados clínicos y radiográficos en comparación con la caja-placa y caja-PEEK, al año de seguimiento.

Comparative study between Plate-Graff, Plate-Cage and PEEK cage in cervical spine fusion / Estudio comparativo entre Plate-Graff, Plate-Cage y Peek cage en la fusión de la columna cervical

Abstract: Objective: To compare results of Plate-Graff, Plate-Cage and PEEK cage in patients with cervical stenosis. Material and methods: Prospective, with before and after intervention and comparative study. From January 2005 to October 2011 we included 37 patients (male: 48.6%, female: 51.4%) post-surgery by anterior approach; 3 groups via: Group I, arthrodesis with Plate-Graff n = 12 (M 41.7%, F 58.3%) with 22 levels, group II, Plate-Cage n = 11 (M 63.6% 36.4% F) 19 levels, group III, PEEK cage, n = 14 (M 0% F 50%) with 25 levels. Functional assessment pre- and postoperative with neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale for pain (VAS). The radiological assessment with X-rays only. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Wilcoxon method use according to data distribution, non parametric tests of ranges with sign of Kruskal-Wallis for comparison between more than two groups, and significance level with p < 0.05. We used the statistical package SPSS version 15. Results: The majority of patients was found between the sixth and eighth decade of life. At one year of follow up the NDI and pain with VAS shown improvement with statistical difference in three groups (p = 0.001). However, the radiographic measurements per year of follow-up showed a significant improvement of segmental lordosis (p = 0.02) only in patients with Plate-Graff. Conclusions: Using the graft offers best clinical and radiographic results compared with the Plate Cage and box peek to one year of follow-up.

Resumen: Objetivo: Comparar resultados de placa-injerto, caja-placa y caja-PEEK, en pacientes con conducto cervical estrecho. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, en panel antes y después, de intervención y comparativo. De Enero de 2005 a Octubre de 2011, muestra de 37 pacientes (masculino: 48.6%, femenino: 51.4%) postoperados por vía anterior; formando tres grupos: grupo I, artrodesis con placa-injerto n = 12 (M 41.7%, F 58.3%) con 22 niveles; grupo II, caja-placa n = 11 (M 63.6%, F 36.4%) con 19 niveles; grupo III, caja-PEEK, n = 14 (M 50%, F 50%) con 25 niveles. La evaluación funcional pre- y postoperatoria mediante la escala de discapacidad cervical y escala visual análoga de dolor. La evaluación radiológica con radiografías de columna cervical. Se obtuvo estadística descriptiva. De acuerdo con la distribución de los datos se usaron pruebas no paramétricas de rangos con signo de Wilcoxon, y Kruskal-Wallis para comparación entre más de dos grupos. Con nivel de significancia de p<0.05. Se utilizó el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 15. Resultados: La mayoría de los pacientes se encontró entre la sexta y octava década de la vida. Al año de postoperados el índice de discapacidad cervical y mejoría del dolor con EVA mostraron mejoría con diferencia estadística en los tres grupos (p = 0.001). Sin embargo, las mediciones radiográficas al año de seguimiento mostraron una mejoría significativa de la lordosis segmentaria (p = 0.02) sólo en pacientes operados con placa-injerto. Conclusiones: El uso de la placa-injerto ofrece mejores resultados clínicos y radiográficos en comparación con la caja-placa y caja-PEEK, al año de seguimiento.

Dysphagia Incidence after Outpatient Anterior Cervical Surgery Using Instrumentation versus No Instrumentation / Incidencia de la disfagia tras la cirugía cervical anterior ambulatoria con instrumentación y sin instrumentación

ABSTRACT Objective: Dysphagia is a relatively common occurrence in the postoperative period following anterior cervical surgery, with some indicating rates as high as 79%. In most cases, it remains only a transient phenomenon. The cause has been debated, with most speculating injury to nerves in the swallowing mechanism. The objective of this study was to determine if the presence of instrumentation during anterior cervical surgery in the outpatient setting would affect the incidence, duration and severity of dysphagia. Methods: We did a retrospective review of the medical records of 50 consecutive patients who had undergone single-level instrumented anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Then we compared that group with our control group of 50 patients who had had simple single-level anterior cervical discectomy without instrumentation or fusion. The patients were evaluated for the presence of dysphagia as well as neck disability index outcome scores. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in postoperative neck disability index outcomes at the two-year follow-up (p = 0.182). Dysphagia occurred only in the instrumented group, with an incidence of 12% (six patients): their symptoms lasted on average three weeks, and all six patients experienced only mild severity on the Bazaz-Yoo scale. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.012). Conclusion: There was a greater trend towards postoperative dysphagia in cases with instrumentation (12% of the patients). Dysphagia was transient with mild severity in patients who received instrumentation compared with those who underwent discectomy alone.

RESUMEN Objetivo: La disfagia es una ocurrencia relativamente común en el período postoperatorio después de la cirugía cervical anterior, con algunas tasas indicadoras tan altas como 79%. En la mayoría de los casos, sigue siendo sólo un fenómeno transitorio. Su causa ha sido discutida, atribuyéndose principalmente a una lesión en los nervios del mecanismo de deglución. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si la presencia de la instrumentación durante la cirugía cervical anterior en el contexto ambulatorio afectaría la incidencia, duración y severidad de la disfagia. Métodos: Realizamos una revisión retrospectiva de las historias clínicas de 50 pacientes consecutivos que habían tenido discectomía y fusión cervical anterior con instrumentación a un solo nivel. Entonces comparamos ese grupo con nuestro grupo de control de 50 pacientes a quienes se les había practicado una discectomía cervical anterior a un solo nivel simple sin instrumentación o fusión. Los pacientes fueron evaluados con respecto a la presencia de disfagia, así como en relación con las puntuaciones del resultado del índice de la discapacidad cervical. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos en cuanto a los resultados del índice de discapacidad cervical postoperatorio en el seguimiento de dos años (p = 0.182). La disfagia se produjo sólo en los grupos con instrumentación, con una incidencia de 12% (seis pacientes): sus síntomas duraron un promedio de tres semanas, y los seis pacientes experimentaron toda una severidad leve en la escala de Bazaz-Yoo. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los dos grupos (p = 0.012). Conclusión: Hubo una mayor tendencia a la disfagia postoperatoria en los casos con instrumentación (12% de los pacientes). La disfagia fue transitoria con severidad leve en los pacientes que recibieron instrumentación, comparada con la de los que experimentaron discectomía solamente.

Comparative study on the treatment of disc herniations / Estudio comparativo del tratamiento de las hernias discales / Estudo comparativo de tratamento de hérnias de disco

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the results of treatment of patients with low back pain and radiculalgia resulting from disc herniation associated with disc degeneration through instrumentation with pedicle screws and dynamic rod, with root release and without diskectomy compared with other non-instrumented techniques (microdiskectomy with or without foraminotomy). Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of interventions for patients with herniated discs in the Traumatology and Neurosurgery that used the following variables: age, sex, type of technique, surgical time, time of evolution, degree of satisfaction, and complications. Two groups were formed: instrumentation with dynamic rods and non-instrumented techniques, comparing the results of each group. The software used was the SPSS v20.0. Results: We presented 142 interventions carried out between 2009 and 2012, 86 with dynamic instrumentation and 56 by other decompression techniques without instrumentation. No statistically significant differences were observed between age and sex groups and time elapsed until intervention. We found statistically significant differences (p=0.001) in surgical time, which was lower in the instrumented technique. No significant differences were found in complications between the techniques in both re-operations and in infections. Conclusions: In this study, we found no significant differences between the use of instrumentation with dynamic rods with respect to other non-instrumented surgical techniques in the treatment of herniated discs over 6 months of evolution or the complications and the degree of the patients' satisfaction.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comparar los resultados del tratamiento de pacientes con lumbalgia y radiculalgia secundaria a hernia discal asociada a degeneración del disco, mediante la instrumentación con tornillos pediculares y barra dinámica, liberando la raíz sin discectomía frente a otras técnicas no instrumentadas (microdiscectomía con o sin foraminotomía). Métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de las intervenciones realizadas en pacientes con hernias discales por los servicios de Traumatología y Neurocirugía, recogiendo las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, tipo de técnica, tiempo de intervención, tiempo de evolución, grado de satisfacción y complicaciones. Se constituyeron dos grupos: instrumentación con barras dinámicas y técnicas no instrumentadas, comparando los resultados de cada grupo. Se utilizó el software SPSS v20.0. Resultados: Presentamos 142 intervenciones realizadas entre 2009 y 2012, 86 mediante instrumentación dinámica y 56 por técnicas de descompresión sin instrumentación. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos respecto a edad, sexo, ni tiempo de evolución hasta la intervención. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p = 0,001) en el tiempo de intervención, siendo menor en la técnica instrumentada. Respecto a las complicaciones de las técnicas no se hallaron diferencias significativas ni en las reintervenciones ni en las infecciones. Conclusiones: No encontramos diferencias significativas entre la utilización de instrumentación con barras dinámicas frente a otras técnicas quirúrgicas no instrumentadas en el tratamiento de las hernias discales de más de 6 meses de evolución, ni respecto a las complicaciones y ni al grado de satisfacción de los pacientes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar os resultados do tratamento de pacientes com dor lombar e radiculalgia decorrente de hérnia de disco associada à degeneração do disco, por meio de instrumentação com parafusos pediculares e barra dinâmica com liberação da raiz sem discotomia em comparação com outras técnicas não instrumentadas (microdiscotomia com ou sem foraminotomia). Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo e descritivo de intervenções realizadas em pacientes com hérnia de disco nos serviços de Traumatologia e Neurocirurgia, empregando-se as seguintes variáveis: idade, sexo, tipo de técnica, tempo de cirurgia, tempo de evolução, grau de satisfação e complicações. Foram formados dois grupos: instrumentação com barras dinâmicas e técnicas não instrumentadas, comparando os resultados de cada grupo. O software utilizado foi o SPSS v20.0. Resultados: Apresentamos 142 intervenções realizadas entre 2009 e 2012, 86 por instrumentação dinâmica e 56 por técnicas de descompressão sem instrumentação. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos de idade, sexo e tempo de evolução até a intervenção. Constataram-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas quanto ao tempo cirúrgico (p = 0,001), sendo menor na técnica instrumentada. Com relação às complicações das técnicas, não houve diferença significativa nas re-operações nem nas infecções. Conclusões: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre o uso de instrumentação com barras dinâmicas com respeito a outras técnicas cirúrgicas não instrumentadas no tratamento da hérnia de disco com mais de 6 meses de evolução nem a complicações e ao grau de satisfação dos pacientes.

Repeated microendoscopic discectomy for recurrent lumbar disk herniation.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the microendoscopic discectomy technique and inclusion criteria for the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation and to supply feasible criteria and technical notes to avoid complications and to increase the therapeutic effect. METHODS: A consecutive series of 25 patients who underwent posterior microendoscopic discectomy for recurrent lumbar disc herniation were included. The inclusion criteria were as follows: no severe pain in the lumbar region, no lumbar instability observed by flexion-extension radiography and no intervertebral discitis or endplate damage observed by magnetic resonance imaging. All patients were diagnosed by clinical manifestations and imaging examinations. RESULTS: Follow-up visits were carried out in all cases. Complications, such as nerve injuries, were not observed. The follow-up outcomes were graded using the MacNab criteria. A grade of excellent was given to 12 patients, good to 12 patients and fair to 1 patient. A grade of excellent or good occurred in 96% of cases. One patient relapsed 3 months after surgery and then underwent lumbar interbody fusion and inner fixation. The numerical rating scale of preoperative leg pain was 7.4 ± 1.5, whereas it decreased to 2.1 ± 0.8 at 7 days after surgery. The preoperative Oswestry disability index of lumbar function was 57.5 ± 10.0, whereas it was 26.0 ± 8.5 at 7 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: In these cases, microendoscopic discectomy was able to achieve satisfactory clinical results. Furthermore, it has advantages over other methods because of its smaller incision, reduced bleeding and more efficient recovery.

Clinical outcomes with selectively constrained SECURE-C cervical disc arthroplasty: two-year results from a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter investigational device exemption study.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, randomized, and controlled Investigational Device Exemption clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical safety and effectiveness of the selectively constrained SECURE-C (Globus Medical, Audubon, PA) Cervical Artificial Disc to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical total disc replacement has been developed as an alternative to ACDF by allowing segmental motion. Current cervical total disc replacement designs incorporate constrained and unconstrained metal-on-metal or metal-on-polymer articulating designs with various means of fixation. METHODS: A total of 380 patients from 18 investigational sites were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized, treated surgically, and evaluated postoperatively at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Clinical outcomes include overall success, visual analogue scale pain (right arm, left arm, and neck), neck disability index, neurological status, Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Status Survey questionnaires, range of motion, and adverse events. Bayesian statistical methods were used to analyze the outcomes. RESULTS: Overall success results demonstrated statistical superiority of the randomized SECURE-C group compared with the randomized ACDF group at 24 months, with a posterior probability of 100% using the protocol-specified criteria and 98.1% using Food and Drug Administration-defined criteria. At 24 months postoperatively, SECURE-C demonstrated clinically significant improvement in pain and function in terms of neck disability index, visual analogue scale, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. At 24 months, the percentage of patients experiencing secondary surgical interventions at the index level was statistically lower for the SECURE-C group (2.5%) than the ACDF group (9.7%). At 24 months, 84.6% of as-treated SECURE-C patients were range-of-motion successes. Satisfaction was high among SECURE-C patients. CONCLUSION: The selectively constrained SECURE-C Cervical Artificial Disc is as safe and effective as the standard of care, an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. SECURE-C is statistically superior in terms of overall success, index-level subsequent surgical procedures, and patient satisfaction, making it an attractive surgical option for patients with symptomatic cervical disc disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1.

Polyetheretherketone interbody cages versus autogenous iliac crest bone grafts with anterior fixation for cervical disc disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the fusion rate, operation time, recovery of disc space height, clinical duration and improvement, return to activities of daily living, and complication rate associated with anterior cervical discectomy with interbody fusion by using polyetheretherketone cages or autogenous iliac crest bone grafts as disc replacement in a series of 60 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2006 and February 2010 a retrospective analytical observational cohort study was carried out in 60 consecutive patients surgically treated with anterior cervical discectomy with interbody fusion for degenerative disc desease at the Neurosurgical Department of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. The patients were divided into 2 groups for the assessment of clinical characteristics, demographics, fusion rates, duration of surgical procedure, neurological and functional outcomes, imaging results, and complications. Group A included patients treated with autogenous iliac crest bone grafts, and group B included patients treated with polyetheretherketone cages. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 50.8 years. Female patients comprised the majority in both groups (63.3%). Cervicobrachialgia was the most common presentation. Clinical improvement, fusion rates, and recovery of disc space height were similar in both groups. The operation time was significantly shorter in the polyetheretherketone group (P<0.001). Twenty percent (n=6) of the patients in group A suffered complications, >80% of which were associated with iliac crest bone graft harvesting. Patients in group B had no complications (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although outcomes were very successful in both groups in terms of fixation stability, recovery of disc space, return to activities of daily living and work, and remission of symptoms, operation time was considerably shorter for patients in the polyetheretherketone group, who had none of the complications associated with iliac crest bone graft harvesting, both differences being statistically significant.

Tratamiento de la discopatía cervical: evidencia válida 50 años después / Cervical disk treatment: valid evidence 50 years after

Se comenta una revisión sistemática sobre el estado actual de la cirugía anterior del disco cervical. Los autores de la revisión trataron de determinar que método de artrodesis intersomática cervical anterior, para uno o dos niveles, tuvo la mejor evolución clínico-radiológica en pacientes con enfermedad degenerativa discal. Sólo incluyeron estudios prospectivos, aleatorizados y controlados que comparaban deversas técnicas de discectomía, artrodesis e instrumentación. Surgió de la revisión, que las evidencias disponibles para tomar una decisión terapéutica valida, en el empleo de las diferentes técnicas, fueron débiles como consecuencia de la baja calidad metodológica de los estudios en el análisis. Palabras clave: artrodesis cervical anterior - discectomía cervical anterior - instrumentación - revisión sistemática

A systematic review about the current state anterior cervical disc surgery was commented. The authors of this review tried to determine which method of anterior cervical interbody fusion at one or two-levels provided the best clinical and radiological outcome in patients with degenerative disc disease. They only included prospective, randomized and controlled studies that compared several techniques of discectomy. fusion and isntrumentation. The review showed that at most trials analyzed were of low quality the evidences available to sustain a valid therapoeutic intervention were weak. Key words: anterior cervical discectomy, anterior cervical fusion, intrumentation, systematic review.

Tratamiento de la discopatía cervical: evidencia válida 50 años después / Cervical disk treatment: valid evidence 50 years after

Se comenta una revisión sistemática sobre el estado actual de la cirugía anterior del disco cervical. Los autores de la revisión trataron de determinar que método de artrodesis intersomática cervical anterior, para uno o dos niveles, tuvo la mejor evolución clínico-radiológica en pacientes con enfermedad degenerativa discal. Sólo incluyeron estudios prospectivos, aleatorizados y controlados que comparaban deversas técnicas de discectomía, artrodesis e instrumentación. Surgió de la revisión, que las evidencias disponibles para tomar una decisión terapéutica valida, en el empleo de las diferentes técnicas, fueron débiles como consecuencia de la baja calidad metodológica de los estudios en el análisis. Palabras clave: artrodesis cervical anterior - discectomía cervical anterior - instrumentación - revisión sistemática(AU)

A systematic review about the current state anterior cervical disc surgery was commented. The authors of this review tried to determine which method of anterior cervical interbody fusion at one or two-levels provided the best clinical and radiological outcome in patients with degenerative disc disease. They only included prospective, randomized and controlled studies that compared several techniques of discectomy. fusion and isntrumentation. The review showed that at most trials analyzed were of low quality the evidences available to sustain a valid therapoeutic intervention were weak. Key words: anterior cervical discectomy, anterior cervical fusion, intrumentation, systematic review.

Tratamiento de la discopatía cervical: evidencia válida 50 años después / Cervical disk treatment: valid evidence 50 years after

Se comenta una revisión sistemática sobre el estado actual de la cirugía anterior del disco cervical. Los autores de la revisión trataron de determinar que método de artrodesis intersomática cervical anterior, para uno o dos niveles, tuvo la mejor evolución clínico-radiológica en pacientes con enfermedad degenerativa discal. Sólo incluyeron estudios prospectivos, aleatorizados y controlados que comparaban deversas técnicas de discectomía, artrodesis e instrumentación. Surgió de la revisión, que las evidencias disponibles para tomar una decisión terapéutica valida, en el empleo de las diferentes técnicas, fueron débiles como consecuencia de la baja calidad metodológica de los estudios en el análisis. Palabras clave: artrodesis cervical anterior - discectomía cervical anterior - instrumentación - revisión sistemática(AU)

A systematic review about the current state anterior cervical disc surgery was commented. The authors of this review tried to determine which method of anterior cervical interbody fusion at one or two-levels provided the best clinical and radiological outcome in patients with degenerative disc disease. They only included prospective, randomized and controlled studies that compared several techniques of discectomy. fusion and isntrumentation. The review showed that at most trials analyzed were of low quality the evidences available to sustain a valid therapoeutic intervention were weak. Key words: anterior cervical discectomy, anterior cervical fusion, intrumentation, systematic review.

Nuevo retractor para microdiscectomia / A new retractor for microdiscectomy

Objetivo: describir un nuevo restractor espinal. Descripcion: una valva del retractor de Taylor se une al retractor de Yasargil para sostener y separar los musculos paravertebrales. Esta variante de retractor expone el campo quirurgico sin dañar las estructuras de la linea media

Nuevo retractor para microdiscectomia / A new retractor for microdiscectomy

Objetivo: describir un nuevo restractor espinal. Descripcion: una valva del retractor de Taylor se une al retractor de Yasargil para sostener y separar los musculos paravertebrales. Esta variante de retractor expone el campo quirurgico sin dañar las estructuras de la linea media (AU)

Limbus lumbar and sacral vertebral fractures.

We evaluated the fractures of the lumbar and sacral vertebral limbus by disc impingement at the peripheral ring apophysis in 23 adults associated with trauma in 16 of them. Lumbalgia, radicular pain and narrow canal symptoms are the presenting forms of this underdiagnosed pathology. CT is the best method of examination, while plain roentgenograms and MR are usually negative. Accurate diagnosis and surgical technique with larger exposure are needed to resect the fractured fragments and protruded disc material for decompressing the roots and the dural sac. Our results were very good on the majority of cases.

Disquetomía e instrumentación segmentaria de las deformidades de la columna vertebral. Reporte preliminar / Discectomy and segmental instrumentation for spine deformities. Preliminary report

El autor ha efectuado los abordajes anterior y posterior en un solo tiempo para tratar aquellas escoliosis rígidas en donde es necesario corregir, al mismo tiempo que acortar la columna vertebral. Puede efectuarse la resección de discos intervertebrales, o en ocasiones la resección completa de una o varias vértebras. Se efectuó la revisión de 24 pacientes recolectados desde 1980 en el Hospital Shriners para Niños Lisiados, Unidad México, 14 del sexo femenino y 10 del masculino, con promedio de edad de 12 años. Las deformidades observadas fueron: cifosis pura en un caso de 60 grados obtiendo 40 en el postoperatorio inmediato, escoliosis en 20 casos con un promedio de 73.8 llegando a los 40 grados y escoliosis asociada a cifosis en tres casos con un promedio de 78 grados para la cifosis y 91 para la escoliosis, obteniendo 48 y 53 en el postoperatorio respectivamente. El promedio de discos intervertebrales resecados en la zona de fusión de la curva fue de 4. El tiempo de consolidación fue en promedio de 6 meses. En ninguno de los pacientes, al momento de esta revisión, se ha observado pérdida de la corrección obtenida incialmente. El usar los dos abordajes simultáneamente, ha disminuido la morbilidad, así como las pseudoartrosis, fusiones tardía o el fenómeno de rotación en bloque del segmento artrodesado. Este es un trabajo preliminar y se requiere de mayor tiempo de seguimiento de nuestros pacientes

Experiencia preliminar con el uso de espaciadores de fibra de carbono en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las hernias cervicales / Preliminary report of the surgical treatment of cervical hernia with the use of carbon fiber cages

Dieciséis pacientes portadores de radiculopatía secundaria a HNP fueron evaluadas en forma prospectiva. En todos había fracasado el tratamiento médico-conservador. El espaciador de fibra de carbono Hercules AS4 fue utilizado luego de la discectomía y descomprensión para la artrodesis intersomática. En todos los casos, se alivió el dolor radicular (14 casos en el postoperatorio inmediato). El dolor axial persistió en promedio 3 días luego de la cirugía. No observamos complicaciones, excepto por 1 caso de disfagia de 1 mes de duración. No observamos morbilidad en la zona dadora de injerto, y el dolor se alivió en promedio a los 10 días. En el seguimiento alejado, 62 por ciento de los casos tuvieron resultados excelentes, 25 por ciento buenos y 13 por ciento regulares, de acuerdo a los criterios de Odom. No observamos resultados malos. Encontramos dolor cervical en 8 pacientes, pero todos se reincorporamos a sus actividades previas. Se observó artrodesis en todos los casos. Conclusiones: el uso de espaciadores de fibra de carbono es una solución para la morbilidad y dolor en la zona dadora. Existe una tendencia a la corrección del balance sagital de la columna cervical

Translaminar lumbar epidural endoscopy: anatomy, technique, and indications.

This article describes a new technique to achieve access to the epidural space via a direct posterior portal. This minimally invasive technique allows treatment of disc protrusions and extrusions with full visualization and minimal dissection of the paraspinal musculature. Hemostasis, visualization, and triangulation is performed with standard arthroscopic instrumentation. The anatomy of, indications for, and advantages of this techniques are described.