Objectives:To compare the efficacy and imaging parameters of lateral lumbar interbody fusion(LLIF)combined with anterolateral screw fixation(AF)or bilateral pedicle screw fixation(BPSF)in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease(LDD).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients with single-segment LDD who underwent LLIF-AF or LLIF-BPSF treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between December 2019 and December 2021.The patients were divided into the AF group(50 cases)and the BPSF group(50 cases).There was no statistical difference in the general informa-tion such as gender,age,and body mass index(BMI)between the two groups(P＞0.05).The perioperative data(length of hospital stay,operative time,intraoperative blood loss);Pre-operative,postoperative 7d,postoperative 6 months' visual analog scale(VAS)scores for low back and leg pain,Oswestry disablity index(ODI),imaging parameters such as disc height(DH),foraminal height(FH),cross-sectional area(CSA),as well as surgical complications were collected and analyzed,and the risk factors for intervertebral subsidence and non-fusion of fusion device were explored.Results:AF group was better than BPSF group in operative time,intraoperative blood loss,and hospital stay[125.0±26.6min vs 221.6±52.2min,25.0mL(20.0-50.0mL)vs 100.0mL(90.0-150.0mL),12.5±4.8d vs 14.9±4.6d],and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).For the low back and leg pain VAS scores and ODI,as well as DH,FH,and CSA,the postoperative 7d and 6 months'values were signiticantly improved than before operation in both groups(P＜0.05),while no statistically significant differences were found between groups at the same time points(P＞0.05).Intervertebral subsidence occurred in 12 patients in each group,and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.There were statistically significant differences in BMI and QCT between the AF and BPSF groups of patients with subsidence of the intervertebral space and those without subsidence at 6 months after operation;There were statistically significant differences in QCT between the two groups of patients with non-fusion and fusion of the fusion device;BMI≥28kg/m2 and QCT＜80mg/cm3 were the independent risk factors for intervertebral subsidence in AF group,but not in the BPSF group;QCT＜80mg/cm3 was the independent risk facors for non-fusion of fusion device in both AF and BPSF groups.Conclusions:LLIF combined with AF or BPSF are both reliable methods for treating LDD.For patients with a high body weight of BMI≥28kg/m2 or decreased bone density of QCT＜80mg/cm3,BPSF internal fixation can provide stronger mechanical stability to the spine,reducing the incidence of postoperative disc space collapse or fusion device non-union;On the contrary,AF internal fixation has shorter operative time and hospital stay,less intraoperative blood loss,which can be considered as a priority.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and radiological differences in treating single-level cervical spondylosis using the Zero-profile interbody fusion cage (Zero-PVA) versus the titanium plate interbody fusion cage in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and to analyze the correlation between clinical outcomes and radiological parameters.Methods:this retrospective study collected data from patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent single-level ACDF surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2019 and June 2022. A total of 70 patients (32 males and 38 females) with an average age of 51.34 ± 8.62 years (range: 29 to 77 years) were included. Based on the type of interbody fusion device used, patients were divided into two groups: the cage-plate construct (CP) group (35 patients; average age: 51.51 ± 10.02 years, range: 29 to 77 years) and the zero-profile interbody fusion device with variable angle (ZP) group (35 patients; average age: 51.17±7.11 years, range: 38 to 68 years). Preoperative, one-week postoperative, and final follow-up (≥6 months postoperative) data were collected for visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, neck disability index (NDI) scores, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. Radiological parameters assessed included surgical segment intervertebral disc height, cervical lordosis angle, surgical segment Cobb angle, T 1 slope (T 1S), and C 2-C 7 sagittal vertical axis (C 2-C 7 SVA). Additional evaluations included Bazaz dysphagia ratings at one week and final follow-up, Odom surgical outcome ratings at final follow-up, fusion grades, adjacent vertebral ectopic ossification grades, and adjacent segment degeneration. Patients were further classified into a symptom relief group and an incomplete symptom relief group based on Odom ratings. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation between radiological parameters and postoperative outcomes. Statistical methods such as ROC curves, Youden index, product index, and Euclidean index were used to determine optimal cut-off values for radiological parameters affecting postoperative outcomes. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, age, follow-up duration, surgical segment, or classification ( P>0.05), confirming comparability. At both one-week post-operation and final follow-up, VAS, NDI, and JOA scores showed no significant differences between the groups ( P>0.05). However, the incidence of dysphagia in the CP group was 49% at one week post-operation and 20% at final follow-up, significantly higher than that in the ZP group (14% at one week and 0 at final follow-up; P<0.05). The intervertebral space height in the CP group was 9.16±0.84 mm at one week post-operation and 8.19±1.11 mm at final follow-up, which was significantly higher than in the ZP group (8.22±1.23 mm at one week and 7.57±1.14 mm at final follow-up; P<0.05). The surgical segment Cobb angle in the CP group at final follow-up (7.34°±4.21°) was significantly greater than in the ZP group (4.63°±4.32°; t=2.661, P=0.010). Regarding heterotopic ossification (HO) of the superior vertebral body, in the CP group, 27 cases were grade 0, 7 cases were grade 1, and 1 case was grade 2. In the ZP group, 34 cases were grade 0 and 1 case was grade 1, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (χ 2=6.128, P=0.028). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that a reduction in intervertebral space height of ≥0.63 mm at one week post-operation and final follow-up ( OR=2.913, P=0.021) and a heterotopic ossification grade of ≥1 ( OR=5.178, P=0.042) were correlated with incomplete symptom relief after single-level ACDF surgery. Conclusions:Both Zero-PVA and titanium plate interbody fusion devices demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in single-level ACDF surgery. However, a reduction in intervertebral space height and heterotopic ossification of the superior vertebral body may be risk factors for incomplete symptom relief following single-level ACDF.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and radiological differences in treating single-level cervical spondylosis using the Zero-profile interbody fusion cage (Zero-PVA) versus the titanium plate interbody fusion cage in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and to analyze the correlation between clinical outcomes and radiological parameters.Methods:this retrospective study collected data from patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent single-level ACDF surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2019 and June 2022. A total of 70 patients (32 males and 38 females) with an average age of 51.34 ± 8.62 years (range: 29 to 77 years) were included. Based on the type of interbody fusion device used, patients were divided into two groups: the cage-plate construct (CP) group (35 patients; average age: 51.51 ± 10.02 years, range: 29 to 77 years) and the zero-profile interbody fusion device with variable angle (ZP) group (35 patients; average age: 51.17±7.11 years, range: 38 to 68 years). Preoperative, one-week postoperative, and final follow-up (≥6 months postoperative) data were collected for visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, neck disability index (NDI) scores, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. Radiological parameters assessed included surgical segment intervertebral disc height, cervical lordosis angle, surgical segment Cobb angle, T 1 slope (T 1S), and C 2-C 7 sagittal vertical axis (C 2-C 7 SVA). Additional evaluations included Bazaz dysphagia ratings at one week and final follow-up, Odom surgical outcome ratings at final follow-up, fusion grades, adjacent vertebral ectopic ossification grades, and adjacent segment degeneration. Patients were further classified into a symptom relief group and an incomplete symptom relief group based on Odom ratings. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation between radiological parameters and postoperative outcomes. Statistical methods such as ROC curves, Youden index, product index, and Euclidean index were used to determine optimal cut-off values for radiological parameters affecting postoperative outcomes. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, age, follow-up duration, surgical segment, or classification ( P>0.05), confirming comparability. At both one-week post-operation and final follow-up, VAS, NDI, and JOA scores showed no significant differences between the groups ( P>0.05). However, the incidence of dysphagia in the CP group was 49% at one week post-operation and 20% at final follow-up, significantly higher than that in the ZP group (14% at one week and 0 at final follow-up; P<0.05). The intervertebral space height in the CP group was 9.16±0.84 mm at one week post-operation and 8.19±1.11 mm at final follow-up, which was significantly higher than in the ZP group (8.22±1.23 mm at one week and 7.57±1.14 mm at final follow-up; P<0.05). The surgical segment Cobb angle in the CP group at final follow-up (7.34°±4.21°) was significantly greater than in the ZP group (4.63°±4.32°; t=2.661, P=0.010). Regarding heterotopic ossification (HO) of the superior vertebral body, in the CP group, 27 cases were grade 0, 7 cases were grade 1, and 1 case was grade 2. In the ZP group, 34 cases were grade 0 and 1 case was grade 1, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (χ 2=6.128, P=0.028). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that a reduction in intervertebral space height of ≥0.63 mm at one week post-operation and final follow-up ( OR=2.913, P=0.021) and a heterotopic ossification grade of ≥1 ( OR=5.178, P=0.042) were correlated with incomplete symptom relief after single-level ACDF surgery. Conclusions:Both Zero-PVA and titanium plate interbody fusion devices demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in single-level ACDF surgery. However, a reduction in intervertebral space height and heterotopic ossification of the superior vertebral body may be risk factors for incomplete symptom relief following single-level ACDF.

Objectives:To compare the efficacy and imaging parameters of lateral lumbar interbody fusion(LLIF)combined with anterolateral screw fixation(AF)or bilateral pedicle screw fixation(BPSF)in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease(LDD).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients with single-segment LDD who underwent LLIF-AF or LLIF-BPSF treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between December 2019 and December 2021.The patients were divided into the AF group(50 cases)and the BPSF group(50 cases).There was no statistical difference in the general informa-tion such as gender,age,and body mass index(BMI)between the two groups(P＞0.05).The perioperative data(length of hospital stay,operative time,intraoperative blood loss);Pre-operative,postoperative 7d,postoperative 6 months' visual analog scale(VAS)scores for low back and leg pain,Oswestry disablity index(ODI),imaging parameters such as disc height(DH),foraminal height(FH),cross-sectional area(CSA),as well as surgical complications were collected and analyzed,and the risk factors for intervertebral subsidence and non-fusion of fusion device were explored.Results:AF group was better than BPSF group in operative time,intraoperative blood loss,and hospital stay[125.0±26.6min vs 221.6±52.2min,25.0mL(20.0-50.0mL)vs 100.0mL(90.0-150.0mL),12.5±4.8d vs 14.9±4.6d],and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).For the low back and leg pain VAS scores and ODI,as well as DH,FH,and CSA,the postoperative 7d and 6 months'values were signiticantly improved than before operation in both groups(P＜0.05),while no statistically significant differences were found between groups at the same time points(P＞0.05).Intervertebral subsidence occurred in 12 patients in each group,and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.There were statistically significant differences in BMI and QCT between the AF and BPSF groups of patients with subsidence of the intervertebral space and those without subsidence at 6 months after operation;There were statistically significant differences in QCT between the two groups of patients with non-fusion and fusion of the fusion device;BMI≥28kg/m2 and QCT＜80mg/cm3 were the independent risk factors for intervertebral subsidence in AF group,but not in the BPSF group;QCT＜80mg/cm3 was the independent risk facors for non-fusion of fusion device in both AF and BPSF groups.Conclusions:LLIF combined with AF or BPSF are both reliable methods for treating LDD.For patients with a high body weight of BMI≥28kg/m2 or decreased bone density of QCT＜80mg/cm3,BPSF internal fixation can provide stronger mechanical stability to the spine,reducing the incidence of postoperative disc space collapse or fusion device non-union;On the contrary,AF internal fixation has shorter operative time and hospital stay,less intraoperative blood loss,which can be considered as a priority.