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.
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 investigate the influence and management of blood pressure on intraoperative cortex somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP) in the surgery of severe scoliosis. MethodsFrom June 2009 to March 2012, CSEP monitoring during surgery of severe scoliosis were performed on 43 patients, in whom 4 had abnormal CSEP while blood pressure decline. There were 2 males and 21 females. The average age was 16.1 years. The average preoperative Cobb angle was 96.1° (88.7-107.5°). Latency and amplitude of cortical potentials were observed with the value of the latency extension more than 10% and peak amplitude reduction more than 50% defined as abnormality. The arterial blood pressure (ABP) was used to evaluate the intraoperative blood pressure. ResultThe incidence rate of bilateral CSEP wave abnormalities after blood pressure decline was 9.3% in the surgery of severe scoliosis. One case of CSEP abnormality occurred during the installing of pedicle screws; two cases during the Smith-Petersen osteotomy, and one case during the bone graft after correction. With the ABP dropping to about 92/57 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), the amplitude decreased 80% in 24-33 minutes. After the ABP increased to 113/75 mm Hg by treatment, the index was backed up normally in 5-10 minutes. There was no neurological complication after surgery. ConclusionA high incidence rate and significantly decreased amplitude of CSEP abnormality after blood pressure decline in the surgery of severe scoliosis are found. Intraoperative stable blood pressure should be maintained for patients with severe scoliosis. When the amplitude of CSEP decreases followed with blood pressure decline, blood pressure should be actively corrected by treatment, so that the CSEP may get back to normal as soon as possible.
ObjectiveTo explore a better segment of fixation and fusion for high-grade spondylolisthesis. MethodsA total of 21 patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis who had undergone reduction and posterior instrumented fusion between July 2007 and March 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. All cases underwent posterior spinal canal decompression, Schanz screws fixation and reduction, and intervertebral and posterolateral fusion. The concept of "unstable zone" and the feature of spinal deformity helped us to identify the most appropriate segment to fuse. The pre/post-operative differences on slip percentage, pelvic incidence (PI) and lumbosacral angle were compared and analyzed. The nerve function was evaluated by physical examination and neurological Frankel grade. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index were used to assess clinical and functional outcomes of lower limbs. Bone fusion was assessed using CT reconstruction. ResultsAll patients were followed up between 12 and 48 months. The clinical and radiological outcomes such as VAS scores and PI angle were all improved compared with that of preoperative, and the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionFor children with severe spondylolisthesis, if not combined with structural scoliosis, the fixation and fusion level should be up to the upper vertebra which PI angle>60°, and try to protect the posterior longitudinal ligament complex in case adjacent segments become instability or even slip. For adults with severe spondylolisthesis, if not combined with other spinal disorders such as severe osteoporosis, only mono-segmental fusion is recommended after reduction. If the slipped vertebrae could not be reduced to Meyerding gradeⅠ, two or more segments would need to be fixed and fused.