How I do it. Posterolateral lumbar spine fixation and decompression with navigation interfaced with a robotic exoscope with head mounted display.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar spine fixation and fusion is currently performed with intraoperative tools such as intraoperative CT scan integrated to navigation system to provide accurate and safe positioning of the screws. The use of microscopic visualization systems enhances visualization and accuracy during decompression of the spinal canal as well. METHODS: We introduce a novel setting in microsurgical decompression and fusion of lumbar spine using an exoscope with robotized arm (RoboticScope) interfaced with navigation and head mounted displays. CONCLUSION: Spinal canal decompression and fusion can effectively be performed with RoboticScope, with significant advantages especially regarding ergonomics.

How I do it: bilateral lumbar spinal canal microsurgical decompression via unilateral approach.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral lumbar spinal canal decompression via unilateral approach is a surgical way to treat degenerative spinal canal stenosis. METHOD: We report the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis by removing overgrown ligaments, bone, and other compromising tissue on both sides of the spinal canal, using one side approach, avoiding surgical trauma of the counter side of the spine. CONCLUSION: This technique allows to achieve perfect results using common microsurgical instruments and Caspar distractor for one or multilevel surgery.

[Analysis of effectiveness of one-hole split endoscopy technique in treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of one-hole split endoscope (OSE) technique in the treatment of single segment lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods: The clinical data of 32 single segment LSS patients treated with OSE technique for simple spinal canal decompression between January 2022 and December 2022, who met the selection criteria, were retrospectively analysed. There were 18 males and 14 females, the age ranged from 45 to 82 years, with an average of 65.1 years. The disease duration was 9-72 months, with an average of 34.9 months. The surgical segments included L 3, 4 in 3 cases, L 4, 5 in 19 cases, and L 5, S 1 in 10 cases. The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative radiation exposure frequency, postoperative mobilization time, and the area of the patient's lesion segment dural sac before operation and at 1 month after operation were recorded. Low back pain and leg pain were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) score before operation and at 3 days, 3 months, and 12 months after operation; functional recovery was assessed by Oswestry disability index (ODI) before operation and at 3 months and 12 months after operation; the effectiveness was assessed by modified MacNab criteria at last follow-up. Results: All 32 patients successfully completed the operation, with an average incision length of 2.05 cm, an average operation time of 88.59 minutes, an average intraoperative blood loss of 46.72 mL, an average intraoperative radiation exposure frequency of 3.84 times, and an average postoperative mobilization time of 11.66 hours. All patients were followed up 12-16 months, with an average of 13.5 months. One patient experienced lower limb numbness, pain, and decreased muscle strength after operation, while the remaining patients did not experience complications such as dural tear or important nerve damage. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI in patients at various time points after operation were significantly better than preoperative ones, and each indicator further improved with time. The differences between time points were significant ( P<0.05). At 1 month after operation, the area of the patient's lesion segment dural sac was (123.13±19.66) mm 2, which significantly increased compared to preoperative (51.25±9.50) mm 2 ( t=-18.616, P<0.001). At last follow-up, the improved MacNab criteria were used to evaluate the effectiveness, with 18 cases achieving excellent results, 11 cases being good, and 3 cases being fair, with an excellent and good rate of 90.6%. Conclusion: The effectiveness of using OSE technique for simple spinal canal decompression treatment of single segment LSS is satisfactory, with the advantages of minimal surgical trauma and fast recovery.

Comparison of the Tubular Approach and Uniportal Interlaminar Full-Endoscopic Approach in the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Our 3-Year Results.

BACKGROUND: To report the long-term results of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), for whom we applied the tubular and endoscopic approaches and previously published the short-term results. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind study was carried out to evaluate 2 groups of patients with LSS who underwent microsurgery via a tubular retractor with a unilateral approach (T group) and bilateral spinal decompression using uniportal interlaminar endoscopic approaches (E group). Dural sac cross-sectional and spinal canal cross-sectional areas were measured with the patients' preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance images. The visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores in the preoperative period and the first, second, and third years after surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty patients met the inclusion criteria for the research (T group; n = 10, E group; n = 10). The groups' visual analog scale (respectively; P = 0.315, P = 0.529, and P = 0.853), Oswestry Disability Index (respectively; P = 0.529, P = 0.739, and P = 0.912), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (respectively; P = 0.436, P =0.853, and P = 0.684) scores from the first, second, and third postoperative years were quite good compared with the preoperative period, but there was no statistically significant difference. A significant difference was found in the E group, with less blood loss (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term results of the patients with LSS treated with tubular and endoscopic approaches were similar and very good. Bilateral decompression with minimally invasive spinal surgery methods can be completed with less tissue damage, complications, and blood loss with the unilateral approach.

The anatomic study and surgical technique for canal decompression with "pedicle-plasty" strategy in lumbar burst fractures with pedicle rupture.

In the treatment of lumbar burst fractures with nerve injury, fusion is often required to rebuild spinal stability, but it can lead to the loss of motor units and increase the occurrence of adjacent segment diseases. Thus, a novel approach of lumbar canal decompression with "pedicle-plasty" strategy (DDP) was needed in clincal treatment. Firstly, image measurement analysis, the images of 60 patients with lumbar spine CT examinations were selected to measure osteotomy angle (OA), distance from the intersection of osteotomy plane and skin to the posterior midline (DM),transverse length of the osteotomy plane (TLOP), and sagittal diameter of the outer edge of superior articular process (SD). Secondary, cadaver study, distance between the intermuscular space and midline (DMSM), anterior and posterior diameters of the decompression (APDD), and lateral traction distance of the lumbosacral plexus (TDLP) were measured on 10 cadaveric specimens. Finally, procedure of DDP was demonstrated on cadaver specimens. OA ranged from 27.68°+4.59° to 38.34°+5.97°, DM ranged from 43.44+6.29 to 68.33+12.06 mm, TLOP ranged from 16.84+2.19 to 19.64+2.36 mm, and SD ranged from 22.49+1.74 to 25.53+2.21 mm. DMSM ranged from 45.53+5.73 to 65.46+6.43 mm. APDD were between 10.51+3.59 and 12.12+4.54 mm, and TDLP were between 3.28+0.81 and 6.27+0.62 mm.DDP was successfully performed on cadaveric specimens. DDP, as a novel approach of decompression of burst fractures with pedicle rupture, can fully relieve the occupation and at the same time preserve the spinal motor unit because of no resection of intervertebral discs and no destruction of facet joints,and has certain developmental significance.

Clinical effect of limited posterior decompression and 13-mm titanium mesh implantation on severe thoracolumbar burst fractures: A case series.

Background: Posterior incision with 270° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction surgery is a treatment option for thoracolumbar burst fractures (TLBF), but the large diameter titanium mesh placement is difficult. This study evaluated the characteristics and clinical effects of limited posterior decompression and 13-mm titanium mesh implantation to treat TLBF. Hypothesis: 13-mm titanium meshes could be used to fix thoracolumbar burst fractures. Patients and methods: This case series included patients who underwent limited posterior decompression and 13-mm titanium mesh implantation at China Medical University Shaoxing Hospital (01/2015-12/2019). The Cobb angle, injury vertebral anterior edge height loss percentage, and spinal canal occupancy rate were analyzed. The degree of spinal cord injury was evaluated according to the ASIA grade. Results: Fifteen patients were included (eight males and seven females). The patients were 32.2 ± 4.6 years of age. The American Association of Spinal Injury improved after surgery (A/B/C/D/E: from 2/6/5/2/0 to 0/0/2/8/5, P < 0.001). The Cobb angle decreased after surgery (from 20.1 ± 4.8° to 7.1 ± 1.4°, P < 0.001) but increased to 8.2 ± 0.9° at 1 year (P = 0.003). The percentage of loss of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebrae decreased after surgery (from 40.9% ± 6.1% to 7.5% ± 1.8%, P < 0.001) and decreased at 1 year (7.0% ± 1.5%, P = 0.044). The spinal canal occupancy rate decreased after surgery (from 64.8% ± 7.8% to 20.1% ± 4.2%, P < 0.001) but did not decrease further at 1 year (19.4% ± 3.4%, P = 0.166). Discussion: Spinal canal limited posterior decompression, and 13-mm titanium mesh implantation in the treatment of TLBF can achieve one-stage spinal canal decompression and three-column reconstruction. The curative effect was satisfying. Level of evidence: Level IV; case series.

Effect of Preoperative Oral Saline Administration on Postoperative Delirium in Older Persons: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Postoperative delirium (POD) seriously affects recovery of older persons, increasing their mortality rate after surgery. We aimed to evaluate preoperative oral saline administration on postoperative delirium in older persons undergoing spinal decompression. Design: A randomised controlled trial in a large tertiary hospital. Setting and Participants: A total of 76 older persons (≧65 years old) undergoing spinal surgery from May 2020 to January 2021. Methods: Older persons (65-83 years old) who underwent elective spinal canal decompression were randomly grouped into either the control group (n = 38) or the intervention group (n = 38). The control group was forbidden from drinking 8 hours prior to the operation while the intervention group was administered 5 mL·kg-1 of normal saline 2 hours before anesthesia. Hemodynamic indicators, diagnostic biomarkers, preoperative mini-mental status scores, and intraoperative fluid dynamics were recorded at baseline and at various postoperative timepoints. Subjects were then scored for POD and postoperative pain. Results: S100ß protein was lowered in S1 (FS1 = 12.289, P <0.001) and S2 (FS2 = 12.440, P <0.001) in the intervention group while mean arterial blood pressure (FT1= 42.997, P<0.001) and heart rate (FT1= 8.974, P=0.004) were increased. The Ln c-reactive protein of the intervention group was lowered 1 day postoperatively (FS2 = 6.305, P = 0.014). The incidence of postoperative delirium in the control group was higher than in the intervention group (27.8% vs 8.3%, χ 2 = 4.547, P = 0.033). Conclusion: Preoperative oral saline can reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium in older persons by minimizing perioperative hemodynamic fluctuations and central nervous system damage.

Posterior unilateral approach with 270° spinal canal decompression and three-column reconstruction using double titanium mesh cage for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of the posterior unilateral approach with 270° spinal canal decompression and three-column reconstruction using double titanium mesh cage (TMC) for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures. Materials and methods: From May 2013 to May 2018, 27 patients with single-level thoracic and lumbar burst fractures were enrolled. Every patient was followed for at least 18 months. Demographic data, neurologic status, back pain, canal compromise, anterior body compression, operative time, estimated blood loss and surgical-related complications were evaluated. Radiographs were reviewed to assess deformity correction, anterior body height correction, bony fusion and TMC subsidence. Results: The average preoperative percentages of canal compromise and anterior body height compression were 58.4% and 50.5%, respectively. All surgeries were successfully completed in one phase, the operative time was 151.5 ± 25.5 min (range: 115-220 min), the estimated blood loss was 590.7 ± 169.9 ml (range: 400-1,000 ml). Neurological function recovery was significantly improved except for 3 grade A patients. The preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain were significantly decreased compared with the values at the last follow-up (P = 0.000). The correct deformity angle was 12.4 ± 4.7° (range: 3.9-23.3°), and the anterior body height recovery was 96.7%. The TMC subsidence at the last follow-up was 1.3 ± 0.7 mm (range: 0.3-3.1 mm). Bony fusion was achieved in all patients. Conclusion: The posterior unilateral approach with 270° spinal canal decompression and three-column reconstruction using double TMC is a clinically feasible, safe and alternative treatment for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures.

Comparative Study Between Uniportal Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar and Tubular Approach in the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Pilot Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, and double-blinded study. OBJECTIVES: To compare tubular and endoscopic interlaminar approach. METHODS: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication of were randomized to tubular or endoscopic technique. Enrollment period was 12 months. Clinical follow up at 1, 3, 6 months after surgery with visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Radiologic evaluation with magnetic resonance pre- and postsurgery. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled: 10 in tubular approach (12 levels) and 10 in endoscopic approach (11 levels). The percentage of enlargement of the spinal canal was higher in endoscopic approach (202%) compared with tubular approach (189%) but was not statistically significant (P = .777). The enlargement of the dural sac was higher in endoscopic group (209%) compared with tubular group (203%) but no difference was found between the 2 groups (P = .628). A modest significant correlation was found between the percentage of spinal canal decompression and enlargement of the dural sac (r = 0.5, P = .023). Both groups reported a significant clinical improvement postsurgery. However, no significant association was found between the percentage of enlargement of the spinal canal or the dural sac and clinical improvement as determined by scales scores. Endoscopic group had lower intrasurgical bleeding (P < .001) and lower disability at 6 months of follow-up than tubular group (p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, endoscopic technique allows similar decompression of the spinal canal and the dural sac, lower intrasurgical bleeding, similar symptoms improvement, and lower disability at 6 months of follow-up, as compared with the tubular technique.

Application of intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring in vertebral canal decompression surgery for acute spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the joint monitoring of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in vertebral canal decompression surgery for acute spinal cord injury. METHODS: Twenty-four patients, who were admitted to the hospital for the surgical treatment of spinal cord injury with SEP and MEP monitoring, were assigned to the intraoperative monitoring group (group I). In addition, 24 patients who were admitted to the hospital for the surgical treatment of spinal cord injury without SEP or MEP monitoring were assigned to the control group (group C). RESULTS: In group I, there were significant changes before and after decompression surgery in the P40 latency and amplitude, and in the latency of MEP in the abductor hallucis brevis (AHB), in patients with improved spinal nerve function following surgery. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the P40 latency or amplitude, or the latency of MEP in the AHB, in patients who showed no improvement after surgery. CONCLUSION: In vertebral canal decompression surgery for acute spinal cord injury, the application of joint MEP and SEP monitoring can timely reflect changes in spinal cord function.

A Spinal Subdural Hematoma Induced by Guidewire-based Lumbar Drainage in a Patient with Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

We present a rare case of spinal subdural hematoma induced by guidewire-based lumbar drainage in a subarachnoid hemorrhage patient with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Decreased muscle strength and muscle tension of bilateral lower limbs were noted, and an MRI confirmed the spinal subdural hematoma from the sacral to the thoracic segments. The spinal subdural hematoma evacuation and spinal canal decompression were performed by laminectomy. However, the patient did not benefit from the surgery and developed lower limb muscle atrophy. The complication of the spinal subdural hematoma after lumbar drainage is extremely rare; only limited approaches are available for the treatment of spinal hematoma to improve the outcome and avoid severe consequences. Thus, the present case might suggest refraining from use of a guidewire during lumbar drainage for the prevention of spinal subdural hematoma and close observation of the related symptoms and signs for the early detection of spinal hematoma after the procedure. In addition, full decompression can be performed by complete hematoma evacuation and laminectomy of related segments for the treatment of spinal subdural hematoma induced by lumbar drainage.

Clinical efficacy of decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar burst fracture / 中国脊柱脊髓杂志

Objectives:To explore the safety and early effectiveness of decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with single-segment thoracolumbar burst fracture treated with spinal canal decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation from April 2021 to June 2022 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively,including 7 males and 2 females.The age ranged from 23 to 61(39.3±9.1)years old.According to AO classification,there were 6 cases of type A,2 cases of type B and 1 case of type C.Fracture segments were T12 in 2 cases,L1 in 3 cases,L2 in 3 cases,and L3 in 1 case.According to the classification of American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)grading,there were 2 cases of type C,2 cases of type D,and 5 cases of type E.The decompression and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation were operated through the same incision in the injured vertebrae for screw placing.The operation-related indexes and complications were recorded.The patients'low back pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS)score before operation,on 3rd day after operation and at the last follow-up.The sagittal Cobb angle,height ratio of vertebral anterior edge,and the rate of spinal canal occupation were measured on spinal X-ray and CT images,and the recovery of neurological function was evaluated at the last follow-up.Results:All 9 patients successfully completed the operation,and the operative time was 105-145min(1 12.4± 21.2min),bleeding volume was 50-110mL(83.9±19.6mL),and hospitalization time was 7-13d(9.1±1.3d).No serious complications such as wound infection,cerebrospinal fluid leakage,aggravated nerve injury occurred.The follow-up time was 6-13months(8.4±3.9 months),all the fractures healed successfully,and the healing time was 3-6 months(4.7±1.6 months).The VAS score of low back pain on the 3rd day after operation and at final follow-up significantly improved compared with that before operation(P＜0.05),and it was also significantly improved at the last follow-up compared with that on the 3rd day after operation(P＜0.05).The Cobb angle,anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae,and invasion rate of spinal canal were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P＜0.05),respectively,but there was no statistical difference between the last follow-up and postoperative 3d(P＞0.05).One patient recovered from grade C to grade D of ASIA classification,while another three patients with neurological injury recovered completely.Conclusions:Decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation through the same incision in the injured vertebrae for screw placement in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures can obtain effective nerve root and spinal canal decompression,with good correction and small operative trauma,which is a safe and effective option.

Analysis on clinical efficacy of anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and posterior cervical expansive open-door laminopasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty(EODL)in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy,and to discuss the selection of surgical methods for the patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods:The retrospective analysis was conducted of 70 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent surgery at Affilated Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Capital Medical University from July 2017 to July 2020.Based on the different surgical methods,the patients were divided into anterior group(n=35)and posterior group(n=35).The patients in anterior group underwent Hybrid surgery[anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)combined with artificial cervical disc replacement(ACDR)],and the patients in posterior group underwent EODL.The hospitalization time,operation time,intraoperative blood loss,and postoperative drainage volume of the patients in two groups were recorded;the efficacy was evaluated by Japanese orthopaedic association(JOA)score,JOA improvement rate,neck disability index(NDI),visual analogue scale(VAS)for pain,and postoperative satisfaction score;the complications of the patients in two groups after surgery were recorded.Results:Compared with posterior group,the intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage volume,hospitalization time,and operation time of the patients in anterior group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the preoperative score had no significant difference(P>0.05).At the final follow-up after surgery,compared with posterior group,the JOA score and JOA improvement rate of the patients in anterior group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the NDI score and VAS score were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with before surgery,the JOA scores of the patients in two groups at the final follow-up after surgery were increased(P<0.01),and the NDI and VAS scores were significant decreased(P<0.01).The postoperative satisfaction of the patients in two groups was high based on the postoperative satisfaction score.There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complication of the patients between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Both the anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and EODL achieve the satisfactory results in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Hybrid surgery has the advantages of less bleeding and shorter surgery time,and the most suitable surgical method should be chosen clinically based on the actual situation of the patients.

Outcome of unilateral versus standard open midline approach for bilateral decompression in lumbar spinal stenosis: is "over the top" really better? A Swiss prospective multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVEIn this retrospective analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort study, the authors assessed which surgical approach, 1) the unilateral laminotomy with bilateral spinal canal decompression (ULBD; also called "over the top") or 2) the standard open bilateral decompression (SOBD), achieves better clinical outcomes in the long-term follow-up. The optimal surgical approach (ULBD vs SOBD) to treat lumbar spinal stenosis remains controversial.METHODSThe main outcomes of this study were changes in a spinal stenosis measure (SSM) symptoms score, SSM function score, and quality of life (sum score of the 3-level version of the EQ-5D tool [EQ-5D-3L]) over time. These outcome parameters were measured at baseline and at 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-ups. To obtain an unbiased result on the effect of ULBD compared to SOBD the authors used matching techniques relying on propensity scores. The latter were calculated based on a logistic regression model including relevant confounders. Additional outcomes of interest were raw changes in main outcomes and in the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire from baseline to 12, 24, and 36 months.RESULTSFor this study, 277 patients met the inclusion criteria. One hundred forty-nine patients were treated by ULBD, and 128 were treated by SOBD. After propensity score matching, 128 patients were left in each group. In the matched cohort, the mean (95% CI) estimated differences between ULBD and SOBD for change in SSM symptoms score from baseline to 12 months were -0.04 (-0.25 to 0.17), to 24 months -0.07 (-0.29 to 0.15), and to 36 months -0.04 (-0.28 to 0.21). For change in SSM function score, the estimated differences from baseline to 12 months were 0.06 (-0.08 to 0.21), to 24 months 0.08 (-0.07 to 0.22), and to 36 months 0.01 (-0.16 to 0.17). Differences in changes between groups in EQ-5D-3L sum scores were estimated to be -0.32 (-4.04 to 3.40), -0.89 (-4.76 to 2.98), and -2.71 (-7.16 to 1.74) from baseline to 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. None of the group differences between ULBD and SOBD were statistically significant.CONCLUSIONSBoth surgical techniques, ULBD and SOBD, may provide effective treatment options for DLSS patients. The authors further determined that the patient outcome results for the technically more challenging ULBD seem not to be superior to those for the SOBD even after 3 years of follow-up.

One case report of adrenal crisis with difficulty in weaning after lumbar spinal canal decompression surgery / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Adrenocortical crisis (AC) is a kind of endocrine emergency, often occurs in infection, shock, trauma, or postoperative, if the processing is not handling timely, can endanger patient's life.But as the disease is not common and the clinical symptoms are not typical,so it is easy to be misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.This case was a "lumbar spinal canal decompression surgery" patient, who appeared postoperative confusion, oxygenation decline,and could not seperated from breathing machine, clinical manifestations were atypical.

Short segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation after direct spinal canal decompression in thoracolumbar burst fractures: An alternative option.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical results of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) after spinal canal decompression via a small laminectomy for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHOD: Twenty-seven patients underwent PPSF after spinal canal decompression via small laminectomies between April 2009 and April 2015. Inclusion criteria consisted of a single-level, closed, thoracolumbar burst fracture and neurological symptoms. Decompression was performed via a small laminectomy, followed by PPSF, including at the level of the fractured vertebra. Cobb angle, vertebral wedge angle, and vertebral body index were each measured from lateral radiographs before and after surgery, and at last follow-up. Neurological assessment was made using the Frankel grading system. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 26 months. The preoperative average Cobb angle was 15.8°â€¯±â€¯6.6°, and significantly decreased to 6.5°â€¯±â€¯6.2° postoperatively (p < 0.001). Average Cobb angle at last follow-up increased slightly to 8.9°â€¯±â€¯6.9°, but this was not significant (p = 0.112). The preoperative average vertebral wedge angle was 20.6°â€¯±â€¯6.3°, and decreased significantly to 12.2°â€¯±â€¯6.2° postoperatively (p < 0.001). The vertebral body index significantly decreased from 0.58 ±â€¯0.11 to a postoperative value of 0.78 ±â€¯0.10 (p < 0.001). Clinically, no patient deteriorated subsequent to surgery. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation after spinal canal decompression via small laminectomy provides significant kyphotic correction and improved neurological outcome while offering decreased surgical morbidity. This may be applied as an effective primary surgery in select patients with TLBFs with neurologic symptoms.

Feasibility of full-endoscopic posterolateral odontoidectomy / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To investigate the feasibility of full-endoscopic posterolateral odontoidectomy through morphological analysis and cadaver specimen surgery. 【Methods】 We collected the DICOM data of 20 normal cervical CT patients （10 males and 10 females） from the PACS Image Library of our hospital. The Mimics software was used for cervical CT reconstruction and anatomical measurements were made to measure the maximum sagittal diameter， coronal diameter and height of the odontoid process. The C1 lateral mass could provide the maximum working height and width of endoscopic operation with a diameter of 7 mm， as well as the angle between the anchor point of C1 lateral mass and the notch on both sides of the odontoid process. The feasibility of endoscopic surgery was analyzed based on the measured data. The fresh frozen corpse was used for the operation in prone position under the guidance of C-arm. Kirschner wire was anchored at the midpoint of the lower surface of the C1 lateral mass. Part of the C1 lateral mass was removed by the grinding drill and endoscopic tools， and then the odontoid process and adjacent ligaments were removed. 【Results】 The maximum sagittal diameter， coronal diameter and height of the odontoid process were （11.73±0.74）mm， （10.97±0.71）mm and （14.51±0.91）mm， respectively. The working height and width of the C1 lateral mass were （13.53±0.57）mm and （10.00±1.27）mm， respectively. The angle between the anchor point and the double-edge notch of the odontoid process was （28.3±3.1）°， with no statistical difference between the male and female patients （P>0.05）. All the measurements met the requirements of 7 mm endoscopic implantation and surgical operation， and the space for swing could be provided for complete or partial removal of the odontoid process to meet the requirements of ventral spinal decompression. In cadaver surgery， a fully endoscopic posterolateral approach enabled complete removal of the odontoid process by grinding part of the C1 lateral mass. Postoperative cervical CT confirmed that the odontoid process had been completely resected， and there were no signs of dural sac or vertebral artery injury. 【Conclusion】 The odontoid process can be completely resected through a posterolateral endoscopic approach via the lateral mass approach of C1， providing a new surgical method for clinical odontoidectomy to decompress the spinal cord in craniovertebral junction.

Could Spinal Canal Compression be a Cause of Polyneuropathy?

Causality between spinal cord compression and polyneuropathy is difficult to define, especially under the circumstances that polyneuropathy can have many causes. Seven patients with spinal cord compression and electrophysiological signs of polyneuropathy were treated surgically on decompression of their spinal canal stenosis in the time from April 2010 to January 2013. Median follow up time was 9 months (2-23 months). Causes of polyneuropathy were: 1 patient with methotrexate-induced polyneuropathy, 1 endocrine-dysfunction-induced, 2 with diabetic-polyneuropathy, and 3 patients had unknown reasons. The localization of the spinal canal stenosis was also varying: 2 patients suffered of cervical spinal canal stenosis and 5 of lumbar. Decompressive surgery led to pain relieve in all patients initially. Surprisingly, also symptoms of polyneuropathy seemed to regress in all 7 patients for the first 5 months after surgery, and in 5 patients for the time of 9 months after surgery. There are two points we would like to emphasize in this short report. Since 5/7 patients with polyneuropathy and spinal canal stenosis improved clinically after surgery, surgery has a place in the treatment of such a combined pathology. Since it seems to be a possible causality between polyneuropathy of unknown origin and spinal cord stenosis, decompression of the spinal canal could also be a therapeutic step in a specific kind of polyneuropathy. Which patients could possibly have a spinal canal stenosis induced polyneuropathy remains a subject of further studies.

The Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression Technique in the Management of Tubercular Spondylitis with and without Paraplegia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical series. PURPOSE: To study the clinical, functional and radiological results of patients with tuberculous spondylitis with and without paraplegia, treated surgically using the "Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression (EPCD)" technique. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: With the increasing possibility of addressing all three columns by a single approach, posterior and posterolateral approaches are gaining acceptance. A single exposure for cases with neurological deficit and kyphotic deformity requiring circumferential decompression, anterior column reconstruction and posterior instrumentation is helpful. METHODS: Forty-one patients with dorsal/dorsolumbar/lumbar tubercular spondylitis who were operated using the EPCD approach between 2006 to 2009 were included. Postoperatively, patients were started on nine-month anti-tuberculous treatment. They were serially followed up to thirty-six months and both clinical measures (including pain, neurological status and ambulatory status) and radiological measures (including kyphotic angle correction, loss of correction and healing status) were used for assessment. RESULTS: Disease-healing with bony fusion (interbody fusion) was seen in 97.5% of cases. Average deformity (kyphosis) correction was 54.6% in dorsal spine and 207.3% in lumbar spine. Corresponding loss of correction was 3.6 degrees in dorsal spine and 1.9 degrees in the lumbar spine. Neurological recovery in Frankel B and C paraplegia was 85.7% and 62.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The EPCD approach permits all the advantages of a single or dual session anterior and posterior surgery, with significant benefits in terms of decreased operative time, reduced hospital stay and better kyphotic angle correction.

Occurrence and prevention of complications after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To analyze the occurrence of the complications after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) for lumbar disc herniation or stenosis,and to reveal the effective prevention methods.Methods Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 568 cases who undertaken PELD,and all the related complications,possible causes,prevention and treatment methods were analyzed.Results There were 24 cases of complications occured in all the 568 cases treated with PELD,and the gross incidence rate was 4.23％,including 4 cases of dural laceration(0.70％),3 cases of hemorrhage of intravertebral vein plexus injury(0.53％),6 cases of postoperative wound pain (1.06％),8 cases of postoperative recurrence (1.41％),1 case with persistent symptoms after surgery (0.18％),2 cases of postoperative paresthesia(0.35％).Conclusion PELD is a minimally invasive surgery with high security and low incidence of complications.The effective preventions including careful decision-making,elaborate operation,and precise identification of the anatomical abnormality.