Objective:To explore the efficacy of secondary targeted percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for the treatment of refracture of injured vertebrae after vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed on the clinical data of 25 patients with refracture of injured vertebrae after vertebral augmentation for OVCF admitted to Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to January 2022, including 10 males and 15 females, aged 62-86 years [(73.8±5.2)years]. The fractured segments involved T 10 in 1 patient, T 11 in 2, T 12 in 10, L 1 in 10 and L 2 in 2. All the patients were treated with secondary targeted PVP. The operation time and the amount of bone cement injected were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of lower back, Oswestry disability index (ODI), vertebral body index (VBI) and kyphotic angle (KA) were compared before surgery, at 1 day, 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. Odom criteria were used to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical procedure at the last follow-up. The intraoperative bone cement leakage and new vertebrae fracture during follow-up were observed. Results:All the patients were followed up for 23-59 months [(36.8±7.6)months]. The operation time was 35-60 minutes [(42.6±5.2)minutes], with the amount of bone cement injected for 3-5 ml [(3.6±0.8)ml]. The VAS scores of lower back at 1 day, 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were 3.1(2.0, 4.0)points, 1.7(1.0, 2.0)points and 0.6(0.0, 1.0)points respectively, significantly lower than 7.6(7.0, 9.0)points before surgery ( P<0.01), and a statistically singnificant decrease was found over follow-up time ( P<0.01). The ODI values at 1 day, 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were (49.5±5.9)%, (28.5±4.6)% and (19.2±4.8)% respectively, significantly lower than (78.8±6.8)% before surgery ( P<0.01), and a statistically singnificant decrease was found over follow-up time ( P<0.01). The VBI values at 1 day, 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were (76.6±4.5)%, (76.3±4.0)% and (76.1±3.8)% respectively, significantly higher than (58.9±5.8)% before surgery ( P<0.01), while there were no significant differences among those at 1 day, 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The KA values at 1 day, 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were (12.4±2.7)°, (12.6±2.5)° and (12.8±2.9)° respectively, significantly lower than (20.8±3.6)° before surgery ( P<0.01), while there were no significant differences among those at 1 day, 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). According to the Odom criteria, 20 patients were rated excellent and 5 good at the last follow-up, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Intraoperative asymptomatic bone cement leakage occurred in 3 patients (12%), including 2 with intervertebral leakage and 1 with lateral vertebral leakage. No adjacent vertebral body or other vertebral fracture was observed during the follow-up. Conclusions:For patients with refracture of injured vertebrae after vertebral augmentation for OVCF, the secondary targeted PVP has advantages of attenuation of the lower back pain, improvement of the quality of life, restoration of the height of refractured vertebrae, correction of the local kyphosis, and a low incidence of complications.

Objective:To evaluate the guiding value of ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block in the surgical treatment of multilevel lumbar degeneration.Methods:Retrospective case-control study was used. Clinical data of 47 patients with multi-level lumbar degeneration who underwent decompression surgery in Honghui Hospital, Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into nerve root block group ( n=22)and non-nerve root block group( n=25) according to whether ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block was performed before decompression surgery. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of decompression laminae, postoperative drainage volume and length of stay of the two groups were recorded and compared. The visual analogue scale of low back pain, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of leg pain, the Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were all compared before surgery and during follow-up between the two groups. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and the comparison between groups was conducted using the paired t-test. Chi-square test was used for counting data. Results:All 47 patients successfully completed the operation without any serious complications such as neurovascular injury. All patients were followed up for (27.6±7.5)months. In the nerve root block group, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of decompression laminae, postoperative drainage volume and hospital stay were (90.5±12.6) min, (110.5±15.8) mL, 1.2±0.8, (85.6±15.8) mL, (6.2±2.8) d, respectively. In the non-root block group, they were (190.6±25.5) min, (450.5±24.8) mL, 3.8±1.6, (210.5±16.8) mL, (9.5±2.2) d, respectively. The above indexes in the nerve root closure group were less than those in the non-root closure group, and the difference was significant between the two groups ( P< 0.05). The scores of VAS of low back pain and leg pain, JOA and ODI in both groups were significantly improved after surgery and during the follow-up period when compared with those of pre-operation ( P< 0.05). The VAS scores of low back pain on the 3rd day, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the nerve block group were 3.2±1.4, 1.4±0.8, 0.5±0.2, the JOA scores were 15.8±4.3, 21.3±5.6, 25.6±1.4, and the ODI scores were 50.6±10.3, 22.8±7.8, 16.8±4.2, respectively. The VAS scores of low back pain on the 3rd day, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the non-nerve block group were 5.1±1.8, 3.4±1.2, 1.8±0.5, the JOA scores were 14.1±4.8, 20.5±3.2, 24.2±1.8, and the ODI scores were 60.5±9.8, 31.6±8.2 and 21.3±5.5, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the VAS scores of leg pain between the two groups after surgery and during follow-up ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the internal fixation position of the two groups was good, no loosening and displacement, and bone graft fusion was good. Conclusion:For patients with multi-level lumbar degeneration, ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block before surgery can identify the responsible segment, and selective decompression and fusion based on this can effectively reduce surgical trauma, while improving patients′ back and leg pain and physical function, which has important surgical guidance value.

Humans ; East Asian People ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Severity of Illness Index

Objective:To compare the efficacy of forceful reduction percutaneous pedicle screw and ordinary percutaneous pedicle screw in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture with kyphosis.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 566 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture with kyphosis admitted to Honghui Hospital, Xi ′an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to December 2018, including 191 males and 375 females, with age range of 48-79 years [(61.7±10.7)years]. Fracture segments were located at T 11 in 134 patients, T 12 in 154, L 1 in 160, and L 2 in 118. All fractures were type IIIA according to the acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture classification (ASOTLF). The thoracolumbar osteoporotic fracture severity score assessment system (TLOFSAS) score was ≥5 points. A total of 275 patients underwent forceful reduction and percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation (forceful reduction screw group), and 291 patients underwent common percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation (common screw group). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, times of X-ray exposure on patients and measures documented before operation, at 3 days after operation and at 2 years after operation including anterior height ratio of the injured vertebrae, sagittal Cobb angle of the injured vertebrae, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and visual analog scale (VAS) were compared between the two groups. Moreover, degree of correction of Cobb angle at 3 days after operation, loss of correction of Cobb angle at 2 years after operation and postoperative complications were observed. Results:All patients were followed up for 25-34 months [(29.9±3.4)months]. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and times of X-ray exposure on patients in forceful reduction screw group were (69.4±10.2)minutes, (60.3±13.1)ml and (26.8±3.7)times, less than (80.6±11.9)minutes, (80.7±15.4)ml and (30.4±3.4)times in common screw group (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in anterior height ratio of the injured vertebrae between the two groups before operation and at 3 days after operation (all P>0.05). The anterior height ratio of the injured vertebrae in forceful reduction screw group was (95.5±2.3)% at 2 years after operation, significantly higher than (85.4±1.7)% in common screw group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in sagittal Cobb angle of the injured vertebrae between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The sagittal Cobb of the injured vertebrae in forceful reduction screw group at 3 days and 2 years after operation were (7.9±1.6)° and (8.8±1.5)°, lower than (10.6±1.1)° and (12.3±1.2)° in common screw group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There were no significant difference in JOA score and VAS between the two groups before operation, at 3 days and at 2 years after operation (all P>0.05). The degree of correction of Cobb angle in forceful reduction screw group was (19.4±2.5)°, higher than (17.3±2.6)° in common screw group ( P<0.05). The loss of correction of Cobb angle in forceful reduction group was less than that in common screw group at 2 years after operation, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in forceful reduction screw group was 12.4% (34/275), compared to 14.1% (41/291) in common screw group ( P>0.05). There were no complications such as iatrogenic nerve injury, fracture or loosening of internal fixator or leakage of bone cement in the spinal canal in both groups. Conclusions:For osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture with kyphosis, forceful reduction and percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation can significantly shorten operation time, reduce intraoperative blood loss and times of X-ray exposure on patients, restore height of the injured vertebrae, correct kyphosis and maintain reduction height of the injured vertebrae in contrast with conventional percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation.

Objective:To investigate the physicochemical and biological properties of different magnesium modified calcium phosphate bone cements.Methods:The different magnesium modified calcium phosphate bone cements were divided into magnesium citrate, magnesium lactate, magnesium malate, magnesium phosphate and magnesium glycinate groups, each of which was added with different magnesium agents in the proportion of 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% of the total weight of calcium phosphate bone cements. The initial and final setting time, injectability, anti-collapse performance and compressive strength of different magnesium modified calcium phosphate bone cements were tested. Furthermore, the screened bone cement extracts were used to culture with third generation osteoblasts. Bioactivity assays were performed using the Cell Proliferation and Toxicity Assay Kit (CCK-8). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining were performed on osteoblasts to observe the osteogenic activity of magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements.Results:The addition of different proportions of different magnesium agents led to the shortening of the initial and final setting time of modified calcium phosphate bone cements. Moreover, the final setting time of 5% magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements was the shortest (<40 minutes), which was significantly shorter compared with other magnesium agents in the same proportion (all P<0.05). With the addition of different magnesium agents in different proportions, the injectability of bone cements was gradually increased, and the injectability of 5% magnesium malate calcium phosphate bone cements reached the highest for (87.3±1.9)%, which was significantly increased compared with other magnesium agents in the same proportion (all P<0.05). The anti-collapse performance of bone cements was decreased with the addition of different magnesium agents in different proportions. Magnesium citrate, magnesium phosphate and magnesium glycinate modified calcium phosphate bone cements could not resist the flushing of deionized water. In particular, magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements had the best anti-collapse performance, with the maximum weight loss rate for only (9.8±2.3)% after 30 minutes of deionized water flushing, which was better than the rest of the groups (all P<0.05). The compressive strength of magnesium lactate and magnesium phosphate modified calcium phosphate bone cements showed a decrease compared with original calcium phosphate bone cements, while the compressive strength of magnesium citrate and magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements was significantly increased compared with original calcium phosphate bone cements, of which 3% magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements had the greatest compressive strength of (6.2±0.2)MPa, significantly higher than the rest of the groups (all P<0.05). The sieve test yielded magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cement, which had a weight loss of (27.0±0.9)% at 35 days in vitro. The release of magnesium ions was increased with increasing magnesium malate dose in the in vitro environment of magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements in different ratios. A stable magnesium ion release was achieved within 35 days.Also, the pro-proliferative and osteogenic effects of modified calcium phosphate bone cements on osteoblasts were more obvious with increase of magnesium malate dose. For 5% magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements, the cell number, ALP staining area ratio and calcium nodule area ratio were significantly increased compared with the groups in the proportion of 0% and 1% magnesium malate (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Among magnesium citrate, magnesium lactate, magnesium malate, magnesium phosphate and magnesium glycinate modified calcium phosphate bone cements, magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements have relatively suitable setting time, excellent anti-collapse performance and mechanical strength. Meanwhile, 5% magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements have better biological activity among different ratios of magnesium malate modified calcium phosphate bone cements, suggesting a potential value for clinical application.

The symptomatic chronic thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fracture (SCOVF) is complex in symptom and pathological character. Various treatment methods are employed for SCOVF, but there still lacks standard criteria for proper selection. Therefore, Spine Trauma Division of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons together with the relevant experts formulated and released the clinical guideline on surgical treatment for SCOVF. Due to space limitations, the guideline did not make full elaboration and analysis on some recommendations. In this study, the authors aim to interpret some key clinical issues in the diagnosis, choice of operation methods and choice of internal fixation methods of SCOVF, hoping to help peers better grasp the connotation of the guideline and apply it correctly in clinical practice.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) can lead to lower back pain and may be even accompanied by scoliosis, neurological dysfunction and other complications, which will affect the daily activities and life quality of patients. Vertebral augmentation is an effective treatment method for OVCF, but it cannot correct unbalance of bone metabolism or improve the osteoporotic status, causing complications like lower back pain, limited spinal activities and vertebral refracture. The post-operative systematic and standardized rehabilitation treatments can improve curative effect and therapeutic efficacy of anti-osteoporosis, reduce risk of vertebral refracture, increase patient compliance and improve quality of life. Since there still lack relevant clinical treatment guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation treatments following vertebral augmentation for OVCF, the current treatments are varied with uneven therapeutic effect. In order to standardize the postoperative rehabilitation treatment, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized relevant experts to refer to relevant literature and develop the "Guideline for postoperative rehabilitation treatment following vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2022 version)" based on the clinical guidelines published by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) as well as on the principles of scientificity, practicality and advancement. The guideline provided evidence-based recommendations on 10 important issues related to postoperative rehabilitation treatments of OVCF.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of flexion-lateral curvature-supination reduction combined with primary anterior surgery for the treatment of lower cervical dislocation with unilateral facet inter-locking.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in the 32 patients who had been admitted to Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital for lower cervical dislocation with unilateral facet interlocking from November 2015 to October 2018. According to their treatments, they were divided into 2 groups. In the emergency group treated by flexion-lateral curvature-supination reduction combined with primary anterior surgery, there were 13 males and 3 females, aged from 24 to 63 years. In the traction group treated by cranial traction reduction combined with secondary anterior surgery, there were 12 males and 4 females, aged from 20 to 64 years. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, bone graft fusion, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing they were comparable ( P<0.05). All patients were followed up from 26 to 40 months. The hospital stay for the emergency group [(7.2±1.2) d] was significantly shorter than that for the traction group[(10.9±1.2) d] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the operation time, blood loss, ASIA grade or JOA score between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). All patients achieved osseous fusion of intervertebral space. Conclusion:Compared with traditional methods, flexion-lateral curvature-supination reduction combined with primay anterior surgery shows no significant difference in the recovery of neurological function but leads to a shorter hospital stay.

According to the pathological characteristics of symptomatic chronic thoracic and lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fracture (SCOVF), the different clinical treatment methods are selected, including vertebral augmentation, anterior-posterior fixation and fusion, posterior decompression fixation and fusion, and posterior correction osteotomy. However, there is still a lack of a unified understanding on how to choose appropriate treatment method for SCOVF. In order to reflect the new treatment concept and the evidence-based medicine progress of SCOVF in a timely manner and standardize its treatment, the clinical guideline for surgical treatment of SCOVF is formulated in compliance with the principle of scientificity, practicability and advancement and based on the level of evidence-based medicine.

Objective To investigate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the differentiation of epidermal stem cells(ESCs) into nerve cells in rats.Methods The epidermal basal layer tissue of newborn SD rats (1-3 days) were isolated and obtained.ESCs were digested and isolated by rapid attachment to a substrate,and the morphology of ESCs was observed under an inverted microscope.ESCs were cuhured with Keratinocytes serum-free medium (K-SFM).The ESCs were grouped and treated according to the density including Group A:0.1 × 107/ml,Group B:0.3 × 107/ml.Group C:0.5 × 1 07/ml,Group D:0.1 × 106/ml,and each group was added bFGF (20 ng/ml).The changes of cell morphology were observed and counted for seven days.The changes of cell markers Nestin and NSE were detected by immunohistochenistry.Results The ESCs of SD rat were isolated successfully.After bFGF induction,the numbers of cells with morphological changes in Groups A and B were larger than those in other two groups in the first 6 days (P ＜ 0.05),and the number in Group A was the largest on the seventh day (P ＜ 0.05).On the third day,Group C had the largest number of cells with changes based on the comparison within the group.There was no change in cell morphology in Group D.Immunohistochemistry showed positive Nestin and NSE.Conclusion The bFGF helps induce the differentiation of ESCs into nerve cells,which is associated with the cell density.