Objective:To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) in the sagittal plane reconstruction for unstable Hangman fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 43 patients who had been surgically treated at Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital for unstable Hangman fractures from January 2007 to December 2022. There were 32 males and 11 females aged (47.9±14.2) years. They were divided into 2 groups according to their surgical methods: an anterior group of 23 cases who were subjected to ACDF and a posterior group of 20 cases who were subjected to PCE. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospitalization time, and the C 2 subluxation, occipitocervical angle, C 2-C 3 angle, cervical lordosis (CL), and cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) measured on the lateral cervical spine X-rays over the time points of hospital admission, immediate postoperation, and the final follow-up, as well as in terms of the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and neck disability index (NDI) over the time points of hospital admission and the final follow-up. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification was used to assess the neurological status of the patients before surgery and at the final follow-up, and complications were documented. Results:The differences in preoperative general data between the 2 groups were not statistically significant, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). The operation time [(90.3±13.6) min] and hospitalization time [(13.1±2.4) d] in the anterior group were significantly shorter than those in the posterior group [(153.9±26.1) min and (18.5±1.9) d], and the intraoperative bleeding volume in the anterior group [(57.2±15.9) mL] was significantly less than that in the posterior group [(123.2±22.5) mL] ( P<0.05). Compared with the preoperative period in both groups, the C 2 subluxation and C 2-C 3 angle were significantly corrected at immediate postoperation, and well maintained at the final follow-up. The C 2-C 3 angle was significantly better corrected in the anterior group than in the posterior group at immediate postoperation and the final follow-up. The VAS scores and NDI at the final follow-up in both groups were significantly lower than those at admission ( P<0.05), while the differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Four cases in the anterior group and 2 cases in the posterior group all had their preoperative ASIA grade D improved to grade E at the final follow-up. Three patients in the anterior group developed postoperative hoarseness, which returned to normal at the 3-month follow-up. There was no hoarseness or dysphagia at the final follow-up. Both groups achieved fine fusion at the final follow-up, showing no complications like loosening or fracture of internal fixation. Conclusion:In the sagittal plane reconstruction for unstable Hangman fractures, both ACDF and PCF can lead to satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes, but the former shows a significant advantage in reconstruction of C 2-C 3 lordosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of anterior and posterior selective fusion strategy on evolution of coronal pattern in patients with Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and whether upper end vertebra (UEV)-1 strategy in anterior surgery would have an effect on postoperative coronal balance.Methods:A total of 108 Lenke 5C AIS patients with at least 2 years follow-up who underwent anterior or posterior selective thoracolumbar fusion surgery from January 2005 to December 2020 were enrolled, with 51 patients in the anterior group and 57 patients in the posterior group. The patients were categorized into three groups (type A, C 7PL-CSVL<20 mm; type B, C 7PL-CSVL ≥20 mm with C 7PL toward the concave side of the main curve; and type C, C 7PL-CSVL≥20 mm with C 7PL toward the convex side of the main curve) to investigate the evolution of coronal balance of each preoperative coronal pattern at the anterior and posterior groups. Parameters such as thoracolumbar Cobb angle, rate of coronal imbalance, and SRS-22 score were recorded at preoperative, 1 week postoperatively, and final follow-up in both groups. Results:The differences of basic date between the two groups were not statistically significant except for the fusion level (5.2±0.7 vs. 5.6±0.9, t=2.497, P=0.014). In the anterior group, a total of 27 patients with preoperative type A, 23 patients with preoperative type A maintained type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and 2 of them were converted to type C at the final follow-up. Four patients with preoperative type A converted to type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them returned to type A at the final follow-up. A total of 23 patients with preoperative type C, four patients with preoperative type C maintained type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and one of them maintained type C at the final follow-up. Nineteen patients with preoperative type C converted to type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them maintained type A at the final follow-up. In the posterior group, a total of 26 patients with preoperative type A, 22 patients with preoperative type A maintained type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and only 2 of these patients converted to type C at the final follow-up. Four of the preoperative type A patients converted to type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them returned to type A at the final follow-up. A total of 29 patients with preoperative type C, thirteen patients with preoperative type C maintained type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and 7 of them maintained type C at the last follow-up. Sixteen patients with preoperative type C converted to type A at the 1 week postoperatively, of whom two converted to type C at the final follow-up. For patients with preoperative type C the rate of coronal imbalance was significantly lower in the anterior group than in the posterior group both in the immediate postoperative period (17% vs. 45%, P<0.05) and at the final follow-up (4% vs. 31%, P=0.038). The rate of coronal imbalance at final follow-up was significantly lower in the UEV-1 group than in the UEV group in the posterior approach (3% vs. 38%, P<0.05), and there was no difference between the two groups in the anterior approach. There were no significant differences in radiographic parameters and SRS-22 scores between the two groups, except for the thoracic Cobb angle at the final follow-up, which was greater in the anterior group than in the posterior group at the final follow-up (19.5±7.3 vs.16.4±5.6, t=2.427, P=0.017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that anterior surgery and Risser were risk factors for postoperative CIB of preoperative type C ( OR=21.138, P=0.030 and OR=0.406, P=0.048 respectively). Conclusion:For patients with preoperative type A, both anterior and posterior procedures lead to a satisfactory reconstruction of coronal balance. In patients with preoperative type C, anterior surgery acquire a better reconstruction of coronal balance. The strategy of proximal UEV-1 was similar to the strategy of UEV in terms of restoring coronary balance in anterior approach and it was unable to lower the rate of postoperative coronal imbalance. In contrast, UEV-1 strategy in posterior surgery was effective in reducing the rate of postoperative coronal imbalance.

Objective:To investigate the effect of anterior and posterior selective fusion strategy on evolution of coronal pattern in patients with Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and whether upper end vertebra (UEV)-1 strategy in anterior surgery would have an effect on postoperative coronal balance.Methods:A total of 108 Lenke 5C AIS patients with at least 2 years follow-up who underwent anterior or posterior selective thoracolumbar fusion surgery from January 2005 to December 2020 were enrolled, with 51 patients in the anterior group and 57 patients in the posterior group. The patients were categorized into three groups (type A, C 7PL-CSVL<20 mm; type B, C 7PL-CSVL ≥20 mm with C 7PL toward the concave side of the main curve; and type C, C 7PL-CSVL≥20 mm with C 7PL toward the convex side of the main curve) to investigate the evolution of coronal balance of each preoperative coronal pattern at the anterior and posterior groups. Parameters such as thoracolumbar Cobb angle, rate of coronal imbalance, and SRS-22 score were recorded at preoperative, 1 week postoperatively, and final follow-up in both groups. Results:The differences of basic date between the two groups were not statistically significant except for the fusion level (5.2±0.7 vs. 5.6±0.9, t=2.497, P=0.014). In the anterior group, a total of 27 patients with preoperative type A, 23 patients with preoperative type A maintained type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and 2 of them were converted to type C at the final follow-up. Four patients with preoperative type A converted to type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them returned to type A at the final follow-up. A total of 23 patients with preoperative type C, four patients with preoperative type C maintained type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and one of them maintained type C at the final follow-up. Nineteen patients with preoperative type C converted to type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them maintained type A at the final follow-up. In the posterior group, a total of 26 patients with preoperative type A, 22 patients with preoperative type A maintained type A at the 1 week postoperatively, and only 2 of these patients converted to type C at the final follow-up. Four of the preoperative type A patients converted to type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and all of them returned to type A at the final follow-up. A total of 29 patients with preoperative type C, thirteen patients with preoperative type C maintained type C at the 1 week postoperatively, and 7 of them maintained type C at the last follow-up. Sixteen patients with preoperative type C converted to type A at the 1 week postoperatively, of whom two converted to type C at the final follow-up. For patients with preoperative type C the rate of coronal imbalance was significantly lower in the anterior group than in the posterior group both in the immediate postoperative period (17% vs. 45%, P<0.05) and at the final follow-up (4% vs. 31%, P=0.038). The rate of coronal imbalance at final follow-up was significantly lower in the UEV-1 group than in the UEV group in the posterior approach (3% vs. 38%, P<0.05), and there was no difference between the two groups in the anterior approach. There were no significant differences in radiographic parameters and SRS-22 scores between the two groups, except for the thoracic Cobb angle at the final follow-up, which was greater in the anterior group than in the posterior group at the final follow-up (19.5±7.3 vs.16.4±5.6, t=2.427, P=0.017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that anterior surgery and Risser were risk factors for postoperative CIB of preoperative type C ( OR=21.138, P=0.030 and OR=0.406, P=0.048 respectively). Conclusion:For patients with preoperative type A, both anterior and posterior procedures lead to a satisfactory reconstruction of coronal balance. In patients with preoperative type C, anterior surgery acquire a better reconstruction of coronal balance. The strategy of proximal UEV-1 was similar to the strategy of UEV in terms of restoring coronary balance in anterior approach and it was unable to lower the rate of postoperative coronal imbalance. In contrast, UEV-1 strategy in posterior surgery was effective in reducing the rate of postoperative coronal imbalance.

Objective:To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) in the sagittal plane reconstruction for unstable Hangman fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 43 patients who had been surgically treated at Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital for unstable Hangman fractures from January 2007 to December 2022. There were 32 males and 11 females aged (47.9±14.2) years. They were divided into 2 groups according to their surgical methods: an anterior group of 23 cases who were subjected to ACDF and a posterior group of 20 cases who were subjected to PCE. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospitalization time, and the C 2 subluxation, occipitocervical angle, C 2-C 3 angle, cervical lordosis (CL), and cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) measured on the lateral cervical spine X-rays over the time points of hospital admission, immediate postoperation, and the final follow-up, as well as in terms of the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and neck disability index (NDI) over the time points of hospital admission and the final follow-up. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification was used to assess the neurological status of the patients before surgery and at the final follow-up, and complications were documented. Results:The differences in preoperative general data between the 2 groups were not statistically significant, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). The operation time [(90.3±13.6) min] and hospitalization time [(13.1±2.4) d] in the anterior group were significantly shorter than those in the posterior group [(153.9±26.1) min and (18.5±1.9) d], and the intraoperative bleeding volume in the anterior group [(57.2±15.9) mL] was significantly less than that in the posterior group [(123.2±22.5) mL] ( P<0.05). Compared with the preoperative period in both groups, the C 2 subluxation and C 2-C 3 angle were significantly corrected at immediate postoperation, and well maintained at the final follow-up. The C 2-C 3 angle was significantly better corrected in the anterior group than in the posterior group at immediate postoperation and the final follow-up. The VAS scores and NDI at the final follow-up in both groups were significantly lower than those at admission ( P<0.05), while the differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Four cases in the anterior group and 2 cases in the posterior group all had their preoperative ASIA grade D improved to grade E at the final follow-up. Three patients in the anterior group developed postoperative hoarseness, which returned to normal at the 3-month follow-up. There was no hoarseness or dysphagia at the final follow-up. Both groups achieved fine fusion at the final follow-up, showing no complications like loosening or fracture of internal fixation. Conclusion:In the sagittal plane reconstruction for unstable Hangman fractures, both ACDF and PCF can lead to satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes, but the former shows a significant advantage in reconstruction of C 2-C 3 lordosis.

Objective: To explore the changes in coronal imbalance (CIB) in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after posterior selective fusion surgery and determine their implications for surgical decision-making. Methods: One hundred twenty patients were categorized according to the preoperative coronal pattern (type A, coronal balance distance [CBD]<20 mm; type B, CBD≥20 mm and coronal C7 plumbline [C7PL] shifted to the concave side of the curve; type C, CBD≥20 mm and C7PL shifted to the convex side of the curve). CIB group (CIB+) was defined as having a CBD≥20 mm at the 2-year follow-up. Results: Compared to type A patients, the prevalence of postoperative CIB was higher in type C patients both immediately postoperative (22% vs. 38%, p<0.05) and at the final follow-up (5% vs. 29%, p<0.05), whereas type A patients showed a greater improvement in CBD (9 of 12 vs. 6 of 24, p<0.05) at the final follow-up. The majority of patients in all groups had recovered to type A at the final follow-up (96 of 120). The proximal Cobb-1 strategy reduced the incidence of postoperative CIB (1 of 38) at the 2-year follow-up, especially in preoperative type C patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that type C and overcorrection of the thoracolumbar curve were risk factors for CIB at the 2-year follow-up (p=0.007 and p=0.026, respectively). Conclusion Patients with type C CIB in AIS exhibited unsatisfactory restoration, with 29% of them exhibiting CIB at the final follow-up. The selective fusion strategy of proximal Cobb-1 may reduce the risk of postoperative CIB especially when the preoperative coronal pattern is type C.

Objective: To explore the changes in coronal imbalance (CIB) in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after posterior selective fusion surgery and determine their implications for surgical decision-making. Methods: One hundred twenty patients were categorized according to the preoperative coronal pattern (type A, coronal balance distance [CBD]<20 mm; type B, CBD≥20 mm and coronal C7 plumbline [C7PL] shifted to the concave side of the curve; type C, CBD≥20 mm and C7PL shifted to the convex side of the curve). CIB group (CIB+) was defined as having a CBD≥20 mm at the 2-year follow-up. Results: Compared to type A patients, the prevalence of postoperative CIB was higher in type C patients both immediately postoperative (22% vs. 38%, p<0.05) and at the final follow-up (5% vs. 29%, p<0.05), whereas type A patients showed a greater improvement in CBD (9 of 12 vs. 6 of 24, p<0.05) at the final follow-up. The majority of patients in all groups had recovered to type A at the final follow-up (96 of 120). The proximal Cobb-1 strategy reduced the incidence of postoperative CIB (1 of 38) at the 2-year follow-up, especially in preoperative type C patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that type C and overcorrection of the thoracolumbar curve were risk factors for CIB at the 2-year follow-up (p=0.007 and p=0.026, respectively). Conclusion Patients with type C CIB in AIS exhibited unsatisfactory restoration, with 29% of them exhibiting CIB at the final follow-up. The selective fusion strategy of proximal Cobb-1 may reduce the risk of postoperative CIB especially when the preoperative coronal pattern is type C.

Objective: To explore the changes in coronal imbalance (CIB) in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after posterior selective fusion surgery and determine their implications for surgical decision-making. Methods: One hundred twenty patients were categorized according to the preoperative coronal pattern (type A, coronal balance distance [CBD]<20 mm; type B, CBD≥20 mm and coronal C7 plumbline [C7PL] shifted to the concave side of the curve; type C, CBD≥20 mm and C7PL shifted to the convex side of the curve). CIB group (CIB+) was defined as having a CBD≥20 mm at the 2-year follow-up. Results: Compared to type A patients, the prevalence of postoperative CIB was higher in type C patients both immediately postoperative (22% vs. 38%, p<0.05) and at the final follow-up (5% vs. 29%, p<0.05), whereas type A patients showed a greater improvement in CBD (9 of 12 vs. 6 of 24, p<0.05) at the final follow-up. The majority of patients in all groups had recovered to type A at the final follow-up (96 of 120). The proximal Cobb-1 strategy reduced the incidence of postoperative CIB (1 of 38) at the 2-year follow-up, especially in preoperative type C patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that type C and overcorrection of the thoracolumbar curve were risk factors for CIB at the 2-year follow-up (p=0.007 and p=0.026, respectively). Conclusion Patients with type C CIB in AIS exhibited unsatisfactory restoration, with 29% of them exhibiting CIB at the final follow-up. The selective fusion strategy of proximal Cobb-1 may reduce the risk of postoperative CIB especially when the preoperative coronal pattern is type C.

Objective: To explore the changes in coronal imbalance (CIB) in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after posterior selective fusion surgery and determine their implications for surgical decision-making. Methods: One hundred twenty patients were categorized according to the preoperative coronal pattern (type A, coronal balance distance [CBD]<20 mm; type B, CBD≥20 mm and coronal C7 plumbline [C7PL] shifted to the concave side of the curve; type C, CBD≥20 mm and C7PL shifted to the convex side of the curve). CIB group (CIB+) was defined as having a CBD≥20 mm at the 2-year follow-up. Results: Compared to type A patients, the prevalence of postoperative CIB was higher in type C patients both immediately postoperative (22% vs. 38%, p<0.05) and at the final follow-up (5% vs. 29%, p<0.05), whereas type A patients showed a greater improvement in CBD (9 of 12 vs. 6 of 24, p<0.05) at the final follow-up. The majority of patients in all groups had recovered to type A at the final follow-up (96 of 120). The proximal Cobb-1 strategy reduced the incidence of postoperative CIB (1 of 38) at the 2-year follow-up, especially in preoperative type C patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that type C and overcorrection of the thoracolumbar curve were risk factors for CIB at the 2-year follow-up (p=0.007 and p=0.026, respectively). Conclusion Patients with type C CIB in AIS exhibited unsatisfactory restoration, with 29% of them exhibiting CIB at the final follow-up. The selective fusion strategy of proximal Cobb-1 may reduce the risk of postoperative CIB especially when the preoperative coronal pattern is type C.

Objective: To explore the changes in coronal imbalance (CIB) in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after posterior selective fusion surgery and determine their implications for surgical decision-making. Methods: One hundred twenty patients were categorized according to the preoperative coronal pattern (type A, coronal balance distance [CBD]<20 mm; type B, CBD≥20 mm and coronal C7 plumbline [C7PL] shifted to the concave side of the curve; type C, CBD≥20 mm and C7PL shifted to the convex side of the curve). CIB group (CIB+) was defined as having a CBD≥20 mm at the 2-year follow-up. Results: Compared to type A patients, the prevalence of postoperative CIB was higher in type C patients both immediately postoperative (22% vs. 38%, p<0.05) and at the final follow-up (5% vs. 29%, p<0.05), whereas type A patients showed a greater improvement in CBD (9 of 12 vs. 6 of 24, p<0.05) at the final follow-up. The majority of patients in all groups had recovered to type A at the final follow-up (96 of 120). The proximal Cobb-1 strategy reduced the incidence of postoperative CIB (1 of 38) at the 2-year follow-up, especially in preoperative type C patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that type C and overcorrection of the thoracolumbar curve were risk factors for CIB at the 2-year follow-up (p=0.007 and p=0.026, respectively). Conclusion Patients with type C CIB in AIS exhibited unsatisfactory restoration, with 29% of them exhibiting CIB at the final follow-up. The selective fusion strategy of proximal Cobb-1 may reduce the risk of postoperative CIB especially when the preoperative coronal pattern is type C.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Qigui Tangtongning Granules in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with qi deficiency and blood stasis.Methods:Prospective cohort study. A total of 80 DPN patients with Qi deficiency and blood stasis in Endocrinology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from May 2021 to May 2022 who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups by random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was treated with epalrestat on the basis of routine hypoglycemia, and the treatment group was treated with Qigui Tangtongning Granules on the basis of control group. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. Disease severity was assessed using the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS). The motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of median nerve and common peroneal nerve were detected by electromyography/induced potentiometer. Serum CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA, fasting blood glucose (FPG) and two hours post-meal blood glucose (2 hPG) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was detected by automatic HBA1C analyzer. Adverse reactions were recorded and clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 95.0% (38/40) in the treatment group and 77.5% (31/40) in the control group, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=5.17, P=0.023). After treatment, the TCM syndrome score and TCSS score of the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=-3.19 and -7.63, P<0.01); Median nerve SNCV [(47.90±4.51) m/s vs. (44.76±3.72) m/s, t=3.40], MNCV [(53.79±3.65) m/s vs. (51.32±4.25) m/s, t=2.79] and common peroneal nerve SNCV [(44.21±2.08) m/s vs. (40.51±2.49) m/s, t=7.23], MNCV [(44.63±4.72) m/s vs. (41.36±4.87) m/s, t=3.05] were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01); FPG [(5.05±0.63) mmol/L vs. (7.05±1.23) mmol/L, t=-9.17], 2 hPG [(9.10±1.64) mmol/L vs. (12.19±2.61) mmol/L, t=-6.35], HbA1c [(6.79±0.90) % vs. (7.22±1.02) %, t=-2.02] were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05); TNF-α [(15.75±5.44) ng/L vs. (32.01±5.33) ng/L, t=-13.51], hs-CRP [(2.58±0.80) mg/L vs. (3.79±1.04) mg/L, t=-5.83], IL-6 [(18.20±4.92) ng/L vs. (29.97±5.18) ng/L, t=-10.41] were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in 2 groups during treatment. Conclusion:Qigui Tangtongning Granules combined with conventional Western medicine can improve nerve conduction velocity, reduce inflammation and improve clinical efficacy in DPN patients with Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome.