ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of decompression and short fusion or long fusion for degenerative scoliosis (DS) with a Cobb angle of 20-40° combined with spinal stenosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 50 patients with DS who were treated with decompression combined with short fusion or long fusion between January 2015 and May 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into long fusion group (fixed segments>3, 23 cases) and short fusion group (fixed segments≤3, 27 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic title (PT), and sacral slope (SS) between the two groups (P>0.05); however, the VAS score of low back pain, Cobb angle, and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) in long fusion group were significantly higher than those in short fusion group (P<0.05), and the lumbar lordosis (LL) was significantly lower than that in short fusion group (t=2.427, P=0.019). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy times, hospital stay, and complications were recorded and compared. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI score were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes before operation and at last follow-up. X-ray films of the whole spine in standard standing position were taken before operation, at 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the spino-pelvic parameters were measured.ResultsThe operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and fluoroscopy times in the short fusion group were significantly less than those in the long fusion group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in hospital stay between the two groups (t=0.933, P=0.355). The patients were followed up 12-46 months with an average of 22.3 months. At last follow-up, the VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI score significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Except for the improvement of VAS score of low back pain (t=8.332, P=0.000), the differences of the improvements of the other scores between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). The Cobb angle, SVA, TLK, and PT significantly decreased, while SS and LL significantly increased in the long fusion group (P<0.05), while the Cobb angle and PT significantly decreased and SS significantly increased in the short fusion group at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in spino-pelvic parameters between the two groups at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05). The improvements of Cobb angle, SVA, LL, PT, and SS in the long fusion group were significantly higher than those in the short fusion group at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no perioperative death in both groups. The incidence of complications in the long fusion group was 34.8% (8/23), which was significantly higher than that in the short fusion group [11.1% (3/27)] (χ2=4.056, P=0.034).ConclusionThe DS patients with the Cobb angle of 20-40°can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes and improve the spino-pelvic parameters by choosing appropriate fixation levels. Short fusion has less surgical trauma and fewer complications, whereas long fusion has more advantages in enhancing spino-pelvic parameters and relieving low back pain.
Objective To explore some operative problems of correcting paralytic scoliosis(PS) by using vertebral pedicle screwsrods system. Methods From May 2000 to May 2005, 18 patients with PS were corrected by screwsrods system which were made of titanium alloy.There were 10 males and 8 females, aging from 11 to 26 years. The primary disease included poliomyelitis in 13 patients and myelodysplasia (MS) in 5 patients (2 cases for second correction) with scoliosis of an average 85° Cobb angle (55-125°). The pelvic obliquity was found in all patients with an average 24° angle (355°).Of the 18 patients,3 cases were given perioperative halo-pelvic traction, 2 cases were given vertebral wedge osteotomy and correction and fixation, the other patients were purely underwent the treatment of pedicle screwrods system implants. Fusion segment at operation ranged from 6 to 15 sections, applied screws the most was 16,the fewest was 6. Results There were no wound infections and neurologic complications, all wounds healed by the first intention. Allscoliosis obtained obvious correction (P＜0.001), the correction rate averaged 52.95% (44%-81%); the majority of lumbar kyphosis and pelvic obliquity were apparently corrected. The average clinical follow-up (16 cases) was 21 months(6-36 months),there was no implants failure. One patient with MS had a worse Cobb magnitude, the other patients had no curve progression (P＞0.05). Conclusion The use of vertebral pedicle screwsrods fixation to multiple vertebral bodys and short segment fusion for PS, the treatment method is reliable and the outcome is satisfactory. While performing the correcting operative procedures, the spinal, pelvic and lower extremity deformities and functions should be all considered as a whole.
ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors of coronal imbalance after posterior long-level fixation and fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.MethodsRetrospectivly analyzed the clinical records of 41 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis who had received posterior long-level fixation and fusion with selective transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) accompanied by Ponte osteotomy between August 2011 and July 2016. Patients were divided into imbalance group (group A, 11 cases) and balance group (group B, 30 cases) according to state of coronal imbalance measured at last follow-up. The radiographic parameters at preoperation and last follow-up were measured, and the variance of preoperative and last follow-up parameters were calculated. The radiographic parameters included coronal Cobb angle, coronal balance distance (CBD), apical vertebral translation (AVT), apical vertebral rotation (AVR), Cobb angle of lumbar sacral curve (LSC), and L5 tilt angle (L5TA). Univariate analysis was performed for the factors including gender, age, preoperative T value of bone mineral density, number of instrumented vertebra, upper and lower instrumented vertebra, segments of TLIF, decompression, and Ponte osteotomy, as well as the continuous variables of preoperative imaging parameters with significant difference were converted into two-category variables, obtained the influence factors of postoperative coronal imbalance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to verify the risk factors from the preliminary screened influence factors and the variance of imaging parameters with significant difference between the two groups.ResultsThe follow-up time of groups A and B was (3.76±1.02) years and (3.56±1.03) years respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=0.547, P=0.587). The coronal Cobb angle, AVT, LSC Cobb angle, and L5TA in group A were significantly higher than those in group B before operation (P<0.05), and all the imaging parameters in group A were significantly higher than those in group B at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in parameters including the variance of coronal Cobb angle, AVT, and LSC Cobb angle before and after operation (P>0.05), and there were significant differences between the two groups in parameters including the variance of CBD, L5TA, and AVR (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative L5TA was the influencing factor of postoperative coronal imbalance (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative L5TA≥15° was an independent risk factor of postoperative coronal imbalance, and variance of pre- and post-operative AVR was a protective factor.ConclusionPreoperative L5TA≥15° is an independent risk factor for coronal imbalance in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis after posterior long-level fixation and fusion.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of a new rehabilitation intervention model based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Healthy (ICF) concept in perioperative treatment on patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).MethodsFrom June 2017 to January 2019, AIS patients with Cobb angle below 80° were randomly divided into experimental group and control group by the method of randomized block design. The patients in the control group received routine perioperative rehabilitation intervention, while the patients in the experimental group received rehabilitation mode intervention based on ICF concept. The therapeutic effect of the two groups including functional and activity dimensions was observed.ResultsA total of 40 patients were included, with 20 in each group. Two patients withdrew the control group. On the fourth day after surgery, the total score of Modified Barthel Index (50.55±8.87 vs. 18.99±5.63; t=13.264, P<0.001) and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) (3.68±0.13 vs. 3.27±0.11; t=10.355, P<0.001) in the experimental group were all better than those in the control group. In the SRS-22 scores, statistically significant differences in comparison of function (2.79±0.29 vs. 1.90±0.48; t=6.884, P<0.001), and self image (3.91±0.27 vs. 3.38±0.32; t=5.539, P<0.001) between the two groups were found. There was no statistically significant difference in pain indicators and muscle strength between the two groups in the two postoperative evaluations (P>0.05). ConclusionsThe treatment based on the concept of ICF can improve the daily living ability in the short term with the safe and acceptable premise. The concept of stimulating patient autonomy, improving patient independence, and promoting social treatment, may improve the overall state of the patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes and relationship of cervical spine sagittal alignment and other spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. MethodsBetween July 2011 and July 2014, 35 patients with idiopathic scoliosis who met the inclusion criteria underwent posterior pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion. There were 12 males and 23 females with a mean age of 16.2 years (range, 13-20 years), including 16 cases of Lenke type 1, 7 cases of Lenke type 2, 4 cases of Lenke type 3, 3 cases of Lenke type 4, 4 cases of Lenke type 5, and 1 case of Lenke type 6. The average follow-up time was 10.9 months (range, 5-36 months). The pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope, C2 slope, C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA), C2-7 plumbline (cSVA) were measured on pre-and post-operative standing lateral X-ray film. Based on preoperative CL, the patients were divided into kyphosis group (CL>0°) and lordosis group (CL < 0°); after operation, the patients were divided into restored lordosis (group A), decreased kyphosis (group B), and increased lordosis (group C) after operation. All data about sagittal profile changes were analyzed. The relations between CL and other spinal-pelvic parameters in the kyphosis and lordosis groups before operation were determined via Spearman correlation coefficient. ResultsStatistically significant changes were observed in PT, PI, SS, and LL between at pre-and post-operation (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the other parameters (P>0.05). There were 17 patients in lordosis group and 18 in kyphosis group before operation. Intra-group comparisons showed significant changes in PT, PI, SS, C2 slope, and C7 SVA in lordosis group, and in PT, PI, SS, LL, CL, TK, T1 slope, and C2 slope in kyphosis group (P < 0.05). Subgroup comparisons showed significant changes in CL, TK, C2 slope, C7 SVA, and T1 slope before operation (P < 0.05) and T1 slope at last follow-up between 2 groups (P < 0.05). In kyphosis group, 7 cases (group A) had restored lordosis, 7 cases (group B) had decreased kyphosis, and 4 cases had increased lordosis. In lordosis group, 9 cases (group C) had increased lordosis, 3 cases had decreased lordosis, and 5 cases had kyphotic cervical alignment after operation. Significant difference was found in LL, CL, T1 slope, C2 slope, and C7 SVA of group A, in TK and CL of group B, and in CL and cSVA of group C between pre-and post-operation (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in pre-and post-operative LL between groups A and B (P < 0.05). In lordosis group, there was a strong correlation between CL and C2 slope (P < 0.05) at pre-operation. CL had strong correlation with C2 slope and T1 slope (P < 0.05) at pre-operation in kyphosis group, and CL had moderate correlation with cSVA (P < 0.05). ConclusionCervical sagittal alignment plays an important role in the balance of the spine and pelvis. The change of cervical sagittal alignment has a certain correlation with the change of thoracic kyphosis. Attention to properly maintaining or restoring cervical sagittal lordosis alignment should be considered in preoperative evaluation of adolescent indiopathic scoliosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of proximal fixation of one vertebra above to the upper end vertebra and the upper end vertebra in the treatment of Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with preoperative right higher shoulder.MethodsThe clinical data of 37 Lenke type 1 AIS patients treated with posterior correction between January 2010 and December 2015 were retrospectively analysed. According to proximal fixation vertebra, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (n=17), proximal fixation of one vertebra above to the upper end vertebra; group B (n=20), proximal fixation of the upper end vertebra. There was no significant difference in gender, age, Risser stage, radiographic shoulder height (RSH), flexibility of proximal thoracic curve, flexibility of main thoracic curve, flexibility of thoracolumbar/lumbar curve between 2 groups (P>0.05). The main thoracic curve Cobb angle, proximal thoracic curve Cobb angle, thoracolumbar/lumbar curve Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation (AVT), clavicle angle (CA), RSH, coronal trunk shift, sagittal trunk shift, thoracic kyphosis (TK), and lumbar lordosis (LL) were measured by X-ray film before operation, and at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after operation. The correction indexes of main thoracic curve were evaluated, including the correction degree and correction rate of main thoracic curve and AVT correction at 1 month after operation, the loss degree and the loss rate of the correction of main thoracic curve at 2 years after operation.ResultsThe operation time and intraoperation blood loss in group A were significantly greater than those in group B (P<0.05). All the patients were followed up, and the follow-up time was 2-4 years (mean, 2.8 years) in group A and 2-3.5 years (mean, 2.6 years) in group B. No serious complication such as nerve damage occurred during perioperative period and follow-up period. No complication such as failure of fusion, loosening and rupture of internal fixator, adjacent segment degeneration, and proximal junctional kyphosis occurred. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in the correction degree and correction rate of main thoracic curve and AVT correction at 1 month after operation, the loss degree and the loss rate of the correction of main thoracic curve at 2 years after operation (P>0.05). Comparison within the two groups: except for LL had no significant difference between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05), the other indicators were significantly improved after operation (P<0.05) in the two groups. There were significant differences in RSH, CA, proximal thoracic curve Cobb angle, and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve Cobb angle at each time point after operation (P<0.05), and there were spontaneous correction during follow-up; however, there was no significant difference in main thoracic curve Cobb angle, AVT, TK, LL, trunk shift at each time point after operation (P>0.05), and there was no significant loss during follow-up. Comparison between the two groups: there was no significant difference in all the radiographic indexes at pre- and post-operation (P>0.05).ConclusionFor Lenke type 1 AIS patients with preoperative right high shoulder, proximal fixation vertebra be fixed to the upper end vertebral can obtain satisfactory short-term orthopedic effectiveness and reduce blood loss and operation time.
Objective To review the research progress of upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) selection strategy for long-segment fixation (LSF) in adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS). Methods The relevant domestic and foreign literature in recent years was reviewed, and the selection strategy of sagittal and coronal UIV for LSF in ADS patients, the relationship between UIV selection and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF), the impact of minimally invasive spine surgery on the selection strategy of UIV were summarized. Results LSF can restore the biomechanical balance of the spine and reconstruct the physiological curve of the spine for ADS patients. LSF should be selected for ADS patients with severe scoliosis, vertebral rotation, and severe sagittal imbalance. For patients with poor general condition, UIV can choose the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae to reduce the operation time and intraoperative bleeding, which is conducive to early mobilization and reduce complications; for patients with good general condition, the upper thoracic vertebrae can be considered if necessary, in order to achieve satisfactory long-term effectiveness. However, the lower thoracic vertebra (T9、10) should be selected as much as possible to reduce postoperative complications such as PJK and PJF. In recent years, a new reference marker, the first coronal reverse vertebra was proposed, to guide the selection of UIV. But a large-sample multicenter randomized controlled study is needed to further verify its reliability. Studies have shown that different races and different living habits would lead to different parameters of the spine and pelvis, which would affect the selection of UIV. Minimally invasive surgeries have achieved satisfactory results in the treatment of ADS, but the UIV selection strategy in specific applications needs to be further studied. Conclusion The selection strategy of UIV in LSF has not yet been unified. The selection of UIV in the sagittal plane of the upper thoracic spine, the lower thoracic spine, or the thoracolumbar spine should comprehensively consider the biomechanical balance of the spine and the general condition of the patient, as well as the relationship between the upper horizontal vertebra, the upper neutral vertebra, and the upper end vertebra on the coronal plane.
Objective To review the King-types Ⅲ and Ⅳ patients treated by the CD hybrid technique and evaluate clinical results on the shorter fusion levels. Methods Fifty-eight patients with idiopathic scoliosis were treated by the CD hybrid method from March 2000 to January 2003, among whom 40 were grouped as Kingtype Ⅲ and 18 as Kingtype Ⅳ; 41 were female and 17 were male. The Cobb angle of the thoracic curve was averaged 64°(range 50-83°), and the curve flexibility was 62%. The compensative lumbarcurve was averaged 37°（range 16-48°）, and the curve flexibility was 105%. With the neutral rotational vertebrae as a basis to select the low instrumentation vertebrae, the neutral rotational vertebrae or the vertebrae at 1 or 2 levelsproximal to the neutral rotational vertebrae were selected as the low instrumentation vertebrae in all the patients. Standing AP and lateral radiographs were taken respectively at the discharge, during the follow-up after discharge, and at the final follow-up. Results The patients were followed up for an average of 2.4 years (range 1.8-3.2). The corrected curves lost an average of 3.1°（range -1-5°）and the correction rate of the thoracic curve was 68% at the final follow-up.The plumbline from C7 was parallel to the sacral midline in 56 patients. The lumbar curves were corrected to an average of 8°（2-13°）automatically. The lumbosacral angle was corrected automatically by 53% and the low instrumentation vertebrae in 48 patients turned into stable vertebrae. The low instrumentation vertebrae lost 1.4 segments on average compared with the Harrington principle. No spinal imbalance was clinically observed in all the patients. Conclusion The choice of the low instrumentation vertebrae as the neutral rotational vertebrae can have a good result in the clinical practice. It can be applied in the CD hybrid technique in treatment of idiopathicthoracic curves.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) for degenerative lumbar scoliosis stenosis by expandable tubular retractor. Methods Between April 2009 and October 2010, 39 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis stenosis were treated. Of 39 patients, 20 underwent MI-TLIF (group A) and 19 underwent open surgery (group B). There was no significant differences in gender, age, disease duration, range of lumbar degenerative scoliosis, Cobb angle, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative independently turning over time, postoperative complication rate, Cobb angle, fusion rates, ODI score, and VAS score were compared between 2 groups. Results The operation time of group A was significantly longer than that of group B (P lt; 0.05), and the intraoperative blood loss of group A was significantly less than that of group B (P lt; 0.05); no significant difference was found in postoperative independently turning over time between 2 groups (t=1.869, P=0.069). The complication rate was 20.0% (4/20) in group A and 26.3% (5/19) in group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.219, P=0.640). All patients were followed up 2 years to 3 years and 6 months (mean, 2.9 years). At last follow-up, the fusion rate of bone graft was 92.9% (78/84) in group A and 95.2% (80/84) in group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.425, P=0.514). According to the Macnab standard for effectiveness evaluation, the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 90.0% in group A; the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 89.5% in group B; there was no significant difference between 2 groups (Z= — 0.258, P=0.835). The postoperative VAS score, ODI score, and Cobb angle were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05); and there was no significant differences between 2 groups at 2 weeks after operation and last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion MI-TLIF by expandable tubular retractor is an available clinical choice in treating degenerative lumbar scoliosis stenosis. It can obtain the same effectiveness as the open surgery.
Congenital scoliosis is the presence of a sideways curvature of the spine caused by the failure of normal vertebral development. Congenital scoliosis is usually progressive, and surgical treatment is crucial for the treatment of congenital scoliosis. Surgical treatments of congenital scoliosis mainly include simple fusion surgery, hemivertebrae excision, growing rods technique, and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib. However, there is no uniform standard for the selection of surgical techniques and surgical timing. This article reviews the progress of different surgical treatments for congenital scoliosis, introduces the classification of congenital scoliosis, and clarifies the timing, pros and cons of different surgical techniques, aiming to provide a reference for the development of individualized optimal surgical plans for patients with congenital scoliosis.