Objective:To investigate the value of relative lumbar lordosis (RLL) and lumbar distribution index (LDI) in predicting the occurrence of adjacent segment disease (ASDis) after lumbar fusion surgery.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed 163 consecutive patients (58 males and 105 females) who had undergone lumbar fusion and had been followed over 2 years,with an average age of 58.7 years; among them, 74, 71, and 18 patients had undergone fusion of one-level, two-level, and three-level, respectively. They were divided into the non-ASDis group and ASDis group based on the presence of ASDis or not. Pre- and post-operative spinopelvic parameters were measured on the upright lateral radiographs. RLL was calculated as measured lumbar lordosis (LL) minus ideal LL, and LDI was calculated as the ratio of postoperative low lumbar lordosis (LLL) to LL. Each parameter was stratified into 1 "aligned" subgroup and 3 "disproportioned" subgroups in accordance with values. Cochran-Armitage test of trend andlogistic analysis were performed to investigate the association between these two parameters and the occurrence of ASDis.Results:The average follow-up duration after initial surgery was 46±14 months (range, 25 to 134 months). Twenty-four (14.7%) patients were diagnosed as ASDis. The age ( t=3.13, P=0.002) and the proportion of 2-level and 3-level fusion (χ 2=10.27, P=0.006) in the ASDis group were significantly higher than those in the non-ASDis group ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between groups with respect to other general data. The ratios of moderate and severe hypolordosis of RLL were significantly higher in the ASDis group than that in the non-ASDis group (χ 2=16.92, P<0.001). There was also a significant linear trend with higher degree of hypolordosis being associated with higher rates of ASDis. However, distribution of four statuses of LDI did not differ statistically between groups. After controlling the confounders, the logistic regression analysis revealed that age, odd ratio ( OR)=1.07, 95% CI: (1.01, 1.13), P=0.018), moderate[ OR=4.34, 95% CI: (1.03, 18.41), P=0.046] and severe hypolordosis [ OR=11.64, 95% CI: (1.30, 104.49), P=0.028] were significantly associated with the occurrence of ASDis. Conclusion:A significant association between postoperative RLL and occurrence of ASDis after lumbar fusion surgery were detected. Setting surgical goals according to RLL may help reduce the ASDis rate. However, LDI is not identified to be predictive factors of the occurrence of ASDis.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiology and spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shanxi province. Methods: The data of HFMD in Shanxi province from 2009 to 2020 were collected from notifiable disease management information system of Chinese information system for disease control and prevention and analyzed by descriptive epidemiology, Joinpoint regression, spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatio- temporal scanning analysis. Results: A total of 293 477 HFMD cases were reported in Shanxi province from 2009 to 2020, with an average annual incidence of 67.64/100 000 (293 477/433 867 454), severe disease rate of 5.36/100 000 (2 326/433 867 454), severe disease ratio of 0.79%(2 326/293 477), mortality of 0.015/100 000 (66/433 867 454), and fatality rate of 22.49/100 000 (66/293 477). The reported incidence rate, severe disease rate, mortality rate and fatality rate of HFMD showed decreasing trends. The main high-risk groups were scattered children and kindergarten children aged 0-5. The incidence of HFMD had obvious seasonal variation, with two peaks every year: the main peak was during June-July, the secondary peak was during September-October and the peak period is from April to November. A total of 13 942 laboratory cases were confirmed, with a diagnosis rate of 4.75% (13 942/293 477), including 4 438 (35.11%, 4 438/293 477) Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) positive cases, 4 609 (33.06%, 4 609/293 477) Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) positive cases, and 4 895 (31.83%, 4 895/293 477) other enterovirus positive cases. There was a spatial positive correlation (Moran's I ranged from 0.12 to 0.58, all P<0.05) and the spatial clustering was obvious. High-risk regions were mainly distributed in Taiyuan in central Shanxi province, Linfen and Yuncheng in southern Shanxi province, and Changzhi in southeastern Shanxi province. Spatial-temporal scanning analysis revealed 1 the most likely cluster and 8 secondary likely clusters, of which the most likely cluster (RR=2.65, LLR=22 387.42, P<0.001) located in Taiyuan and Jinzhong city, Shanxi province, including 12 counties (districts), and accumulated from April 1, 2009 to November 30, 2018. Conclusions: There was obvious spatial-temporal clustering of HFMD in Shanxi province, and the epidemic situation was in decline. The key areas were the districts in urban areas and the counties adjacent to it. Meanwhile, the monitoring and classification of other enterovirus types of HFMD should be strengthened.
Child ; Humans ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/epidemiology* ; Spatial Analysis ; Enterovirus Infections ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Cluster Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of general anesthesia on postoperative melatonin secretion in 4-to 6-year-old children with snoring. METHODS: Twenty children with snoring aged 4-6 years of either gender (ASA grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ) were selected for adenoidectomy.Before, during and 3 days after the operation, salivary melatonin levels of the children were measured at 11 selected time points (T1-T11).The illumination intensity and body temperature of the children were recorded at each time point of measurement.The sleep time of the children in 3 days after the operation was recorded, and postoperative pain scores (FLACC) and Riker and Rehabilitation Quality Rating Scale-15(QoR-15) scores were assessed.Sleep Apnea Life Quality Evaluation Questionnaire (OSA-18) was used to evaluate postoperative recovery of the children at 28 days after the operation.The incidence of major adverse events of the children during hospitalization was recorded. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in baseline salivary melatonin level among the 20 children before the operation.Salivary melatonin level at 7 am after the operation (T8) was significantly lowered as compared with that before the surgery (T4)( CONCLUSIONS In preschool children with snoring, general anesthesia affects but does not inhibit melatonin secretion on the first night after surgery, and minor surgeries under general anesthesia in the morning do not cause significant changes in melatonin secretion to cause disturbance of the circadian rhythm in these children.
Anesthesia, General/adverse effects* ; Bodily Secretions ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circadian Rhythm ; Humans ; Melatonin ; Snoring

With the popularization of minimally invasive concept in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease,minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion has gradually developed into the mainstream technique of lumbar fixation and fusion.At present,there are many types of minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion. In this paper, four kinds of minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion (anterior lumbar interbody fusion,minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion,extreme lateral interbody fusion,oblique lumbar interbody fusion),which are widely used in clinical practice,are systematically described from the aspects of indication selection,technical characteristics, clinical efficacy and prevention of complications.In order to obtain the best treatment effect with the least trauma,it is necessary for the surgeons to formulate detailed surgical strategies on the basis of strictly grasping the indications,and choose the operation according to their own clinical experience and skills,so as to maximize the advantages of different minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion.

With the popularization of minimally invasive concept in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease,minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion has gradually developed into the mainstream technique of lumbar fixation and fusion.At present,there are many types of minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion. In this paper, four kinds of minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion (anterior lumbar interbody fusion,minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion,extreme lateral interbody fusion,oblique lumbar interbody fusion),which are widely used in clinical practice,are systematically described from the aspects of indication selection,technical characteristics, clinical efficacy and prevention of complications.In order to obtain the best treatment effect with the least trauma,it is necessary for the surgeons to formulate detailed surgical strategies on the basis of strictly grasping the indications,and choose the operation according to their own clinical experience and skills,so as to maximize the advantages of different minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion.

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio ( Results: Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks. Conclusion Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To evaluate long-term results of growth friendly non-fusion technique (GF) in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis (EOS).Methods:From August 2008 to October 2019, a total of 26 EOS patients (mean age 7.2±2.4 years old) who had completed surgery with GF treatment, including 12 males and 14 females, were reviewed retrospectively. Among them, 16 patients underwent growing rod treatment while 10 patients underwent vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) treatment. All patients had minimum 2 lengthening procedure during distraction period and over 2-year follow-up after graduation. Radiographic data were collected before and after index surgery as well as at graduation and the latest follow-up. Complications were also recorded during distraction period and after graduation.Results:A total of 145 lengthening procedures were performed in 26 patients, averagely 5.6 procedures per patient. The mean age at graduation was 12.6±1.6 years old. The average follow-up was 4.7±1.4 years duringdistraction period, and 2.9±0.9 years after graduation.The main Cobb angle was significantly decreased from 81.2°±17.3° to 41.1°±13.1°( t=8.124, P<0.001)after the index surgery, but slightly increased to 48.8°±15.4° at the end of distraction. After definitive spinal fusion, the main Cobb angle was notably decreased from 52.8°±16.1° to 45.4°±14.8° in 16 patients( t=2.415, P=0.035), with an average correction rate of 14.1%±9.4%. At the latest follow-up, the main Cobb angle was 45.2°±15.6° and the average correction rate was 44.3%±15.5% when comparing with the value before the index surgery. The thoracic and spinal height were significantly increased after initial surgery. During distraction period, the average gain of thoracic and spinal height was 3.3±0.9 cm and 5.6±1.9 cm, with the growth rate of 0.6±0.3 cm and 1.0±0.4 cm per distraction, respectively. A total of 36complications were recorded in 14 patients. There were 27 complications occurred during distraction period and 9 after graduation. Conclusion:Surgical management of EOS with growing rod and VEPTR could effectively correct the spinal deformity and maintain spinal growth. The complication rate after graduation was relative lower than distraction period. However, the correction of definitive spinal fusion during graduation was relative lower.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and management of deep surgical site infection(SSI) after the spinal deformity surgery.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed a consecutive cohort of 8818 patients with spinal deformity who received spinal deformity surgery between January1998 and December 2017 at our center. The diagnosis of deep SSI was based on the clinical symptoms, imaging data and laboratory findings. Early infection and late infection were defined as deep infections occurring <3 months and >3 months after the initial procedure, respectively. All deep SSIs were first treated with irrigation and debridement, closed suction irrigation system and antibiotics. If the infection cannot be eradicated, dressing change is recommended within 2 years after the initial surgery. The instrumentation can be removed 2 years after the initial surgery with careful evaluation of the fusion mass. The posterior-anterior and lateral radiographs were used to measure the coronal parameters and sagittal alignment.Results:Sixty patients were diagnosed as deep SSI after spinal deformity surgery, including 11 patients with early infection and 49 patients with late infection. No significant difference was observed in terms of age, gender ratio, surgical approach and fusion levels between the two groups. Deep SSI seemed to be more likely to occur between 2 and 5 years after surgery. Incidence of SSI was lowest in the patients with idiopathic scoliosis and ankylosing spondylitis, and highest in the patients with neuromuscular and syndromic scoliosis. There was a high rate of negative culture in the primary culture. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most common organisms in the early infection, while patients with late infection had a high rate of low-virulent skin flora. In the early infection group, nine patients retained instrumentation while the implants were removed 2 years after the primary surgery in 2 patients. In patients with late infection, instrumentation was retained in 5 cases and removed in 10 cases until 2 years after the primary surgery. 34 cases were infected 2 years after the primary surgery and the implants were removed directly. One patient underwent reoperation with instrumentation 1 month after implant removal, another patient underwent reoperation 3 years after implant removal due to progression of deformity. Significant loss of coronal correction was noted at the latest follow-up.Conclusion:The rate of deep SSI after spinal deformity surgery was 0.68%, of which the incidence of early infection and delayed infection was 0.12% and 0.56%, respectively. An increased risk of SSI in patients with neuromuscular and syndromic scoliosis was noted. If the infection cannot be eradicated after repeated debridement, we recommend instrumentation removal 2 years after the initial surgery, but there is still a high risk of loss of correction in these patients.

Objective:To investigate the outcome of posterior correction surgery for severe kyphoscoliosis secondary to spinal Gorham disease, further to explore the countermeasure in such complicated condition.Methods:From January 2005 to December 2019, a total of 12 consecutive patients were diagnosed with spinal Gorham disease. Four patients who had undergone correction surgery were reviewed retrospectively. There were 3 males and 1 female. The median age of surgery was 14.5 years (11.5 years, 27.5 years), with the median of Cobb angle of scoliosis and kyphosis 29° (21.5°, 78.0°) and 94° (78.0°, 103.0°), respectively. After Halo-gravity traction, one-stage posterior correction surgeryand Schwab grade I or II osteotomy, with pedicle screw fixation bridging the diseased vertebrae was performed. Drug therapy of bisphosphonate was recommended after surgery. The Cobb angle of scoliosis and kyphosis, coronal and sagittal balance were measured on the standing upright radiographs of the spine. CT and MRI were used to give precise evaluation of spinal and peripheral soft tissue involvement.Results:After Halo-gravity traction of 3 months (2.5 months, 3.5 months), the median of Cobb angle of scoliosis decreased to 23.5° (15.5°, 77.0°) and kyphosis decreased to 65° (57°, 83.5°) respectively. Two patients underwent facetectomyand 2 received Ponte osteotomy. The median operative time and blood loss were 5.5 h (5.1 h, 5.9 h) and 3 095ml (2 950 ml, 3 320 ml), with the fusion segment of 13.5 (12.5, 14.5) and the fixation density of 47.8% (40.9%, 57.3%). After surgery, the median of Cobb angle of scoliosis and kyphosis decreased to 18° (10.5°, 38.5°) and 59° (42.0°, 78.0°). Compared to the values before traction, the median of correction rates of scoliosis and kyphosis after surgery were 46.7% (33.1%, 59.5%) and 35% (12.3%, 51.1%) respectively. Moreover, the median of coronal balance decreased from 15.5 mm (9.0 mm, 21.0 mm) to 6.5 mm (4.0 mm, 9.0 mm), while the median of sagittal balance decreased from 14 mm (-18.0 mm, 27.5 mm) to 5.5 mm (-5.5 mm, 12.5 mm). During a median of follow-up of 2.8 years (2.0 years, 3.5 years), no complication was detected except one patient whounderwent revision surgery for rod broken.Conclusion:One-stage posterior correction surgery combined with preoperative halo-gravity tractionand postoperative anti-osteoporosis therapydemonstratedto be safe and effective for severe kyphoscoliosis secondary to spinal Gorham disease. More attention should be paid to the failure of internal fixation after surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the correction result of traditional dual growing rods on apical vertebral rotation. Methods: This study recruited 19 early-onset scoliosis patients (6 boys and 13 girls) who had received traditional dual growing rods treatment at Department of Spine Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2009 to July 2015. The age at initial surgery was (5.7±1.7)years(range, 3 to 9 years). Measurements of primary curve magnitude, height of T₁-S₁, apical vertebral translation(AVR), apical vertebral body-rib ratio, apical vertebral rotation, thoracic rotation and rib hump were compared between pre-operatively, post-operatively, and at latest follow-up, through a paired-t test. Pearson correlation test was used for correlation analysis between parameters. Results: All patients had a follow-up of (49.5±12.8)months(range, 24 to 71 months). A total of 111 operative procedures were performed, among which there were 92 lengthening procedures, averagely 4.8 lengthening procedures per patient. The average interval for each lengthening procedure was 10 months. The Cobb angle of primary curve was notably decreased from (66.5±13.2)° to (35.2±10.9)°(t=24.013, P<0.01), and no significant correction loss was found at the latest follow-up ((36.7±10.7)°)(t=-1.324, P=0.202). In addition, significant correction of AVR, thoracic rotation, apical vertebral translation, apical vertebra body-rib ratio, and rib hump were noted after initial surgery. Whereas, these parameters significant increased during follow-up(all P <0.05) except for thoracic rotation. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the increase of AVR during follow-up significantly correlated with change of apical vertebra translation, apical vertebral body-rib ratio, and rib hump(r=0.652, 0.814, 0.695; all P<0.05). Conclusions Significant correction of AVR can be achieved after initial surgery in early-onset scoliosis patients treated with traditional dual growing rods. However, such a technique can hardly prevent the deterioration of AVR during follow-up.