To investigate the effects of postoperative fusion implantation on the mesoscopic biomechanical properties of vertebrae and bone tissue osteogenesis in idiopathic scoliosis, a macroscopic finite element model of the postoperative fusion device was developed, and a mesoscopic model of the bone unit was developed using the Saint Venant sub-model approach. To simulate human physiological conditions, the differences in biomechanical properties between macroscopic cortical bone and mesoscopic bone units under the same boundary conditions were studied, and the effects of fusion implantation on bone tissue growth at the mesoscopic scale were analyzed. The results showed that the stresses in the mesoscopic structure of the lumbar spine increased compared to the macroscopic structure, and the mesoscopic stress in this case is 2.606 to 5.958 times of the macroscopic stress; the stresses in the upper bone unit of the fusion device were greater than those in the lower part; the average stresses in the upper vertebral body end surfaces were ranked in the order of right, left, posterior and anterior; the stresses in the lower vertebral body were ranked in the order of left, posterior, right and anterior; and rotation was the condition with the greatest stress value in the bone unit. It is hypothesized that bone tissue osteogenesis is better on the upper face of the fusion than on the lower face, and that bone tissue growth rate on the upper face is in the order of right, left, posterior, and anterior; while on the lower face, it is in the order of left, posterior, right, and anterior; and that patients' constant rotational movements after surgery is conducive to bone growth. The results of the study may provide a theoretical basis for the design of surgical protocols and optimization of fusion devices for idiopathic scoliosis.
Humans ; Scoliosis/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Osteogenesis ; Biomechanical Phenomena/physiology* ; Finite Element Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To establish the mode of anterior cervical surgery in outpatient setting, and evaluate its preliminary effectiveness. METHODS: A clinical data of patients who underwent anterior cervical surgery between January 2022 and September 2022 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. The surgeries were performed in outpatient setting ( n=35, outpatient setting group) or in inpatient setting ( n=35, inpatient setting group). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in age, gender, body mass index, smoking, history of alcohol drinking, disease type, the number of surgical levels, operation mode, as well as preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale score of neck pain (VAS-neck), and visual analogue scale score of upper limb pain (VAS-arm). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total hospital stay, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital expenses of the two groups were recorded; JOA score, VAS-neck score, and VAS-arm score were recorded before and immediately after operation, and the differences of the above indexes between pre- and post-operation were calculated. Before discharge, the patient was asked to score satisfaction with a score of 1-10. RESULTS: The total hospital stay, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital expenses were significantly lower in the outpatient setting group than in the inpatient setting group ( P<0.05). The satisfaction of patients was significantly higher in the outpatient setting group than in the inpatient setting group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time and intraoperative blood loss ( P>0.05). The JOA score, VAS-neck score, and VAS-arm score of the two groups significantly improved at immediate after operation when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement of the above scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). The patients were followed up (6.67±1.04) months in the outpatient setting group and (5.95±1.90) months in the inpatient setting group, with no significant difference ( t=0.089, P=0.929). No surgical complications, such as delayed hematoma, delayed infection, delayed neurological damage, and esophageal fistula, occurred in the two groups. CONCLUSION The safety and efficiency of anterior cervical surgery performed in outpatient setting were comparable to that performed in inpatient setting. Outpatient surgery mode can significantly shorten the postoperative hospital stay, reduce hospital expenses, and improve the patients' medical experience. The key points of the outpatient mode of anterior cervical surgery are minimizing damage, complete hemostasis, no drainage placement, and fine perioperative management.
Humans ; Treatment Outcome ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Spinal Fusion ; Neck Pain

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and clinical effect of Stand-alone oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Modic changes and endplate sclerosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 16 cases with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Modic changes and endplate sclerosis admitted to three medical centers from January 2015 to December 2018. There were 6 males and 10 females, the age ranged from 45 to 67 years old with an average of (55.48±8.07) years old, the medical history ranged from 36 to 240 months with an average of (82.40±47.68) months. The lesion sites included L_2,3 in 2 cases, L_3,4 in 5 cases, and L_4,5 in 9 cases. All patients presented with chronic low back pain with lower limb neurological symptoms in 3 cases. All patients were treated by Stand-alone oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Clinical and radiological findings and complications were observed. RESULTS: There was no vascular injury, endplate injury and vertebral fracture during the operation. The mean incision length, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss were(4.06±0.42) cm, (45.12±5.43) min, (33.40±7.29) ml, respectively. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) of the incision pain was (1.14±0.47) at 72 hours after operation. There was no incision skin necrosis, poor incision healing or infection in patients. Sympathetic chain injury occurred in 1 case, anterolateral pain and numbness of the left thigh in 2 cases, and weakness of the left iliopsoas muscle in 1 case, all of which were transient injuries with a complication rate of 25%(4/16). All 16 patients were followed up from 12 to 36 months with an average of (20.80±5.46) months. The intervertebral space height was significantly recovered after operation, with slight lost during the follow-up. Coronal and sagittal balance of the lumbar spine showed good improvement at the final follow-up. There was no obvious subsidence or displacement of the cage, and the interbody fusion was obtained. At the final follow-up, Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) score and Oswestry disability index(ODI) were significantly improved. CONCLUSION As long as the selection of case is strict enough and the preoperative examination is sufficients, the use of Stand-alone OLIF in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Modic changes and endplate sclerosis has a good results, with obvious clinical advantages and is a better surgical choice.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerosis ; Treatment Outcome ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effects of percutaneous endoscopic surgery through two different approaches for stable degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with stable degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent percutaneous endoscopic procedures between January 2016 and December 2019 were divided into transforaminal approach group and interlaminar approach group according to surgical approaches, 32 patients in each group. There were 16 males and 16 females in transforaminal approach group, aged from 52 to 84 years old with an average of (66.03±9.60) years, L₂ slippage in 4 cases, L₃ slippage in 5, and L₄ slippage in 23. There were 17 males and 15 females in interlaminar approach group, aged from 46 to 81 years old with an average of (61.38±9.88) years, L₃ slippage in 3 cases, L₄ slippage in 15, and L₅ slippage in 14. Operative time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and postoperative bedtime were compared between two groups. Anteroposterior displacement values, interbody opening angles, and the percentage of slippage were measured on preoperative and postoperative 12-month dynamic radiographs. Visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain and lower extremity pain, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before and after surgery were observed, and clinical effects were evaluated according to the modified MACNAB criteria. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed, and patients in both groups were followed up for more than 1 year, and without complications during follow-up period. ①There was no significant difference in operation time between two groups(P>0.05). Intraoperative fluoroscopy times were longer in transforaminal approach group than that in intervertebral approach group(P<0.05). Postoperative bedtime was shorter in transforaminal approach group than that in intervertebral approach group (P<0.05).② No lumbar instability was found on dynamic radiography at 12 months postoperatively in both groups. There were no significant differences in anteroposterior displacement values, interbody opening angles, and the percentage of slippage between two groups postoperative 12 months and preoperative 1 day(P>0.05). ③There was no significant difference between two groups in VAS of low back pain at 3 days and 1, 12 months after the operation compared with the preoperative(P>0.05), but the VAS of the lower extremity pain was significantly improved compared with the preoperative(P<0.05). Both of groups showed significant improvement in JOA score at 12 months compared with preoperatively(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS of low back pain, lower extremity pain and JOA scores between two groups during the same period after surgery(P>0.05). According to modified Macnab criteria, excellent, good, fair and poor outcomes were 21, 7, 3 and 1 in transforaminal approach group respectively, and which in intervertebral approach group were 20, 7, 5 and 0, there was no significant difference in clinical effect between the groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Intervertebral approach may reduce intraoperative fluoroscopy times and transforaminal approach can shorten postoperative bedtime, both approaches achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of stable degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with no progression of short-term slippage.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Spondylolisthesis/surgery* ; Low Back Pain/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Retrospective Studies

Humans ; Joint Dislocations/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Anesthesia, General ; Cervical Vertebrae/injuries* ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy of posterior percutaneous endoscopic discectomy(PPECD) in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. METHODS: A total of 56 patiens with single segment cervical spondylotic radiculopathy from December 2017 to October 2020, were randomly divided into observation group and control group. In observation group, there were 16 males and 11 females, including 8 cases of C_4,5, 13 cases of C_5,6 and 6 cases of C_6,7 performed posterior percutaneous endoscopic discectomy, aged from 34 to 61 years old with an average of (51.15±6.29) years old. In control group, there were 19 males and 10 females with single segment cervical spondylotic radiculopathy including 10 cases of C_4,5, 14 cases of C_5,6 and 5 cases of C_6,7 performed anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, aged from 40 to 65 years old with an average of (53.24±5.31) years old. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative time of lying in bed and length of postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Visual analogue scale(VAS) and neck disability index(NDI) were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Cervical plain films or MRIs, CTs were taken for re-visiting patients. RESULTS: All patients were followed up more than 2 years. The observation group patients were followed up, the duration ranged from 24 to 42 months with an average of (30.48±4.91) months. The control group patients were followed up, the duration ranged from 25 to 47 months, with an average of (32.76±4.53) months. Compared with control group, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative time of lying in bed and length of postoperative hospital stay were decreased(P<0.05). Compared with pre-operation, VAS of neck and upper limb and NDI at the latest follow-up between two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05). Compared with control group, VAS of neck and upper limb at 1 day after operation in observation group were significantly reduced(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS of neck and upper limb and NID at 1, 3 months and the latest follow-up after operation between two groups(P>0.05). In the observation group, one patient's deltoid muscle strength was weakened to grade 4 after operation, and returned to normal after 12 weeks of conservative treatment. In control group, there was 1 case of postoperative adjacent spondylosis with symptoms of spinal compression after 2 years operation, then underwent cervical artificial intervertebral disc replacement. And there was 1 case of dysphagia after operation in control group and improved after 1 year. There was no significant difference in incidence of complications between two groups. CONCLUSION PPECD has advantages of shortening operative time, decreasing intraoperative blood loss, reducing postoperative time of lying in bed and length of postoperative hospital stay. However, applicable age range of patients and long-term clinical efficacy needs further study.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Radiculopathy/surgery* ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Diskectomy ; Spondylosis/surgery* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether 3D-printed artificial vertebral body can reduce prosthesis subsidence rate for patients with cervical chordomas, through comparing the rates of prosthesis subsidence between 3D printing artificial vertebral body and titanium mesh for anterior spinal reconstruction after total spondylectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment for cervical chordoma at our hospital from March 2005 to September 2019. There were nine patients in the group of 3D artificial vertebral body (3D group), and 15 patients in the group of titanium mesh cage (Mesh group). The patients' characteristics and treatment data were extracted from the medical records, including age, gender, CT hounsfield unit of cervical vertebra and surgical information, such as the surgical segments, time and blood loss of surgery, frequency and degree of prosthesis subsidence after surgery. Radiographic observations of prosthesis subsidence during the follow-up, including X-rays, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging were also collected. SPSS 22.0 was used to analysis the data. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, CT hounsfield unit, surgical segments, time of surgery, blood loss of posterior surgery and total blood loss. Blood loss of anterior surgery was 700 (300, 825) mL in 3D group and 1 500 (750, 2 800) mL in Mesh group (P < 0.05). The prosthesis subsidence during the follow-up, 3 months after surgery, there was significant difference between the two groups in mild prosthesis subsidence (P < 0.05). The vertebral height of the 3D group decreased less than 1 mm in eight cases (no prosthesis subsidence) and more than 1 mm in one case (mild prosthesis subsidence). The vertebral height of the Mesh group decreased less than 1 mm in five cases (no prosthesis subsidence), and more than 1 mm in eight cases (mild prosthesis subsidence). Two patients did not have X-rays in 3 months after surgery. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the prosthesis subsidence rate at the end of 12 months (P < 0.01). The vertebral height of eight cases in the 3D group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence) and one case more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence). Four of the 15 cases in the Mesh group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence), two cases more than 1 mm (mild prosthesis subsidence), and nine cases more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the prosthesis subsidence rate at the end of 24 months (P < 0.01). The vertebral height of seven cases in the 3D group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence), one case more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence), and one case died with tumor. One case in the Mesh group decreased less than 1 mm (no prosthesis subsidence), one case more than 1 mm (mild prosthesis subsidence), 11 case more than 3 mm (severe prosthesis subsidence), one case died with tumor and one lost the follow-up. Moreover, at the end of 12 months and 24 months, there was significant difference between the two groups in severe prosthesis subsidence rate (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION 3D-printed artificial vertebral body for anterior spinal reconstruction after total spondylectomy for patients with cervical chordoma can provide reliable spinal stability, and reduce the incidence of prosthesis subsidence after 2-year follow-up.
Humans ; Chordoma/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertebral Body ; Titanium ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of Modic changes and its influence on lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS: The domestic and foreign literature related to Modic changes and its influence on lumbar interbody fusion was extensively reviewed. The etiology of Modic changes was summarized, and the treatment measures of Modic changes on lumbar interbody fusion were discussed. RESULTS: The etiology of Modic changes is not clear, which may be related to mechanical factors, autoimmune factors, low toxic infection factors, and genetic factors. Modic changes may lead to fusion failure and cage subsidence after lumbar interbody fusion. Preoperative evaluation of endplate sclerosis, reduction of iatrogenic endplate injury, fine operating of intervertebral space, management of osteoporosis, and selection of appropriate cage can prevent or reduce fusion failure or cage subsidence. CONCLUSION Modic changes may lead to fusion failure and cage subsidence after lumbar interbody fusion, and active perioperative intervention of Modic changes is helpful to improve the clinical prognosis.
Humans ; Lumbosacral Region/surgery* ; Osteoporosis ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness between unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) and endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) in treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis combined with intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: A clinical data of 64 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc herniation, who were admitted between April 2020 and November 2021 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 30 patients were treated with ULIF (ULIF group) and 34 patients with Endo-TLIF (Endo-TLIF group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, disease duration, lesion segment, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), spinal canal area, and intervertebral space height between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stays, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups, as well as the VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain, ODI, and imaging measurement indicators (spinal canal area, intervertebral bone graft area, intervertebral space height, and degree of intervertebral fusion according to modified Brantigan score). RESULTS: Compared with the Endo-TLIF group, the ULIF group had shorter operation time, but had more intraoperative blood loss and longer hospital stays, with significant differences ( P<0.05). The cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 2 cases of Endo-TLIF group and 1 case of ULIF group, and no other complication occurred. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 12 months. The VAS scores of lower back pain and leg pain and ODI in the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between different time points after operation ( P>0.05). And there was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). Imaging examination showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the change of spinal canal area, the change of intervertebral space height, and intervertebral fusion rate at 6 and 12 months ( P>0.05). The intervertebral bone graft area in the ULIF group was significantly larger than that in the Endo-TLIF group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION For the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis combined with intervertebral disc herniation, ULIF not only achieves similar effectiveness as Endo-TLIF, but also has advantages such as higher decompression efficiency, flexible surgical instrument operation, more thorough intraoperative intervertebral space management, and shorter operation time.
Humans ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Low Back Pain/surgery* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and accuracy of ultrasound volume navigation (UVN) combined with X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw implantation through a prospective randomized controlled study. METHODS: Patients with thoracic and lumbar vertebral fractures scheduled for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Among them, 60 patients met the selection criteria and were included in the study. There were 28 males and 32 females, with an average age of 49.5 years (range, 29-60 years). The cause of injury included 20 cases of traffic accidents, 21 cases of falls, 17 cases of slips, and 2 cases of heavy object impact. The interval from injury to hospital admission ranged from 1 to 5 days (mean, 1.57 days). The fracture located at T ₁₂ in 15 cases, L ₁ in 20 cases, L ₂ in 19 cases, and L ₃ in 6 cases. The study used each patient as their own control, randomly guiding pedicle screw implantation using UVN combined with X-ray fluoroscopy on one side of the vertebral body and the adjacent segment (trial group), while the other side was implanted under X-ray fluoroscopy (control group). A total of 4 screws and 2 rods were implanted in each patient. The implantation time and fluoroscopy frequency during implantation of each screw, angle deviation and distance deviation between actual and preoperative planned trajectory by imaging examination, and the occurrence of zygapophysial joint invasion were recorded. RESULTS: In terms of screw implantation time, fluoroscopy frequency, angle deviation, distance deviation, and incidence of zygapophysial joint invasion, the trial group showed superior results compared to the control group, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION UVN combined with X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw implantation can yreduce screw implantation time, adjust dynamically, reduce operational difficulty, and reduce radiation damage.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Prospective Studies ; X-Rays ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Fluoroscopy/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries*