Objective To observe the effectiveness of wrist joint reconstruction with vascularized fibular head graft after resection of distal radius giant cell tumor. Methods Between March 2000 and March 2009, 31 cases of distal radius giant cell tumor were treated with extended resection and vascularized fibular head graft for repairing defects of the distal radius, and reconstructing wrist joint. There were 14 males and 17 females with an average age of 37.2 years (range, 15-42 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 month to 2 years and 3 months with an average of 8 months. The size oftumor was 6.5 cm 3.5 cm-8.0 cm 4.5 cm. The range of motion (ROM) of wrist joint was as follows: extension 5-15° (mean, 10.7°), flexion 9-21° (mean, 14.2 ), radial incl ination 0-10 (mean, 8.6 ), and ulnar incl ination 0-15° (mean, 7.9°). The ROM of forearm was as follows: pronation 15-50 (mean, 28.7 ) and supination 10-25° (mean, 16.5°). The histopathological examination revealed that there were 5 cases of stage I, 17 of stage II, and 9 of stage III. Results All patients achieved primary heal ing of incision and were followed up 1-9 years with an average of 4.5 years. The X-ray films showed that bone heal ing time was 12-16 weeks with an average of 13 weeks. No tumors recurrence was observed. The ROM of wrist joint was as follows at 1 year after operation: extension 20-50 (mean, 29.0 ), flexion 30-50° (mean, 35.0°), radial incl ination 10-20° (mean, 16.5°), and ulnar incl ination 20-25 (mean, 23.5 ). The ROM of forearm was as follows: pronation 40-90° (mean, 68.3°) and supination 30-80 (mean, 59.6 ). There were significant differences in the ROM between before operation and after operation (P lt; 0.05). According to the Krimmer et al wrist score, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 12, and fair in 2. Conclusion Wrist joint reconstruction with vascularized fibular head graft can restore function of wrist joint. The operation is proved to be safe and effective in treating distal radius giant cell tumor.
To compare and evaluate the whole effect of anterior decompression approach to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy by using cervical retractor systems and the traditional surgical approach. Methods From April 2001 to August 2004, group A included 30 males and 23 females aging from 31 to 69 years, and the involved time was from 7 months to 15 years. Involved segments included 22 one-segments, 24 two-segments and 7 three-segments. In all 53 cases, anterior windowing decompression and fusion with autograft and titanium plate internal fixation by using traditionalcircular saw were performed. Group B included 48 males and 20 females aging from 33 to 74 years, and the involved time was from 5 months to 18 years. Involved segments included 23 one-segments, 34 two-segments and 11 three-segments. In all 68 cases, anterior undermined far-reaching decompression and fusion with autograft and titanium plate internal fixation by using removing disc merely in the single-level or separately in the multilevels employing self-retractor and Caspar cervical retractor systems via interspinal approach were performed. X-rays and MRI showed cervical disc degeneration, herniation and spinal cord compression. The surgery time, loss of blood, vertebral body fusion time, difference in height of involved segments preor postoperatively and compl ications were counted up and compared between the two groups. Improvement rate of spinal function pre- or postoperatively were valued by using JOA score. Results A total of 92 cases including 42 of group A and 50 of group B were followed up for 3 to 5 years, mean 3.5 years. In group A, surgery time, loss of blood, time of vertebral body fusion, difference in height of involved segments pre- or postoperatively, and improvement ratio of spinal function were(76.80 ± 28.41) min,(564.00 ± 181.96) mL,(12.10 ± 3.58) weeks, (1.30 ± 0.67) mm and 0.49% ± 0.14%, respectively. In group B, they were(57.90 ± 15.01) min,(317.50 ± 136.92) mL,(9.75 ± 1.36) weeks, (3.00 ± 0.56) mm and 0.71% ± 0.17% , respectively. The differences between the two groups were significant in all measured values(P lt; 0.05). Compl ications occurred in 7 cases ofgroup A including 1 spinal cord injury, 1 plate displacement, 1 bonegraft displacement and 4 disfunctions of il iac region. No compl ication happened in group B. Conclusion Anterior decompression approach using cervical retractor systems is significantly superior to the traditional approach as to the whole effect to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and furtherperfects the traditional anterior decompression approach. The modified approach is scientific, safe and easily spread.