Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Objective:This study was aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery (UBE)-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological deficits.Methods:This was a retrospective observational study conducted on 21 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and neurological deficits treated with UBE-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system from April 2022 to August 2023. There were 13 males and 8 females, with an average age of 48.48±14.04 years (ranging from 25 to 72 years). Injured segments were T 12 in 2 cases, L 1 in 7 cases, L 2 in 6 cases, L 3 in 3 cases, L 4 in 2 cases, and L 5 in 1 case. According to the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System, there were 14 cases of A3N2, 2 cases of A3N3, 4 cases of A4N2, and 1 case of A4N3. Surgery time, postoperative hospital stays, and complications were recorded. Local Cobb angle, vertebral fragment intrusion area, spinal canal occupation rate, and anterior vertebral height compression rate were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Screw placement accuracy was assessed using postoperative CT. Neurological function was evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system, and clinical efficacy was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results:All patients successfully underwent the operation without any conversions to open surgery during the procedure. A total of 105 percutaneous pedicle screws were placed, with an accuracy rate of 96.2%. Internal fixation devices were removed in 18 cases at the last follow-up. The 21 patients were followed up for 18.38±3.66 months (ranging from 12 to 25 months). The surgery time was 150.29±18.84 min (ranging from 111 to 185 min). Postoperative hospital stay was 5.19±1.15 d (ranging from 3 to 7 d). One patient underwent interbody fusion with an autologous iliac crest bone graft and achieved bony fusion at 12 months postoperatively. Preoperative local Cobb angle, anterior vertebral height compression rate, vertebral fragment intrusion area, and spinal canal occupation rate were 22.90°±4.48°, 54.49%±7.53%, 142.90±21.00 mm 2, and 69.91%±7.07%, respectively. Postoperative values improved to 2.57°±1.09°, 5.19%±1.04%, 56.33±11.35 mm 2, and 25.72%±4.24%, with last follow-up values of 3.19°±1.01°, 5.75%±0.92%, 34.90±5.14 mm 2, and 18.25%±2.44% with significant differences ( P<0.05). Preoperatively, all patients were ASIA grade D. Within 48 hours postoperatively, 10 patients improved to grade E, and at the last follow-up, all patients achieved grade E. VAS scores significantly decreased from 8.10±0.92 preoperatively to 3.48±0.59 postoperatively and 1.52±0.73 at the last follow-up ( F=486.032, P<0.001); ODI significantly improved from 58.14%±5.08% preoperatively to 27.20%±2.65% postoperatively and 8.89%±1.19% at the last follow-up ( F=2'001.348, P<0.001). One patient developed a postoperative wound infection, which healed with regular dressing changes. Conclusions:UBE-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system was a safe and effective approach for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological deficits. This method achieved vertebral reduction, improved neurological function, stabilized spinal alignment, and maximally preserved the integrity of posterior spinal bony and ligamentous structures.

Abstract Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death characterized by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides. Since it was first proposed in 2012,Ferroptosis has gradually attracted attention and developed rapidly. Ferroptosis plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases,malignant tumors and neurological diseases,and has become a research hotspot in the field of life science and medicine. Ferroptosis is closely related to iron overload. Iron overload and the accumulation of lipid peroxidation jointly contributes to the disruption of intervertebral disc homeostasis,leading to intervertebral disc degeneration. However,the specific mechanisms of ferroptosis in regulating intervertebral disc degeneration is not yet clear. This review discusses the relationship between ferroptosis and intervertebral disc degeneration,their molecular regulatory mechanisms,and their potential clinical applications,aiming to provide new therapeutic targets for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery is highly demanding for surgeons due to its limited visual field, restricted operating space, and complex anatomical structures, posing significant surgical risks. As cutting-edge virtual reality technologies, augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) have shown great potential in such surgeries. This paper focuses on the application and research progress of AR and MR technologies in minimally invasive spine surgery, highlighting their core advantages and innovations in three key aspects: preoperative planning, intraoperative assistance, and teaching and training. Research findings indicate that AR and MR technologies significantly reduce surgical uncertainty and risk by providing intuitive and three-dimensional image data. The real-time navigation and localization functions during surgery greatly enhance the precision and safety of the procedures. In teaching and training, the immersive experience and high interactivity of these technologies bring revolutionary changes to medical education, significantly improving teaching efficiency and learning interest. However, the current challenges faced by these technologies include technological maturity, equipment costs, and physician training. Future efforts should focus on strengthening technology development, reducing costs, and enhancing physician training to promote the continuous development of AR and MR technologies in minimally invasive spine surgery.

Objective:This study was aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery (UBE)-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological deficits.Methods:This was a retrospective observational study conducted on 21 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and neurological deficits treated with UBE-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system from April 2022 to August 2023. There were 13 males and 8 females, with an average age of 48.48±14.04 years (ranging from 25 to 72 years). Injured segments were T 12 in 2 cases, L 1 in 7 cases, L 2 in 6 cases, L 3 in 3 cases, L 4 in 2 cases, and L 5 in 1 case. According to the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System, there were 14 cases of A3N2, 2 cases of A3N3, 4 cases of A4N2, and 1 case of A4N3. Surgery time, postoperative hospital stays, and complications were recorded. Local Cobb angle, vertebral fragment intrusion area, spinal canal occupation rate, and anterior vertebral height compression rate were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Screw placement accuracy was assessed using postoperative CT. Neurological function was evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system, and clinical efficacy was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results:All patients successfully underwent the operation without any conversions to open surgery during the procedure. A total of 105 percutaneous pedicle screws were placed, with an accuracy rate of 96.2%. Internal fixation devices were removed in 18 cases at the last follow-up. The 21 patients were followed up for 18.38±3.66 months (ranging from 12 to 25 months). The surgery time was 150.29±18.84 min (ranging from 111 to 185 min). Postoperative hospital stay was 5.19±1.15 d (ranging from 3 to 7 d). One patient underwent interbody fusion with an autologous iliac crest bone graft and achieved bony fusion at 12 months postoperatively. Preoperative local Cobb angle, anterior vertebral height compression rate, vertebral fragment intrusion area, and spinal canal occupation rate were 22.90°±4.48°, 54.49%±7.53%, 142.90±21.00 mm 2, and 69.91%±7.07%, respectively. Postoperative values improved to 2.57°±1.09°, 5.19%±1.04%, 56.33±11.35 mm 2, and 25.72%±4.24%, with last follow-up values of 3.19°±1.01°, 5.75%±0.92%, 34.90±5.14 mm 2, and 18.25%±2.44% with significant differences ( P<0.05). Preoperatively, all patients were ASIA grade D. Within 48 hours postoperatively, 10 patients improved to grade E, and at the last follow-up, all patients achieved grade E. VAS scores significantly decreased from 8.10±0.92 preoperatively to 3.48±0.59 postoperatively and 1.52±0.73 at the last follow-up ( F=486.032, P<0.001); ODI significantly improved from 58.14%±5.08% preoperatively to 27.20%±2.65% postoperatively and 8.89%±1.19% at the last follow-up ( F=2'001.348, P<0.001). One patient developed a postoperative wound infection, which healed with regular dressing changes. Conclusions:UBE-assisted decompression and reduction combined with a percutaneous pedicle screw and rod fixation system was a safe and effective approach for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological deficits. This method achieved vertebral reduction, improved neurological function, stabilized spinal alignment, and maximally preserved the integrity of posterior spinal bony and ligamentous structures.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery is highly demanding for surgeons due to its limited visual field, restricted operating space, and complex anatomical structures, posing significant surgical risks. As cutting-edge virtual reality technologies, augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) have shown great potential in such surgeries. This paper focuses on the application and research progress of AR and MR technologies in minimally invasive spine surgery, highlighting their core advantages and innovations in three key aspects: preoperative planning, intraoperative assistance, and teaching and training. Research findings indicate that AR and MR technologies significantly reduce surgical uncertainty and risk by providing intuitive and three-dimensional image data. The real-time navigation and localization functions during surgery greatly enhance the precision and safety of the procedures. In teaching and training, the immersive experience and high interactivity of these technologies bring revolutionary changes to medical education, significantly improving teaching efficiency and learning interest. However, the current challenges faced by these technologies include technological maturity, equipment costs, and physician training. Future efforts should focus on strengthening technology development, reducing costs, and enhancing physician training to promote the continuous development of AR and MR technologies in minimally invasive spine surgery.

BACKGROUND:For elderly patients with traumatic hip fractures,the related factors of prognosis are very complex,and the integrity of the lateral wall is one of the influencing factors.It is of important clinical value to understand the effect of lateral wall injury on the prognosis of femoral intertrochanteric fracture. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the relationship between the integrity of the lateral wall and hip functional recovery and other outcomes in patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures. METHODS:Totally 82 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures were screened and all patients received proximal femoral nail antirotation fixation.According to the thickness of the lateral wall,the patients were divided into the lateral wall intact group(n=31)and lateral wall risk group(n=51).The perioperative indexes,weight-bearing time,fracture healing time,hip joint function and range of motion,postoperative pain and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The time of hospitalization and the number of fluoroscopies during operation in the lateral wall intact group were significantly lower than those in the lateral wall risk group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in other perioperative indexes.(2)Both groups were able to get down to the ground early after surgery and finally complete weight-bearing,but in the lateral wall risk group,the time of fracture healing was longer;the time of complete weight-bearing was significantly delayed;the Harris score of the last follow-up was lower;the range of motion of hip extension and flexion and neck trunk angle on the affected side were smaller(P<0.05).(3)There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups,but the overall incidence of complications in the lateral wall intact group was significantly lower(P<0.05).(4)In summary,after internal fixation of proximal femoral nail antirotation,patients with the intact lateral wall had a relatively better prognosis than those with risk lateral wall.

Objective:To investigate the effect of application of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with evidence-based medicine (EBM) in clinical practice teaching of an orthopedic department.Methods:A total of 48 interns who entered Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China from June 2017 to June 2018 were randomly divided into experimental group (the PBL combined with EBM concept teaching group, n = 24) and control group (the traditional teaching group, n = 24). In the experimental group, teachers selected typical cases, designed questions with certain flexibility and complexity, and organized the students to consult the literature, discuss in groups, and report and summarize around the practical problems. In the control group, traditional indoctrination teaching was adopted according to the clinical experience of the teachers. The teaching effect was assessed by a questionnaire survey, a theoretical examination, and a clinical skill examination. The results were analyzed by t-test and Chi-square test using SPSS 16.0 software. Results:The questionnaire survey showed that compared with the control group, the experimental group gave a significantly better evaluation of the teaching methods they received in terms of improving their theoretical knowledge comprehension ability, comprehensive analysis ability, team collaboration awareness, document retrieval and language expression ability, stimulating their learning motivation, and enhancing their scientific thinking and innovation ability ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores for both the theoretical test (92.42±2.55 vs. 86.17±3.36, P < 0.05) and the clinical skill test (85.79±3.15 vs. 78.88±3.41, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The application of PBL teaching in orthopedic practice, with the concept of EBM throughout the teaching process, has obtained a good effect. It can improve the clinical teaching quality in orthopedics, improve the comprehensive quality of clinical medical students, inspire their active learning enthusiasm, and cultivate their creative thinking, problem construction, comprehensive analysis, literature retrieval, and communication ability.

Objective:To analyze retrospectively the risk factors for pulmonary infection after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.Methods:The 154 patients with a cervical spinal cord injury studied included 120 with a pulmonary infection and 34 uninfected controls. Regressions were evaluated using data on their genders, ages, the cause of injury, affected segments, the neurological level of the injury (NLI), and the presence of a vertebral fracture or dislocation.Results:Age, complete injury, NLI at C 1 to C 4, and an injury-to-treatment time of more than 8 hours were found to be independent risk factors for secondary pulmonary infection. Conclusion:Elderly spinal cord injury patients, with a complete injury, an NLI between C 1 and C 4 or an injury-to-treatment time of more than 8 hours have a higher risk of pulmonary infection.