ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of posterior 360° fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases. MethodsA retrospective study was carried on 302 cases of singlelevel lumbar degenerative diseases treated with posterior 360° fusion between September 2009 and September 2013. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to BMI: normal weight (BMI<24 kg/m2) in 105 cases (group A), overweight (24 kg/m2≤BMI< 28 kg/m2) in 108 cases (group B), and obese (BMI≥28 kg/m2) in 89 cases (group C). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, disease patterns, affected segments, preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) among 3 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The lumbar function was assessed by JOA score and ODI at pre- and post-operation (at 3, 6, and 24 months). ResultsThe operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay of group C were significantly more than those of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between group A and group B (P>0.05). The patients were followed up 24-45 months. Postoperative JOA score and ODI showed significant improvements in each group when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications among 3 groups (χ2=3.288, P=0.193). The incidence of incision-related complications (infection and poor healing) in group C was significantly higher than that of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown between group A and group B (P>0.05). However, there was no significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudarthrosis formation, and revision among 3 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionPosterior 360° fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases can obtain good effectiveness in patients with different BMI, but patients whose BMI was ≥28 kg/m2 have longer operation time, more intraoperative blood loss, longer hospital stay, and higher incidence of postoperative incision-related complications.
OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of neural electrophysiology properties of cauda equina under double level compression and dynamic burdens, and to clarify the mechanisms of intermittent neurogenic claudication. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were divided into 5 groups (6 in each group). The laminectomy of L5 was performed in control group. In the experimental groups, the silicon sheets were inserted into the spinal canal of L4 and L6 to cause double level compression of cauda equina by 30%. Two hours after onset of compression, no dynamic burden was introduced in experimental group 1. Only high frequency stimulation(HFS) was introduced for 6 minutes in experimental group 2. Both HFS and additional increased compression were introduced for 6 minutes in experimental group 3. While only additional increased compression was introduced for 6 minutes in experimental group 4. After 6 minutes of dynamic burdens, all were returned to the status of static compression for another 30 minutes and then electrical examination was made. RESULTS: After 2 hours of compression, motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of all the four experimental groups decreased significantly (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between them. There was no significant change in the control group. There was no significant change of NCV in experimental group 1 during the last 30 minutes of experiment. NCV in the other three experimental groups decreased after introduction of dynamic burdens, especially in the experimental group 3. CONCLUSION: The above results showed that NCV of cauda equina decreased significantly under dynamic burdens during static compression. Two kinds of dynamic burdens introduced at the same time can cause more profound change than a single one.
Objective To assess the clinical application value of tranforaminal unilateral approach for bilateral decompression by comparing the short-term effectiveness of bilateral decompression via unilateral approach of intervertebral foramen with via small surgical incision of bilateral spinous process in lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods Between July 2014 and June 2015, 48 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis underwent decompression and internal fixation by unilateral approach in 24 cases (trial group) and by bilateral small incision approach in 24 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, disease type, involved segment, combined medical diseases, preoperative level of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), the visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospitalization time, and the incidence of complications were recorded. The CPK levels were evaluated at 1, 3, and 7 days after operation. VAS score and ODI were used to evaluate the effectiveness, and lumbar X-ray film or CT scanning to determine the intervertebral bony fusion. Results There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time between 2 groups (P>0.05), but significant difference was found in postoperative drainage (t=5.547,P=0.000). At 1 day after operation, the level of CPK in the trial group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=3.129,P=0.005), but there was no significant difference at 3 and 7 days after operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17 months). All the wounds healed primarily. Heart failure occurred in 1 case of the trial group, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage and pulmonary infection, and nerve root injury occurred in 1 case of the control group respectively. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between 2 groups (χ2=0.273,P=0.602). The interbody fusion rate was 95.8% (23/24) in the trial group and was 91.7% (22/24) in the control group, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.356,P=0.551). No cage sink, dislocation or plate and screw loosening and breakage was found in 2 groups. No adjacent segment degeneration occurred during the follow-up, and there was no change of scoliosis and lumbar sagittal curvature. At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, the VAS score and ODI were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores in 2 groups (P<0.05), and the VAS score and ODI of the trial group were significantly better than those of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The bilateral decompression via unilateral approach of intervertebral foramen and small surgical incision of bilateral spinous process in lumbar interbody fusion have satisfactory efficacy for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, but the tranforaminal unilateral approach has the advantages of less trauma, avoidance of bilateral muscle stripping and soft paraspinal muscle injury, retention of posterior spinal structure, faster postoperative recovery, shorter hospital stay and good short-term effectiveness.
Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes ofa surgical approach for decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis, which was featured with reconstruction of posterior spinal structures and epidural space by spinous process-splitting, less osteotomy, laminar flap and keeping spinal process, lamina, outer ligmentum flavum intact. Methods From October 2001 to April 2003, 39 patients (19 males and 20 females, aging 36 to 77 years with a mean age of 49.6 years with lumbar stenosis underwent the surgical decompression procedure with reconstruction of posterior canal structures and epidural space. The involved locations were L3,4 to L5S1(5 cases),L4,5 to L5S1(18 cases), L4,5(11 cases) and L5S1(5 cases). The course of disease was 3 months to 16 years (40.4 months on average). The clinical outcomes after 1 year of operation Results All patients were followed up from 18 to 36 months. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed and all patients were satisfactory with the surgery. Computerized tomography showed that spinal and nerve root canal were satisfactorily enlarged 1 week postoperatively in all cases. Fusion of lamina and spinous process were detected on CT in 87.2% patients (34/39) 3 months after operation. No patients presented re-stenosis of lumbar spine and all patients presented bony fusion 1 year after surgery. Conclusion The approach of the current study was a reliable and effective method in the management of lumbar stenosis, it preserved thecontinuity of spinal process, interspinous ligaments, lamina and ligmentumn flavum and integrality of posterior spinal structures and epidural space. The integrity of the psoterior spinal structures can prevent the scar formation and improve the stability of lmbar spine postoperatively.
In order to modify the plastic operation for lumbar spinostenosis, [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process was designed. Fifty-six patients with lumbar spinostenosis were treated. There were 36 males and 16 females, age ranged from 32-67 years old (with an average of 48.9 years old). Among them, 8 patients operation on L2-L5 segments, 16 on L3-L5 segments and 22 patients on L4-L5 segments. After operation, 32 cases were followed up from 8 to 27 months. The results were: 1. The result of operation was excellent in 21 cases, good in 8 fair in 2 and poor in 1. The effective rate was 90.6%. 2. The rate of bony union from laminectomy was 95.1%. 3. The sagittal diameter and transverse diameter of the spinal canal were enlarged in an average of 6.4 mm and 3.2 mm, respectively, with a mean enlargement of 37.6%. The conclusion were that the plastic operation with [symbol: see text]-shaped splitting of spinous process for lumbar spinal canal was easy to handle and it could effectively prevent the lumbar instability and secondary stenosis following operation.
Objective To summarize the research progress on the nerve root sedimentation sign of lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods The recent domestic and foreign literature in recent years was reviewed. The definition, classification, and mechanism of nerve root sedimentation sign and the relation of nerve root sedimentation sign to diagnosis and treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis were summarized. Results Nerve root sedimentation sign is a phenomena which is found in MRI images of lumbar spine. Its mechanism is mainly increased intraoperative epidural pressure. There are two types of classification and the classification in which nerve root sedimentation sign is classified into " positive” and " negative” is widely applied. It has high sensitivity and specificity in differential diagnosis patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis and patients with nonspecific low back pain. As for treatment, the nerve root sedimentation sign is related to the surgical disc levels. However, it’s not sure if the nerve root sedimentation sign is related to surgical outcome. In addition, a positive sedimentation sign turns negative after sufficient surgical decompression and a new positive sedimentation sign after sufficient decompression surgery could be used as an indicator of new stenosis in previously operated patients. Conclusion For lumbar spinal stenosis, the nerve root sedimentation sign can be applied as an auxiliary diagnostic indicator, as a guidance for deciding the operated disc levels, and as a postoperative indicator for evaluating the effectiveness.
Objective To explore decompression strategies for lateral lumbar spinal stenosis under unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) assistance. Methods A clinical data of 86 patients with lateral lumbar stenosis treated with UBE-assisted intervertebral decompression between September 2022 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 42 males and 44 females with an average age of 63.6 years (range, 45-79 years). The disease duration ranged from 6 to 14 months (mean, 8.5 months). Surgical levels included L2, 3 in 3 cases, L3, 4 in 26 cases, L4, 5 in 42 cases, and L5, S1 in 15 cases. According to Lee’s grading system, there were 21 cases of grade 1, 37 cases of grade 2, and 28 cases of grade 3 for lumbar spinal stenosis. Based on the location of stenosis and clinical symptoms, the 33 cases underwent interlaminar approach, 7 cases underwent interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision, 26 cases underwent contralateral inclinatory approach, and 20 cases underwent paraspinal approach; then, the corresponding decompression procedures were performed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate lower back/leg pain before operation and at 1 and 3 months after operation, while Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate spinal function. At 3 months after operation, the effectiveness was evaluated using the modified MacNab evaluation criteria. The spinal stenosis and decompression were evaluated based on Lee’s grading system using lumbar MRI before operation and at 3 months after operation. ResultsAll procedures were successfully completed with mean operation time of 95.1 minutes (range, 57-166 minutes). Dural tears occurred in 2 cases treated with interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 3-10 months (mean, 5.9 months). The clinical symptoms of the patients relieved to varying degrees. The VAS scores and ODI of lower back and leg pain at 1 and 3 months after operation significantly improved compared to preoperative levels (P<0.05), and the indicators at 3 months significantly improved than that at 1 month (P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab evaluation criteria, the effectiveness at 3 months after operation was rated as excellent in 52 cases, good in 21 cases, and poor in 13 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 84.9%. No lumbar instability was detected on flexion-extension X-ray films during follow-up. The Lee’s grading of lateral lumbar stenosis at 2 days after operation showed significant improvement compared to preoperative grading (P<0.05). ConclusionFor lateral lumbar spinal stenosis, UBE-assisted decompression of the spinal canal requires the selection of interlaminar approach, interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision, contralateral inclinatory approach, and paraspinal approach based on preoperative imaging findings and clinical symptoms to achieve better effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and security of percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery for treatment of lumbar spine disorders with intraspinal ossification. Methods Between July 2008 and June 2016, 96 patients with lumbar spine disorders (lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis) with intraspinal ossification were treated with percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery. There were 59 males and 37 females, aged from 13 to 57 years (mean, 29.5 years). The disease duration was 3-51 months (mean, 18.2 months). Fifty-one cases had trauma history. Ninety-two cases were single segmental unilateral symptom, 4 cases were bilateral symptom. The ossification property was posterior ring apophysis separation in 89 cases, and ossification of the fibrous ring or posterior longitudinal ligament in 7 cases. There were 32 cases of lateral type, 13 cases of central type, and 51 cases of mixed type. The pressure factors, such as nucleus pulposus, hyperplasia of the yellow ligament, joint capsule, or articular osteophyma, were removed under the microscope. Local anesthesia or continuous epidural anesthesia was performed in the transforaminal approach with 50 cases, and continuous epidural anesthesia or general anesthesia was performed in the interlaminar approach with 46 cases. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the degree of leg pain preoperatively and at last follow-up. The effectiveness was evaluated at last follow-up according to the modified Macnab criteria. Results All patients were successfully operated. Via transforaminal approach, the mean operation time was 53 minutes and the mean intraoperative fluoroscopy times was 8 times; and via interlaminar approach was 58 minutes and 3 times, respectively. The mean bed rest time after operation was 6.5 hours and the mean hospitalization time was 4.7 days. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (median, 11 months). Postoperative lumbar CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction after 3 days of operation showed that ossification tissues of 26 cases were not resected, 12 cases were resected partly, and 49 cases were resected completely. Postoperative lumbar MRI after 3 months of operation showed that spinal cord and nerve root were not compressed. At last follow-up, VAS score of leg pain was 0.7±1.1, which was significantly lower than preoperative score (5.8±1.1) (t=1.987, P=0.025). At last follow-up, according to modified Macnab criteria, the results were excellent in 87 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 4 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 95.8%. Conclusion Percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery for treatment of lumbar spine disorders with intraspinal ossification is an effective, safe, and minimal invasive alternative, and the short-term effectiveness is reliable. Accounting for the treatment of intraspinal ossification, comprehensive analysis should be made by combining clinical symptoms, imaging characteristics, and risk assessment.
ObjectiveTo evaluate early effectiveness of posterior 180-degree decompression via unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) combined with Michigan State University (MSU)-1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH). MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 33 patients with LSS combined with MSU-1 LDH, who met selection criteria and were treated between March 2022 and January 2024. All patients underwent UBE-assisted 180-degree spinal canal decompression. The cohort comprised 17 males and 16 females, aged 37-82 years (mean, 67.1 years). Preoperative presentations included bilateral lower limbs intermittent claudication and radiating pain, with disease duration ranging from 5 to 13 months (mean, 8.5 months). Affected segments included L3, 4 in 4 cases, L4, 5 in 28 cases, and L5, S1 in 1 case. LSS was rated as Schizas grade A in 4 cases, grade B in 5 cases, grade C in 13 cases, and grade D in 11 cases. LDH was categorized as MSU-1A in 24 cases, MSU-1B in 2 cases, and MSU-1AB in 7 cases. Intraoperative parameters (operation time, blood loss) and postoperative hospitalization length were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess the lower limb pain and functional outcomes after operation. Clinical efficacy was evaluated at last follow-up via modified MacNab criteria. Quantitative radiological assessments included dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) measurements and spinal stenosis grading on lumbar MRI. Morphological classification of lumbar canal stenosis was determined according to the Schizas grading, categorized into four grades. Results The operation time was 60.4-90.8 minutes (mean, 80.3 minutes) and intraoperative blood loss was 13-47 mL (mean, 29.9 mL). The postoperative hospitalization length was 3-5 days (mean, 3.8 days). All patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 13.8 months). The VAS score and ODI improved at immediate and 3, 6, and 12 months after operation compared to before operation, and the differences between different time points were significant (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the clinical efficacy assessed by the modified MacNab criteria were graded as excellent in 23 cases, good in 9 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 96.97%. Postoperative lumbar MRI revealed the significant decompression of the dural sac in 32 cases, with 1 case showing inadequate dural expansion. DSCA measurements confirmed progressive enlargement and stenosis reduction over time. The differences were significant (P<0.05) before operation, immediately after operation, and at 6 months after operation. At 6 months after operation, Schizas grading of spinal stenosis improved to grade A in 27 cases and grade B in 6 cases. ConclusionPosterior 180-degree decompression via UBE is a safe and feasible strategy for treating LSS combined with MSU-1 LDH, achieving effective neural decompression while preserving intervertebral disc integrity.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) by unilateral fenestration and bilateral decompression with ultrasounic osteotome and traditional tool total laminectomy decompression PLIF in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods The clinical data of 48 patients with single-stage degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis between January 2017 and June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 27 patients were treated with unilateral fenestration and bilateral decompression PLIF with ultrasonic osteotome (group A), and 21 patients were treated with total laminectomy and decompression PLIF with traditional tools (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, stenosis segment, degree of spinal canal stenosis, and disease duration between the two groups (P>0.05), which was comparable. The time of laminectomy decompression, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and the occurrence of operation-related complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Bridwell bone graft fusion standard was applied to evaluate bone graft fusion at last follow-up. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the patients’ lumbar and back pain at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was used to evaluate the patients’ lumbar and back function improvement before operation and at 6 months after operation. Results The time of laminectomy decompression in group A was significantly longer than that in group B, and the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). There was no nerve root injury, dural tear, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and hematoma formation during and after operation in the two groups. All patients were followed up after operation, the follow-up time in group A was 6-18 months (mean, 10.5 months) and in group B was 6-20 months (mean, 9.3 months). There was no complication such as internal fixation fracture, loosening and nail pulling occurred during the follow-up period of the two groups. There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at 3 days after operation (t=1.448, P=0.154); the VAS score of group A was significantly lower than that of group B at 3 and 6 months after operation (P<0.05). The ODI scores of the two groups were significantly improved at 6 months after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in ODI scores between the two groups before operation and at 6 months after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, according to Bridwell criteria, there was no significant difference in bone graft fusion between the two groups (Z=–0.065, P=0.949); the fusion rates of groups A and B were 96.3% (26/27) and 95.2% (20/21) respectively, with no significant difference (χ2=0.001, P=0.979 ). Conclusion The treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with unilateral fenestration and bilateral decompression PLIF with ultrasonic osteotome can achieve similar effectiveness as traditional tool total laminectomy and decompression PLIF, reduce intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage, and reduce lumbar back pain during short-term follow-up. It is a safe and effective operation method.