Gait analysis, trunk movements, and electromyographic patterns after minimally invasive spine surgery for lumbar instability: An observational prospective study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate trunk kinematics and spine muscle activation during walking after minimally invasive surgery in patients with L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis suffering from lumbar instability (LI). Methods: Eleven patients suffering from LI and 13 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Trunk kinematics and spine muscle activation patterns during walking were collected. Maximal trunk ranges of motion were also recorded from standing position. Assessments were performed pre-operatively (T0), 1 month (T1) and 3 months (T2) after MIS. Results: We found significant improvement in spine muscle activation during walking at T2 compared to T0, mainly involving right/left symmetry at the operated level (L4-L5) and up-down synchronization from L3 to S1. Significant improvements in trunk rotation nearing to the HC group during walking were also found at T2 after surgery, though no changes were observed in the maximal range of motion of the trunk during standing. Furthermore, trunk rotation improvement correlated with a lower grade of residual disability. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that trunk rotation improves after surgery, and impaired aspects of spine muscle activation can be improved with surgery. These biomechanical parameters could represent novel tools for monitoring the effect of surgery in LI and preventing impaired spine mobility and muscle activation.

Atlantoaxial Anterior Transarticular Screw Fixation: Indications and Surgical Technique.

Posterior atlantoaxial screw fixation is a widely adopted therapeutic option for C1-C2 instability secondary to fractures or dislocation, degenerative diseases, or tumors at this level. Anterior transarticular screw fixation (ATSF) is an effective alternative to the posterior approaches, presenting several advantages despite being scarcely known and rarely chosen.In this chapter, we describe the ATSF step by step, illustrating its variations reported in literature, and we critically analyze the several advantages and contraindications of this technique. Moreover, we provide a list of tips and tricks on the surgical procedure, including critical operating room settings-the result of more than 10 years of experience in the field by a senior author.ATSF is a valid strategy for the treatment of different diseases occurring at the level of the atlantoaxial complex that needs consideration. Given the significant learning curve of this strategy, some hints may be essential to begin introducing this technique in the personal armamentarium of a spine surgeon so that they can perform ATSF safely and effectively.

Stand-Alone Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF) for the Treatment of Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD) after Previous Posterior Lumbar Fusion: Clinical and Radiological Outcomes and Comparison with Posterior Revision Surgery.

Background: Radiological evidence of adjacent segment disease (ASD) has been reported to have a prevalence of more than 30% and several risk factors have been reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with symptomatic ASD treated with stand-alone OLIF and compare results with a posterior revision surgery cohort. Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study. Clinical-patient-reported outcomes were obtained at preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up visits using the Short Form (SF-36) scale, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the visual analog scale (VAS). Radiological measures include lumbar lordosis (LL), segmental lordosis (SL), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch, segmental coronal Cobb angle and intervertebral disc height (DH). The data are compared with a retrospective series of patients that underwent a posterior revision surgery for ASD. Results: Twenty-eight patients in the OLIF group and 25 patients in the posterior group meet inclusion criteria. The mean ages at the time of the surgery are 65.1 years and 67.5, respectively. The mean follow-up time is 36.1 months (range of 14-56). The clinical outcomes significantly improve from preoperative values from the surgery in both groups. The radiological parameters are significantly improved postoperatively and were maintained at the last follow-up in both groups. A statistically significant difference is observed between the two groups for minor complication rate, length of surgery, blood loss and DH restoration. Conclusions: Stand-alone OLIF is an effective and safe technique with low morbidity and complication rates for the treatment of selected patients with symptomatic ASD following a previous lumbar fusion.

Percutaneous carbon-PEEK instrumentation for spine tumors: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) has been progressively accepted as a useful approach for spine tumors. Recently released carbon-PEEK implants have been already reported as effective in open surgeries for spine tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, surgical, clinical and radiological outcomes of a new percutaneous carbon-PEEK instrumentations for spine tumors. METHODS: This is a prospective case-control observational study. Demographical, clinical, surgical, and radiological data were collected from May 2018 to August 2019. Visual Analogue Scale for back pain (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire for quality of life, and ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) were collected before surgery and at 6 weeks and follow-up (FU) visits. Data were compared with the control group, a retrospective series of 23 metastatic patients that underwent titanium pedicle screw fixation. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 59.2 years (range, 35-78) and mean FU was 14.2 months (7-22). Thoracic spine was involved in 14 (66.7%) cases, lumbar spine in 7 (33.3%). The mean length of surgery was 75 (42-185) minutes, mean blood loss was 90ml (50-215) and every patient was mobilized within 24 hours after surgery. The VAS (8.3±1.1 to 2.9±1.0, P<0.05) and ODI (54.6±11.7 to 25.1±5.4, P<0.05) scores significantly improved over follow-up. AIS improved in 7 (33.3%) patients and remained unchanged in 14 (66.7%). The EORTC QLQ-C30 global health/QoL, functional and symptomatic scales significantly improved postoperatively and at the last follow-up. Only two minor complications (9.5%) were recorded. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups related to clinical, radiological outcomes, complications rate and implant failure. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous Carbon/PEEK implants could be considered as alternative to standard titanium implants in oncological patients, according to their lower rate of MRI artifacts, facilitating radiological FU and adjuvant radiotherapy. Further clinical trials and biomechanical evaluations are needed to confirm our preliminary results.

Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation without arthrodesis of 368 thoracolumbar fractures: long-term clinical and radiological outcomes in a single institution.

PURPOSE: Traumatic thoracolumbar (TL) fractures are the most common vertebral fractures. Although a consensus on the preferred treatment is missing, percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) has been progressively accepted as treatment option, since it is related to lower soft tissues surgical-injury and perioperative complications rate. This study aims to evaluate the long-term clinical-radiological outcomes after PPSF for TL fractures at a single tertiary academic hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Back pain was obtained at preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up using Visual Analog Scale. Patient-reported outcomes, the Oswestry Disability Index and the 36-Item Short Form, were obtained to asses disability during follow-up. Radiological measures included Cobb angle, mid-sagittal index, sagittal index (SI) and vertebral body height loss. A multivariate regression analysis on preoperative radiological features was performed to investigate independent risk factors for implant failure. RESULTS: A total of 296 patients with 368 TL fractures met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 124.3 months. The clinical and radiological parameters significantly improved from preoperative to last follow-up measurements. The multivariate analysis showed that Cobb angle (OR = 1.3, p < 0.001), SI (OR = 1.5, p < 0.001) and number of fractures (OR = 1.1, p = 0.05), were independent risk factors for implant failure. The overall complication rate was 5.1%, while the reoperation rate for implant failure was 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: In our case series, PPSF for TL injuries demonstrated good long-term clinical-radiological outcomes, along with low complication and reoperation rates. Accordingly, PPSF could be considered as a valuable treatment option for neurologically intact patients with TL fractures. Additionally, in this cohort, number of fractures ≥ 2, Cobb angle ≥ 15° and sagittal index ≥ 21° were independent risk factors for implant failure.

Clinical Outcomes of Shunting in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is characterized by the triad of dementia, gait disturbance and urinary incontinence, all potentially reversible following a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of shunting in normal pressure hydrocephalus following a new standardized protocol. Methods: This study is designed according to the STROBE guidelines. Demographical, clinical, surgical and radiological data were collected from May 2015 to November 2019. Gait, balance and incontinence data based on the NPH European scale were collected before and after one, six and twelve months of treatment with a VPS. Clinical symptoms and changes of the stoke volume, measured on phase-contrast MRI, were used to evaluate improvement after VPS surgery. Results: One hundred and eighty-one consecutive patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 73.1 years (59−86) and mean follow-up was 38.3 months (13−50). The gait (58.5 ± 14.3 to 70.1 ± 13.4, p < 0.001), the balance (66.7 ± 21.5 to 71.7 ± 22.1, p = 0.001), continence domain (69.9 ± 20.5 to 76 ± 20, p = 0.002) scores and neuropsychological scales showed a statistically significant improvement over the follow-up. The overall improvement after 12 months was present in 91.2% of patients. An overall complication rate of 8.8% and a reoperation rate of 9.4% were recorded, respectively. Conclusions: Surgical treatment by VPS for NPH improves symptoms in most patients, when accurately selected. A standardized protocol and a multidisciplinary team dedicated to this disorder is needed to achieve an early and correct diagnosis of NPH. Follow-up with stroke volume measurement is a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of shunt malfunction or the need for valve adjustment.

Anterior Corpectomy and Plating with Carbon-PEEK Instrumentation for Cervical Spinal Metastases: Clinical and Radiological Outcomes.

Background: Anterior cervical corpectomy and plating has been recognized as a valuable approach for the surgical treatment of cervical spinal metastases. This study aimed to report the surgical, clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior carbon-PEEK instrumentations for cervical spinal metastases. Methods: Demographical, clinical, surgical and radiological data were collected from 2017 to 2020. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire for neck pain, EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire for quality of life, Nurick scale for myelopathy and radiological parameters (segmental Cobb angle and cervical lordosis) were collected before surgery, at 6 weeks postoperatively and follow-up. Results: Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 60.9 ± 7.6 years and mean follow-up was 12.9 ± 4.0 months. The NDI (55.4 ± 11.7 to 25.1 ± 5.4, p < 0.001) scores and the EORTC QLQ-C30 global health/QoL significantly improved postoperatively and at the last follow-up. The segmental Cobb angle (10.7° ± 5.6 to 3.1° ± 2.2, p < 0.001) and cervical lordosis (0.9° ± 6.7 to -6.2 ± 7.8, p = 0.002) significantly improved postoperatively. Only one minor complication (5.9%) was recorded. Conclusions: Carbon/PEEK implants represent a safe alternative to commonly used titanium ones and should be considered in cervical spinal metastases management due to their lower artifacts in postoperative imaging and radiation planning. Further larger comparative and cost-effectiveness studies are needed to confirm these results.

Percutaneous instrumentation with cement augmentation for traumatic hyperextension thoracic and lumbar fractures in ankylosing spondylitis: a single-institution experience.

OBJECTIVE: The typical traumatic thoracolumbar (TL) fracture in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a hyperextension injury involving all three spinal columns, which is associated with unfavorable outcomes. Although a consensus on the management of these highly unstable injuries is missing, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been progressively accepted as a treatment option, since it is related to lower morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes after percutaneous instrumentation with cement augmentation for hyperextension TL fractures in patients with AS at a single institution. METHODS: This cohort study was completed retrospectively. Back pain was assessed at preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up visits using the visual analog scale (VAS). Patient-reported outcomes via the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the new mobility score (NMS) were obtained to assess disability and mobility during follow-up. Radiological outcomes included the Cobb angle, sagittal index (SI), union rate, and implant failure. Intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was 74.2 ± 7.3 years with a mean follow-up of 39.2 ± 17.4 months. The VAS score for back pain significantly improved over the follow-up period (from 8.4 ± 1.1 to 2.8 ± 0.8, p < 0.001). At the last follow-up, all patients had minor disability (mean ODI score 24.4 ± 6.1, p = 0.003) and self-sufficiency of mobility (mean NMS 7.5 ± 1.6, p = 0.02). The Cobb angle (5.2° ± 2.9° preoperatively to 4.4° ± 3.3° at follow-up) and SI (7.9° ± 4.2° to 8.8° ± 5.1°) were maintained at follow-up, showing no loss of segmental kyphosis. Bone union was observed in all patients. The overall complication rate was 9.1%, while the reoperation rate for implant failure was 4.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous instrumentation with cement augmentation for traumatic hyperextension TL fractures in AS demonstrated good clinical and radiological outcomes, along with a high bone union level and low reoperation rate. Accordingly, MIS reduced the complication rate in the management of these injuries of the ankylosed spine.

The Lone Star Retractor System in Neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the role of a self-retaining retractor system, commonly used in ear, abdominal, vascular, urologic and gynecologic surgeries: the Lone Star retractor system. We report our experience in using the Lone Star retractor in different brain surgeries, at a single neurosurgical department. METHODS: In 2019, patients who underwent brain surgery and in which the Lone Star Retractor System was used were considered for inclusion. Clinical and surgical data of included patients were prospectively collected. Postoperative VAS for local pain, and a properly designed intraoperative retractor stability score, were collected. RESULTS: Over 2019, the Lone Stare Retractor was used in 20 neurosurgical procedures: 9 high-grade glioma, 2 low-grade glioma, 4 cerebral metastases, and 5 meningiomas. Postoperative mean VAS score was 3.5 (range: 2-4). Intraoperative retractor stability score mean was 2 in frontal, 2 in pterional, 1.75 in subtemporal, 2 in interhemispheric, and 0.5 in suboccipital approaches. The Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale mean value was 4.4 (range: 3-5). CONCLUSIONS: In our institutional experience, the Lone Star retractor showed many advantages in different brain procedures, when compared with standard fishhooks and other retractors.

Fenestration of Peritoneal Catheter to Avoid Abdominal Pseudocyst Formation after Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: A Technical Note.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a well-known procedure in the neurosurgical field. However, it has high complication and reoperation rates. Abdominal pseudocyst (APC) formation is a rare complication of VPS with reports in the literature varying from 4 to 10%. In this article, we report a simple and effective technique, with no additional cost, to avoid APC formation by making small multiple slits along the length of the peritoneal catheter.

The anterior-to-psoas approach for interbody fusion at the L5-S1 segment: clinical and radiological outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Over the last few decades, many surgical techniques for lumbar interbody fusion have been reported. The anterior-to-psoas (ATP) approach is theoretically supposed to benefit from the advantages of both anterior and lateral approaches with similar complication rates, even in L5-S1. At this segment, the anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) requires retroperitoneal dissection and retraction of major vessels, whereas the iliac crest does not allow the lateral transpsoas approach. This study aimed to investigate clinical-radiological outcomes and complications of the ATP approach at the L5-S1 segment in a single cohort of patients. METHODS: This is a prospective single-center study, conducted from 2016 to 2019. Consecutive patients who underwent ATP at the L5-S1 segment for degenerative disc disease or revision surgery after previous posterior procedures were considered for eligibility. Complete clinical-radiological documentation and a minimum follow-up of 12 months were set as inclusion criteria. Clinical patient-reported outcomes, such as the visual analog scale for low-back pain, Oswestry Disability Index, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores, as well as spinopelvic parameters, were collected preoperatively, 6 weeks after surgery, and at the last follow-up visit. Intraoperative and perioperative complications were recorded. The fusion rate was evaluated on CT scans obtained at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at the time of surgery was 57.6 years (range 44-75 years). The mean follow-up was 33.1 months (range 13-48 months). The mean pre- and postoperative visual analog scale (7.9 ± 1.3 vs 2.4 ± 0.8, p < 0.05), Oswestry Disability Index (52.8 ± 14.4 vs 22.9 ± 6.0, p < 0.05), and SF-36 (37.3 ± 5.8 vs 69.8 ± 6.1, p < 0.05) scores significantly improved. The mean lumbar lordosis and L5-S1 segmental lordosis significantly increased after surgery. The mean pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch and pelvic tilt significantly decreased. No intraoperative complications and a postoperative complication rate of 9.4% were recorded. The fusion rate was 96.9%. One patient needed a second posterior revision surgery for residual foraminal stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case series, ATP fusion for the L5-S1 segment has resulted in valuable clinical-radiological outcomes and a relatively low complication rate. Properly designed clinical and comparative trials are needed to further investigate the role of ATP for different L5-S1 conditions.

Spatial and temporal characteristics of the spine muscles activation during walking in patients with lumbar instability due to degenerative lumbar disk disease: Evaluation in pre-surgical setting.

Our purpose was to investigate the spatial and temporal profile of the paraspinal muscle activation during gait in a group of 13 patients with lumbar instability (LI) in a pre-surgical setting compared to the results with those from both 13 healthy controls (HC) and a sample of 7 patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), which represents a chronic untreatable condition, in which the spine muscles function is expected to be widely impaired. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, trunk kinematics, and muscle activation were measured through a motion analysis system integrated with a surface EMG device. The bilateral paraspinal muscles (longissimus) at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels and lumbar iliocostalis muscles were evaluated. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between groups in the step length, step width, and trunk bending and rotation. As regard the EMG analysis, significant differences were found in the cross-correlation, full-width percentage and center of activation values between groups, for all muscles investigated. Patients with LI, showed preserved trunk movements compared to HC but a series of EMG abnormalities of the spinal muscles, in terms of left-right symmetry, top-down synchronization, and spatiotemporal activation and modulation compared to the HC group. In patients with LI some of such EMG abnormalities regarded mainly the segment involved by the instability and were strictly correlated to the pain perception. Conversely, in patients with FBSS the EMG abnormalities regarded all the spinal muscles, irrespective to the segment involved, and were correlated to the disease's severity. Furthermore, patients with FBSS showed reduced lateral bending and rotation of the trunk and a reduced gait performance and balance. Our methodological approach to analyze the functional status of patients with LI due to spine disease with surgical indications, even in more complex conditions such as deformities, could allow to evaluate the biomechanics of the spine in the preoperative conditions and, in the future, to verify whether and which surgical procedure may either preserve or improve the spine muscle function during gait.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for the Treatment of Traumatic Monosegmental Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures: Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes of 144 Patients With a 6-year Follow-Up Comparing Two Groups With or Without Intermediate Screw.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of the clinical and radiologic outcomes of traumatic thoracolumbar (TL) burst fractures. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes after 6 years of follow-up of 144 patients with monosegmental TL burst fractures treated with percutaneous short-segment pedicle screw fixation, comparing two groups with versus without placement of an intermediate screw at the fractured vertebra. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Traumatic TL fractures are the most common vertebral fractures, especially at the TL junction (T10-L2). Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a valuable treatment option for traumatic TL burst fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical outcomes and radiologic parameters (Cobb angle, midsagittal index, and sagittal index) of 144 patients with traumatic monosegmental TL fractures treated with MIS were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and after 3 and 6 years of follow-up. Patients were categorized into a nonintermediate screw group (nISG) and an intermediate screw group (ISG), and the groups were compared. RESULTS: There were 71 patients (49.3%) in the nISG and 73 patients (50.7%) in the ISG. The radiologic parameters improved significantly more from the preoperative evaluation to the 6-year follow-up in the ISG than in the nISG (P<0.025). There were no significant differences in the mean Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale scores at the 6-year follow-up between the ISG and the nISG: 15.6% (ISG) versus 16.8% (nISG) for ODI (P<0.1) and 2.2 (ISG) versus 2.4 (nISG) for Visual Analog Scale score (P<0.85) (P<0.73). CONCLUSIONS: MIS showed good clinical outcomes 6 years after surgery in both the ISG and the nISG. The additional intermediate screw significantly improved radiologic parameters but not clinical outcomes.

Long-term clinical outcomes after bilateral laminotomy or total laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis: a single-institution experience.

OBJECTIVELumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is the most common spinal disease in the geriatric population, and is characterized by a compression of the lumbosacral neural roots from a narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal. LSS can result in symptomatic compression of the neural elements, requiring surgical treatment if conservative management fails. Different surgical techniques with or without fusion are currently treatment options. The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the long-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent bilateral laminotomy compared with total laminectomy for LSS.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed all the patients treated surgically by the senior author for LSS with total laminectomy and bilateral laminotomy with a minimum of 10 years of follow-up. Patients were divided into 2 treatment groups (total laminectomy, group 1; and bilateral laminotomy, group 2) according to the type of surgical decompression. Clinical outcomes measures included the visual analog scale (VAS), the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). In addition, surgical parameters, reoperation rate, and complications were evaluated in both groups.RESULTSTwo hundred fourteen patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria (105 and 109 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively). The mean age at surgery was 69.5 years (range 58-77 years). Comparing pre- and postoperative values, both groups showed improvement in ODI and SF-36 scores; at final follow-up, a slightly better improvement was noted in the laminotomy group (mean ODI value 22.8, mean SF-36 value 70.2), considering the worse preoperative scores in this group (mean ODI value 70, mean SF-36 value 38.4) with respect to the laminectomy group (mean ODI 68.7 vs mean SF-36 value 36.3), but there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Significantly, in group 2 there was a lower incidence of reoperations (15.2% vs 3.7%, p = 0.0075).CONCLUSIONSBilateral laminotomy allows adequate and safe decompression of the spinal canal in patients with LSS; this technique ensures a significant improvement in patients' symptoms, disability, and quality of life. Clinical outcomes are similar in both groups, but a lower incidence of complications and iatrogenic instability has been shown in the long term in the bilateral laminotomy group.

Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis: Weight Loss Cure.

A 47-year-old male patient presented at our neurosurgery unit with neurogenic claudication symptoms. The patient had a history of low back pain and lower extremity pain for 2 years. He had a body mass index of 38. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine demonstrated severe stenosis due to spinal epidural lipomatosis. The patient was treated conservatively, and after weight loss in 13 months (body mass index of 29) he had full recovery of neurologic symptoms. A follow-up magnetic resonance image obtained 14 months after showed complete resolution of spinal epidural lipomatosis.

Patient-Oriented Aesthetic Outcome After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A 1-Year Follow-Up Prospective Observational Study Comparing Minimally Invasive and Standard Open Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent treatment developments, back pain and related disabilities still represent a challenge for practitioners. Among the available surgical techniques, many different features and outcomes have been investigated; however, aesthetic result was missing among them. The present investigation was designed to prospectively compare patient-oriented aesthetic results after minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and standard open surgery (SOS) for the lumbar spine. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study with 1-year follow-up. Patients who underwent SOS were assigned to group 1 and MIS to group 2. Patient-oriented aesthetic result evaluation was collected using a dedicated visual aesthetic analogue scale. The Vancouver Scar Scale was used to exclude objective underlying influencing factors. The Oswestry Disability Index and a 10-point itemized visual analogue scale for back pain were administered to assess the clinical and functional status. Follow-up data were collected before discharge at 1, 6, and 12 months. Statistical analysis was conducted, and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: We enrolled 74 patients, 44 in group 1 and 30 in group 2. The 2 groups were homogeneous for demographic and clinical data. No clinical or functional differences were measured at the end of follow-up. Visual aesthetic analogue scale reported greater mean values in group 1 at every follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS: Patients seem to prefer the aesthetic result from a single midline incision after SOS compared with MIS. The use of specific techniques could be considered if there is scientific evidence reporting greater aesthetic outcome, having similar clinical and functional ones.

Transfacet Screw Fixation for the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Mild Instability: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis are frequently associated with facet joint degeneration, considered the main cause of low back pain. Surgery is the treatment of choice in patients affected by LSS unresponsive to conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcome of patients treated with posterior decompression and transfacet fixation for single-level LSS and facet joint degeneration. METHODS: A total of 25 patients between May 2015 and June 2016 affected by radiologically demonstrated one-level LSS with facet joint degeneration and grade I spondylolisthesis were included in this prospective study. All the patients underwent laminectomy, foraminotomy, and one-level facet fixation (Facet-Link, Inc., Rockaway, New Jersey, United States). Pre- and postoperative clinical (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Short Form-36 [SF-36]) and radiologic (radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography) data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 12 months. The L4-L5 level was involved in 18 patients (72%) and L5-S1 in 7 patients (28%); the average operative time was 80 minutes (range: 65-148 minutes), and the mean blood loss was 160 mL (range: 90-200 mL). ODI and SF-36 showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transfacet fixation is a safe and effective treatment option in patients with single-level LSS, facet joint degeneration, and mild instability.

Comparison of pure lateral and oblique lateral inter-body fusion for treatment of lumbar degenerative disk disease: a multicentric cohort study.

PURPOSE: The most effective interbody fusion technique for degenerative disk disease (DDD) is still controversial. The purpose of our study is to compare pure lateral (LLIF) and oblique lateral (OLIF) approaches for the treatment of lumbar DDD from L1-L2 to L4-L5, in terms of clinical and radiological outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 patients underwent lumbar interbody fusion for pure lumbar DDD from  L1-L2 to L4-L5 through LLIF (n = 31, mean age 62.1 years, range 45-78 years) or OLIF (n = 14, mean age 57.4 years, range 47-77 years). Clinical evaluations were performed with ODI and SF-36 tests. Radiological assessment was based on the modification of coronal segmental Cobb angles and segmental lumbar lordosis (L1-S1). RESULTS: On ODI and SF-36, all patients presented good results at follow-up, with 26% the difference between the LIF and OLIF groups on ODI scale in the post-operative period, and 3.9 and 8.8 points difference on physical and mental SF-36 in favor of OLIF. Radiological parameters improved significantly in both groups. The mean correction was 6.25° for cCobb (11.3° in LIF and 1.9° in OLIF), 2.5° for sLL (2° in LLIF and 4° in OLIF). CONCLUSIONS: LLIF and OLIF represent safe and effective MIS procedures for the treatment of lumbar DDD. LLIF had some risks of motor deficit and monitoring is mandatory, though it addressed more the coronal deformities. OLIF did not imply risks for motor deficits, but attention should be paid to vascular anatomy. It was more effective in kyphotic segmental deformities. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary material.

Long-term Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients Treated with Interspinous Devices for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative condition that occurs in the spine with increasing age. Clinically, LSS causes a progressive reduction in walking autonomy, resulting in a poor quality of life and impaired functional capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome and quality of life of elderly patients presenting with LSS and associated comorbidities after a 5-year follow-up who were treated with an interspinous process device (IPD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients > 75 years of age presenting with symptomatic degenerative LSS were included. All were treated with an IPD under local anesthesia. American Society of Anesthesiology score, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, and Short Form 36 were evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at the follow-up visit each year for 5 years. RESULTS: The mean surgery time while under local anesthesia was 20 minutes. Forty-eight patients were followed for 5 years. Significant clinical improvements in all outcome scores (p < 0.05) both postoperatively or at follow-up were found. CONCLUSIONS: IPD seems to be an effective and safe treatment for LSS in elderly patients with general comorbidities. In our study, all followed up patients had a meaningful improvement of their quality of life even at 5 years after surgery.