Objective To analyze the surgical treatment options and its results for thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation.Methods From June 2004 to December 2009,thirty-one patients of thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation with or without ossification of ligament flavum were surgically treated,including 22 males and 9 females,with a mean age of 54 years(range,24 to 71 years).According to Anand and Regan clinical classification,there was type 2 for 1 case,grade 3a for 2,grade 3b for 3,grade 4 for 6,and grade 5 for 19.The neurological status was Frankel B for 2 cases,C for 6,D for 11,and E for 12.Anterior surgeries were performed for 18 patients without ossification of ligament flavum.Anterior decompression was performed through the resection of posterior part of vertebral body,or subtotal resection of vertebral body,followed by strut graft and internal fixation.Posterior surgeries were performed for 13 patients with disc herniation and ossification of ligament flavum.The resection of hemi-articular process and total laminectomy was performed.Results The complications of 18 patients with anterior surgery included laceration of dura mater in 1 case,nerve root sleeve injury in 1 case,intercostal neuralgia in 3 cases,atelectasis in 1 case,and femoroiliac numbness in 2 cases.The complications of 13 patients with posterior surgery included intra-canal hematoma in 1 cases,leakage of cerebrospinal fluid in 2 cases,infection of incision in 1 cases,and pneumonia in 1 case.The patients were followed for 18 months(range,6 to 48 months).At final follow-up,the neurological status and local symptom improved in all patients,with Frankel C for 3 cases,D for 7,and E for 21;and Anand and Regan type 1 for 2 cases,2 for 1,3a for 1,4 for 2,5 for 10 and no symptom for 15.Conclusion For thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation,anterior surgery is suitable for patients mainly suffered anterior cord compression.Resection of posterior part of vertebral body or subtotal resection of vertebral body is often needed for sufficient decompression.Posterior surgery is suitable for patients with anterior and posterior cord compression due to ossification of ligament flavum,and the decompression can be obtained by resection of hemi-articular process and total laminectomy.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness at anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with a single cage alone in treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease(DDD).MethodsThirty-four patients aged from 26 to 67 years (mean,52) were enrolled in this study,including 10 males and 24 females.Preoperative diagnosis included:degenerative spondylolithesis in 11 cases,discogenic low back pain in 21,and revision for failed posterior surgery in 2.Objective level located in L4.5 in 12 cases,L5S1 in 20,and double discs(L4.5,L5S1) in 2.All the patients received extraperitoneal approach ALIF.Surgical time,blood loss,perioperative complications and postoperative ambulation were noted.Postoperative function status was evaluated by 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI50).AP,lateral and dynamic X-rays were routinely taken during follow up,according to which disc height,migration of implant and bony fusion were measured.ResultsAll the surgeries were performed successfully with a mean surgical time of 90 min and blood loss of 200 ml.An injury to the bifurcation of vena cave was encountered in an early case,after meticulous repairing of the vessel,the surgery was finished successfully.Peritoneum rupture was noticed in one case.One case of postoperative cage migration was revised and reinforced with additional fixation system.All the patients were followed up for an average of 36 months(range,12-60).All the patients were satisfied with the pain relief and returned to normal social life and working.VAS decreased from preoperative 70 to postoperative 5,and ODI decreased from 41％ to 6％.All but one migration case reached sound fusion with a fusion rate of 97％.ConclusionOwing to multiple advantages,complete removal of degenerative disc,compressive bone graft,sufficient graft area,early ambulation,less complication,extrapefitoneal approach for ALIF comes up with satisfying clinical outcomes.This mini_invasive technique provides a valuable alternative to treatment of lumbar DDD when appropriate indication is selected.

Objective To discuss the value of thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) and load-sharing scores in guiding selection of the indications of combined anteroposterior surgery for thoracolumbar fractures. Methods A total of 216 patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated surgically from January 2006 to January 2008 were involved in the study. Combined anterior and posterior surgery was carried out in 48 patients including 32 males and 16 females (at average age of 39 years, range 18-55 years). Segments involved T11 in two patients, T12 in eight, L1 in 20 and L2 in 18. According to the classification of Magerl, there were 20 patients with type B1 fractures, 15 with type B2, four with type C1 and nine with type C2. Neurologic status based on ASIA classification was at grade A in five patients, grade B in 16, grade C in 16, grade D in nine and grade E in two. All patients were operated in lateral position at one stage within 14 days after injury, with posterior laminectomy and pedicle fixation, anterior corpectomy, reduction and strut graft. Forty-five patients were followed up for 14-38 months. Plain X-ray radiographs and reconstruction CT were taken to observe the bone healing. Local kyphosis and vertebral canal were also measured. All the patients were evaluated with TLICS and load-sharing scores. Results Lumbar physical lordosis was reconstructed, with no evident correction loss,pseudoarthrosis or implant failure noted during follow-up. The patients treated with combined surgery had TLICS score ≥5 points, load-sharing scores ≥7 points and were combined with posterior ligamentous complex injury, so the fracture could not be sufficiently decompressed and reconstructed with single anterior or posterior surgery. Of all, 45 patients were followed up for 14-38 months (mean 25 months), which showed that all the combined surgeries were performed successfully, with bone fusion and neurological status improved for at least one ASIA grade. No complications like implant breakage, loosening, titanium mesh displacement or subsidence were observed. Conclusions LICS is basically helpful for guiding selection of combined surgery, but does not well evaluate the canal compromise, to which the load-sharing scores can supplement. These two evaluation systems should be applied together. The anteroposterior surgery can be recommended when the patients are with TLICS≥5 points, load-sharing score ≥7 points and combined with ligament complex injury.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of mobile endospine system for sequested lumbar disc herniation.Methods From May 2007 to December 2009,31 patients of sequested lumbar disc herniation were treated with mobile endospine system,including 17 men and 14 women with a mean age of 46 years (32-59 years).Patients complained severe leg and low back pain with disability.According to MRI,the sequested nucleus herniated from the disc of L2-3 in 1 case,L3-4 in 1,L4-5 in 16 and L5S1 in 13;and the direction of herniation was caudal in 24 cases,cephalic in 6 and indistinguishable in 1.The patients were followed up for 12 months (range,6-24 months) ,and the results were evaluated according to Macnab scale.Results The procedure was technically successful in all the patients:the sequested nucleus was completely extracted.The protruded disc was treated with discectomy in 30 cases,and the nearly intact disc was left untouched in one patient.Among the 24 cases with caudal herniation,sequested nucleus situated ventrally beneath the dural theca and the transitional nerve root in 15 cases,between the nerve root and dural theca in 5,and dorsally on the nerve root and dural theca in 4.All the 6 cephalic herniation situated beneath the dural theca,1 of them reached the level of pedicle,and 2 herniated into the intervertebral canal.The sequested disc presented as indistinguishable signal on MRI included nucleus,annulus and cartilage endplate,and situated dorsally around the dural theca.The mean operative time was 50 min (range,40-70 min) with a mean blood loss of 80 ml (range,30-200 ml).There was no complication of nerve injury.Only too much facet was resected in 2 patients without clinical symptom.The results were excellent in 21 cases and good in 10 cases,and all of them were satisfied with this procedure.Conclusion The working canal and visual field of mobile endospine system is movable,so the sequested nucleus can be extracted completely with good results.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) aims at sustaining the spinal cord compression and restoring the stability of the cervical vertebrae at most.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characters of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and expansive open-door laminoplasty for MCSM.METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with MCSM were divided into two groups, and treated with anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (group A) or posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty (group B). All the patients were followed up for 12 months, and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae, cervical curvature index were observed,as well as the Visual Analogue Scale and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were condueted. Moreover, the operation time, blood loss and adverse reactions were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The loss of range of motion of the cervical vertebrae in the group B was significantly less than that in the group A (P < 0.05). (2) The cervical curvature index in the group A was significantly improved (P < 0.05), but the index had no significant change in the group B. (3) The axial systems were significantly improved in both groups, especially in the group A (P < 0.05). (4) The neurological function was significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05), which showed no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). (5) The intraoperative blood loss in the group B was significantly more than that in the group A (P < 0.05). (6) The incidence of hoarseness and dysphagia in the group A was 19％. The incidence of wound infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and C5 nerve root palsy in the group B was 9％. (7) These results suggest that during choosing an appropriate method for MCSM,surgeons' skills and patients' situation should be considered.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the efficacy and safety of simultaneous bilateral endoscopic surgery (SBES) for bilateral upper urinary tract calculi, and to summarize the initial experience. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with bilateral upper urinary tract calculi who underwent SBES in the Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data of the patients were recorded, and the operation status, stone free rate (SFR) and peri-operative complications were analyzed. The primary end point was SFR, and second end point was peri-operative complications. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients underwent SBES, of which SBES was completed in 19 patients (12 males, and 7 females). The mean age was (41.3±12.0) years. Fourteen patients underwent modified supine position surgery and 4 patients in prone split-leg position. There was no statistical difference in the demographic and baseline clinical data of the patients in different positions. One patient underwent right percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and left endoscopic combined intra-renal surgery (ECIRS) in the prone split-leg position, while 18 patients received simul-taneous surgery with PCNL and contralateral retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS). The mean anesthesia and operation time was (128.7±26.5) min and (70.7±20.3) min, respectively, which was significantly longer in the patients with prone split-leg position than in the patients with modified supine position, anesthesia time in the patients with prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (148.4±20.4) min vs. (121.6±25.3) min, respectively, t=－2.121, P=0.049, while the operation time in the patients with prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (86.4±21.1) min vs. (65.1±17.4) min, respectively, t=－2.222, P=0.040. There was no significant difference between the two groups in indwelling of nephrostomy [prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (2.6±0.9) d vs. (2.1±1.0) d, respectively; t=－0.880, P=0.391] and the length of hospital stay [prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (6.0±2.7) d vs. (5.2±1.8) d, respectively; t=－0.731, P=0.475]. One month after the operation, the SFR was 78.9%, and 3 patients had minor peri-operative complications (Clavien-Dindo grades Ⅰ/Ⅱ) without any serious complications (Clavien-Dindo grades Ⅲ/Ⅳ/Ⅴ). CONCLUSION The simultaneous bilateral endoscopic surgery would decrease the operation time and anesthesia exposure under the premise of ensuring the SFR, which is helpful to reduce the risk of peri-operative complications, especially to the patients who can not tolerate the second-stage or long-time operation.
Adult ; Calcinosis/surgery* ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urologic Diseases/surgery*

Objective To evaluate the mid-term clinical and radiographic results of artificial disc replacement (ADR) for discogenic low back pain.Methods From July 2004 to July 2007,21 patients with discogenic low back pain,aged from 26 to 67 years,underwent lumbar ADR with the Charité Ⅲ artificial disc at 22 levels and Activ L prosthesis at 2 levels:L4-5 5 cases,L5S1 13 cases,L4-5 and L5S1 3 cases.The diagnosis was proved by discography in all the patients.The clinical and radiographic results were evaluated and compared between pre-,post-operation and finial follow-up.Results All patients were followed up for 4to 7 years (average,5.1 years).There were statistical differences between pre-operation and final follow-up in Oswestry disability index and Visual Analogue Scale for back pain and leg pain.All the prostheses were mobile without dislocation,breakage,subsidence or spontaneous fusion,only a slight scoliosis was noted in one patient.At the ADR levels,the anterior and posterior intervertebral height increased averagely 6.3 mm and 1.9 mm respectively,the lordosis increased 2.9°,and the mean range of motion (ROM) was 4.6°.At the adjacent level proximal to ADR,the intervertebral height and lordosis decreased slightly,and the ROM decreased 2.5°.The total lumbar lordosis increased 7.8°,and the total lumbar ROM increased 2.4°.According to MRI and CT scans,the degeneration of proximal adjacent disc and facet were not evident,however the degeneration of facets at the ADR levels was evident.Conclusion The 5 years results of ADR for discogenic low back pain were satisfactory,with preserved motion at the ADR level,and the degeneration of adjacent level was not evident.However,there was obvious degeneration in facet joints of the ADR level.

Objective To construct profiles of health status based upon physical,mental and social support items in adult twins of Qingdao.Methods Grade of Membership(GoM) model was applied to a set of 31 indicators to construct ideal profiles.Results Four health profiles were identified: pure type Ⅰ(healthy),pure type Ⅱ(personality disorders),pure type Ⅲ(psychological symptoms) and pure type Ⅳ(physiological symptoms).The most frequently occurring combination in this population was profile Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅳ(14.74%),followed by profile Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ(13.44%),and then type Ⅰ(11.08%).Only 13.56% of subjects fell completely into one single pure type.Conclusions One healthy type and three non-healthy types are determined.Most individuals exhibit some of the characteristics of two or more types,holding partial membership in multiple categories.

OBJECTIVETo investigate in vitro and in vivo anti-human herpes simplex virus effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA).

METHODSGuinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection was applied, and Vero cells infected by HSV-I and HSV-II were used as experimental systems to observe the antiherpes effect of ALA-PDT.

RESULTSThe in vitro experiments showed that ALA-PDT has antiherpes effect on HSV-I and HSV-II, its effect was similar to that of acyclovir. The results of animal experiments showed that ALA-PDT had significant therapeutic effect on guinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection, the effect was dose-related.

CONCLUSIONALA-PDT could be effective in treating HSV infections, which may provide a new approach to the treatment of viral infections.

Aminolevulinic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Herpes Simplex ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Photochemotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Simplexvirus ; drug effects ; Skin Diseases, Viral ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vero Cells

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of endoscopic combined ultrasound-guided access (EUGA) with the conventional ultrasound-guided access (UGA) to achieve percutaneous renal access in endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS). METHODS: A retrospective review of 53 patients undergoing ECIRS to treat upper urinary tract calculi between January 2017 and October 2019 was con-ducted. All of the cases were of complex upper urinary tract stones larger than 2 cm in diameter. The com-plex stone situations, such as multiple renal calyces calculi or staghorn calculi necessitated ECIRS. Under general anesthesia, the patients were placed in the galdakao-modified supine valdivia (GMSV) position, thus allowing both antegrade and retrograde accesss. The patients were divided to UGA and EUGA groups according to the protocol of achieving percutaneous renal access. In 28 cases, endoscopic combined ultrasound-guided accesss were obtained. Puncture and dilation were performed under direct flexible ureteroscopic visualization, while percutaneous renal access of 25 cases were performed with the conventional technique employing ultrasound guidance. Demographic and perioperative information, such as stone burden, presence of hydronephrosis and number of calyces involved was compared. Primary outcomes included total operative time, renal access time, repeat puncture, hemoglobin level, perioperative complications, and stone-free rate. RESULTS: No major intra-operative complication was recorded in all the 53 ECRIS. No significant difference was observed between the groups in age and gender. There was no significant difference in body mass index[BMI (29.21±3.14) kg/m² vs.(28.53±2.56) kg/m²], stone burden (37.68±6.89) mm vs. (35.53±6.52) mm, number of calyces involved 2.72±0.68 vs. 2.86±0.71, presence of hydronephrosis (56.0% vs. 46.4%), total operative time (93.0±12.2) min vs. (96.8±14.2) min, hemoglobin level reduction (6.56±2.16) g/L vs. 97.54±2.64) g/L, stone-free rate (92.0% vs. 92.8%), hospital stay (5.52±0.59) d vs. (5.64±0.62) d, perioperative complication rate (8.0% vs. 7.2%). Two patients in EUGA group experienced perioperative complications (one urinary tract infection and one hematuria) while two patients in UGA group experienced perioperative urinary tract infection. None in both groups received blood transfusion. The patients undergoing EUGA had shorter renal access time [(4.0±0.7) min vs. (6.8±2.6) min, P < 0.01] and less repeat puncture (0 vs. 4 cases, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION EUGA is an optimal technique to establish percutaneous renal access in ECIRS, which minimizes access time and repeated procedures.
Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Ureteroscopy