OBJECTIVE: To explore the trend of changes in the parameters of the spine-pelvic sagittal plane before and after surgery in patients with double-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis (LSL) and to evaluate the value of the surgical effect. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 95 double-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis patients treated with posterior lumbar interbody fusion from October 2019 to October 2020 were analyzed, including 31 males and 64 females;age ranging from 41 to 63 years old, with an average of (52.10±4.35) years old;degree of lesion, 47 patients with gradeⅠand 48 patients with gradeⅡ. The surgical efficacy was evaluated according to the Oswestry dysfunction index(ODI) improvement rate at 3 months after operation. ODI improvement rate ≥50% was considered good, and <50% was considered bad. Ninety-five patients were divided into good curative effect group (74 cases) and poor curative effect group (21 cases) according to surgical curative effect. The clinical data, such as gender, age, body mass index, course of disease, degree of disease, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and comorbidities were compared between two groups were compared. The parameters of spine pelvis sagittal plane were observed before and 3 months after operation, including spine sacral angle (SSA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS). Clinical symptoms were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and ODI. The correlation between the changes of spine pelvis sagittal plane parameters and the changes of VAS and ODI before and after surgery were analyzed, and the value of spine pelvis sagittal plane parameters in evaluating the surgical efficacy of patients with double level lumbar spondylolisthesis at 3 months after surgery was evaluated. RESULTS: The courses of disease and surgical time in the group with poor efficacy were longer than those in the group with good efficacy, and the degree of lesion was higher in the group with poor efficacy (P<0.05). The SSA, TPA, LL, and SS of the group with good efficacy were higher than those of the group with poor efficacy before and 3 months after surgery, while the PT was lower than that of the group with poor efficacy (P<0.05). The changes in SSA, TPA, LL, PT, and SS before and after surgery in the group with good efficacy were greater than those in the group with poor efficacy (P<0.05). The VAS and ODI of both groups were lower at 3 months after surgery than before, and the group with good efficacy was lower(P<0.05). The changes in VAS and ODI before and after surgery in the group with good efficacy were greater than those in the group with poor efficacy (P<0.05). The changes in SSA, TPA, LL, PT, SS before and after surgery were positively correlated with the changes in VAS and ODI (P<0.05). Three months after surgery, SSA, TPA, LL, PT, and SS were used to evaluate the surgical efficacy of patients with dual level lumbar spondylolisthesis. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.868, 0.797, 0.875, 0.822, and 0.853, respectively. The combined evaluation of all indicators resulted in the highest AUC, 0.927, and the best sensitivity and specificity were 90.50% and 91.89%, respectively. CONCLUSION The spine pelvis sagittal plane parameters SSA, TPA, LL, and SS of patients with double level lumbar spondylolisthesis before and after surgery show an upward trend;PT shows a downward trend;PI do not change significantly. And the changes of SSA, TPA, LL, SS, and PT are closely related to the patient's pain level and the improvement of lumbar function, which can be used as parameters to evaluate the surgical efficacy.
Female ; Animals ; Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Spondylolisthesis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Body Mass Index

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of S₂ alar iliac screw insertion in Chinese children using computerized three-dimension reconstruction and simulated screw placement technique, and to optimize the measurement of screw parameters. METHODS: A total of 83 pelvic CT data of children who underwent pelvic CT scan December 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, excluding fractures, deformities, and tumors. There were 44 boys and 39 girls, with an average age of (10.66±3.52) years, and were divided into 4 groups based on age (group A:5 to 7 years old;group B:8 to 10 years old;group C:11-13 years old;group D:14 to 16 years old). The original CT data obtained were imported into Mimics software, and the bony structure of the pelvis was reconstructed, and the maximum and minimum cranial angles of the screws were simulated in the three-dimensional view with the placement of 6.5 mm diameter S2 alar iliac screws. Subsequently, the coronal angle, sagittal angle, transverse angle, total length of the screw, length of the screw in the sacrum, width of the iliac, and distance of the entry point from the skin were measured in 3-Matic software at the maximum and minimum head tilt angles, respectively. The differences among the screw parameters of S₂ alar iliac screws in children of different ages and the differences between gender and side were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: In all 83 children, 6.5 mm diameter S₂ iliac screws could be placed. There was no significant difference between the side of each screw placement parameter. The 5 to 7 years old children had a significantly smaller screw coronal angle than other age groups, but in the screw sagittal angle, the difference was more mixed. The 5 to 7 years old children could obtain a larger angle at the maximum head tilt angle of the screw, but at the minimum cranial angle, the larger angle was obtained in the age group of 11 to 13 years old. There were no significant differences among the age groups. The coronal angle and sagittal angle under maximum cephalic angle and minimum cranial angle of 5 to 7 years old male were (40.91±2.91)° and (51.85±3.75)° respectively, which were significantly greater than in female. The coronal angle under minimum cranial angle was significantly greater in girls aged 8-10 years old than in boys. For the remaining screw placement angle parameters, there were no significant differences between gender. The differences in the minimum iliac width, the screw length, and the length of the sacral screws showed an increasing trend with age in all age groups. The distance from the screw entry point to the skin in boys were significantly smaller than that of girls. The minimum width of the iliac in boys at 14 to 16 years of age were significantly wider than that in girls at the same stage. In contrast, in girls aged 5 to 7 years and 11 to 13 years, the screw length was significantly longer than that of boys at the same stage. CONCLUSION The pelvis of children aged 5 to 16 years can safely accommodate the placement of 6.5 mm diameter S₂ alar iliac screws, but the bony structures of the pelvis are developing and growing in children, precise assessment is needed to plan a reasonable screw trajectory and select the appropriate screw length.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Ilium/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Feasibility Studies ; Bone Screws ; Pelvis ; Sacrum/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and complications of one-stage tumor resection to treat primary sacral neurogenic tumors and to discuss some details in the clinically relevant anatomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 26 patients with neurogenic turors of the sacral spine who were surgically treated from January 2001 to January 2018, including 16 males and 10 females, aged from 21 to 69 years old with an average age of (39.3±10.9) years old. The courses of diseases ranged from 3 to 56 months with an average of (17.9±10.1) months. The diameters of presacral components ranged from 3.3 to 19.6 cm with an average of (8.7±4.1) cm. The proximal margin of presacral lesions was above the L₅S₁ level in 6 cases, and lower than L₅S₁ in 20 cases. A posterior incision approach for one-stage complete resection of the tumor was used firstly, and an anterior approach was combined when necessary. Spinal-pelvic reconstruction with the modified Galveston technique was also carried out in relevant cases. Whether to preserve the tumor-involved nerve roots depended on the situation during the operation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, pain relief, and complications were recorded. The lumbosacral spine stability and sacral plexus neurological function were evaluated during postoperative follow-up, and local recurrence and distant metastasis were examined as well. RESULTS: Total excision was achieved in all 26 patients, with an operation time of (160.4±35.3) mins and an intraoperative blood loss of (1 092.3±568.8) ml. Tumors have been removed via a posterior-only approach in 21 cases and via combined anterior/posterior approaches in 5 cases. The diameter of presacral masses components ranged from 11.3 to 19.6 cm with an average of (15.1±3.2) cm in patients with combined anterior/posterior approaches, and ranged from 3.3 to 10.9 cm with an average of (7.2±2.4) cm in patients with a posterior-only approach. Five of the six patients whose proximal margin of presacral masses was above the L₅S₁ level adopted combined anterior/posterior approaches, and 20 patients lower than the L₅S₁ level adopted the posterior-only approach. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 82 months with an average of(45.4±18.2)months. Postoperative lumbosacral pain and lower extremity radicular pain were significantly relieved, and sensation, muscle strength and bowel and bladder function were also improved to varying degrees. The postoperative early complications included superficial wound infection in 1 case and cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 2 cases. Pathology confirmed 17 cases of schwannoma, 7 cases of neurofibroma and 2 cases of malignant schwannoma. Local recurrence was observed in two cases of benign neurogenic tumors. One patient with a malignant nerve sheath tumor had lung metastasis, who died 20 months after the operation. In 17 cases of upper sacral neurogenic tumors, 4 cases did not undergo spinal-pelvic reconstruction with internal fixation, of which 2 cases suffered from postoperative segmental instability. Tumor-involved nerve roots were resected during surgery in 7 cases. One of these patients who had S₂ and S₃ nerve roots sacrificed simultaneously had an impaired bladder and bowel function postoperatively, and did not recover completely. In the other 6 cases, the neurological function was not damaged obviously or recovered well. CONCLUSION The posterior approach can directly expose the lesions, and it is also convenient to deal with nerve roots and blood vessels. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, degree of symptom relief, complication rate, and recurrence and metastasis rate can be controlled at an appropriate level. It is a safe and effective surgical approach. When the upper edge of the presacral mass is higher than the L₅S₁ level or the diameter of the presacral mass exceeds 10 cm, an additional anterior approach should be considered. The stress between the spine and pelvis is high, and internal fixation should be used to restore the mechanical continuity of the spine and pelvis during resection of neurogenic tumors of the high sacral spine. Most of the parent nerve roots have lost their function. Resection of a single parent nerve root is unlikely to cause severe neurological dysfunction, while the adjacent nerve roots have compensatory functions and should be preserved as much as possible during surgery.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain/pathology* ; Postoperative Complications/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of iliolumbar fixation in the treatment of U-shaped sacral fractures. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on the 14 complex U-shaped sacral fractures which had been treated from January 2014 to December 2019, involved 10 males and 4 females, aged 24 to 48 (35.4±6.5) years. Fracture healing time, nerve function, clinical function and complications were observed in the patients. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 9 to 16(26.0±5.9) months. The complete weight-bearing time for bone healing was(12.4±2.0) weeks. One case of surgical incision infection occurred after operation, and one case of sacrum nailspenetrated to the outer plate of sacrum. No complications such as pressure ulcers, loosening or rupture of internal fixation occurred. According to Gibbons scoring, the neurological function recovered from preoperative 2.9±0.9 to postoperative 2.1±1.1, there were statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative ( CONCLUSION Sacral lumbar fixation is an effective method for the treatment of U-shaped sacrum fractures. It has the advantages of strong internal fixation and satisfactory functional recovery.
Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Finite element method (FEM) was used to investigate the biomechanical properties of three types of surgical fixations of U-shaped sacral fractures. Based on a previously established and validated complete lumbar-pelvic model, three models of surgical fixations of U-shaped sacral fractures were established: ① S1S2 passed through screw (S1S2), ② L4-L5 pedicle screw + screw for wing of ilium (L4L5 + IS), and ③ L4-L5 pedicle screw + S1 passed through screw + screw for wing of ilium (L4L5 + S1 + IS). A 400 N force acting vertically downward, along with torque of 7.5 N·m in different directions (anterior flexion, posterior extension, axial rotation, and axial lateral bending), was exerted on the upper surface of L4. Comparisons were made on differences in separation of the fracture gap and maximum stress in sitting and standing positions among three fixation methods. This study showed that: for values of separation of the fracture gap produced by different operation groups in different positions, L4L5 + S1 + IS was far less than L4L5 + IS and S1S2. For internal fixators, the maximum stress value produced was: L4L5 + IS > L4L5 + S1 + IS > S1S2. For the intervertebral disc, the maximum stress value produced by S1S2 is much larger than that of L4L5 + S1 + IS and L4L5 + IS. In a comprehensive consideration, L4L5 + S1 + IS could be prioritized for fixation of U-shaped sacral fractures. The objective of this research is to compare the biomechanical differences of three different internal fixation methods for U-shaped sacral fractures, for the reference of clinical operation.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Pedicle Screws ; Sacrum ; injuries ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy for lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis.

METHODSFrom January 2002 to March 2013, 145 patients (84 males and 61 females) with lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis underwent failed conservative treatment were treated with CT-guided minimally invasive surgery. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 143 patients were followed up, aged from 2.5 to 81 years with an average of (42.60 +/- 17.14) years. Fourteen cases (6 cases with internal fixation and 8 cases without internal fixation) recurred and 32 cases complicated with paraspinal abscess after operation. Preoperatively 1 case complicated with lower limb weakness and superficial sensation worse, 1 case with muscle strength decrease, this 2 cases were grade D of Frankle, other cases were grade E. And 1 patient underwent fenestration operation and local chemotherapy, 144 cases with CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy. ESR and lumbar lordosis angle of all patients were observed preoperatively and final follow-up.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up time was 67 months (ranged, 21 to 149 months) in 143 cases, and 73 cases more than 5 years. All patients obtained clinical healing. ESR was (44.96 +/- 12.41) mm/h before operation and (7.25 +/- 3.43) mm/h at final follow-up, there was significant difference between preoperative and postoperative (t=35.06, P=0.000). Lumbar lordosis angle was (36.32 +/- 8.55) degrees before operation and (33.35 +/- 8.16) at final follow-up, there was significant difference between preoperative and postoperative (t=13.90, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONWhen conservative treatment fails for 3 months or more, the patients have good spinal stabilization, nerve function is more than grade D of Frankel, CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy can get satisfactory outcomes for lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of iliolumbar fixation for the sacrum fractures of Denis type II.

METHODSThe clinical data of 86 patients with sacrum fracture of Denis type II treated by iliolumbar fixation from January 2008 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 55 males and 31 females, aged from 17 to 55 years old with an average of 39.1 years. Among them, 73 cases complicated with pelvis fracture and 13 cases with acetabular fracture; 37 cases with sacral neurological symptoms and 49 cases without sacral neurological symptoms. Fracture healing time, nerve function, clinical function and complications were observed in the patients.

RESULTSIn 86 cases, 6 cases were out of followed-up and 80 cases were followed up from 24 to 71 months with an average of 36 months. The mean fracture healing time was 13 weeks (ranged, 10 to 38 weeks). According to Gibbons scoring to evaluate the neurological function, preoperative nerve rehabilitation, lower limbs feeling, lower limbs activity,bladder and rectum function,total score respectively were 0.62 +/- 0.04, 1.54 +/- 0.35, 1.12 +/- 0.18, 0.23 +/- 0.01, 3.46 +/- 0.47 and postoperative respectively were 0.82 +/- 0.12, 0.36 +/- 0.04, 0.05 +/- 0.01, 0.03 +/- 0.01, 1.25 +/- 0.22, there were statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative (P < 0.05). According to Majeed scoring to evaluate the clinical function, postoperative pain, standing, sitting, sexual life, work ability, total score respectively were 22.54 +/- 4.02, 27.93 +/- 5.46, 8.47 +/- 3.61, 2.54 +/- 1.33, 16.46 +/- 4.34, 81.32 +/- 8.73, 60 cases got excellent results, 17 good, 3 fair. The main complications including fracture nonunion of 5 cases,deep incision infection of 1 case, and screw prominence resulting uncomfortable of 8 cases.

CONCLUSIONIliolumbar fixation has the advantages of stable fixation, satisfactory functional rehabilitation, less complications, and is a good method in treating sacrum fracture of Denis type II.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; injuries ; surgery ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDResection of sacral chordomas is challenging. The anatomy is complex, and there are often no bony landmarks to guide the resection. Achieving adequate surgical margins is, therefore, difficult, and the recurrence rate is high. Use of computer navigation may allow optimal preoperative planning and improve precision in tumor resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of computer navigation-aided resection of sacral chordomas.

METHODSBetween 2007 and 2013, a total of 26 patients with sacral chordoma underwent computer navigation-aided surgery were included and followed for a minimum of 18 months. There were 21 primary cases and 5 recurrent cases, with a mean age of 55.8 years old (range: 35-84 years old). Tumors were located above the level of the S3 neural foramen in 23 patients and below the level of the S3 neural foramen in 3 patients. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed with a computed tomography-based navigation system combined with the magnetic resonance images using the navigation software. Tumors were resected via a posterior approach assisted by the computer navigation. Mean follow-up was 38.6 months (range: 18-84 months).

RESULTSMean operative time was 307 min. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 3065 ml. For computer navigation, the mean registration deviation during surgery was 1.7 mm. There were 18 wide resections, 4 marginal resections, and 4 intralesional resections. All patients were alive at the final follow-up, with 2 (7.7%) exhibiting tumor recurrence. The other 24 patients were tumor-free. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 27.3 (range: 19-30).

CONCLUSIONSComputer-assisted navigation can be safely applied to the resection of the sacral chordomas, allowing execution of preoperative plans, and achieving good oncological outcomes. Nevertheless, this needs to be accomplished by surgeons with adequate experience and skill.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDA quantitative and accurate measurement of the range of hip joint flexion (RHF) is necessarily required in the evaluation of disordered or artificial hip joint function. This study aimed to assess a novel method to measure RHF more accurately and objectively.

METHODSLateral radiographs were taken of 31 supine men with hip joints extended or flexed. Relevant angles were measured directly from the radiographs. The change in the sacrofemoral angle (SFA) (the angle formed between the axis of the femur and the line tangent to the upper endplate of S1) from hip joint extension to hip joint flexion, was proposed as the RHF. The validity of this method was assessed via concomitant measurements of changes in the femur-horizontal angle (between the axis of the femur and the horizontal line) and the sacrum-horizontal angle (SHA) (between the line tangent to the upper endplate of S1 and the horizontal line), the difference of which should equal the change in the SFA.

RESULTSThe mean change in the SFA was 112.5 ± 7.4°, and was independent of participant age, height, weight, or body mass index. The mean changes in the femur-horizontal and SHAs were 123.0 ± 6.4° and 11.4 ± 3.0°, respectively. This confirmed that the change of SFA between hip joint extension and hip joint flexion was equal to the difference between the changes in the femur-horizontal and SHAs.

CONCLUSIONSUsing the SFA, to evaluate RHF could prevent compromised measurements due to the movements of pelvis and lumbar spine during hip flexion, and is, therefore, a more accurate and objective method with reasonable reliability and validity.

Adult ; Hip Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Sacrum ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo introduce a technique pertaining to S2 iliosacral screw insertion.

METHODSThe screw pathway was first measured on the preoperative pelvic CT scan or the standard sacral lateral radiograph to make sure the existence of the "safe zone" in the S2 segment for screw insertion. Under general anesthesia, patients were positioned supine or prone, depending on the injury pattern of pelvic ring or associated injuries requiring concomitant operation. The operation field was routinely sterilized using iodine and subsequent alcohol solution and draped. The tip of a guide wire was inserted through a stab wound to the posterior outer iliac table, manipulated in the "safe zone" being enclosed by the anterior aspect of the S2 nerve root tunnel, the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae, and the inferior aspect of the S1 foramen under the guidance of the standard sacral lateral fluoroscopy, and then the tip was hammered one to two millimeters into the iliac cortex. The guide wire progressed along the trajectory between the inferior aspect of the S1 foramen and the superior aspect of the S2 foramen on the pelvic outlet fluoroscopic view, and then along the posterior to the anterior aspect of the S2 sacral vertebrae and alae on the pelvic inlet fluoroscopic view with a predetermined length. At that moment, in order to ensure the safety, another standard sacral lateral view was imaged to detect the guide wire's tip which should locate posterior to the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae and anterior to the anterior aspect of the S2 nerve root tunnel. Subsequently, the depth was measured, the trajectory was drilled and tapped, and the screw was inserted. Following the removal of the guide wire, the wound was irrigated and sutured.

RESULTSUtilizing this insertion technique, there were 30 S2 iliosacral screws in total being placed to stabilize the injured and unstable posterior pelvic ring in 27 patients. Each S2 screw was accompanied by an ipsilateral S1 screw. The S2 screw location was completely intraosseous in all patients, which was verified by postoperative pelvic outlet and inlet radiographs and CT scans. The insertion accuracy was 100 percent in the present series.

CONCLUSIONThe S2 iliosacral screw insertion technique is safe and reproducible to guide the placement of the S2 screw, enhancing the stability for the compromised posterior pelvic ring.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Sacrum ; injuries ; surgery