OBJECTIVE

To report the demographics, clinical characteristics, and surgical outcomes after microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Between January 2018 to December 2022, the division of Neurosurgery at PGH performed thirty-four MVD operations for Primary HFS. Records were retrospectively reviewed, and pertinent demographic, intra-operative findings, outcomes, and complications were analyzed.

The overall success rate is 88.2%, with a median follow-up at 15 months. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that post-op HFS and follow-up HFS grades were significantly lower than pre-op HFS grades (F=17.46, df=33, p < 0.0001). HFS average age of symptom onset was early at 38.5 years, 11.8% of which wereCONCLUSION

MVD at PGH is a viable choice treatment option for Filipino patients with success rates comparable to internationally published studies. Besides improving surgical technique, improvement of referral systems may help make surgery more accessible.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) laminectomy in the treatment of two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). METHODS: The clinical data of 98 patients with two-level LSS treated with UBE between September 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 53 males and 45 females with an average age of 59.9 years (range, 32-79 years). Among them, there were 56 cases of mixed spinal stenosis, 23 cases of central spinal canal stenosis, and 19 cases of nerve root canal stenosis. The duration of symptoms was 1.5- 10 years, with an average of 5.4 years. The operative segments were L _{2, 3} and L _{3, 4} in 2 cases, L _{3, 4} and L _{4, 5} in 29 cases, L _{4, 5} and L _5, S ₁ in 67 cases. All patients had different degrees of low back pain, among of which 76 cases were with unilateral lower extremity symptoms and 22 cases were with bilateral lower extremity symptoms. There were 29 cases of bilateral decompression in both segments, 63 cases of unilateral decompression in both segments, and 6 cases of unilateral decompression and bilateral decompression of each segment. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total incision length, hospitalization stay, ambulation time, and related complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the low back and leg pain before operation and at 3 days, 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the functional recovery of lumbar spine before operation and at 3 months and last follow-up after operation. Modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate clinical outcomes at last follow-up. Imaging examinations were performed before and after operation to measure the preservation rate of articular process, modified Pfirrmann scale, disc height (DH), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and cross-sectional area of the canal (CAC), and the CAC improvement rate was calculated. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time was (106.7±25.1) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (67.7±14.2) mL, and the total incision length was (3.2±0.4) cm. The hospitalization stay was 8 (7, 9) days, and the ambulation time was 3 (3, 4) days. All the wounds healed by first intention. Dural tear occurred in 1 case during operation, and mild headache occurred in 1 case after operation. All patients were followed up 13-28 months with an average of 19.3 months, and there was no recurrence or reoperation during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the preservation rate of articular process was 84.7%±7.3%. The modified Pfirrmann scale and DH were significantly different from those before operation ( P<0.05), while the LLA was not significantly different from that before operation ( P=0.050). The CAC significantly improved ( P<0.05), and the CAC improvement rate was 108.1%±17.8%. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the differences between each time points were significant ( P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 63 cases were excellent, 25 cases were good, and 10 cases were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 89.8%. CONCLUSION UBE laminectomy is a safe and effective technique with little trauma and fast recovery for two-level LSS and the early effectiveness is satisfactory.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Laminectomy ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Constriction, Pathologic/surgery* ; Low Back Pain ; Retrospective Studies ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Endoscopy ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Decompression, Surgical ; Surgical Wound/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of surgical strategies for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involving the C ₂ segment. METHODS: The literature about the surgery for cervical OPLL involving C ₂ segment was reviewed, and the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of surgery were summarized. RESULTS: For cervical OPLL involving the C ₂ segments, laminectomy is suitable for patients with OPLL involving multiple segments, often combined with screw fixation, and has the advantages of adequate decompression and restoration of cervical curvature, with the disadvantages of loss of cervical fixed segmental mobility. Canal-expansive laminoplasty is suitable for patients with positive K-line and has the advantages of simple operation and preservation of cervical segmental mobility, and the disadvantages include progression of ossification, axial symptoms, and fracture of the portal axis. Dome-like laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability and with negative R-line, and can reduce the occurrence of axial symptoms, with the disadvantage of limited decompression. The Shelter technique is suitable for patients with single/double segments and canal encroachment >50% and allows for direct decompression, but is technically demanding and involves risk of dural tear and nerve injury. Double-dome laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability. Its advantages are the reduction of damage to the cervical semispinal muscles and attachment points and maintenance of cervical curvature, but there is progress in postoperative ossification. CONCLUSION OPLL involving the C ₂ segment is a complex subtype of cervical OPLL, which is mainly treated through posterior surgery. However, the degree of spinal cord floatation is limited, and with the progress of ossification, the long-term effectiveness is poor. More research is needed to address the etiology of OPLL and to establish a systematic treatment strategy for cervical OPLL involving the C ₂ segment.
Humans ; Longitudinal Ligaments/surgery* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteogenesis ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Laminoplasty/methods* ; Kyphosis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of distal radius core decompression in the treatment of chronic wrist pain caused by various etiologies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 10 patients with chronic wrist pain treated with distal radial core decompression between January 2018 and December 2021. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 37.4 years (range, 21-55 years). The disease duration ranged from 7 to 72 months, with an average of 26.5 months. Preoperative MRI examination showed that 10 cases had bone marrow edema at the distal radius on the affected side, and 8 cases had bone marrow edema in the carpal bones such as scaphoid and lunate bone. Among them, 3 patients had a history of wrist fracture, and 2 patients had Kienböck diseases (1 case each in stage ⅡB and stage ⅢA). Three cases were combined with triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) type 1A injury. Two cases were combined with osteoarthritis, 1 of them was complicated with severe traumatic arthritis, the wrist arthroscopy showed that the TFCC was completely lost and could not be repaired, and the cartilage of the lunate bone and the ulnar head were severely worn.Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the relief of wrist pain before operation, at 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the range of motion of the affected wrist in dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation was measured. The degree of bone marrow edema was evaluated according to T1WI, T2WI, and STIR sequences of MRI. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up 12-22 months, with an average of 16.4 months. Except for 1 patient who experienced persistent wrist joint pain and limited mobility after operation, the remaining 9 patients showed significant improvement in pain symptoms and wrist joint mobility. The VAS score and range of motion of wrist dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with those before operation, the VAS score and the range of motion of wrist ulnar deviation and radial deviation at last follow-up were further improved when compared with those at 6 months after operation, all showing significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist dorsiflexion and palmar flexion between at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up ( P>0.05). Bone marrow edema was improved in 6 patients on MRI at 6 months after operation, and was also improved in other patients at last follow-up. CONCLUSION For chronic wrist pain caused by a variety of causes, distal radius core decompression can directly reduce the pressure of the medullary cavity of the distal radius, improve the blood supply of the corresponding distal structure, significantly alleviate chronic wrist pain, and provide an option for clinical treatment.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Radius/surgery* ; Wrist ; Retrospective Studies ; Radius Fractures/surgery* ; Wrist Joint/surgery* ; Scaphoid Bone/surgery* ; Pain ; Arthralgia/complications* ; Arthroscopy ; Decompression ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To review the application and progress of different minimally invasive spinal decompression in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). METHODS: The domestic and foreign literature on the application of different minimally invasive spinal decompression in the treatment of LSS was extensively reviewed, and the advantages, disadvantages, and complications of different surgical methods were summarized. RESULTS: At present, minimally invasive spinal decompression mainly includes microscopic bilateral decompression, microendoscopic decompression, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression, unilateral biportal endoscopy, and so on. Compared with traditional open surgery, different minimally invasive spinal decompression techniques can reduce the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative pain of patients, thereby reducing hospital stay and saving treatment costs. CONCLUSION The indications of different minimally invasive spinal decompression are different, but there are certain advantages and disadvantages. When patients have clear surgical indications, individualized treatment plans should be formulated according to the symptoms and signs of patients, combined with imaging manifestations.
Humans ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Laminectomy/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate early clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy technique for the treatment of lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases. METHODS: Fourteen patients with lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases were treated with unilateral biportal endoscopy technique from June 2019 to June 2020. Among them, there were 9 males and 5 females, aged from 52 to 73 years old, and the interval between primary and revision operations ranged from 19 to 64 months. Adjacent segmental degeneration occurred after lumbar fusion in 10 patients and after lumbar nonfusion fixation in 4 patients. All the patients received unilateral biportal endoscopy assisted posterior unilateral lamina decompression or unilateral approach to the contralateral decompression. The operation time, postoperative hospital stay and complications were observed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score were recorded before operation and at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed. Surgical duration ranged from 32 to 151 min. Postoperative CT showed adequate decompression and preservation of most joints. Out of bed walking 1 to 3 days after surgery, postoperative hospital stay was 1 to 8 days, and postoperative follow-up was 6 to 11 months. All 14 patients returned to normal life within 3 weeks after surgery, and VAS, ODI, and mJOA scores improved significantly at 3 days and 3, 6 months after surgery. One patient occurred cerebrospinal fluid leak after operation, received local compression suture, and the wound healed after conservative treatment. One patient occurred postoperative cauda equina neurologic deficit, which was gradually recovered about 1 month after rehabilitation therapy. One patients advented transient pain of lower limbs after surgery, and the symptoms were relieved after 7 days of treatment with hormones, dehydration drugs and symptomatic management. CONCLUSION Unilateral biportal endoscopy technique has a good early clinical efficacy in the treatment of lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases, which may provide a new minimally invasive, non-fixation option for the treatment of adjacent segment disease.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Retrospective Studies

Wallis dynamic stabilization system is a surgical approach in the non-fusion technique of lumbar spine, consisting of interspinous blockers and dacron artificial ligaments that provide stability to the spine while maintaining a degree of motion in the affected segment. Recent studies have demonstrated the significant benefits of Wallis dynamic stabilization system in treating lumbar degenerative diseases. It not only improves clinical symptoms, but also effectively delays complications such as adjacent segmental degeneration. This paper aims to review the literature related to the Wallis dynamic stabilization system and degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine to describe the long-term prognostic effect of this system in the treatment of such diseases. This review provides a theoretical basis and reference for selecting surgical methods to treat degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.
Humans ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbosacral Region ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of high-resolution ultrasound the diagnosis and prognosis of cubital tunnel syndrome. METHODS: From January 2018 to June 2019, 47 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with ulnar nerve release and anterior subcutaneous transposition. There were 41 males and 6 females, aged from 27 to 73 years old. There were 31 cases on the right, 15 cases on the left, and 1 case on both sides. The diameter of ulnar nerve was measured by high-resolution ultrasound pre-and post-operatively, and measured directly during the operation. The recovery status of the patients was evaluated by the trial standard of ulnar nerve function assessment, and the satisfaction of the patients was assessed. RESULTS: All the 47 cases were followed up for an average of 12 months and the incisions healed well. The diameter of ulnar nerve at the compression level was (0.16±0.04) cm pre-operatively, and the diameter of ulnar nerve was (0.23±0.04) cm post-operatively. The evaluation of ulnar nerve function:excellent in 16 cases, good in 18 cases and fair in 13 cases. Twelve months post-operatively, 28 patients were satisfied, 10 patients were general and 9 patients were dissatisfied. CONCLUSION The preoperative examination of ulnar nerve by high-resolution ultrasound is consistent with the intuitive measurement during operation, and the result of postoperative examination of ulnar nerve by high-resolution ultrasound is consistent with follow-up results. High-resolution ultrasound is an effective auxiliary method for the diagnosis and treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome/surgery* ; Ulnar Nerve/surgery* ; Neurosurgical Procedures/methods* ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effect of decompression and bone grafting on osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH) at different sites of necrotic lesions. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with ARCOⅡstage ONFH admitted from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 71 males and 34 females, with an average age of (55.20±10.98) years old. The mean course of all patients was(15.91±9.85) months. According to Japanese Inveatigation Committee (JIC) classification, all patients were divided into 4 types:17 cases of type A, 26 cases of type B, 33 cases of type C1 and 29 cases of type C2. All four groups were treated with decompression of the pulp core and bone grafting. Visual analogue scale(VAS) and Harris hip joint score were used before and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation, and the collapse of the femoral head was observed by X-ray examination within 2 years. RESULTS: All 105 patients were successful on operation without complications, and the mean follow-up duration was (24.45±2.75) months. Harris score showed that there was no statistical difference among four groups before surgery and 3, 6 months after surgery (P>0.05);at 12 and 24 months after surgery, there were significant differences among all groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in intragroup Harris scores at preoperative and postoperative time points among four groups (P<0.01). VAS showed that there was no statistical difference among four groups before and 3, 6 months after surgery (P>0.05);at 12 and 24 months after surgery, there were significant differences among all groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in VAS at preoperative and postoperative time points among four groups (P<0.01). None of the patients in four groups had femoral head collapse before and 3, 6 months after surgery. At 12 months after operation, there were 3 cases of femoral head collapse in group C and 4 cases in group C2(P>0.05);At 24 months after operation, 1 case of femoral head collapse occurred in group B, 6 cases in group C1 and 8 cases in group C2(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Core decompression and bone grafting can improve the effect of ONFH and hip preservation. The effect of hip preservation for ONFH is closely related to the location of the osteonecrosis lesion, so the influence of the location of lesion on the effect of hip preservation should be considered in clinical treatment, so as to make better preoperative hip preservation plan.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Femur Head Necrosis/diagnosis* ; Femur Head/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Decompression, Surgical ; Bone Transplantation

As a new respiratory support technique, high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) has been widely used in clinical practice in recent years. During HFNC treatment, due to the long time and continuous wearing of nasal stopper and fasteners on the patient face, it is easy to cause medical device-related pressure injury on multiple facial skin. Moreover, when the patient's position changes greatly, because there is no good fixed design at the HFNC nasal stopper, it is easy to shift or turn the nasal stopper outward, causing abnormal ventilation and failure to achieve the purpose of clinical oxygen therapy. To overcome above problems, medical staff in the intensive care unit of department of infectious diseases, Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College of HUST designed a new type of decompression fixator to prevent HFNC face pressure injury, and obtained national utility model patent (ZL 2022 2 0754626.1). The integrated design structure of the device has the functions of decompression of facial skin and fixation of nasal stopper, which can ensure the effect of oxygen therapy and improve the oxygen therapy experience and patient comfort, which is suitable for clinical promotion.
Humans ; Cannula ; Pressure Ulcer/prevention & control* ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/methods* ; Oxygen ; Decompression ; Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy* ; Noninvasive Ventilation