Objective:This study introduces a novel segmented and layered thoracic laminoplasty technique for the treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ligamentum flavum (OLF). The goal is to simplify the surgical procedure, improve safety, reduce iatrogenic injuries, and validate its clinical outcomes through follow-up.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 23 patients (10 males, 13 females; mean age 58.83±12.01 years) treated at Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2023. Transverse grooves were created at the superior and inferior vertebral pedicle levels, utilizing the intervertebral ligamentum flavum as a segmental demarcation reference. Partial removal of the distal lamina and medial of the inferior articular process was performed through a cortical window. Under direct visualization, complete removal of ossified ligamentum flavum, proximal portion of lamina, superior articular process. The treatment effect was evaluated by clinical symptoms, signs, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), imaging results (CT and MRI) and complications before or after surgery.Results:All 23 procedures were successfully completed with a mean operative duration of 180(150, 220) min, the surgical time for 71 segments were 67.5(53.8, 120.0) minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 200(100, 300) ml, demonstrating a low intraoperative dural tear rate of 8.70% (2/23). Postoperative imaging (CT/MRI) confirmed adequate decompression in all cases, with significant symptom improvement at final follow-up 21(9, 39) months: 47% (7/15) of patients achieved marked relief of lower limb numbness, 82% (14/17) showed substantial motor recovery, and 54% (7/13) exhibited improved gait stability. Functional outcomes revealed significant enhancements, with JOA scores increasing from 8(6, 8) preoperatively to 9(8, 10) postoperatively ( P<0.05; 43.80% improvement rate) and VAS scores decreasing from 6(5, 7) to 2(1, 4) ( P<0.05). The complications were two dural tears and one suture reaction. Conclusions:Ultrasonic osteotome-assisted segmented layered laminectomy is a safe, effective, and straightforward technique for treating thoracic spinal stenosis caused by OPLL and OLF. It offers shorter operative times, minimal complications, and significant clinical improvement, making it a promising technique for broader clinical adoption.

Objective:This study introduces a novel segmented and layered thoracic laminoplasty technique for the treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ligamentum flavum (OLF). The goal is to simplify the surgical procedure, improve safety, reduce iatrogenic injuries, and validate its clinical outcomes through follow-up.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 23 patients (10 males, 13 females; mean age 58.83±12.01 years) treated at Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2023. Transverse grooves were created at the superior and inferior vertebral pedicle levels, utilizing the intervertebral ligamentum flavum as a segmental demarcation reference. Partial removal of the distal lamina and medial of the inferior articular process was performed through a cortical window. Under direct visualization, complete removal of ossified ligamentum flavum, proximal portion of lamina, superior articular process. The treatment effect was evaluated by clinical symptoms, signs, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), imaging results (CT and MRI) and complications before or after surgery.Results:All 23 procedures were successfully completed with a mean operative duration of 180(150, 220) min, the surgical time for 71 segments were 67.5(53.8, 120.0) minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 200(100, 300) ml, demonstrating a low intraoperative dural tear rate of 8.70% (2/23). Postoperative imaging (CT/MRI) confirmed adequate decompression in all cases, with significant symptom improvement at final follow-up 21(9, 39) months: 47% (7/15) of patients achieved marked relief of lower limb numbness, 82% (14/17) showed substantial motor recovery, and 54% (7/13) exhibited improved gait stability. Functional outcomes revealed significant enhancements, with JOA scores increasing from 8(6, 8) preoperatively to 9(8, 10) postoperatively ( P<0.05; 43.80% improvement rate) and VAS scores decreasing from 6(5, 7) to 2(1, 4) ( P<0.05). The complications were two dural tears and one suture reaction. Conclusions:Ultrasonic osteotome-assisted segmented layered laminectomy is a safe, effective, and straightforward technique for treating thoracic spinal stenosis caused by OPLL and OLF. It offers shorter operative times, minimal complications, and significant clinical improvement, making it a promising technique for broader clinical adoption.

Objective:To analyze the ideal entry parameters and entry points for C 7 pedicle screws based on three-dimensional CT reconstruction model. Methods:A retrospective case series study was used to analyze the cervical spine CT image data of 50 adult volunteers collected from April 2021 to March 2022 at Taizhou People′s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, including 25 males and 25 females; aged 20-67 years [(43.8±13.5)years]. No significant structural abnormalities were seen in the cervicothorax of all volunteers. First, the 50 CT images were imported into the medical engineering software Mimics 17.0 to reconstruct the three-dimensional C 7 model, and the C 7 pedicle screw diameter (PSD), pedicle screw length (PSL), sagittal angle (SA) and lateral angle (LA) were measured. Then, the anatomical markers, namely the lateral notch and the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process, were used to measure the horizontal distance between the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process and the ideal entry point (line segment A), and the horizontal and vertical distances between the lateral notch and the ideal entry point (line segments B and C). Finally, the lateral notch and the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process were used as markers to observe the distribution of entry points. The values of the above measured parameters were recorded and compared with each other to analyze the differences between different sides and genders. Intra-group correlation coefficients (ICC) were also used to assess intra- and inter-observer agreement. Results:All 100 pedicles from 50 C 7 models were accessed, with the PSD being (6.5±0.7)mm, PSL being (31.8±4.5)mm, SA being (89.8±8.8)°, LA being (31.0±6.7)°, line segment A being 0.9(-0.4, 2.1) mm, line segment B being (5.8±1.7)mm, and line segment C being (3.6±1.5)mm. All ideal entry points were located medial above the lateral notch; moreover, with the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process as a reference, 71 (71%) of the entry points were located laterally and 29 (29%) were located medially. The 12 mm area around the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process was divided into 6 sections, with 47% of the entry points being located within 2 mm lateral to the midpoint, 25% within 2 mm medial to the midpoint, 19% within 2-4 mm lateral to the midpoint, and only 9% within 50% lateral to the midpoint. The measured parameters were not significantly different between the left and right sides (all P>0.05). The PSD, SA, and line segment B in males were (6.8±0.7)mm, (92.0±8.2)°, and (6.3±1.6)mm, which were significantly greater than those in females [(6.2±0.6)mm, (87.5±8.0)°, and (5.3±1.6)mm] (all P<0.01). The remaining parameters were similar between two genders (all P>0.05). All measured parameters had high intra- and inter-observer agreement (ICC: 0.84-0.91), except for line segment A that had moderate intra- and inter-observer agreement (ICC: 0.46-0.63). Conclusions:For C 7 pedicle screw implantation, when the surface of the lateral mass is used as the reference plane, SA is approximately 90°; with reference to the lateral notch, all the ideal entry points are located medially above it; with reference to the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process, approximately 70% of the entry points are located laterally. There are no significant differences in the parameters between the different sides of screw implantation on pedicles. The measured parameters show high intra- and inter-observer agreement, except for line segment A.

Two cases of pregnant women with lumbar disc herniation causing neurologic deficits are reported. The first case received percutaneous endoscopic discectomy following the cesarean section; and the second case underwent micro-discectomy in the left lateral position under local anesthesia at 23-week gestation. After surgery, satisfactory outcomes were obtained in both cases. The management of these two cases indicates that the disc surgery is a safe procedure for patients during pregnancy.

[Objective] To establish a viable and convenient method for human iliac growth-plate chondrocyte culture in vitro and study the biological characters of the chondrocyte.[Method] The chondrocytes from 10 human iliac growth-plate were cultured in monolayer and passaged to observe the changes of cell morphology.The growth kinetics was detected by using MTT colorimetric.Immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR were performed to investigate the expression of collagenⅡat the protein and mRNA level,respectively.[Result](1)The phenotype of chondrocyte was changed from original polygonal shape to fusiform at 4th passage.(2)MTT test showed the growth curve of the second passage cells presented inverted "S",and cells were found logarithmic growth at 4th~8th day reached platform stage at 9th~10th day,and decreased at the 11th day.(3)The collagen typeⅡimmunohistochemical staining was extensive positive in cells at P2.(4)RT-PCR confirmed that the mRNA level decreased with the cells passaged after P2.[Conclusion]The modified method of the enzymatic two-step digestion is an effective and simple procedure.The second passage cells maintain the phenotype of chondrocyte well,could be serving as seeding cells.