Evaluation of the Source and Quality of Information Regarding Cervical Disc Herniation on Websites

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to assess the source and quality of information regarding cervical disc herniation available to patients on websites.Summary of Literature Review: Studies have shown that 92% of the Korean population regularly accesses and searches for medical information on websites. While a large amount of information exists on websites, there is a possibility that patients will be misled due to inaccurate information because there are no established criteria for qualitative evaluation. In addition, little research has been conducted on websites that provide information about cervical disc herniation. @*Materials and Methods@#The search term ‘‘cervical disc herniation’’ was entered into the three most popular search engines in Korea (Naver, Daum, and Google). The first 50 websites displayed by each engine were selected for inclusion in this study and were categorized as academic, commercial, physician, non-physician, government organization, and unspecified. Information was assessed in terms of DISCERN, accuracy, and exhaustivity scores, and a total summary score was calculated for each website. @*Results@#Among the theoretical total of 150 websites, 83 unique and relevant websites were identified. The distribution by source was as follows: non-physician, 34.9%; physician, 27.7%; commercial, 13.3%; unspecified, 10.8%; academic, 9.6%; and government, 3.6%. Academic and government websites obtained the highest total summary scores, with statistical significance when compared to other types (p=0.03). @*Conclusions@#Website information on cervical disc herniation is generally limited. Institutional improvement efforts are needed to foster an environment where patients can receive high-quality medical information, and physician groups should play a central role in this process.

Comparative Measurements of Preoperative and Postoperative Radiological and Clinical Parameters of Direct Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Spinal Disease Patients / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of prospectively-collected data.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the radiological outcomes of direct lateral lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF).SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: DLIF, as a minimally invasive spinal surgical procedure, is useful for degenerative spinal diseases. However, few reports have evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of DLIF in Korea.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 44 patients who underwent DLIF at our hospital from September 2015 to September 2017. Of these patients, 89 segments were included in this study. We measured preoperative and postoperative radiological values including the disc height, central canal area, height of the foramen, and segmental sagittal angle on magnetic resonance imaging. We also measured patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores as clinical parameters.RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were found in the height of the left and right foramina (20.8% and 25.6%, respectively), the height of the intervertebral discs (86.0% and 84.3%, respectively), the cross-sectional area of the central nervous system (33.1%), lumbar lordosis, and the lumbar segmental angle (2.7° and 8.7°, respectively) after surgery. The VAS and ODI scores also showed significant improvements (65.7% and 67.7%, respectively) when compared with the preoperative level.CONCLUSIONS: DLIF was found to be effective for the treatment of diseases such as foraminal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, and adjacent segment diseases through indirect neuro-decompression of the bilateral foramina and central vertebrae.

Wide Excision Using Indigo-Carmine to Minimize the Recurrence of a Pilonidal Cyst: Technical Note / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The cause of a pilonidal cyst is unclear, and treatment is still under debate. In Korea, the incidence of this disease is lower than that of Western countries, and it has often been misdiagnosed as a simple abscess. When pilonidal cysts are diagnosed, the principle of treatment is not to leave a residue, and a wide excision is needed to reduce the recurrence rate. This paper introduces a wide excision technique using Indigo-carmine dye to minimize the recurrence of a pilonidal cyst.

Comparative Measurements of Preoperative and Postoperative Radiological and Clinical Parameters of Direct Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Spinal Disease Patients

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the radiological outcomes of direct lateral lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF).SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: DLIF, as a minimally invasive spinal surgical procedure, is useful for degenerative spinal diseases. However, few reports have evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of DLIF in Korea.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#We analyzed 44 patients who underwent DLIF at our hospital from September 2015 to September 2017. Of these patients, 89 segments were included in this study. We measured preoperative and postoperative radiological values including the disc height, central canal area, height of the foramen, and segmental sagittal angle on magnetic resonance imaging. We also measured patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores as clinical parameters.@*RESULTS@#Statistically significant improvements were found in the height of the left and right foramina (20.8% and 25.6%, respectively), the height of the intervertebral discs (86.0% and 84.3%, respectively), the cross-sectional area of the central nervous system (33.1%), lumbar lordosis, and the lumbar segmental angle (2.7° and 8.7°, respectively) after surgery. The VAS and ODI scores also showed significant improvements (65.7% and 67.7%, respectively) when compared with the preoperative level.@*CONCLUSIONS@#DLIF was found to be effective for the treatment of diseases such as foraminal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, and adjacent segment diseases through indirect neuro-decompression of the bilateral foramina and central vertebrae.

Comparison of the Results between Conservative and Operative Treatments for Pyogenic Spondylitis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: With advancements in antibiotics, the ability to treat pyogenic spondylitis is increasing. This study aimed to compare and analyze the outcomes between conservative and operative treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients (28 males and 32 females) with pyogenic spondylitis, who were hospitalized and treated between February 2008 and June 2016, were enrolled. Patients were divided according to the following: type of treatment – conservative or operative treatment, method of surgery, radiographic parameters, location of the affected spine. Clinical parameters as durations of hospital stay, intravenous antibiotics use, normalization in laboratory findings, and residual symptoms were analyzed. For statistical evaluation, independent-sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson's chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman correlation analysis were performed retrospectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the duration of hospital stay, intravenous antibiotics use, normalization in laboratory findings, and residual symptoms between the conservative and operative treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In treating pyogenic spondylitis, conservative treatment can be considered as the first choice, and operative treatment can be chosen in refractory cases.

Early Evaluation of Inflammatory Focus and Treatment Response Using ¹⁸F-Sodium Fluoride Bone Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Patients with Metallic Implants: A Case Report

We report a case of a 76-year-old woman with elevated serum C-reactive protein levels for two weeks after spinal surgery. ⁹⁹mTc-labeled white blood cell scan and dual ¹⁸F-sodium-fluoride (¹⁸F-NaF) bone positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) were used to detect the site of inflammation. Using non-attenuation corrected images, soft tissue inflammation was detected without metal artifact. Antibiotic treatment attenuated inflammation as seen in an early-phase scan using follow-up ¹⁸F-NaF bone PET/CT. This case demonstrates the role of ¹⁸F-NaF bone PET/CT in the detection of inflammation sites, and can be used to evaluate treatment response in patients with metallic implants.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Postoperative Loss of Reduction in Unstable Thoracolumbar Fractures

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis OBJECTIVES: Loss of fracture reduction after posterior surgery to treat unstable thoracolumbar fractures can cause several complications. We analyzed the factors influencing postoperative loss of reduction. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Controversy exists about the factors causing postoperative loss of reduction in thoracolumbar fractures during the follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 59 patients who underwent posterior surgery for thoracolumbar unstable fractures and had completed a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Postoperative loss of reduction was defined as 30% or more loss of vertebral body height or 15° or more progression of the kyphotic angle at the 1-year follow-up compared to immediately after surgery. The associations between the patients??gender, age, level of fracture, injury of the posterior column, initial loss of fractured vertebral body height, load-sharing score, Thoraco-Lumbar Injury Classification and Severity score, number of fixed segments, type of pedicle screws, degree of postoperative reduction, degree of postoperative corrected kyphotic angle, changes in the insertion angle of the most proximal and the most distal pedicle screws, decreases in the upper and lower disc height of the fractured vertebral body, and postoperative loss of reduction were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (22.0%) had postoperative loss of reduction. Age at the time of the operation (p=0.034), initial loss of fractured vertebral body height (p=0.042), and changes in the insertion angles of the most distal pedicle screws (p=0.021) were significantly associated with postoperative loss of reduction. However, the other factors did not show a significant relationship. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who underwent posterior surgery for unstable thoracolumbar fractures, the frequency of loss of reduction was high in patients more than 45 years old at the time of the operation, with a 50% or more loss of the initial fractured vertebral body height, and with changes of 5° or more in the insertion angles of the most distal pedicle screws.

Risk Factors of Cage Subsidence after Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for subsidence after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), cage characteristics (titanium or poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK)) and degree of disc distraction are risk factors for cage subsidence after PLIF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2015, a total of 69 patients (93 segments) who were diagnosed with degenerative lumbar spine disease at the current authors' institution and underwent follow-up for at least 1 year were included in this retrospective study. Data on all factors related to cage subsidence were taken into consideration. The degree of association for each of the factors was determined through the calculation of odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval. Logistic regression analyses were performed. The P-value that represented statistical significance was set below 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant associations between fused segment level and cage subsidence (p=0.588), nor were there any significant associations between the kind of cage (titanium or PEEK) and cage subsidence (p=0.371). Using logistic regression, the factors with a P-value below the 0.20 level in univariate analyses were included in the multivariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, diabetes mellitus (DM) (p=0.029, OR, 4.524), osteoporosis (p=0.026, OR, 6.046), and degree of disc distraction (p=0.010, OR, 1.446) had significant associations with cage subsidence. In addition, there were significant associations between cage subsidence and instrument failure (p=0.008, OR, 8.235). CONCLUSIONS: DM and osteoporosis, which may affect bony structures, have significant associations with cage subsidence after PLIF. Cage insertion with excessive disc distraction during surgery may also affect cage subsidence after PLIF.

Leg Length Discrepancy and Angular Deformity after Flexible Intramedullary Nail fixation in Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures

OBJECTIVE: Femoral fracture is one of the most frequent fractures in children and complications occurs such as malunion and leg length discrepancy after internal fixation using flexible intramedullary nail. The author intended to consider operational treatment using flexible intramedullary nailing through a quantitative data including age, pattern and location of fracture for angulation, and leg length discrepancy. METHODS: A retrospective survey was performed by 30 cases of child patients who underwent internal fixation using flexible intramedullary nail for femoral shaft fracture. Using a simple radiography, duration of union and angulation were measured. Leg length discrepancy was evaluated by scanogram. By measuring each 2 times at an interval of 1 week by 2 observers, error among observers and error in observer were excluded. For statistical validation, t-test and lineal regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Immediate postoperatively, valgus condition of 7 degrees was represented and affected side was represented to show varus of 5.6 degrees on average in 46.6% of child patients. The more age of patient is young, more angulation was represented to be significantly taken place in transverse fracture rather than oblique fracture, but depending on fracture location, significant difference was not observed. Leg length discrepancy showed overgrowth of 6.39 mm on average. And cases of overgrowth over 5 mm being were represented and age of all the child patients was below 9 years old. As a result of statistical analysis, it was observed that the age is younger, leg length discrepancy was prone to be occurred, and its significant relevance with fracture form or fracture location was not represented. CONCLUSION: Transverse fracture is represented at the time of performing internal fixation using flexible intramedullary nail. Occurrence rate of angulation and leg length discrepancy was high but follow-up period is required to be extended even after the time when growth is completed on a long-term basis and in case of imperfect correction, additional treatment such as physeal plate stapling is required. Bone shortening and lengthening may be required and it is considered to be a useful method for femoral shaft fracture of children.

Radiologic Findings of Pelvic Parameters Related to Sagittal Balance

STUDY DESIGN: A literature review on the radiologic findings of pelvic parameters for treatment of spinal deformity OBJECTIVES: This review examines sagittal spine alignment, pelvic parameters, and methods for assessing alignment, and examines the relationships among all of these parameters to understand spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Understanding the main pelvic and sagittal spinal parameters and recognizing their correlation is imperative in the diagnosis and treatment of various spinal disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the literature. RESULTS: As spinal and pelvic parameters tend to have a strong correlation, it is essential to measure not only spinal parameters but also pelvic parameters in analyzing sagittal balance. Degenerative changes have the potential to greatly disrupt the normal curvature of the spine, leading to sagittal malalignment. Analysis of sagittal balance is crucial to optimizing the management of spinal diseases. Improvement in surgical outcomes may be achieved through better understanding of radiographic spino-pelvic parameters and their association with deformity. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding spinal and pelvic parameters raises awareness of the relationship among alignment and balance, the soft tissue envelope, and compensatory mechanisms, which will, in turn, provide a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of spinal deformity and the modalities with which it is treated.

Prognostic Factors for Postsurgical Recovery of Deltoid Palsy due to Cervical Disc Herniations

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter study. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate prognostic factors affecting postsurgical recovery of deltoid palsy due to cervical disc herniation (CDH). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Little information is available about prognostic factors affecting postsurgical recovery of deltoid palsy due to CDH. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with CDH causing deltoid palsy (less than grade 3) were included in this study: 35 soft discs and 26 hard discs. Average duration of preoperative deltoid palsy was 11.9 weeks. Thirty-two patients underwent single-level surgery, 22 two-level, four three-level, and three four-level. Patients with accompanying myelopathy, shoulder diseases, or peripheral neuropathy were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Deltoid palsy (2.4 grades vs. 4.5 grades, p<0.001) and radiculopathy (6.4 points vs. 2.1 points, p<0.001) significantly improved after surgery. Thirty-six of 61 patients (59%) achieved full recovery (grade 5) of deltoid palsy, with an average time of 8.4 weeks. Longer duration of preoperative deltoid palsy and more severe radiculopathy negatively affected the degree of improvement in deltoid palsy. Age, gender, number of surgery level, and disc type did not affect the degree of improvement of deltoid palsy. Contrary to our expectations, severity of preoperative deltoid palsy did not affect the degree of improvement. Due to the shorter duration of preoperative deltoid palsy, in the context of rapid referral, early surgical decompression resulted in significant recovery of more severe grades (grade 0 or 1) of deltoid palsy compared to grade 2 or 3 deltoid palsy. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical decompression significantly improved deltoid palsy caused by CDH, irrespective of age, gender, number of surgery level, and disc type. However, longer duration of deltoid palsy and more severe intensity of preoperative radiating pain were associated with less improvement of deltoid palsy postoperatively.

Sciatic Nerve Palsy Caused by Ruptured and Contracted Short External Rotator Muscles after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty / 대한고관절학회지

Although the incidence of sciatic nerve palsy following total hip arthroplasty is low, this complication can cause devastating permanent nerve palsy. The authors experienced a case of sciatic nerve palsy caused by ruptured and contracted external rotator muscles following total hip arthroplasty in a patient suffering from osteonecrosis of the femoral head. We report this unusual case of sciatic nerve palsy with a review of the literature.

Osteochondral Lesion of Humeral Head Associated with Shoulder Internal Impingement: Report of Three Cases / 대한스포츠의학회지

Internal impingement syndrome is characterized by the posterior shoulder pain when the arm is abducted and external rotated, and articular partial rotator cuff tear with posterosuperior labral fraying in throwing athletes. Osteochondral lesion of humeral head as an associated lesion is reported in some cases but, not considered to be a main origin of the symptoms. We found the similar features of osteochondral lesion on humeral head in three cases of internal impingement syndrome irrespective of conservative treatment for over three months and report good results obtained from arthroscopic debridement and microfracturing for these lesions with a review of the literatures.

Coccygectomy for Treatment of Coccygodynia / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Coccygodynia is a painful condition localized in the region of the coccyx. Most cases of coccygodynia are treated conservatively. However, we conducted an analysis of patients who underwent coccygectomy, with chronic intractable coccygodynia and assessed the results of their treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2003 to August 2013, this study was conducted in order to investigate the benefit of coccygectomy in cases where conservative treatment has failed. We compared preoperative and postoperative visual analog scales (VAS) scores and confirmed duration of symptom free, complications. RESULTS: The average duration of symptom free was 3.4 months, and VAS score improved from 7.3 to 1.6. There was one wound infection. CONCLUSION: We can obtain satisfactory results through coccygectomy for chronic intractable coccygodynia.

Laparoscopic Treatment for Psoas Abscess / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Psoas abscess is a rare and high mortality disease if there is no appropriate treatment. The surgical approach of psoas abscess is very difficult because psoas muscle is anatomically located within retroperitoneum. Recently, computed tomography guided percutaneous catheter drainage with proper antibiotic therapy has shown good results. If this therapy fails to resolve the psoas abscess, surgical treatment may be necessary. We experienced two cases of psoas abscess resolved by surgical drainage using laparoscopy. We report two successful results with relevant literatures.

Epidemiology of the Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina Injury in Korea: Multicenter Study

STUDY DESIGN: Multi-center study, questionnaire survey. OBJECTIVES: To offer a database of spinal cord injury (SCI) by reviewing statistics and literatures of other countries, investigating the overall mechanism, injury patterns and treatment of SCI. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There are no preexisting domestic studies (collectively conducted by multi-centers) of the prevalence and treatment of SCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2006 to August 2009, 47 cases of SCI in 6 universities were investigated retrospectively. 17 questionnaire contents including the courses of injury-to-treatment were studied with data gathered from surveys. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 48.4-years-old, male to female ratio was 33 to 14. The cases of falling from a height were 22 cases (47%), lumbar area 19 cases (40%), and unstable bursting fracture 24 cases (51%) the most. Complete and incomplete paralyses were 19 cases (40%) and 28 cases (60%), respectively. High dose steroids were injected in 16 cases (NASCIS II) and 9 cases (NASCIS III). 14 cases presented complications and operations were performed 46 cases (98%). 12 cases (26%) arrived at the hospital within 4 hours of injury, 11 cases (23%) in 8 hours. On the way to the hospital, proper emergency treatment was performed in 25 cases (53%), and 30 cases (64%) had a clear understanding of SCI after the final diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that offers a comprehensive database of spinal cord injury (SCI), by investigating the overall mechanism, injury patterns, and treatment of SCI; this study is expected to be used in the future as an important reference material for spinal cord injury statistics and a standard for care.

Vertebral Body Height Restoration after Vertebroplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effective of vertebroplasty in restoring the vertebral height and in changing the kyphotic angle in osteoporotic vertebral fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2007, 111 patients, 125 vertebral bodies who were diagnosed as osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and to whom the vertebroplasty was performed. We analysed the height loss using the ratio of posterior aspect of body to anterior and central area. We calculated the change of kyphotic angle by the lower end plate of the upper body and upper end plate of the lower body. RESULTS: An increase in vertebral height was seen in 89 (71%) vertebral bodies, while the preoperative decrease in vertebral height was seen in 25 (10~82)% on the anterior portion, 39 (15~71)% on the middle portion. The kyphotic angle was 13 (5~30) degrees in average. After vertebroplasty, the decrease in vertebral height was 23 (0~55)% on the anterior portion, 34 (10~56)% on the middle portion in average. As a result, increases of 2% and 4% of vertebral height were seen on the anterior and the middle portion respectively. A change in kyphotic angle after vertebroplasty was 10.4 (1.5~22) degrees in average, an increase of about 2.6 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in vertebral height was observed after percutaneous vertebroplasty but not in all of the cases. Percutaneous vertebroplasty not only reduces pain after vertebral fractures but also it is thought to have an influence on the sagittal plane of the total vertebrae and this has to be evaluated in further studies.

Pilonidal Cysts Occurring in the Sacrococcygeal Region and that were Misdiagnosed as a Simple Abscess / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A pilonidal cyst is known to be a recurrent infectious disease in the sacrococcygeal region and it usually affects adolescents and adults. It is often misdiagnosed as a simple abscess or a sebaceous cyst, so there are many patients with pilonidal cysts who have gone through several operations. Although many treatments for this malady have been reported, the principle treatment for pilonidal cysts is radical excision. We report here on two cases of pilonidal cyst and the patients were misdiagnosed as having a simple abscess. We planned to perform incision and drainage, but the lesions were finally diagnosed as pilonidal cysts and so we performed radical excision for the treatment. We also review the medical literature on abscesses that occur in the sacrococcygeal region in early adulthood.

Comparative Study Using of Treatment with Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis Using Periarticular Plate and Interlocking Intramedullary Nailing in Distal Tibia Fractures

PURPOSE: To compare the result of treatment between minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) using periarticular plate and intramedullary nailing in treatment of distal tibia fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 cases of distal tibia fractures form Jan. 2006 to Mar. 2008 were divided into two group. Minimum follow-up was for 12 month. Group 1 consisted of 14 patients who were treated by MIPO technique and group 2 consisted of 14 patients who were treated by interlocking intramedullary nailing. The results were compared by assessing radiologic and clinical result. RESULTS: The mean bony union time was 14 weeks (8~17) in group 1 and 15 weeks (11~20) in group 2. Operation time was 58 minutes (55~65) in group 1 and 82.7 minutes (70~100) in group 2. The average angulation in AP view was 1.5 degrees (0~2) in group 1 and 2 degrees (0~5) in group 2, in lateral view was 1.8 degrees (0~4) in group 1 and 2.3 degrees (0~12) in group 2. The average range of motion for dorsi flextion was 17.5 degrees (15~20) in group 1 and 18 degrees (16~20) in group 2, for plantar flextion was 45 degrees (42~50) in group 1 and 44 degrees (42~50) in group 2, which means that there were no severe limitation of motion in all patients, resulting in satisfactory ambulation. There was no post operative complications such as skin irritation problem caused by internal device and no implant failure and superficial wound infection. CONCLUSION: There were no difference in bony union time, clinical result and anatomical reduction between Group 1 and Group 2 in distal tibia fractures, but operation time was shorter in MIPO than nailing.

Measurement of the Normal Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Space Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. PURPOSE: We wanted to measure the distance of the normal intervetebral disc space of Koreans. Overview of the Literature: For judging the distance of the normal intervertebral disc space of Koreans, we studied young adults who didn't have degenerative spinal change to determine the distance of the normal intervertebral disc space of each lumbar vertebral segment, and we did so by performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We studied a total of 178 outpatients who had low back pain and they underwent lumbar MRI. There were 138 males and 40 females, and their average age was 20.7 years (range, 15 to 25 years). On MRI, the segments with observed Modic change or other abnormalities were excluded from this investigation. To improvement the accuracy of measurement, two spine specialists measured the distances 2 times, and we calculated the mean value. We used paired t-tests for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the total 178 patients, the average distance of intervertebral space from the 1st to the 2nd lumbar vertebrae was 24.83% (range, 18 to 32%), that from the 2nd to the 3rd was 26.92% (range, 19 to 40%), that from the 3rd to 4th was 28.88% (range, 19 to 41%), that from the 4th to 5th was 29.60% (range, 21 to 43%) and that from the 5th lumbar vertebra to the 1st sacrum was 27.52% (range, 19 to 38%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we expect that knowing the normal distance of the lumbar intervertebral space of Koreans can be helpful for surgical reconstruction to treat many lumbar spine diseases, to predict the appropriate size of the devices inserted in the intervertebral space and to produce proper devices for Koreans.