Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique in the treatment of single-segment thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF). Methods Between August 2020 and December 2021, 11 patients with single-segment TOLF were treated with UBE technique. There were 6 males and 5 females, with an average of 58.2 years (range, 49-72 years). The responsible segment was T6, 7 in 1 case, T7, 8 in 1 case, T8, 9 in 2 cases, T9, 10 in 2 cases, T10, 11 in 2 cases, and T11, 12 in 3 cases. Imaging examination showed that the ossification were located on the left side in 4 cases, on the right side in 3 cases, and on bilateral sides in 4 cases. The main clinical symptoms were chest and back pain or lower limb pain, all accompanied by lower limb numbness and fatigue. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 28 months (median, 17 months). The operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the chest and back pain and low limb pain, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were used to evaluate functional recovery before operation and at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months after operation, and last follow-up. The anteroposterior diameter of the coronal spinal canal was measured by CT before and after operation to evaluate the effect of surgical decompression. Results All operations were successfully completed. The operation time was 50-105 minutes, with an average of 80.0 minutes. No postoperative complication such as dural sac tear, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, spinal nerve injury, or infection occurred. The postoperative hospital stay was 2-5 days, with an average of 3.1 days. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-22 months, with an average of 14.8 months. CT measurement at 3 days after operation showed that the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal was (8.63±1.61) mm, which was significantly larger than that before operation [(3.67±1.37) mm] (t=−12.181, P<0.001). The VAS score of chest and back pain and lower limb pain and ODI at each time point after operation were significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05). The above indexes were further improved after operation, except that there was no significant difference between at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05), the differences between other time points were significant (P<0.05). There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion UBE technique is a safe and effective method to treat single-segment TOLF, but its long-term effectiveness needs to be further studied.
Objective To discuss the operative method and therapeutic effect of correcting nasal deformity after prothesis of unilateral complete harel ip with design of nasal subunits. Methods From January 2006 to December 2008, 18 patients with nasal deformity after prothesis of unilateral complete harel ip were treated. There were 7 males and 11 femalesaged 6-26 years old. The deformity located on the left side in 11 cases and the right side in 7 cases with major manifestations of deviation and crispation towards normal side of nasal columella, applanation and collapse of nasal ala, lenity and dyssymmetry of nostrils, malposition of basement of nasal ala. Time between harel ip prothesis and secondary epithesis was 4-21 years (average 8 years). During epithesis, nasal columella were extended, collapse nasal alar cartilages were l iberated and fixed in symmetrical positions, injured upper l ip was extended with nasolabial flap or to “tongue-l ike” flap on nasal base. Eleven cases were implanted L-type sil icone prothesis to hump nose. Results For 1 case suffered postoperative rejection, the implant of L-type sil icone prothesis was taken out promptly, and reimplant of prothesis was performed 6 months later without postoperative rejection. The incision of the other patients all healed by first intention without any postoperative compl ications. The effect of epithesis was good with such manifestations as the eminence of injured nasal ala, normal radian, and symmetrical nostils. All patients werefollowed up for 3 months-2 years (average 8 months). The incision was hidden with well-maintained appearance and no obvious scar. Conclusion Based on feature of nasal subunits and formation causes of deformity, individual-orientated epithesis design of nasal ala margin, nasal columella basement incisions, reset and fix nasal alar cartilages and tissues values can provide the patients suffering the secondary nasal deformity with satisfied appearance.
Objective? To investigate the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unilateral gluteal muscle contracture. Methods Between January 1990 and September 2009, 41 patients with unilateral gluteal muscle contracture were treated and the cl inical data were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 24 were male and 17 were female with an age range from 6 to 29 years (mean, 12 years). Thirty-nine patients had a definite history of repeat intragluteal injection. The locations were the left side in 9 cases and the right side in 32 cases. The main cl inical manifestations included lameness and abnormal gait. The medical examination showed pelvic obl ique and relative inequal ity of lower l imbs with a mean difference of 2.1 cm (range, 1.2-3.8 cm) in the distance form navel to malleolus medials. The X-ray films of pelvis showed outpouching trochanter of femur and pelvic obl ique. The CT scans showed no abnormal finding except pelvic obl ique and gluteal muscle contracture. The arc longitudinal incision was made into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter and then lysis of the gluteal muscles was performed, followed by the skin traction of both legs and rehabil itation exercise. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Forty-one patients were followed up 1-20 years (mean, 5 years), and the signs of gluteal muscle contracture disappeared. After 1 year of operation, 34 patients had equal leg length, 5 patients had mild pelvic obl ique, and 2 patients had obvious pelvic obl ique. According to LIU Guohui et al. evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 33 cases, good in 6 cases, and poor in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 95.12% at 1 year after operation. Conclusion Unilateral gluteal muscle contracture leads to pelvic obl ique and inequal ity of lower l imbs, and it can be cured with the surgical release of the gluteal muscle contracture by the arc longitudinal incision into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter, combined with postoperative skin traction and rehabil itation exercises.
Objective To analyze the early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) laminectomy in the treatment of two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods The clinical data of 98 patients with two-level LSS treated with UBE between September 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 53 males and 45 females with an average age of 59.9 years (range, 32-79 years). Among them, there were 56 cases of mixed spinal stenosis, 23 cases of central spinal canal stenosis, and 19 cases of nerve root canal stenosis. The duration of symptoms was 1.5- 10 years, with an average of 5.4 years. The operative segments were L2, 3 and L3, 4 in 2 cases, L3, 4 and L4, 5 in 29 cases, L4, 5 and L5, S1 in 67 cases. All patients had different degrees of low back pain, among of which 76 cases were with unilateral lower extremity symptoms and 22 cases were with bilateral lower extremity symptoms. There were 29 cases of bilateral decompression in both segments, 63 cases of unilateral decompression in both segments, and 6 cases of unilateral decompression and bilateral decompression of each segment. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total incision length, hospitalization stay, ambulation time, and related complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the low back and leg pain before operation and at 3 days, 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the functional recovery of lumbar spine before operation and at 3 months and last follow-up after operation. Modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate clinical outcomes at last follow-up. Imaging examinations were performed before and after operation to measure the preservation rate of articular process, modified Pfirrmann scale, disc height (DH), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and cross-sectional area of the canal (CAC), and the CAC improvement rate was calculated. Results All patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time was (106.7±25.1) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (67.7±14.2) mL, and the total incision length was (3.2±0.4) cm. The hospitalization stay was 8 (7, 9) days, and the ambulation time was 3 (3, 4) days. All the wounds healed by first intention. Dural tear occurred in 1 case during operation, and mild headache occurred in 1 case after operation. All patients were followed up 13-28 months with an average of 19.3 months, and there was no recurrence or reoperation during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the preservation rate of articular process was 84.7%±7.3%. The modified Pfirrmann scale and DH were significantly different from those before operation (P<0.05), while the LLA was not significantly different from that before operation (P=0.050). The CAC significantly improved (P<0.05), and the CAC improvement rate was 108.1%±17.8%. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the differences between each time points were significant (P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 63 cases were excellent, 25 cases were good, and 10 cases were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 89.8%. ConclusionUBE laminectomy is a safe and effective technique with little trauma and fast recovery for two-level LSS and the early effectiveness is satisfactory.
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 investigate the effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBED), percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD), and traditional fenestration discectomy (FD) in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods The clinical data of 347 LDH patients who met the selection criteria and underwent discectomy between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into FD group (160 cases), PELD group (86 cases), and UBED group (101 cases) according to operation methods. There was no significant difference in gender, age, surgical level distribution, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between groups (P>0.05). The operation time, hospitalization stay, treatment cost, and incidence of surgery-related complications were recorded and compared between groups. The patients’ pain and functional recovery were evaluated by VAS score and ODI before and after operation. Results The operation time of FD group was significantly shorter than that of PELD group and UBED group, and the hospitalization stay was significantly longer than that of PELD group and UBED group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between PELD group and UBED group (P>0.05). The treatment cost in UBED group was significantly higher than that in PELD group, and in PELD group than in FD group (P<0.05). All the patients were followed up 6-24 months, with an average of 14.6 months. VAS score of lower extremity and ODI in 3 groups significantly improved after operation when compared with that before operation (P<0.05). At 1 day after operation, VAS score of lower extremity of UBED group was significantly better than that in PELD group and FD group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between PELD group and FD group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores of lower extremity between the 3 groups at 1 and 3 months after operation (P>0.05). The difference of ODI before and after operation in FD group and UBED group was slightly better than that in PELD group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between FD group and UBED group (P>0.05). Incidence of surgery-related complications in FD group (20.0%) was significantly higher than that in PELD group (12.8%) and UBED group (6.9%), and PELD group was significantly higher than UBED group (P<0.05). All the incision infection occurred in FD group (12 cases), symptomatic disc cyst and myeloid hypertension-like occurred in 1 case each in PELD group.Conclusion UBED, PELD, and FD have similar effectiveness on lower extremity pain in early LDH. Compared with FD, UBED and PELD have the advantage of shorter hospitalization stay and fewer complications.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and effectiveness of unilateral pedicle screw rod and single poly (ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) Cage for lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. MethodsA total of 126 cases of single segment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion between January 2006 and June 2012 were divided into 2 groups in the randomized clinical trial. Unilateral pedicle screw fixation and single PEEK Cage was used in 63 cases (research group), and bilateral pedicle screw fixation and single PEEK Cage in 63 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, side, and affected segment between 2 groups (P>0.05). Schulte evaluation criterion was used to assess bone graft fusion, Oswestry disability index (ODI) to estimate the quality of life situation, and visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate the improvements of lower back pain. Macnab standards was applied to assess postoperative effectiveness, and Emery ways to measure the height of intervertebral space. ResultsThe incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, and hospitalization fee in research group were significantly less than those in control group (P<0.05). The patients were followed up 12-79 months (mean, 21.3 months) in research group, and 15-73 months (mean, 22.6 months) in control group. The postoperative lordosis was recovered well, and the height of intervertebral space was increased. No loosening or breakage of internal fixation occurred. The time of bone graft fusion was (6.8±1.3) months in research group and was (7.1±1.2) months in control group, showing no significant difference (t=1.153, P=0.110). The height of intervertebral space, ODI score, and VAS score were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at preoperation and last follow-up (P>0.05). At 3 months after operation, postoperative effectiveness was assessed according to Macnab criterion, the excellent and good rate was 95.23% in research group (excellent in 13 cases, good in 47 cases, and fair in 3 cases) and was 71.42% in control group (excellent in 7 cases, good in 38 cases, fair in 15 cases, and poor in 3 cases); the research group was significantly superior to control group (χ2=6.110, P=0.006). ConclusionUnilateral pedicle screw fixation and single PEEK Cage has the advantages of small trauma, reliable fixation, shorter operation time, less bleeding, less economic cost, and early off-bed activity time. It can provide a simple and reliable choice in single segmental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.
ObjectiveTo explore early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique in the treatment of migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 87 patients with migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, who were treated with UBE technique between May 2021 and December 2022 and met the selection criteria. There were 55 males and 32 females, with an average age of 48.8 years (range, 29-74 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 to 23 months, with an average of 9.1 months. The surgical segments included 17 cases of L3, 4, 32 cases of L4, 5, and 38 cases of L5, S1. According to Lee’s classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type 1, 17 cases of type 2, 37 cases of type 3, and 21 cases of type 4. The operation time, length of hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the degree of low back and leg pain before operaion and at 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the lumbar spine function. At last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness. According to the preoperative migrated intervertebral disc classification, the patients were allocated into groups Ⅰ to Ⅳ. The differences in VAS score and ODI were compared. Results All 87 patients successfully completed the operations. There was no nerve root injury, dural sac injury, or dural tear during operation. The operation time was (58.6±14.6) minutes and the length of hospital stay was (4.0±0.8) days. All incisions healed by first intention after operation. No symptomatic epidural hematoma occurred. All patients were followed up for 12 months. There were significant differences in VAS scores and ODI at each time point after operation when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There were significant differences in VAS score at 3 days after operation when compared with that at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). For ODI, except that there was no significant difference between 6 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05), there were significant differences between other time points after operation (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 66 cases, good in 13 cases, and fair in 8 cases according to the modified MacNab criteria, and the excellent and good rate was 90.8%. There was no intervertebral disc herniation recurred during follow-up period. There was no significant difference in VAS score and ODI among groups Ⅰ -Ⅳ before operation and at each time point after operation (P>0.05). ConclusionThe UBE technique is safe and effective in the treatment of migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, with a low complication rate and satisfactory early effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo investigate the stability of unilateral fractured vertebral pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture. MethodsEighteen fresh calf thoracolumbar spine specimens (T11-L3) were obtained to establish the L1 burst fracture models with Panjabi's high speed trauma apparatus, and were divided into 3 groups:pedicle fixation for adjacent upper and lower vertebrae of fractured vertebra (4 pedicle screws in group A), combined with pedicle screw fixation for unilateral fractured vertebrae (5 pedicle screws in group B), and three-level 6 pedicle fixation (group C). Under normal, fractured, and reconstructed conditions, the range of motion (ROM) of adjacent upper and lower vertebrae of fractured vertebra were measured in flexion, extension, bilateral bending, and axial rotation. Axial stiffness under flexion-compression was measured on the MTS-858 testing system. ResultsThere was no significant difference in ROM and axial stiffness under normal and fractured conditions in all directions among groups (P<0.05), indicating load balance in the groups. ROM of groups B and C were significantly less than that of group A under reconstructed condition in all directions (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between group B and group C (P>0.05). Biomechanical test showed that group B was significantly higher than group A in the axial stiffness value (P<0.05), but difference was not significant between group B and group C (P>0.05). ConclusionTranspedicular fixation of fractured vertebrae can enhance the stability of the spine. Both unilateral and bilateral fractured vertebral pedicle screw fixations have the same stability.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on rehabilitation of unilateral neglect in stroke patients.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, PEDro, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched online for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of rTMS on rehabilitation of unilateral neglect in stroke patients from inception to March 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 12 RCTs involving 303 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: the stimulate group was superior to the control group in line bisection test (MD=–5.54, 95%CI –6.79 to –4.29, P<0.000 01), line cancellation test (MD=–3.75, 95%CI –4.60 to –2.90,P<0.000 1) and star cancellation test (MD=–22.94, 95%CI –26.52 to –19.35,P<0.000 01). However, there was no significant difference in the score of the modified Barthel index between two groups (MD=3.91, 95%CI–9.52 to 17.34,P=0.57).ConclusionsrTMS appears to improve the symptoms of unilateral neglect in stroke patients. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify above conclusions.