The efficacy of bipolar sealer on blood loss in spine surgery: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs was to gather data to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bipolar sealer versus standard electrocautery in the management of spinal disease. METHODS: The electronic databases including Embase, PubMed and Cochrane library were searched to identify relevant studies published from the time of the establishment of these databases up to January 2017. The primary outcomes were total blood loss, requirement of transfusion (rate and amount), and operation time. The secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and postoperative wound infection. Data analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of five studies involving 500 patients (261 patients in the BS group and 239 in the control group) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results revealed that application of bipolar sealer could decrease the total blood loss in spine surgery [WMD = -467.49, 95% CI (685.47 to -249.51); p < 0.05; I 2 = 91%]. Compared with standard electrocautery, bipolar sealer was associated with lower rates of need for transfusion [OR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.16-0.55), p < 0.05; I 2 = 0%]. In addition, patients in the BS group were likely to receive less amount of blood transfusion compared with patients in the control group[WMD = -0.73, 95% CI (-1.37 to -0.09), p < 0.05; I 2 = 76%]. The mean operative time was shorter in the BS groups compared with the control group [SMD = -0.36, 95% CI (-0.60 to -0.13), p < 0.05; I 2 = 0%]. There was no significant difference in terms of length of hospital stay [WMD = -0.73, 95% CI (-1.96 to 0.51), p = 0.25; I 2 = 67%] and postoperative wound infection [OR = 0.88, 95% CI (0.31-2.48), p = 0.81; I 2 = 0.0%] between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that bipolar sealer is superior to standard electrocautery with less blood loss, shorter operation time and less transfusion requirement. There is no significant difference between both groups regarding length of hospitalization and wound infection. Hence, bipolar sealer is recommended in spine surgery. Because of the limitation of our study, more well-designed RCTs with large sample are required to provide further evidence of safety and efficacy between bipolar sealer and standard electrocautery in the treatment of spinal disease.

A retrospective study of epidural and intravenous steroids after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for large lumbar disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the early curative effect of epidural or intravenous administration of steroids during a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). METHODS: 28 consecutive patients who underwent PELD due to large lumbar disc herniation between November 2014 and January 2016 were followed up for 6 months. These patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment they received after PELD. 14 patients (Group A) were treated by PELD and epidural steroids, while the other 14 patients (Group B) were treated by PELD and intravenous steroids. We evaluated the effectiveness by the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, and the postoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 3 weeks after surgery via the clinical charts and telephone interview. Postoperative hospital stay and time return to work were investigated as well. RESULTS: There is a significant decrease in VAS (back, leg), ODI, and time return to work (p < 0.05). For VAS (back), Group A showed a significant decrease compared with Group B at 1 day and 1 week after surgery (p = 0.011, p = 0.017). As for VAS (leg), Group A showed a significant decrease compared with Group B at 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 3 months follow-up examinations (p = 0.002, p = 0.006, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). For ODI, Group A showed a notable decrease compared with Group B (p < 0.001). The postoperative hospital stay in two groups was not statistically different (p = 0.636). But the time return to work in Group A was significantly shorter than that in Group B (p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent PELD with epidural steroid administration for large lumbar disc herniation showed favorable curative effect compared with those who underwent PELD with intravenous steroid administration.

Clinical application of three-dimensional printing in the personalized treatment of complex spinal disorders.

PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) printing in complex spinal surgery. METHODS: The study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015 in Shenzhen Second Peoples' Hospital and 4 cases of complex severe spinal disorders were selected from our department. Among them one patient combined with congenital scoliosis, one with atlas neoplasm, one with atlantoaxial dislocation, and the rest one with atlantoaxial fracture-dislocation. The data of the diseased region was collected from computerized tomography scans for 3D digital reconstruction and rapid prototyping to prepare photosensitive resin models, which were applied in the treatment of these cases. RESULTS: The use of 3D models reduced operating time and intraoperative blood loss as well as the risk of postoperative complications. Furthermore, no pedicle penetrations or screw misplacement occurred according to the postoperative planar radiographic images. CONCLUSION: The tactile models from 3D printing allow direct observation and measurement, helping the orthopedists to have accurate morphometric information to provide personalized surgical planning and better communication with the patient and coworkers. Moreover, the photosensitive resin models can also guide the actual surgery with the drilling of pedicle screws and safe resection of tumor.

Review article: Treatments for bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty.

Bone deficiency hinders implant alignment and stabilisation of the bone-implant interface in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Treatments for bone defects include bone cement, bone cement with screw reinforcement, metal augments, impaction bone grafts, structural allografts, and tantalum, depending on the location and size of the defects. Small defects are usually treated with cement, cement plus screws, or impaction allograft bone. Large defects are repaired with structural allografts or metal augments. Recent developments involve the use of highly porous osteoconductive tantalum. We reviewed the pros and cons of each method for bone defect management in revision TKA.

Review article: bone defect classifications in revision total knee arthroplasty.

There are several classification systems for bone defects in revision total knee arthroplasty. Each has its own drawbacks, and none satisfies all the clinical demands. Therefore, a new classification system and treatment guideline based on a combination of criteria (location, side, containment, and severity of the bone defect) is necessary.