Objective To describe the structure and clinical application of the single arm suspended reduction fixation device(HOIST device) for spondylolisthesis. Methods HOIST device is composed of the hauling screw, open angle screw(upholding screw), blocker, angle connective bar and blocking ring. Through the different assembly of the angle screws and the connective bar, to increase or decrease the fixation angle of the angle screw which as an upholding arm and the connective bar to meet the needs of different lumbosacral angles and hauling screw reducing distance. Twenty three patients with an average slipping rate of 25％－ 50％ , were treated with the device, and among them, intervertebral implantation of BAK was done in 5 patients and intervertebral fusion was performed in 18 patients. Results The mean duration of follow up was 10.3 months. Olisthy was reduced completely, clinical symptoms disappeared and there was no serious complications. Conclusion This device only required fixation of the slipped and its inferior adjacent vertebral body, and then it causes little influence to the movement of the lumbar spine. The arm of force of the reduction is short, so it is especially indicated for mild and moderate spondylolisthesis.

Objective To Introduce the principle, structure and observe the effects of clinical application of Scofix instrumentation. Methods Scofix instrumentation consists of different size of open up pedicle screws, open up pedicle hooks, connecting rods, blockers and devices of transverse connection. The open up pedicle screws can be inserted continuously or intermittently, fixed by the connecting rods in the scoliotic segments, and then distraction, compression and derotation manipulation can be performed to correct the spinal deformity. Thirty three patients were treated with this methods. The average age at surgery was 14.4 years. The mean preoperative Cobb angle in idiopathic and congenital scoliosis was 70 and 68 degrees,respectively. According to the degree of deformity and spinal flexibility, the correction was done at one setting or in stages. Results Postoperative Cobb angle and the corrective rate in 19 cases of idiopathic scoliosis were 29.4?and 59.1%, respectively while in 14 cases of congenital scoliosis the figures were 33.3?and 52.3%, respectively. No severe complications occurred. Conclusion Scofix instrumentation which is designed by the principle of CD instrumentation and in conformity with the spinal structural features of Chinese adolescence has the function of distraction, compression and derotation and can be used for internal fixation of scoliosis in different ages. Because of the high risk and the great difficulty, the thoracic pedicel screws should be used carefully, and can be replaced by pedicle hooks if necessary.

Objective To determine the cause, prevention and management of failed spinal deformity surgery, and evaluate the indication of spinal revision. Methods Thirty-one cases of failed spinal deformity surgery were treated surgically. There were 18 males and 13 females with an average age of 14.7 years(ranged from 4 to 35 years) at the present procedures. The average number of previous surgeries for this group of patients was 1.5 times. The duration between the first surgery and revision was 13-114 months, with an average of 47.9 months. There were 16 patients with consistent back pain which became worse after movement, 5 patients with implant complication (broken, loosing, explosing), 21 patients with failure of instrumentation and deterioration of deformity, 5 patients with decreased sensory and motor function. The average preoperative angel of deformity was 75.3 degrees for scoliosis and 76 degrees for kyphosis and the flexibility was 9.8% and 25.2%, respectively. All patients underwent reconstructive surgery with segmental vertebral osteotomy and trans-pedicular fixation and fusion in one or two stages according to the location and degree of the deformity. Results The average follow-up period for this group of patients was 31.8 months in 20 cases. The postoperative correction rate for scoliosis and kyphosis was 55.2% and 67.5%, respectively. There were 4 cases (12.9%) developed temporary neural dysfunction postoperatively and were recovered within 1-3 weeks after appropriate treatment. Instrumentation failure was occurred in two cases and there was no other complication in this group. Conclusion It is might be benefit to follow the principle of spinal deformity correction, fuse with adequate bone grafting and combine with proper pedicle fixation, especially for the congenital scoliosis patients, which are the efficial methods to prevent the failure of spinal deformation surgery. The management for the patients suffered from long-time back pain, spinal pseudarthrosis or progressive aggravated deformity postoperatively should be individuated depending on the degree of deformity, flexibility of the spine and the age of patients.

[Objective] To determine the relationship between the adjacent segment degeneration(ASD)and the clinical outcome after lumbar spine fusion.[Methods]Totally 436 patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar fusion were followed up for 58.13 months(26~114 months).The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the number of the fusion segments:1 segment,2 segments and 3 or more segments.UCLA grading scale was used to evaluate the degeneration of the adjacent segments.Cinical outcome was evaluated according to the criteria established by Hou SH.[Results]Adjacent segment degeneration(ASD)occurred in 58 patients,including 14 in group A,27 in group B and 17 in group C.Forty-nine patients had their ASD above the fusion level and 9 below the fusion level.For all the 14 patients in group A,the degenerative grade increased by 1 grade.Of the 27 patients in group B,16 increased by 1 grade,7 by 2 grades,and 4 by 3 grades.Of the 17 patients in group C,4 increased by 1 grade,8 by 2 grades and 5 by 3 grades.For the clinical outcome,7 patients in group A increased by 1 grade.In group B,13 patients increased by 2 grade and 5 patients increased by 3 grades.For the clinical effect degrees,7 cases decreased by 1 degree in group A.In group B,13 cases decreased by 1 degree and 6 decreased by 2 degrees.[Conclusion]No significant relationship was found between the adjacent segment degeneration and the clinical outcome.Careful attention is needed for avoidance of multi-segmental fusion.

0.05). However, there was significant difference between the "open-window" or hemilaminectomy group and total laminectomy group. The time of returning to work and the rate of returning to previous work were 4.3 months and 84.6% in "open-window" group, 4.6 months and 86.4% in hemilaminectomy group and 4.4 months and 77.8% in total laminectomy group respectively. The height loss of involved disc spaces was discovered in the postoperative radiographs in all the patients. However, no segmental instability was found in the majority of these patients. Conclusion 1) "Open-window" or hemilaminectomy may achieve satisfactory long-term results for treatment of lumbar disc herniation. 2) No definite correlation exists between the height loss of involved disc space and segmental instability or nerve root entrapment. 3) Discectomy is still a reliable and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation before the reliability of any disc replacement is confirmed in the long-term follow-up survey.

Objective To analyze retrospectively the results of closed reduction and static transarticular fixation with unilateral external fixators in the treatment of severely comminuted distal radius fractures caused by high-energy injuries. Methods From June 2000 to June 2003, 20 patients with 24 severely comminuted distal radius fractures were treated with closed reduction and static transarticular fixation with unilateral external fixator. The injuries involved 16 males and 4 females, the age of the patients was from 15 to 48 years (average 33.4 years). All fractures were classified as Frykman's type Ⅷ or AO type C3. The operative technique consisted of reduction of the fractures by manipulation or assisted with the external fixator, then fixed them statically. The mean duration of the union was 7.4 weeks (ranged from 6-8 weeks). After the fixator removal, the patients were encouraged to proceed for the rehabilitations, such as the elbow flexion-extension, radial abduction, ulnar adduction, and the pronation as well as the supination of the forearm. Results All patients were available at the final follow-up, the mean duration was 16 months (range, 6-42 months). At the last examination, the radiological manifestations revealed excellent in 21 fractures (17 patients) and good in 3 (3 patients) according to the Sarmiento scoring system (modified by Stewart); and the functional results displaied excellent in 16 (13 patients), good in 6 (5 patients) and fair in 2 (2 patients) according to Gartland-Werley functional assessment system. There were only 2 cases of superficial pin site infection cured with oral antibiotics and local care with mild disinfectants. 7 obvious defect of mataphysis occurred in 5 patients, but the fractures united simultaneously without any additional treatment. And there was no any complication, such as pin tract infection, fixator loosening, iatrogenic fracture and injury of the superficial radial nerve. Conclusion The technique of closed reduction by manipulations or external fixators combined with static transarticular fixation plus unilateral external fixators is an effective method for the treatment of severely comminuted distal radius fracture caused by high-energy injuries, such as falling from the height. It is unnecessary to apply supplementary bone grafts to promote bone healing. The complications can be avoided by selecting the right sites for the insertion of the pins, which is beneficial for the hand to mobilize earlier after operation.

Objective To study the short-term outcome of transforaminal posterolateral endoscopic discectomy and radiofrequency annuloplasty in patients with discogenic low back pain. Methods A total of 25 patients with discogenic low back pain,who were diagnosed by provocative discography,received transforaminal posterolateral endoscopic discectomy and radiofrequency annuloplasty in our hospital. The VAS scores determined before and 6 months after the operation were compared in the patients. Their MacNab scores were also evaluated at 6 months postoperation. Results After the surgery,2 patients who had ruptured intervertebral discs (L5-S1) developed sunburn syndrome,and then was relieved by pulsed electrical stimulation for one week. The patients were followed up for 6-10 months,during which no other postoperative complications occurred. The mean VAS score of this series decreased significantly after the treatment,and kept being reduced in 6 months [preoperation:6.24?0.97,1,3,6 months after the operation:0(0~2); Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test,H=61.680,P=0.000]. Four patients showed lower limbs pain before the treatment and were relieved after the surgery. The evaluation of MacNab score showed excellent in 11 pateints,good in 12,and fair in 2,suggesting an effective rate of 92.0%(23/25). Conclusions Transforaminal posterolateral endoscopic discectomy plus radiofrequency annuloplasty is effective for discogenic low back pain in a short term.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the results of closed reduction and static trans-articular fixation with unilateral external fixators in the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures.Methods From June 2000 to March 2005,45 patients with 50 unstable distal radius fractures were treated with closed reduction and static transarticular fixation by unilateral external fixators.Their average age was 44.8 years(15 to 78 years).All the fractures were classified with AO-scheme.There were five A3-fractures,four B3-fractures,three C1-fractures,nine C2-fractures and 29 C3-fractures in 24 cases.Follow-ups lasted from 8 to 48 months(averaging 20 months).Results The time of bone healing was 6 to 8 weeks(averaging 7.6 weeks).At the latest follow-up,the radiological outcomes were excellent in 42 fractures(39 patients)and good in eight fractures(six patients)according to the Sarmiento rating system modified by Ste wart et al.The functional results included 37 excellent cases(34 patients),nine good ones(eight patients)and four fair ones(three patients)according to the Gartland-Werley assessment.There were only four cases of superficial pin site infection settled with oral antibiotics and mild disinfectants.Conclusions Closed reduction by manipulation and static transarticular fixation with unilateral external fixators is an effective method to treat severely comminuted distal radius fractures caused by high-energy injury.Radial nerve injury and iatrogenic fracture of the 2nd metacarpal bone can be avoided,pin tract infection and pin loosening can be decreased,and early postoperative mobilization of hand can be facilitated by insertion of external pins at appropriate sites.It is unnecessary to apply supplementary bone grafting to promote bone healing.

BACKGROUND: High-altitude training before competition aims to obtain maximum hypoxia physiological adaptability of athletes through hypoxia environmental irritation at high altitude. Physiological adaptability to high al titude is the substantial foundation for function improvement of athletes,reflecting adjustment of body to environmental changes.OBJECTIVE: In views of self-regulation, practical training and compressed spectral array (CSA) electroencephalogram (EEG), and by observing adaptive change rule of brain before (before competition) and after high-altitude training of swimming athletes, the influence of high-altitude training was analyzed systematically on self-organizing state of athletes before competition so as to probe into the impacts of high-altitude training from brain level.DESIGN: Randomized investigation.SETTING: Guangdong Scientific Institute of Physical Exercise and Physical Exercise College of South China Normal University.PARTICIPANTS: Nine swimming athletes were selected from Guangdong Swimming Team from March to April 2001.METHODS: Time-order observation was applied in the experiment, in which, the results 1 week (3rd March) before high-altitude training, during (22nd March) and on the 5th day (5th April) after the training, the results in competition on the 13th day (12th April) after high-altitude training and corresponding blood lactic acid were tested and SCA EEG was done successively one day before high-altitude training (10th March), on the 1st day after the training (30th March) and on the 11th day after training, that was two days before National Competition (10th April) to observe self- adaptive regulation of brain to sports training load.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Training index and lactic acid change before and during high-altitude training and before competition. ②Comparison of results before high-altitude training and in competition. ③Changes in indexes of cerebral evaluation before, during and after high-altitude training and before competition.RESULTS: ① Training results were changeable in high-altitude training.In national competition after high-altitude training, the scores of 6 cases of 10 person-times were reduced. Changes in blood lactic acid after high-altitude training were in conformity with training results. ② After high-altitude training, the average frequency of brain information distribution in athletes was shifted towards high frequency. Before the competition, negative entropy was lessened and information entropy was dispersed and the score in competition was declined.CONCLUSION: ① Cerebral order parameters of athletes constitute multicentralization, form the dispersion of technique control information and result in re-adjustment of brain function at matrix coordinating level, suggesting declining capacity to athletics. ② Effects of high-altitude training and maintaining of its functions are based on coincidence and continuity of arrangement of rise-fall training intensity of individual state and on the recovery and maintaining of the intensity at flatlands.

Objective To analyze the characteristics, surgical timing and treatment of middle super thoracic fractures. Methods 35 cases of middle super thoracic fractures (T1 10) were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 25 cases were complete injury of the spinal cord and 10 cases were neurologically incomplete injury. The bleeding in operations at different times, the ASIA grades and the sensorimotor scores were analyzed. Results The follow up showed that the ASIA grade increased by 1 to 2 degrees in 10 cases of incomplete spinal cord injury, while in complete spinal cord injury the ASIA grades hardly increased but the sense and motion scores could be improved by about 20. Conclusions Middle super thoracic fractures often involve multi vertebra body, and the spinal cord is injured severely. Decompression, fusion, internal fixation from posterior approach can obtain a satisfactory result. Neurologically incomplete injury should be treated as soon as possible, while complete injury of the spinal cord should be treated around 2 weeks after the injury.