Objective To investigate the changes of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(PCWP) before and after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft(OPCABG) using transesophageal echocardiography(TEE). Methods Mitral valve flow(MVF) and pulmonary veinous flow(PVF) were measured in 46 patients before and after OPCAB using TEE and PCWP was detected by cardiac catheter. The correlations between indices derived from TEE and catheterization-measured PCWP and the differences before and after OPCAB were studied. Results There were obvious differences in the indices derived from TEE and PCWP which could reflect the left ventricular function. The most indices measured in PVF and MVF correlated with PCWP(r=(0.30)-(0.76),P

Objective To analyze the neurological complications in treatment of severe thoracolumbar spinal deformity with one stage posterior vertebral column resection (pVCR) and discuss the related risk factors. Methods There were 67 patients with severe thoracolumbar spinal deformity who underwent one-stage pVCR from February 2000 to September 2010.There were 29 males and 38 females at an average age of 31.4 years old(range,14-62 years).There were 21 patients at age less than 18 years old and 46 at age more than 18 years old.Patients were divided into four pathological types:severe scoliosis group(n=11,mean Cobb angle 90.4°),kyphoscoliosis group(n=25,mean scoliosis 94.5°,and mean kyphosis 65.5°),angular kyphosis group(n=28,mean kyphosis 74.3°)and global kyphosis group(n=3,mean kyphosis 91.1°).of all the patients,59 patients underwent primary surgery and eight underwent revision surgery.Surgical methods included posterior apex vertebral column resection,segemental pedicle screw fixation and correction as well as 360° bone fusion.Neurological complication was statistically analyzed. Results The average follow-up was 14 months (range,3-69 months),which showed severe neurologic complication in eight patients(11.9%)after surgery.Severe neurologic complication occurred in three patients (4.5%),among whom one patient presented delayed complete paraplegia 23 hours after surgery.Five patients had mild neurologic deficits(7.5%),the incidence of which was higher than 23.1%for thoracic osteotomy (P<0.05).Multilevel pVCR had high rate of neurological complications (P<0.05).The incidence rate was 33.3% for patients with preoperative neurologic compromise and 7.3%for patients mthom preoperative neuroiogic compromise (P<0.05).The incidence rate was increased in the revision surgery (P<0.05).Eight patients with neurological deficits had kyphotic angle of raore than 60°although there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). Conclusions pVCR is an effective surgical method for the correction of severe thoracolumbar spinal deformity.The neurological complications,however,should be paid attention to the surgeons.The risk factors for neurologic complications include improper manipulation,massive blood losing,preoperative neurologic compromise,osteotomy at thoracic rein,multi-level vertebrectomy,revision surgery and severe kyphosis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reasons for the failure of thoracolumbar spine internal fixation after burst fracture, and to discuss the strategy for revision surgery. METHODS: From January 2005 to September 2010, 21 patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture received revision surgery after the failure of internal fixation. The etiology included loose of the fixation after anterior surgery in 4 patients, involving malunion with severe kyphosis in 1 patient, pedicle screw malposition in 3, fracture of adjacent segment vertebra in 2, broken of the fixation as non-union of the fracture vertebra in 10 comprising obvious kyphotic deformity in 5, and 2 had developing kyphosis for over distraction of the vertebra followed by pseudarthrosis after removing the internal fixation. After the first operation, symptoms remained in 6 patients, deteriorated in 7, light to moderate improved in 8. Surgical procedures such as anterior corpectomy and reconstruction, replacement of the internal fixation and canal decompression, vertebroplasty, and posterior pedicle subtraction osteotomy were directed based on individual situation. RESULTS: Patients were followed-up for 6-68 (27.0±13.2) months, and demonstrated solid fusion 6 to 12 months postoperatively. No failure of the internal fixation reccurred. No major complications or deterioration of neurologic status were noted. At the last follow-up, the improvement of Frankel grade was 0-2 (1.3±0.7). The mean visual analog scale (VAS) dropped down from 7.6 to 2.1, and the mean oswestry disability index (ODI) decreased from 48.7 to 10.3. Preoperative angle of 7 kyphotic deformity patients was 10 degree-75 degree (42.5 degree±15.3 degree), and was improved to -3 degree-10 degree (2.3 degree±3.7 degree). At the last follow-up, the loss of correction was 0 degree-1.3 degree (0.7 degree±0.3 degree), with the correction rate of 92.3%. CONCLUSION Solid reconstruction of the anterior and middle column of the spine is the imperative procedure to prevent failure of internal fixation in thoracolumbar burst fractures. Revision surgery with reasonable strategy is beneficial and rewarding with few complications.
Bone Screws ; Decompression, Surgical ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Prosthesis Failure ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the accuracy of free-hand thoracic pedicle screw placement in severe idiopathic scoliosis via CT scan. METHODS: Twenty patients with complete CT data were chosen out of 58 patients of severe idiopathic scoliosis from June 1996 to December 2006. The Cobb angle of the main thoracic curve was from 82 degree to 142 degree (96.3 degree +/- 14.3 degree). The kyphotic angle in the main curve was 66.2 degree +/- 12.4 degree. The placement of thoracic pedicle screw was completed free-handedly, and the accuracy of screws placement was evaluated with CT thin-slice scan postoperatively. RESULTS: Altogether 174 thoracic pedicle screws were inserted, 157 (90.2%) of which were fully contained within the cortical boundaries of the pedicle.The other 17 screws (9.8%) were misplaced in 9 patients: 11 screws (6.8%) were lateral, 9 of which had a breach 0.05). There was no neural complication in all patients. CONCLUSION It is fairly accurate place thoracic pedicle screw in severe idiopathic scoliosis free-handedly, with some misplacements.
Adolescent ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the etiology and prevention of complications related to the pedicle screw technique in the treatment of thoracic scoliosis. METHODS: There were 183 thoracic deformity patients 110 idiopathic scoliosis, 32 adult scoliosis, 28 congenital kyphoscoliosis, 8 Marfan syndrome with scoliosis, and 6 others. All patients' Cobb angles were evaluated preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively by roentgenograms. The deformity correction rate was calculated. All radiographic evaluations were carried out in a double-blind fashion. The complication rate was analyzed perioperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The deformity correction rate was 72%, better than others treated with hook-rod system. The perioperation complication rate was 8.4% (pedicle fracture 1.5%, infection 3.8%, pneumothorax and plural effusion 1.6%, transitory neurological damage 0.5%, and over-bleeding shock 1%). The complication rate at follow-up was 3.6% (infection 0.5%, fatigue fracture 1%, loss of deformity correction 1.6%, and transitory neurological damage 0.5%). Compared with those treated with hook-rod system, the perioperation complication rate, loss of deformity correction, permanent damage, and complications related to the internal fixation were all low. CONCLUSION The complication rate of pedicle screw fixation system was low in the treatment of thoracic deformity. When surgeons are thoroughly familiar with the technique and related pathoanatomy, and with the spinal cord function wardship by SEP, complications related to the pedicle screw technique in the treatment of thoracic scoliosis will be well controlled.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Young Adult