Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of local laminectomy and interlaminar lumbar instrumented fusion (ILIF) through a small incision for lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods Between November 2009 and January 2011, 16 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were treated by local laminectomy and ILIF through a small incision. Therewere 7 males and 9 females with an average age of 52.8 years (range, 49-67 years). Sixteen patients had lumbar degenerative stenosis with an average disease duration of 4 years and 7 months (range, 2 years-9 years and 4 months). Four cases complicated by lateral recessus stenosis, 3 by lumbar disc herniation. Involved segments included L3, 4 in 2 cases, L4, 5 in 4 cases, L5, S1 in 4 cases, L3, 4 and L4, 5 (double segments) in 2 cases, L4, 5 and L5, S1 (double segments) in 4 cases. The effectiveness was evaluated with the pre- and post-operative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disabil ity Index (ODI). The cross-sectional areas of spinal canal were measured by CT scanning and were compared between pre- and post-operation. Results The average operative time was 47 minutes (range, 35-80 minutes); the average blood loss was 145 mL (range, 120-350 mL); and the average hospital ization days were 7.8 days (range, 4-15 days). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 1 case, and healing of incisions by first intention was achieved in the others. The patients were followed up 12-22 months (mean, 14.8 months). CT scanning showed interspinous fusion in 14 cases and possible fusion in 2 cases after operation, with an average fusion time of 4.6 months(range, 3-10 months). The postoperative VAS score, ODI, and cross-sectional area were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The ILIF can promote fusion between spinous processes, provide spine stabil ization, and protect the spinal cord. The procedure has small incision, simple method of fixation and fusion.
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of microendoscopic decompression via unilateral approach for lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods Between May 2006 and June 2009, 79 patients with lumbar stenosis were treated and divided into 2 groups: posterior lamina fenestration decompression (group A, n=37), endoscopic decompression via unilateral approach (group B, n=42). There was no significant difference in age, sex, segment level, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The cl inical outcomes were assessed by using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disabil ity Index (ODI). The operation time, blood loss, compl ications were compared between 2 groups. Results Operations were successfully performed in all cases. The operation time, blood loss, and drainage volume were (75.0 ± 25.7) minutes, (140.3 ± 54.8) mL, and (46.5 ± 19.7) mL in group A, were (50.4 ± 18.2) minutes, (80.2 ± 35.7) mL, and (12.7 ± 5.3) mL in group B; there were significant differences between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). All the wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-39 months (mean, 16 months). In group A, 1 patient suffered from intervertebral space infection after operation and recovered after conservative treatment; 4 patients had lumbar instabil ity after operation and recovered after lumbar interbody fusion combined with spine system internal fixation. In group B, 2 patients suffered from spinal dural rupture during operation and recovered after corresponding treatment, and no lumbar instabil ity was found. There was no significant difference in VAS score and ODI between 2 groups at preoperation (P gt; 0.05). Both VAS score and ODI were significantly improved at early stage after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperation in each group (P lt; 0.05). Comparing with group A, there was significant improvement in VAS score at 24 hours postoperatively and in ODI at 1 month postoperatively in group B (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was observed at last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). According to cl inical evaluation of ODI mprovement rate, the excellent and good rate was 89.2% in group A and 92.9% in group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.896, P=0.827). Conclusion Comparing with posterior decompression surgery, microendoscopic decompression via unilateral approach is one of effective method to treat lumbar stenosis, with less trauma of fenestration yield and good early outcomes.
Objective To compare microendoscopic discectomy (MED) with open discectomy (OD) for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis in terms of cl inical outcomes, and provide experience and therapeutic evidence for cl inical appl ication.Methods From May 2002 to October 2007, 215 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were randomized into two groups, and underwent either MED or OD. In group A, 105 patients underwent MED, including 56 males and 49 females aged 34 to 83 years old (average 45 years old); the duration of the disease ranged from 9 months to 26 years (average 50 months); the spinal stenosis involved one segment in 76 cases, two segments in 27 cases, and three segments in 2 cases. In group B, 110 patients received OD, including 57 males and 53 females aged 35 to 85 years old (average 47 years old); the duration of the disease ranged from 8 months to 25 years (average 48 months); the spinal stenosis involved one segment in 78 cases, two segments in 29 cases, and three segments in 3 cases. No significant difference was evident between two groups in terms of the general information(P gt; 0.05). Results Operation was successfully performed in all cases. Volume of intraoperative blood loss was (82.14 ± 6.18) mL in group A and (149.24 ± 11.17) mL in group B. Length of hospital stay was (7.0 ± 2.1) days in group A and (12.0 ± 2.6) days in group B. Significant difference was noted between two groups in terms of the above parameters (P lt; 0.01). All the wounds healed by first intention. The patients were followed up for 13-54 months (average 27 months) in group A and 12-55 months (average29 months) in group B. Four patients in each group suffered from spinal dural rupture during operation and recovered after corresponding treatment. Three patients in group B had lumbar instabil ity 3 years after operation and recovered using lumbar interbody fusion combined with general spine system internal fixation. No such compl ications as wrong orientation, nerve root injury, cauda equina injury and infection occurred in each group, and radiology exam showed no relapse. Therapeutic effect was evaluated by Nakai standard, 52 cases in group A were graded as excellent, 45 as good, 7 as fair, 1 as poor, and the excellent and good rate was 92.4%; 53 cases in group B were graded as excellent, 48 as good, 8 as fair, 1 as poor, and the excellent and good rate was 91.8%; there was no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Two methods have the similar therapeutic effect, but MED el iminates the shortcomings of traditional OD, so it is one of ideal minimally invasive operative approaches for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes ofa surgical approach for decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis, which was featured with reconstruction of posterior spinal structures and epidural space by spinous process-splitting, less osteotomy, laminar flap and keeping spinal process, lamina, outer ligmentum flavum intact. Methods From October 2001 to April 2003, 39 patients (19 males and 20 females, aging 36 to 77 years with a mean age of 49.6 years with lumbar stenosis underwent the surgical decompression procedure with reconstruction of posterior canal structures and epidural space. The involved locations were L3,4 to L5S1(5 cases),L4,5 to L5S1(18 cases), L4,5(11 cases) and L5S1(5 cases). The course of disease was 3 months to 16 years (40.4 months on average). The clinical outcomes after 1 year of operation Results All patients were followed up from 18 to 36 months. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed and all patients were satisfactory with the surgery. Computerized tomography showed that spinal and nerve root canal were satisfactorily enlarged 1 week postoperatively in all cases. Fusion of lamina and spinous process were detected on CT in 87.2% patients (34/39) 3 months after operation. No patients presented re-stenosis of lumbar spine and all patients presented bony fusion 1 year after surgery. Conclusion The approach of the current study was a reliable and effective method in the management of lumbar stenosis, it preserved thecontinuity of spinal process, interspinous ligaments, lamina and ligmentumn flavum and integrality of posterior spinal structures and epidural space. The integrity of the psoterior spinal structures can prevent the scar formation and improve the stability of lmbar spine postoperatively.
OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of neural electrophysiology properties of cauda equina under double level compression and dynamic burdens, and to clarify the mechanisms of intermittent neurogenic claudication. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were divided into 5 groups (6 in each group). The laminectomy of L5 was performed in control group. In the experimental groups, the silicon sheets were inserted into the spinal canal of L4 and L6 to cause double level compression of cauda equina by 30%. Two hours after onset of compression, no dynamic burden was introduced in experimental group 1. Only high frequency stimulation(HFS) was introduced for 6 minutes in experimental group 2. Both HFS and additional increased compression were introduced for 6 minutes in experimental group 3. While only additional increased compression was introduced for 6 minutes in experimental group 4. After 6 minutes of dynamic burdens, all were returned to the status of static compression for another 30 minutes and then electrical examination was made. RESULTS: After 2 hours of compression, motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of all the four experimental groups decreased significantly (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between them. There was no significant change in the control group. There was no significant change of NCV in experimental group 1 during the last 30 minutes of experiment. NCV in the other three experimental groups decreased after introduction of dynamic burdens, especially in the experimental group 3. CONCLUSION: The above results showed that NCV of cauda equina decreased significantly under dynamic burdens during static compression. Two kinds of dynamic burdens introduced at the same time can cause more profound change than a single one.
In order to modify the plastic operation for lumbar spinostenosis, [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process was designed. Fifty-six patients with lumbar spinostenosis were treated. There were 36 males and 16 females, age ranged from 32-67 years old (with an average of 48.9 years old). Among them, 8 patients operation on L2-L5 segments, 16 on L3-L5 segments and 22 patients on L4-L5 segments. After operation, 32 cases were followed up from 8 to 27 months. The results were: 1. The result of operation was excellent in 21 cases, good in 8 fair in 2 and poor in 1. The effective rate was 90.6%. 2. The rate of bony union from laminectomy was 95.1%. 3. The sagittal diameter and transverse diameter of the spinal canal were enlarged in an average of 6.4 mm and 3.2 mm, respectively, with a mean enlargement of 37.6%. The conclusion were that the plastic operation with [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process for lumbar spinal canal was easy to handle and it could effectively prevent the lumbar instability and secondary stenosis following operation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of posterior 360° fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases. MethodsA retrospective study was carried on 302 cases of singlelevel lumbar degenerative diseases treated with posterior 360° fusion between September 2009 and September 2013. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to BMI: normal weight (BMI<24 kg/m2) in 105 cases (group A), overweight (24 kg/m2≤BMI< 28 kg/m2) in 108 cases (group B), and obese (BMI≥28 kg/m2) in 89 cases (group C). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, disease patterns, affected segments, preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) among 3 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The lumbar function was assessed by JOA score and ODI at pre- and post-operation (at 3, 6, and 24 months). ResultsThe operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay of group C were significantly more than those of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between group A and group B (P>0.05). The patients were followed up 24-45 months. Postoperative JOA score and ODI showed significant improvements in each group when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications among 3 groups (χ2=3.288, P=0.193). The incidence of incision-related complications (infection and poor healing) in group C was significantly higher than that of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown between group A and group B (P>0.05). However, there was no significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudarthrosis formation, and revision among 3 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionPosterior 360° fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases can obtain good effectiveness in patients with different BMI, but patients whose BMI was ≥28 kg/m2 have longer operation time, more intraoperative blood loss, longer hospital stay, and higher incidence of postoperative incision-related complications.
Objective To investigate the technique and effectiveness of modified laminoplasty for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and to explore the application value of modified laminoplasty in maintaining the stability of the spine by comparing with the conventional laminectomy. Methods Fifty-six patients with LSS were included between June 2012 and July 2013, and they were divided into 2 groups: 27 patients underwent modified laminoplasty in group A, and 29 patients received conventional laminectomy in group B. There was no significant difference in sex, age, disease duration, narrow segment, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and walking tolerance between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative VAS score of low back pain and leg pain, JOA score, walking tolerance, X-ray film, and CT were used to evaluate the clinical results. Results Dural tear occurred in 2 cases of group A and 1 case of group B and were repaired during operation. All incisions primarily healed without infection. The patients were followed up 24-31 months (mean, 24.7 months) in group A, and 24-37 months (mean, 26.2 months) in group B. The bone healing time was 6-12 months (mean, 9 months) in group A. CT showed healing at the junction of spinous process and vertebral plate in group A at 12 months after operation; new scar in varying degre es was observed in group B. At last follow-up, lumbar spondylolisthesis and instability occurred in 4 and 2 cases of group B respectively, and received re-operation. The change value of slip distance was (0.27±0.23) mm in group A and was (0.83±1.22) mm in group B, showing significant difference (t=-2.405, P=0.023). The postoperative JOA score, VAS score, and walking tolerance were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P < 0.05). At last follow-up, group A was better than group B in VAS score of low back pain (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the other indexes between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion The modified laminoplasty is better than the conventional laminectomy in relieving low back pain and maintaining the stability of the lumbar spine.
Objective To assess the clinical application value of tranforaminal unilateral approach for bilateral decompression by comparing the short-term effectiveness of bilateral decompression via unilateral approach of intervertebral foramen with via small surgical incision of bilateral spinous process in lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods Between July 2014 and June 2015, 48 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis underwent decompression and internal fixation by unilateral approach in 24 cases (trial group) and by bilateral small incision approach in 24 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, disease type, involved segment, combined medical diseases, preoperative level of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), the visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospitalization time, and the incidence of complications were recorded. The CPK levels were evaluated at 1, 3, and 7 days after operation. VAS score and ODI were used to evaluate the effectiveness, and lumbar X-ray film or CT scanning to determine the intervertebral bony fusion. Results There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time between 2 groups (P>0.05), but significant difference was found in postoperative drainage (t=5.547,P=0.000). At 1 day after operation, the level of CPK in the trial group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=3.129,P=0.005), but there was no significant difference at 3 and 7 days after operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17 months). All the wounds healed primarily. Heart failure occurred in 1 case of the trial group, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage and pulmonary infection, and nerve root injury occurred in 1 case of the control group respectively. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between 2 groups (χ2=0.273,P=0.602). The interbody fusion rate was 95.8% (23/24) in the trial group and was 91.7% (22/24) in the control group, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.356,P=0.551). No cage sink, dislocation or plate and screw loosening and breakage was found in 2 groups. No adjacent segment degeneration occurred during the follow-up, and there was no change of scoliosis and lumbar sagittal curvature. At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, the VAS score and ODI were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores in 2 groups (P<0.05), and the VAS score and ODI of the trial group were significantly better than those of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The bilateral decompression via unilateral approach of intervertebral foramen and small surgical incision of bilateral spinous process in lumbar interbody fusion have satisfactory efficacy for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, but the tranforaminal unilateral approach has the advantages of less trauma, avoidance of bilateral muscle stripping and soft paraspinal muscle injury, retention of posterior spinal structure, faster postoperative recovery, shorter hospital stay and good short-term effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and security of percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery for treatment of lumbar spine disorders with intraspinal ossification. Methods Between July 2008 and June 2016, 96 patients with lumbar spine disorders (lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis) with intraspinal ossification were treated with percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery. There were 59 males and 37 females, aged from 13 to 57 years (mean, 29.5 years). The disease duration was 3-51 months (mean, 18.2 months). Fifty-one cases had trauma history. Ninety-two cases were single segmental unilateral symptom, 4 cases were bilateral symptom. The ossification property was posterior ring apophysis separation in 89 cases, and ossification of the fibrous ring or posterior longitudinal ligament in 7 cases. There were 32 cases of lateral type, 13 cases of central type, and 51 cases of mixed type. The pressure factors, such as nucleus pulposus, hyperplasia of the yellow ligament, joint capsule, or articular osteophyma, were removed under the microscope. Local anesthesia or continuous epidural anesthesia was performed in the transforaminal approach with 50 cases, and continuous epidural anesthesia or general anesthesia was performed in the interlaminar approach with 46 cases. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the degree of leg pain preoperatively and at last follow-up. The effectiveness was evaluated at last follow-up according to the modified Macnab criteria. Results All patients were successfully operated. Via transforaminal approach, the mean operation time was 53 minutes and the mean intraoperative fluoroscopy times was 8 times; and via interlaminar approach was 58 minutes and 3 times, respectively. The mean bed rest time after operation was 6.5 hours and the mean hospitalization time was 4.7 days. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (median, 11 months). Postoperative lumbar CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction after 3 days of operation showed that ossification tissues of 26 cases were not resected, 12 cases were resected partly, and 49 cases were resected completely. Postoperative lumbar MRI after 3 months of operation showed that spinal cord and nerve root were not compressed. At last follow-up, VAS score of leg pain was 0.7±1.1, which was significantly lower than preoperative score (5.8±1.1) (t=1.987, P=0.025). At last follow-up, according to modified Macnab criteria, the results were excellent in 87 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 4 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 95.8%. Conclusion Percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery for treatment of lumbar spine disorders with intraspinal ossification is an effective, safe, and minimal invasive alternative, and the short-term effectiveness is reliable. Accounting for the treatment of intraspinal ossification, comprehensive analysis should be made by combining clinical symptoms, imaging characteristics, and risk assessment.