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.

A new technique of pedicle screw placement with the use of sequential multilevel navigation templates based on patient-specific 3D CT reconstruction model: applicability in spine deformity.

INTRODUCTION: The technique of placement of pedicle screws has gradually improved, but even misplacement observed in 1.2 to 20% of cases, have appeared techniques fluoroscopic, tomographic and electromagnetic navigation, which led it to 1.3 to 4.3%, but nevertheless they are expensive and complex technologies. Present technique pedicle screw placement by using templates with a modification in the art, performing tomography and reconstruction in the same surgical position and with the templates of 3 or more levels. METHODS: Five cases of idiopathic scoliosis were performed, with correction and instrumentation with pedicular screws, where a three-dimensional model of the spine was performed with a tomography in a surgical position, whose images were exported to a 3D printer to reconstruct the desired trajectory of the screws in a template using cylinders resting on the inverse surface of the vertebrae. The direction of the screw was planned in the center of the pedicle and parallel to the upper platform of the vertebra. Each template was of several levels and transoperative X-rays were not used. RESULTS: Under electrophysiologic monitoring transoperative «red alerts¼ were not reported, the placement of the screws in postoperative CT scan was evaluated, showing a standard deviation in placement of 1.9 and 2.2 mm on the right and left respectively pedicles, with respect to their planning. DISCUSSION: This technique is simple and safe, besides not requiring great technology, its use is suggested in beginner spine surgeons and in severe deformities, it can be performed in any hospital where spinal surgery is performed.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La técnica de colocación de tornillos transpediculares ha mejorado paulatinamente, a pesar de ello, la mala colocación oscila entre 1.2 al 20% de los casos; han surgido técnicas de navegación asistidas por flouroscopía, tomografía y resonancia magnética mejorando el índice de falla al 1.3-4.3%. La presente técnica de colocación utiliza plantillas con la modificación de que la tomografía y la reconstrucción son realizadas con el paciente en la posición quirúrgica, además que las plantillas abarcan tres o más niveles. MÉTODOS: Se presentan cinco casos de escoliosis idiopática tratados con instrumentación y colocación de tornillos transpediculares donde se generó un modelo tridimensional de la columna en posición quirúrgica; las imágenes fueron exportadas a una impresora 3-D para reconstruir la trayectoria apropiada de los tornillos, la dirección de éstos fue planeada tomando de referencia el centro del pedículo y paralela a la plataforma superior de la vértebra. Cada plantilla consta de diferentes niveles y no se requirió del uso de rayos X trans­operatorios. RESULTADOS: Bajo monitoreo electrofisiológico transquirúrgico no se reportó ninguna «alerta roja¼; la evaluación postoperatoria por tomografía de la colocación de los tornillos mostró una desviación estándar de 1.9 y 2.2 mm tanto a la derecha y a la izquierda, respectivamente, de acuerdo con lo planeado. DISCUSIÓN: La técnica es simple y segura, no requiere de mucho despliegue tecnológico, se sugiere su uso para los cirujanos de columna con poca experiencia y para deformidades severas; consideramos que puede desarrollarse en cualquier hospital donde se realice cirugía de columna.

[Degenerative adult scoliosis]. / Escoliosis degenerativa del adulto.

Adult scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional rotational deformity of the spine, resulting from the progressive degeneration of the vertebral elements in middle age, in a previously straight spine; a Cobb angle greater than 10° in the coronal plane, which also alters the sagittal and axial planes. It originates an asymmetrical degenerative disc and facet joint, creating asymmetrical loads and subsequently deformity. The main symptom is axial, radicular pain and neurological deficit. Conservative treatment includes drugs and physical therapy. The epidural injections and facet for selectively blocking nerve roots improves short-term pain. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients with intractable pain, radiculopathy and/ or neurological deficits. There is no consensus for surgical indications, however, it must have a clear understanding of the symptoms and clinical signs. The goal of surgery is to decompress neural elements with restoration, modification of the three-dimensional shape deformity and stabilize the coronal and sagittal balance.

[Comparative study between plate-graft, cage-plate and peek cage in cervical arthrodesis for cervical stenosis]. / Estudio comparativo entre placa-injerto, caja-placa y caja de PEEK en artrodesis de la columna cervical con conducto cervical estrecho.

INTRODUCTION: A variety of systems have been developed to fix and perform arthrodesis of the cervical spine, with the advantages of reducing the risk of pseudoarthrosis, extrusion and graft collapse and achieving a more precise sagittal alignment. We therefore need to compare the results of the following approaches to patients with cervical stenosis: plate-graft, cage-plate and PEEK cage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, interventional, comparative trial involving three groups: group I, arthrodesis with plate-graft; group II, cage-plate, and group III, PEEK cage. The pre- and postoperative assessments included the cervical disability scale, the pain visual analog scale (VAS), and cervical spine X-rays. The results were analyzed with non-parametric tests such as the Wilcoxon sign test and the Kruskal-Wallis test for the comparison of more than two groups. Significance level was 0.05. RESULTS: The sample included a total of 37 patients: n = 12 in group I, with 22 levels; n = 11 in group II, with 19 levels, and n = 14 in group III, with 25 levels. Patient age ranged between 60 and 80. One year after surgery there was an improvement in cervical disability and the pain VAS score, with a statistically significant difference among the three groups (p = 0.001). However, radiographic measurements at that time showed a significant improvement in segmental lordosis (p = 0.02) only in plate-graft patients. CONCLUSIONS: The plate-graft approach provides better clinical and radiographic results compared to the cage-plate and PEEK cage techniques, at the one-year follow- up.

[Functional results of surgery for cervical stenosis]. / Resultados funcionales de la cirugía del conducto cervical estrecho.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal or the intervertebral foramina at different anatomic levels, secondary to pathologic processes of the vertebral elements. Surgical management is used when conservative management fails. The anterior and posterior approaches are the most frequently used ones, and the surgical options resulting from these approaches are: anterior cervical diskectomy plus fusion, anterior corporectomy plus fusion, laminoplasty, laminectomy and arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is an ambispective study conducted in 195 patients with a diagnosis of cervical stenosis who required surgical treatment at our hospital from January 1995 to January 2007. The neck disability index questionnaire was applied, as well as the Nurick scale. Descriptive statistics was used with frequency and percentage measures. RESULTS: The review of the National Rehabilitation Institute electronic records from January 1st 1995 to December 31st 2007 showed that 195 patients underwent surgery for cervical stenosis. Females were predominant. The most affected age group was 46-55 years. The most frequently affected level was C5-C6. A significant improvement was seen in the neck disability index due to pain and the Nurick scale. CONCLUSION: According to world literature, mean age of patients with cervical stenosis is 57.2 years, and the most compromised levels were C4-C5 and C5-C6. Improvement was evident according to the neck disability index and the Nurick scale.

[Utility of ligamentoplasty for the prevention of adjacent segment disease above 360 degree arthrodesis in degenerative lumbar spondylosis. Preliminary report]. / Utilidad de la ligamentoplastía para la prevención de la artrodesis en espondilolistesis lumbar degenerativa. Reporte preliminar.

BACKGROUND: Ligamentoplasty is a dynamic stabilization method used to treat lumbar stenosis and resect lumbar herniated discs with good results. The objective of this paper is to report preliminary results of the utility of ligamentoplasty to prevent adjacent segment disease above the arthrodesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent circumferential arthrodesis. In 23 patients a dynamic stabilization system was placed in the segment above (group L), while this system was not used in 35 patients (group S). Degeneration and disease of the segment above were assessed. The statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 15.0 software. RESULTS: At the one-year follow-up, the incidence rate of adjacent segment degeneration was 11% for group L and 0% for group S; at the two-year follow-up it was 13% in both groups; at three years, 0% for group L and 19% for group S; at four years, 25% for group L and 0% for group S. At five years, 50% for group L and 0% for group S. Clinically significant radiculopathy occurred in two patients five years after surgery, one of whom also had adjacent segment disease. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the follow-up, at this moment it is not possible to show the utility of dynamic stabilization through ligamentoplasty to avoid adjacent segment disease above the arthrodesis.