ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with or without intravertebral clefts by unilateral approach and the impact of intravertebral clefts on the effectiveness. MethodsThe clinical data of 65 patients who met the inclusion criteria of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture were retrospectively analyzed. According to having intravertebral clefts or not, the patients were divided into 2 groups: cleft group (group A, n=25) and non-cleft group (group B, n=40). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, the level of fracture vertebrae, degree of damage, and interval of injury and operation between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). All patients were given PVP procedure by unilateral approach. The operation time, the injected volume of bone cement, time to ambulate, complications, and adjacent vertebral re-fracture were recorded. The height of anterior and middle column and the posterior convex Cobb angle of injured spine were measured on the lateral X-ray film in standing position at preoperation and 1, 48 weeks after operation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) system were used to evaluate the pain relief and improvement of daily activity function respectively at preoperation and 1, 4, and 48 weeks after operation. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the operation time and time to ambulate between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The injected volume of bone cement in group B was significantly less than that in group A (t=1.833, P=0.034). Asymptomatic cement leakage occurred in 6 patients (4 in group A and 2 in group B), in group A including 1 case of venous leakage, 2 cases of paravertebral leakage, and 1 case of intradiscal leakage; in group B including 2 cases of venous leakage. No symptomatic pulmonary embolism was observed. The vital sign was stable during operation and postoperatively. All patients were followed up 12-30 months (mean, 18.5 months). No re-fracture of the vertebrae occurred during the follow-up. The postoperative VAS score, ODI, the height of anterior and middle column, and the posterior convex Cobb angle of injured spine were improved significantly when compared with the preoperative ones in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at pre- and post-operation (P gt; 0.05). ConclusionPVP by unilateral approach is safty and efficacy in the treatment of osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture combined with intravertebral clefts. Intravertebral clefts have no significant impact on the effectiveness in the pain relief and function improvement.
To explore the effectiveness and methods of intervention assistant operation in the treatment of phalanx closed fracture combined with artery crisis. Methods Between August 2002 and December 2008, 24 cases (31 toes) of phalanx closed fracture combined with artery crisis were treated. There were 17 males (22 toes) and 7 females (9 toes), aged from 16 to 62 years (mean, 38 years). The causes of injury included crush and bruise (20 cases), traffic accident (3 cases),and machine twist (1 case). The locations were the first toe (19 toes), the second toe (10 toes), and the third toe (2 toes). The period between injury and hospital ization was 1-10 hours (mean, 6.8 hours). Phalanx angiography was performed by using venous indwell ing needle for dorsal is pedis artery and posterior tibial artery puncture; according to angiography results, proper treatment could be done, then the constrast medium was injected to the artery to observe the blood supply. According to different types and locations of fracture, Kirschner wire and plate were choosen to fix fracture after the blood supply were recovered. Results Two cases (2 toes) received amputation due to necrosis at 4 days and 6 days after interventional therapy, respectively. Twenty-two cases (29 toes) survived. Incision healed primarily in 21 cases. Exudation occurred at wound of 1 case and was cured at 3 weeks after dressing change. Twenty-two cases (29 toes) were followed up 1-6 years (mean, 3.5 years) postoperatively. Two cases (3 toes) felt cool or anaesthesia and could not tolerate even in cold environment. The other toes had no senses of cold pain and paresthesia. Two cases (2 toes) had nonunion and achieved fracture heal ing after grafting bone. The mean union time was 4.5 months (range, 3-6 months) in other cases. Conclusion Intervention assistant operation is an effective measure in the treatment of phalanx closed fracture combined with artery crisis.