ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness and safety of intravenous application of tranexamic acid in reducing the blood loss in the perioperative period of lumbar fusion surgery. MethodsA retrospective study of 68 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbar instability who were treated with lumbar fusion surgery from March 2013 to March 2014 in West China Hospital was carried out. The patients were divided into tranexamic acid group and control group according to whether tranexamic acid was used. After induction of anesthesia, tranexamic acid was given by intravenous drop to patients in the tranexamic acid group, while the control group did not receive any hemostatic drug. The red blood cell count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen metaglobulin, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, and blood transfusion volume before and after operation were compared. And we also observed whether there was pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis incident. ResultsIt showed no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups, but the tranexamic acid group had less blood loss after operation than that of the control group (P<0.05). The tranexamic acid group had a higher red blood cell count, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume after operation than that of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen metaglobulin before and after operation (P>0.05). The pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis were not found in the two groups. ConclusionIntravenous application of tranexamic acid is safe and effective in posterior lumbar fusion surgery. It can reduce the postoperative blood loss significantly, without increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
目的 探讨后路手术中360°植骨融合术治疗腰椎滑脱症的近期疗效。 方法 2008年1月－2011年2月收治39例腰椎滑脱症患者，男21例，女18例；年龄35～75岁，平均51岁。病程12～50个月，平均31个月。滑脱部位：腰3 1例，腰4 11例，腰5 24例，腰4、5 3例。腰椎退变性滑脱27例，峡部裂性滑脱12例。按Meyerding分度：Ⅰ度21例，Ⅱ度13例，Ⅲ度5例。患者均有腰腿痛症状，保守治疗无效后行后路减压、复位及椎弓根钉棒系统内固定，术中以360°行椎间及后外侧三维立体植骨融合，在椎体前中柱采用植骨加椎间融合器的融合方式。术后定期随访，摄X线片检测融合情况，使用视觉模拟疼痛（VAS）评分评估症状缓解情况，Greenough-Fraser综合评分评价腰腿痛治疗结果。 结果 有36例患者获随访，随访时间12～36个月，平均24个月。植骨愈合率100%，愈合时间10～18个月，平均14个月。无内固定松动、断裂、外露及脱落等并发症发生。术前下肢神经根痛VAS评分为（7.52 ± 1.23）分，末次随访时为（1.67 ± 1.18）分；下腰痛术前（6.83 ± 1.51）分，末次随访时为（1.11 ±0.76）分；手术前后比较差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。Greenough-Fraser综合评分术前为（24 ± 7）分，末次随访时为（55 ± 4）分，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。 结论 360°植骨融合术治疗腰椎滑脱症是一种确实有效的融合方法，利于提高相应区域的植骨融合率及恢复椎间隙高度，使融合更稳定。
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of lesion clearing, decompression and fusing, and fixation with single nail from the anterior way for thoracic vertebra tuberculosis. MethodsFrom January 2008 to September 2011, 42 patients with thoracic vertebra tuberculosis were treated in our hospital. There were 28 males and 14 females with the age between 27 and 63 years old, averaging 45. The course of the disease ranged from 4 to 12 months, averaging 8 months. According to the affected parts and segments, there was 1 case of upper thoracic vertebrae involvement, 20 of inner thoracic spine, 21 of lower thoracic vertebrae, 9 of multiple segments, and 2 of multi-level noncontiguous tuberculosis. All patients accepted preoperative normal anti-tuberculosis drugs for 2 to 4 weeks. After confirming that the anti-tuberculosis treatment was effective, we cleared the lesion, fused by decompression at iliac crest bone graft sites and fixed by single nail from the anterior way. Postoperative regular follow-up was carried out. X ray film was used to detect the fusion, paralysis Frankel classification was adopted to evaluate the function recovery of patients, and visual analog pain score (VAS) was used to assess the relief of patients' symptoms. ResultsAll incisions of the patients were healed by the first intention. There was no recurrence in the tuberculosis focus area. Follow-up was done in forty cases for 12 to 34 months, averaging 23 months. X-ray review showed that the bone graft area turned into osseous fusion in all patients with the fusion time ranging from 10 to 16 months, averaging 13 months. No nail bar system loose or fracture occurred. Paralyzed patients Frankel classification showed that there were 2 A-level, 3 B-level, 9 C-level, 25 D-level, and 3 E-level cases before operation. During the last follow-up, there were no A-level, 1 B-level, 5 C-level, 10 D-level, and 26 E-level cases. Local pain VAS score results showed that preoperative point was 7.82±1.03, and the final follow-up point was 0.52±0.31, with a significant difference (P<0.05). ConclusionLesion clearing, fusion and single nail application from the anterior way is one of the reliable and efficient ways in thoracic vertebra tuberculosis surgery and the results are satisfying.
ObjectiveTo summarize the guiding role of imaging evaluation of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) in recent years.MethodsThe reports of OLIF surgical imaging research at home and abroad in recent years were extensively reviewed and analyzed.ResultsPreoperative imaging evaluation plays an important role in guiding the operation of OLIF, the placement of fusion Cage, the selection of indications, and the reduction of complications.ConclusionDetailed preoperative imaging evaluation can correctly estimate the indications of OLIF, and avoid the nerve, blood vessel, and muscle injuries.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of ureteral injury in oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF).MethodsThe literature about incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of ureteral injury complications in OLIF was reviewed.ResultsOLIF surgery poses a risk of ureteral injury because its surgical approach is anatomically adjacent to the left ureter. Ureteral injuries in OLIF are often insidious and have no specific clinical manifestations. CT urography is a common diagnostic method. The treatment of ureteral injury depends on a variety of factors such as the time of diagnosis, the location and degree of injury, and the treatment methods range from endoscopic treatment to replacement reconstruction.ConclusionSurgeons should pay attention not to damage the ureter and find the abnormality in time during OLIF. High vigilance of abnormalities is conducive to the early diagnosis of ureteral injury. Furthermore, it is important to be familiar with ureter anatomy and gentle operation to prevent ureteral injury.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress on spontaneous facet fusion (SFF) after lumbar spine surgery, and provide reference for further research on SFF. Methods The definition, development, clinical significance, and related influence factors of SFF were throughout reviewed by referring to relevant domestic and foreign literature in recent years. Results SFF is a phenomenon of joint space disappearance and fusion of upper and lower articular processes, which starts in a ring shape from the outermost edges to the central regions. Currently reported SFF occurred after posterior lumbar pedicle screw fixation. SFF may increase the stability of surgical segments and relieve clinical symptoms of patients. SFF is closely related to the method of lumbar internal fixation, facet osteoarthritis, interbody fusion, age, body mass index, type B fracture (according to AO classification), and the operative segment. Conclusion Most reported SFF occur after posterior lumbar pedicle screw fixation, which can increase lumbar stability, but the mechanism and influencing factors remain to be further clarified.
Objective To summarize the effect of cage height on outcomes of lumbar interbody fusion surgery and the importance of the cage height selection. Methods The related literature was widely reviewed to summarize the research progress on the complications caused by inappropriate height of the cage and the methods of selecting cage height. Results Inappropriate height of the cage can lead to endplate injury, cage subsidence, internal fixation failure, adjacent segmental degeneration, over-distraction related pain, insufficient indirect decompression, instability of operation segment, poor interbody fusion, poor sequence of spine, and cage displacement. At present, the selection of the cage height is based on the results of the intraoperative model test, which is reliable but high requirements for surgical experience and hard to standardize. ConclusionThe inappropriate height of the cage may have an adverse impact on the postoperative outcome of patients. It is important to develop a selection standard of the cage height by screening the related influential factors.
Objective To compare the short-term effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) versus open-TLIF in treatment of single-level lumbar degenerative disease. Methods Between February 2010 and February 2011, 147 patients with single-level lumbar degenerative diseases underwent open-TLIF in 104 cases (open-TLIF group) and MIS-TLIF in 43 cases (MIS-TLIF group), and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease type, lesion level, disease duration, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), and preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, intraoperative radiological exposure time, intra- and post-operative blood loss, postoperative hospitalization time, and postoperative complications were compared between 2 groups. The VAS score and ODI were observed during follow-up. The imaging examination was done to observe the bone graft fusion and the locations of internal fixator and Cage. Results There was no significant difference in operation time between 2 groups (t=0.402, P=0.688); MIS-TLIF group had a decreased intra- and post-operative blood loss, shortened postoperative hospitalization time, and increased intraoperative radiological exposure time, showing significant differences when compared with open-TLIF group (P lt; 0.05). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage (2 cases) and superficial infection of incision (2 cases) occurred after operation in open-TLIF group, with a complication incidence of 3.8% (4/104); dorsal root ganglion stimulation symptom (3 cases) occurred in MIS-TLIF group, with a complication incidence of 7.0% (3/43); there was no significant difference in the complication incidence between 2 groups (χ2=0.657, P=0.417). The patients were followed up 18-26 months (mean, 21 months) in MIS-TLIF group, and 18-28 months (mean, 23 months) in open-TLIF group. The VAS scores and ODI of 2 groups at each time point after operation were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS score between 2 groups at discharge and 3 months after operation (P gt; 0.05); VAS score of MIS-TLIF group was significantly lower than that of open-TLIF group at last follow-up (t= — 2.022, P=0.047). At 3 months and last follow-up, no significant difference was found in the ODI between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The imaging examination showed good positions of Cage and internal fixator, and bone graft fusion in 2 groups. Conclusion The short-term effectiveness of MIS-TLIF and open-TLIF for single-level degenerative lumbar diseases was similar. MIS-TLIF has the advantages of less invasion and quick recovery, but the long-term effectiveness needs more observation.