Methods: The medical records of 151 patients with ASD who underwent correction surgery between 2012 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Estimated blood loss and perioperative allogeneic transfusion were examined. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they received perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the effect of age, sex, blood type, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status, preoperative hemoglobin level, autologous blood donation, global spine alignment parameters, preoperative use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, number of instrumented fusion levels, total operative duration, three-column osteotomy, lateral interbody fusion, pelvic fixation, intraoperative hypothermia, use of gelatin-thrombin based hemostatic agents, and intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) with simultaneous exposure by two attending surgeons. Results: The estimated blood loss was 994.2±754.5 mL, and 71 patients (47.0%) received allogeneic blood transfusion. In the logistic regression analysis, the absence of intraoperative TXA use and simultaneous exposure (odds ratio [OR], 26.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6–90.9; p<0.001), lack of autologous blood donation (OR, 21.2; 95% CI, 4.4–100.0; p<0.001), and prolonged operative duration (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3–1.9; p<0.001) were significant independent factors for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery. Conclusions Autologous blood storage, intraoperative TXA administration, and simultaneous exposure should be considered to minimize perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery, particularly in patients with anticipated lengthy surgeries.

Methods: The medical records of 151 patients with ASD who underwent correction surgery between 2012 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Estimated blood loss and perioperative allogeneic transfusion were examined. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they received perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the effect of age, sex, blood type, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status, preoperative hemoglobin level, autologous blood donation, global spine alignment parameters, preoperative use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, number of instrumented fusion levels, total operative duration, three-column osteotomy, lateral interbody fusion, pelvic fixation, intraoperative hypothermia, use of gelatin-thrombin based hemostatic agents, and intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) with simultaneous exposure by two attending surgeons. Results: The estimated blood loss was 994.2±754.5 mL, and 71 patients (47.0%) received allogeneic blood transfusion. In the logistic regression analysis, the absence of intraoperative TXA use and simultaneous exposure (odds ratio [OR], 26.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6–90.9; p<0.001), lack of autologous blood donation (OR, 21.2; 95% CI, 4.4–100.0; p<0.001), and prolonged operative duration (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3–1.9; p<0.001) were significant independent factors for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery. Conclusions Autologous blood storage, intraoperative TXA administration, and simultaneous exposure should be considered to minimize perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery, particularly in patients with anticipated lengthy surgeries.

Methods: The medical records of 151 patients with ASD who underwent correction surgery between 2012 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Estimated blood loss and perioperative allogeneic transfusion were examined. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they received perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the effect of age, sex, blood type, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status, preoperative hemoglobin level, autologous blood donation, global spine alignment parameters, preoperative use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, number of instrumented fusion levels, total operative duration, three-column osteotomy, lateral interbody fusion, pelvic fixation, intraoperative hypothermia, use of gelatin-thrombin based hemostatic agents, and intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) with simultaneous exposure by two attending surgeons. Results: The estimated blood loss was 994.2±754.5 mL, and 71 patients (47.0%) received allogeneic blood transfusion. In the logistic regression analysis, the absence of intraoperative TXA use and simultaneous exposure (odds ratio [OR], 26.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6–90.9; p<0.001), lack of autologous blood donation (OR, 21.2; 95% CI, 4.4–100.0; p<0.001), and prolonged operative duration (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3–1.9; p<0.001) were significant independent factors for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery. Conclusions Autologous blood storage, intraoperative TXA administration, and simultaneous exposure should be considered to minimize perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery, particularly in patients with anticipated lengthy surgeries.

Methods: Cases of 50 patients with ASD who underwent long spinal fusion (>9 levels) with S2AI screws were retrospectively reviewed. Loosening of S2AI screws and S1 pedicle screws and bone fusion at the level of L5–S1 at 2 years after surgery were investigated using computed tomography. In addition, risk factors for loosening of S2AI screws were determined in patients with ASD. Results: At 2 years after surgery, 33 cases (66%) of S2AI screw loosening and six cases (12%) of S1 pedicle screw loosening were observed. In 40 of 47 cases (85%), bone fusion at L5–S1 was found. Pseudarthrosis at L5–S1 was not significantly associated with S2AI screw loosening (19.3% vs. 6.3%, p=0.23), but significantly higher in patients with S1 screw loosening (83.3% vs. 4.9%, p<0.001). On multivariate logistic regression analyses, high upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) level (T5 or above) (odds ratio [OR], 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–18.6; p=0.045) and obesity (OR, 11.4; 95% CI, 1.2–107.2; p=0.033) were independent risk factors for S2AI screw loosening. Conclusions High UIV level (T5 or above) and obesity were independent risk factors for S2AI screw loosening in patients with lumbosacral fixation in surgery for ASD. The incidence of lumbosacral fusion is associated with S1 screw loosening, but not S2AI screw loosening.

Methods: Fifty-six patients (13 males and 43 females) with an average age of 80.2±9.2 years admitted to the hospital for FFS between 2006 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The following patient data were collected using medical records: pain regions, a history of trauma, initial diagnoses, and rates of fracture detection using radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Forty-one patients presented with low back and/or buttock pain, nine presented with groin pain, and 17 presented with thigh or leg pain. There was no history of trauma in 18 patients (32%). At the initial visit, 27 patients (48%) were diagnosed with sacral or pelvic fragility fractures. In contrast, 29 patients (52%) were initially misdiagnosed with lumbar spine disease (23 patients), hip joint diseases (three patients), and buttock bruises (three patients). Fracture detection rates for FFS were 2% using radiography, 71% using CT, and 93% using MRI. FFS was diagnosed definitively using an MRI with a coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence. Conclusions Some patients with FFS have leg pain with no history of trauma and are initially misdiagnosed as having lumbar spine disease, hip joint disease, or simple bruises. When these clinical symptoms are reported, we recommend considering FFS as one of the differential diagnoses and performing lumbar or pelvic MRIs, particularly coronal STIR images, to rule out FFS.

Methods: The medical records of 151 patients with ASD who underwent correction surgery between 2012 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Estimated blood loss and perioperative allogeneic transfusion were examined. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they received perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the effect of age, sex, blood type, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status, preoperative hemoglobin level, autologous blood donation, global spine alignment parameters, preoperative use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, number of instrumented fusion levels, total operative duration, three-column osteotomy, lateral interbody fusion, pelvic fixation, intraoperative hypothermia, use of gelatin-thrombin based hemostatic agents, and intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) with simultaneous exposure by two attending surgeons. Results: The estimated blood loss was 994.2±754.5 mL, and 71 patients (47.0%) received allogeneic blood transfusion. In the logistic regression analysis, the absence of intraoperative TXA use and simultaneous exposure (odds ratio [OR], 26.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6–90.9; p<0.001), lack of autologous blood donation (OR, 21.2; 95% CI, 4.4–100.0; p<0.001), and prolonged operative duration (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3–1.9; p<0.001) were significant independent factors for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery. Conclusions Autologous blood storage, intraoperative TXA administration, and simultaneous exposure should be considered to minimize perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in ASD surgery, particularly in patients with anticipated lengthy surgeries.

PURPOSE: Osteoarthritic pain is largely considered to be inflammatory pain. Sensory nerve fibers innervating the knee have been shown to be significantly damaged in rat models of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in which the subchondral bone junction is destroyed, and this induces neuropathic pain (NP). Pregabalin was developed as a pain killer for NP; however, there are no reports on pregabalin use in OA patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pregabalin for pain in OA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-nine knee OA patients were evaluated in this randomized prospective study. Patients were divided into meloxicam, pregabalin, and meloxicam+pregabalin groups. Pain scores were evaluated before and 4 weeks after drug application using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Pain scales among groups were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Before drug application, there was no significant difference in VAS and WOMAC scores among the three groups (p>0.05). Significant pain relief was seen in the meloxicam+pregabalin group in VAS at 1, 2, and 4 weeks, and WOMAC score at 4 weeks, compared with the other groups (p<0.05). No significant pain relief was seen in the meloxicam only group in VAS during 4 weeks and WOMAC score at 4 weeks compared with the pregabalin only group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Meloxicam+pregabalin was effective for pain in OA patients. This finding suggests that OA pain is a combination of inflammatory and NP.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drug Therapy, Combination/adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*drug therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Thiazines/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Thiazoles/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use

PURPOSE: Bupivacaine is commonly used for the treatment of back pain and the diagnosis of its origin. Nonunion is sometimes observed after spinal fusion surgery; however, whether the nonunion causes pain is controversial. In the current study, we aimed to detect painful nonunion by injecting bupivacaine into the disc space of patients with nonunion after anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery for discogenic low back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 52 patients with low back pain, we selected 42 who showed disc degeneration at only one level (L4-L5 or L5-S1) on magnetic resonance imaging and were diagnosed by pain provocation on discography and pain relief by discoblock (the injection of bupivacaine). They underwent ALIF surgery. If the patients showed low back pain and nonunion 2 years after surgery, we injected bupivacaine into the nonunion disc space. Patients showing pain relief after injection of bupivacaine underwent additional posterior fixation using pedicle screws. These patients were followed up 2 years after the revision surgery. RESULTS: Of the 42 patient subjects, 7 showed nonunion. Four of them did not show low back pain; whereas 3 showed moderate or severe low back pain. These 3 patients showed pain reduction after injection of bupivacaine into their nonunion disc space and underwent additional posterior fixation. They showed bony union and pain relief 2 years after the revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Injection of bupivacaine into the nonunion disc space after ALIF surgery for discogenic low back pain is useful for diagnosis of the origin of pain.
Back Pain ; Bupivacaine* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Low Back Pain* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine

PURPOSE: Chronic low back pain is a common clinical problem. As medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally used; however, they are sometimes non-effective. Recently, opioids have been used for the treatment of chronic low back pain, and since 2010, transdermal fentanyl has been used to treat chronic non-cancer pain in Japan. The purpose of the current study was to examine the efficacy of transdermal fentanyl in the treatment of chronic low back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included patients (n=62) that suffered from chronic low back pain and were non-responsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their conditions consisted of non-specific low back pain, multiple back operations, and specific low back pain awaiting surgery. Patients were given transdermal fentanyl for chronic low back pain. Scores of the visual analogue scale and the Oswestry Disability Index, as well as adverse events were evaluated before and after therapy. RESULTS: Overall, visual analogue scale scores and Oswestry Disability Index scores improved significantly after treatment. Transdermal fentanyl (12.5 to 50 microg/h) was effective in reducing low back pain in 45 of 62 patients; however, it was not effective in 17 patients. Patients who experienced the most improvement were those with specific low back pain awaiting surgery. Adverse events were seen in 40% of patients (constipation, 29%; nausea, 24%; itching, 24%). CONCLUSION: Disability Index scores in 73% of patients, especially those with specific low back pain awaiting surgery; however, it did not decrease pain in 27% of patients, including patients with non-specific low back pain or multiple back operations.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Fentanyl/*administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Humans ; Low Back Pain/*drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Opioids improve pain from knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) and decrease the functional impairment of patients. However, there is a possibility that opioids induce analgesia and suppress the physiological pain of OA in patients, thereby inducing the progression of OA changes in these patients. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possibility of progressive changes in OA among patients using opioids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred knee or hip OA patients were evaluated in the current prospective, randomized, active-controlled study. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 into three parallel treatment groups: loxoprofen, tramadol/acetaminophen, and transdermal fentanyl groups. Medication was administered for 12 weeks. Pain scores and progressive OA changes on X-ray films were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, pain relief was obtained by all three groups. Most patients did not show progressive OA changes; however, 3 patients in the transdermal fentanyl group showed progressive OA changes during the 12 weeks of treatment. These 3 patients used significantly higher doses than others in the transdermal fentanyl group. Additionally, the average pain score for these 3 patients was significantly lower than the average pain score for the other patients in the transdermal fentanyl group. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl may induce progressive changes in knee or hip OA during a relatively short period, compared with oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or tramadol.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Analgesics, Opioid/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Fentanyl/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Hip/*drug therapy/radiography ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*drug therapy/radiography ; Pain/drug therapy