Operative treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis with posterior stabilization and ALIF. Cages versus autogenous bone grafts.

In the following study the use of cages and autogenous bone grafts were compared in the operative treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis with the posterior stabilization and Anterior Lumbosacral Interbody Fusion (ALIF). 55 patients were divided into two groups. Autogenous bone grafts were used in the first group (34 patients) and titanium interbody implants (cages) in the second group (21 patients). The mean follow up period in the first group was 8.6 years and 3.4 years in the second group. The radiological outcome was based upon the evaluation of the degree of spondylolisthesis, the angle of the lumbar lordosis, the height of the interbody space and intervertebral foramen and the evaluation of the spinal fusion. The objective clinical outcome assessment was based on Oswestry Disability Index. Subjective clinical evaluation was performed with the use of Visual Analog Pain Score (VAS) and the two questions concerning the evaluation of success of the operative treatment and a possible agreement to the following operation if necessary. The use of autogenous bone grafts alone in ALIF was related to the significant loss of achieved segmental spine anatomy restoration. The implantation of the cages prevented the loss of slippage correction, permanently reconstructed the anatomical conditions in the area of the operated spinal segment.

Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (INM) in scoliosis surgery.

Even among skilled spinal deformity surgeons, neurologic deficits are inherent potential complications of spine surgery. The aim was to assess the meaning of changes and to evaluate the critical rates of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEP) and Motor Evoked Potentials (MEP) for Neurologic Deficit (ND) occurrence associated with scoliosis surgery. A Group of 30 patients with idiopathic scoliosis treated surgically by posterior correction and stabilisation were included. Patients were matched by age, sex, aetiology, Cobb angle, and surgical criteria. Data on three planar scoliosis correction and concomitant (INM) alarms were compared. Radiographic assessment was performed from radiographs taken before surgery and just after it. The (INM) was performed with the use of ISSIS (Inomed) in every patients the same fashion. The average thoracic curve correction was 69.7% and lumbar 69.8%. The average preoperative Apical Vertebral Rotation was 23.5° for thoracic and 27.9° for lumbar curves and postoperatively 10.9° and 14.3° respectively. There was a significant variability of SEP during surgery with only 7 (23%) patients with stable SEP. 15(50%) patients had a decrease of SEP below 50% and 8(27%) had severe decrease of SEP below 50% what caused us to stop surgery or to decrease correction of curves. There was a MEP decrease in 11(37%) patients and in 6 (20%) directly after correction up to 50% of normal value. In 5 of 30 (17%) patients there was a significant decrease of MEP below 50% and we immediately released the implant. The SEP decrease up to 50% without any MEP change did not influenced the outcome. There was no correlation between flexibility and correction of the curve and SEP and MEP decrease. The safe level for MEP was not determined but its meaning for the outcome was more important than SEP value. The need of (INM) during scoliosis surgery to avoid (ND) was confirmed.

The effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of different aetiology Vertebral Body Fractures.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty (PV) has gained widespread popularity in the treatment of Vertebral Body Fractures (VBFs). The procedure involves the injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement into the fractured vertebral body via a needle that is placed percutaneously using either a transpedicular or extrapedicular approach. Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) evaluation is a widespread method of measure of the disease severity and the outcome of the treatment. The subjective feeling of pain in VBFs is crucial for the HRQoL. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of VBFs. A group of 187 patients with VBFs of different etiology resulting from osteoporosis, trauma or tumors were treated with PV in Pomeranian Center of Traumatology in Gdansk from 2010 to 2011. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-M), Rolland Morris Scale (RMS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaires administered before and one month after surgery. PV decreased significantly VAS score, depression and anxiety level, what improved significantly HRQoL in patients with VBFs.

Secondary scoliosis after thoracotomy in patients with aortic coarctation and patent ductus arteriosus.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of lateral thoracotomy on the development of scoliosis in subjects undergoing repair of coarctation of the aorta (CoAo) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A group of 133 patients with CoAo and PDA was evaluated. Forty-five patients with CoAo and 38 with PDA were operated on using lateral thoracotomy (operative group) while 12 patients with CoAo and 31 with PDA were treated using balloon dilatation and stent or coil implantation (non-operative group). Clinical examination and the evaluation of spinal roentgenograms were performed. Among the operated patients 46.6% of those with CoAo and 39.5% of those with PDA had clinical scoliosis. In the non-operated patients scoliosis was present in only 16.6% of those with CoAo and 12.9% of those with PDA. Scoliosis ranged between 10° and 42° and it was mild in the majority of cases. In 90.4% of the operated scoliotic patients with CoAo and 73.3% of those with PDA the curve was thoracic and in 47.6% of the CoAo group and 53,3% of the PDA group the curve was left sided. All curves were right sided in non-operated subjects. Scoliosis in the operated group was higher in males than in females (63.3% versus 60% in CoAo and 68.2% versus 37.5% in PDA). The prevalence of scoliosis after thoracotomy was significantly higher than after non-surgical methods of treatment of both CoAo and PDA as well as in the general population. The rate of single thoracic and the rate of left thoracic curves in patients after thoracotomy is higher than in patients treated non-surgically or in idiopathic scoliosis. The rate of scoliosis after thoracotomy is higher in males than females especially following thoracotomy for PDA.

[The effect of lateral thoracotomy on the development of scoliosis in patients with patent ductus arteriosus]. / Wplyw torakotomii bocznej na rozwój skrzywien bocznych kregoslupa u pacjentów z przetrwalym przewodem Botala.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery, particularly thoracotomy in the thoracic area in infancy has been implicated in the development of scoliosis of thoracogenic origin. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of lateral thoracotomy on scoliosis development in subjects with patent ductus arteriosus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 69 patients with patent ductus arteriosus was evaluated. 38 patients were operated using left lateral thoracotomy and 31 patients were treated non-operatively using intravascular coil implantation. A spinal examination together with the evaluation of spinal roentgenograms was conducted. RESULTS: There was clinical scoliosis in 55% of operated, in 16% of non-operated patients. Scoliosis ranged between 10 and 42 degrees. 76% of operated patients with scoliosis had thoracic curves and in 57% of them left sided curves were found. All curves were right sided in non-operated subjects. Scoliosis in the operated group occurred in 68% of males and in 37% of females. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of scoliosis after thoracotomy was significantly higher than in the average population and after non-surgical methods of treatment of patent ductus arteriosus. The rate of single thoracic and the rate of left thoracic curves in patients after thoracotomy is higher than the rate in non-operated patients and in idiopathic scoliosis. Female to male ratio with scoliosis and after thoracotomy is significantly lower than in idiopathic scoliosis.

Scoliosis in patients with aortic coarctation and patent ductus arteriosus: does standard posterolateral thoracotomy play a role in the development of the lateral curve of the spine?

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of lateral thoracotomy on the development of scoliosis in subjects undergoing repair of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A group of 133 patients with CoA and PDA was evaluated. Forty-five patients with CoA and 38 with PDA underwent surgery using standard posterolateral thoracotomy (operative group), whereas 12 patients with CoA and 31 with PDA were treated using balloon dilatation and stent or coil implantation (nonoperative group). A spinal examination, together with the evaluation of chest and spinal roentgenograms, was conducted. Among the operated patients, 62% of those with CoA and 55% of those with PDA had clinical scoliosis. In the nonoperated patients, scoliosis was present in only 25% of those with CoA and 16% of those with PDA. Scoliosis ranged between 10 degrees and 42 degrees . In 89% of the operated patients with CoA and 76% of those with PDA the curve was thoracic; in 46% of the CoA group and 57% of the PDA group the curve was left-sided. All curves were right-sided in nonoperated subjects. Scoliosis in the operated group was higher in male than in female subjects (63% vs. 60% in CoA and 86% vs. 37% in PDA). The prevalence of scoliosis after standard posterolateral thoracotomy was significantly higher than after nonsurgical treatment methods in the CoA and PDA groups as well as in the general population. The rate of single thoracic and the rate of left-sided thoracic curves in patients after thoracotomy is higher than in nonoperated patients or in those with idiopathic scoliosis. The rate of scoliosis after thoracotomy is higher in male than female patients, especially after thoracotomy for PDA.

[The comparison of the use of cages with the use of autogenous bone grafts in the operative treatment of the isthmic spondylolisthesis by the posterior stabilisation and ALIF]. / Porównanie uzycia klatek miedzytrzonowych z uzyciem autogennych przeszczepów kostnych w operacyjnym leczeniu kregozmyku ciesniowego metoda tylnej stabilizacji i przedniego miedzytrzonowego usztywnienia kregoslupa.

In the following study the use of cages and autogenous bone grafts were comparised in the operative treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis by the posterior stabilization and anterior lumbosacral interbody fusion. 55 patients were divided into two groups. Patients underwent ALIF with the use of autogenous bone grafts in the first group (34) and with the use of titanium interbody implants (cages) in the second group (21). The mean follow up period in the first group was 8.6 years and in the second group was 3.4 years. The objective clinical outcome assessment was based on Oswestry disability questionnaire. Subjective clinical evaluation was conducted with the use of visual analog pain score and two questions concerning the evaluation of success of the operative treatment and a possible agreement to the following operation if necessary. The radiological results were based upon the evaluation of the degree of spondylolisthesis, the angle of the lumbar lordosis, the height of the interbody space and intervertebral foramen and the evaluation of the spinal fusion. The usage of autogenous bone grafts alone in ALIF was related to the significant loss of achieved segmental spine anatomy restoration. The implantation of the cages prevented the loss of slippage correction, permanently reconstructed the anatomical conditions in the area of the operated spinal segment.

[The height of intervertebral foramen in operative treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis]. / Wysokosc otworu miedzykregowego w operacyjnym leczeniu kregozmyku ciesniowego.

49 patients with spondylolisthesis isthmica were treated in the years 1991-2006. The age of patients varied between 21 and 65 years, 43.7 year on average. Two stages operative protocol consisted of reduction of the slip by pedicular implant and anterior interbody fusion with the cages was used. The evaluation was based on x-rays height of the lumbar intervertebral foramen and posterior disc height in the 2 distal lumbar vertebrae pre and post operatively. This results showed clearly a decrease of both these values on the level of the slip, demonstrating the lumbar intervertebral stenosis. Te operative procedure decomprssed the lumbar intervertebral foramen and increased both values evaluated Postoperatively in the neighbor vertebrae a height lumbar intervertebral foramen was increased but posterior disc height a unchanged.

[The influence of segmental lumbosacral anatomy restoration on clinical outomes in the operative treatment of the isthmic spondylolisthesis]. / Wplyw odtworzenia segmentarnej anatomii kregoslupa ledzwiowo-krzyzowego na wynik operacyjnego leczenia kregozmyku ciesniowego.

The influence of lumbosacral spine segmental anatomy restoration on the outcome of the operative treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis was taken into evaluation. A series of 55 patients (29 males and 26 females) was examined. The long-term follow up period exceeded 3 years. The Oswestry Disability Questionaire was used to evaluate the objective clinical condition of the patients, while for the subjective assessment an analog pain score and the two questions survey concerning the evaluation of success of the operative treatment and a possible agreement to a following operation if necessary were used. The presence of neurological radical symptoms was evaluated. The radiological assessment was consisted of the evaluation of the degree of spondylolisthesis, the angle of lumbosacral lordosis, the height of the interbody space and intervertebral foramen. In conclusions, the proper spine anatomy restoration had the influence on the improvement of the outcome of operative treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis. A metal cage usage for the anterior interbody fusion of lumbar spine in the operative treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis enables long-lasting proper anatomical relations of the fused segment.

[The results of decompression and anterior lumbar interbody fusion with the use of interbody cages for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis]. / Zastosowanie przedniego usztywnienia kregoslupa z uzyciem czopów miedzytrzonowych w leczeniu kregozmyku zwyrodnieniowego.

In this paper we reviewed 28 patients who had been treated surgically for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. They were operated between 1998-2003. The decompression and anterior lumbar interbody fusion with the use of interbody cages, was performed in all of them. The outcome was assessed using rating system of Prolo and VAPS. The disc height, degree of slippage and segmental lordosis were measured, on the radiographs, before surgery, after 6 weeks and at the time of final follow-up. In all cases spinal fusion was achieved. The disc height, degree of slipage and segmental lordosis were improved and these results were stable in time. A significant decrease in radicular pain and low back pain were seen but the relation between clinical and radiological autcomes was not observed.

[In vitro assessment of the lumbo-sacral spine after posterior transpedicular stabilization and anterior cage implantation]. / Badanie doswiadczalne stabilizacji kregoslupa ledzwiowo-krzyzowego po zastosowaniu tylnej stabilizacji przeznasadowej i przednich klatek miedzytrzonowych.

The biomechanical tests were performed on 9 cadaver specimens of lumbo-sacral spine. The specimens consisted of two lumbar motion segments, sacral bone together with the sacroiliac joint and parts of pelvis. The goal of the biomechanical tests was to estimate the motion of the lumbar spine, which was stabilised by the transpedicular implant and by the intervertebral cages. The tests showed that the traspedicular stabilisation is more effective than inervetebral with cages.

[Anterior and posterior stabilization of the lumbosacral spine with the usage of interbody cages in the operational treatment of the isthmic spondylolisthesis]. / Przednia i tylna stabilizacja kregoslupa ledzwiowo-krzyiowego z uzyciem klatek miedzytrzonowych w operacyjnym leczeniu kregozmyku ciesniowego.

In the following work results of the operational treatment of the isthmic spondylolisthesis by the posterior stabilization and anterior lumbosacral interbody fusion with the use of interbody implants--cages was taken under evaluation. The test group consisted of 21 patients (13 male and 8 male). The follow up period exceeded 2 years. The objective clinical outcome assessment was based on Oswestry disability questionnaire. Subjective clinical evaluation was done by the visual analog pain score and two questions concerning the evaluation of success of the operative treatment and a possible agreement to a following operation if necessary. The radiological results were done upon evaluation of the degree of the spondylolisthesis, the angle of the lumbosacral lordosis, the height of the interbody space and intervertebral foramen and the evaluation of the spinal fusion. The conclusion was that the usage of the distraction of the lumbosacral spine in the operational treatment of the isthmic spondylolisthesis result in the reduction of the slippage and the dynamic decompression of the compressed neural roots. The usage of the interbody cages prevented the loss of slippage correction, permanently reconstructed the anatomical conditions in the area of the operated spinal segment and helped to achieve good and very good clinical results in over 95% of patients. The fusion rate was 100%. The restoration of the correct height of the intervertebral foramen in the slip segment caused an improvement of the neurologic state. The usage of two level stabilization in the operative treatment of the isthmic spondylolisthesis prevented the initiation of the secondary degenerative changes adjacent to the fusion.

[The long-term results of decompression and anterior lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis]. / Odlegle wyniki leczenia kregozmyków zwyrodnieniowych metoda odbarczenia z tylna stabilizacja, i przednim miedzytrzonowym usztywnieniem.

In this paper we reviewed 31 patients who had been treated surgically for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. They were operated between 1990-1996. The decompression and anterior lumbar interbody fusion with use of autologous bone graft,was performed in all of them. The duration of follow-up ranged from 12 to 6 years. The outcome was assessed using rating system of Prolo and VAPS. The disc high, degree of slippage, segmental lordosis, before surgery, after 6 weeks and at the time of final follow-up were measured on the radiographs. In all cases spinal fusion were achieved. A significant decrease in radicular pain and low back pain was seen but the relation between clinical and radiological outcomes was not observed.

[Cervical fractures in autopsy records]. / Zlamania kregoslupa szyjnego w materiale sekcyjnym.

We reviewed the autopsy records of 1872 cases of death because of politrauma, gunshot wounds and suicidal hanging. The analysis included causes and frequency of cervical spine fractures, their most common localisation, architecture of bone destruction and their influence on cervical cord. The most common cause of cervical spine injury was motor vehicle accidents. We examined 82 specimens with traumatic fractures of cervical spine obtained from accident victims. About half of the injuries occurred in upper cervical spine. The most common fracture localisation was C2 with dens fracture as the most frequent injury. The most common spinal cord lesion was complete rupture mainly at the upper cervical spine level.

[The influence of the morphology of intervertebral facet joints on the development of the degenerative spondylolisthesis]. / Wplyw budowy stawów miedzykregowych w odcinku ledzwiowym na powstawanie kregozmyku zwyrodnieniowego.

In this paper, the influence of the orientation of intervertebral facet joints in segment L4-L5 on the development of degenerative spondylolisthesis is presented. Thirty one patients over 45 years old, who were operated because of back pain in spondyloarthrosis, were analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of the patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis at the level L4-L5. The second group consisted of the patients who were operated because of stenosis without instability at L4-L5. The significant differences in the sagittal orientation of facet joints were stated. We confirmed that the presence of more sagittaly orientated facet joints has influence on degenerative spondylolisthesis. Lack of the increase in value of this angle in patients with degenerative changes without instability allows to suppose that this process is not the result of arthritic remodeling.