ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation and minimally invasive lateral small incisions lesion debridement and bone graft fusion via dilated channels in the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 22 cases of lumbar tuberculosis treated with percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation combined with dilated channels with minimally invasive lateral small incision lesion debridement and bone graft fusion between January 2016 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 10 females, with an average age of 47.5 years (range, 22-75 years). The affected segments were L2, 3 in 5 cases, L3, 4 in 8 cases, and L4, 5 in 9 cases, with an average disease duration of 8.6 months (range, 4-14 months). Preoperative neurological function was classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), with 3 cases of grade C, 9 cases of grade D, and 10 cases of grade E. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were recorded. At preoperation, 3 months after operation, and last follow-up, the C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimen- tation rate (ESR) were tested to evaluate tuberculosis control; the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the recovery of pain, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the function recovery of the patient’s lower back; the kyphosis Cobb angle was measured, and the loss of Cobb angle (the difference between the Cobb angle at last follow-up and 3 months after operation) was calculated. At last follow-up, the ASIA classification was used to evaluate the recovery of neurological function, and the effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified MacNab standard.ResultsThe operation time was 110-148 minutes (mean, 132.8 minutes) and the intraoperative blood loss was 70-110 mL (mean, 89.9 mL). Two patients experienced fat liquefaction of the incision and delayed healing; the incisions of the remaining patients healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 18-24 months, with an average of 21.3 months. All bone grafts achieved osseous fusion, the pedicle screws were fixed in reliable positions, without loosening, displacement, or broken rods. There was no recurrence of tuberculosis. The ESR, CRP, VAS scores, ODI scores, and kyphosis Cobb angle of the affected segment at 3 months after operation and last follow-up were significantly improved (P<0.05); there were no significant differences between at last follow-up and 3 months after operation (P>0.05), and the loss of Cobb angle was (0.6±0.5)°. The patient’s neurological function recovered significantly. At last follow-up, the ASIA grades were classified into 1 case with grade C, 1 case with grade D, and 20 cases with grade E, which were significantly improved when compared with preoperative grading (Z=−3.066, P=0.002). According to the modified MacNab standard, 16 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, 2 cases were fair, and 1 case was poor. The excellent and good rate was 86.4%.ConclusionPercutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation combined with dilated channels with minimally invasive lateral small incisions lesion debridement and bone graft fusion has the advantages of less bleeding, less trauma, and faster recovery, which is safe and effective in the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis.
Objective To explore the feasibility and accuracy of ultrasound volume navigation (UVN) combined with X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw implantation through a prospective randomized controlled study. Methods Patients with thoracic and lumbar vertebral fractures scheduled for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Among them, 60 patients met the selection criteria and were included in the study. There were 28 males and 32 females, with an average age of 49.5 years (range, 29-60 years). The cause of injury included 20 cases of traffic accidents, 21 cases of falls, 17 cases of slips, and 2 cases of heavy object impact. The interval from injury to hospital admission ranged from 1 to 5 days (mean, 1.57 days). The fracture located at T12 in 15 cases, L1 in 20 cases, L2 in 19 cases, and L3 in 6 cases. The study used each patient as their own control, randomly guiding pedicle screw implantation using UVN combined with X-ray fluoroscopy on one side of the vertebral body and the adjacent segment (trial group), while the other side was implanted under X-ray fluoroscopy (control group). A total of 4 screws and 2 rods were implanted in each patient. The implantation time and fluoroscopy frequency during implantation of each screw, angle deviation and distance deviation between actual and preoperative planned trajectory by imaging examination, and the occurrence of zygapophysial joint invasion were recorded. Results In terms of screw implantation time, fluoroscopy frequency, angle deviation, distance deviation, and incidence of zygapophysial joint invasion, the trial group showed superior results compared to the control group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion UVN combined with X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw implantation can yreduce screw implantation time, adjust dynamically, reduce operational difficulty, and reduce radiation damage.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique assisted spinal canal decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation versus traditional open decompression and internal fixation for treatment of lumbar burst fractures. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 61 patients with single-segment lumbar burst fractures who met the selection criteria and were admitted between October 2022 and December 2023. Of them, 25 patients received UBE technique assisted decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (UBE group), while 36 patients were treated with traditional posterior unilateral hemilaminectomy decompression and internal fixation (open group). There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), including gender, age, body mass index, fracture segment, cause of injury, AO classification of lumbar fractures, and preoperative height ratio of the anterior margin of injured vertebra, segmental kyphosis angle, rate of spinal canal invasion, the classification of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score, ODI, and ASIA grading were used to evaluate the effectiveness before operation, at 1 week after operation, and at last follow-up. Lumbar anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and CT were performed to measure the segmental kyphosis angle, height ratio of the anterior margin of injured vertebra, and the rate of spinal canal invasion.ResultsSurgery was successfully completed in both groups. No complication such as dural sac, nerve root, or vascular injury was found during operation, and all incisions healed by first intention. There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P>0.05), the UBE group revealed significant less intraoperative blood loss when compared with open group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-20 months, with an average of 13 months. There was no loosening, breakage, or failure of internal fixation in all patients. The ASIA grading, VAS score, ODI of the two groups significantly improved at 1 week after operation and further improved at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ASIA grading at 1 week after operation and last follow-up between the two groups (P>0.05), but the VAS score and ODI in the UBE group were significantly superior to the open group (P<0.05). At 1 week after operation, the height ratio of the anterior margin of injured vertebra, segmental kyphosis angle, rate of spinal canal invasion significantly improved when compared to preoperative ones (P<0.05), the height ratio of the anterior margin of injured vertebra and segmental kyphosis angle significantly decreased at last follow-up when compared to the values at 1 week after operation (P<0.05), but the rate of spinal canal invasion was further significantly improved, and there was no significant difference between the two groups at different time point postoperatively. ConclusionUBE technique assisted spinal canal decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is a safe and effective treatment for lumbar burst fractures, which with little trauma and faster recovery when compared with traditional open decompression and internal fixation.