下腰椎病变三种固定方法的疗效对比研究

[目的] 探讨瞄准器引导下经皮单侧椎板关节突螺钉、单侧椎弓根螺钉并瞄准器引导下经皮对侧椎板关节突螺钉,以及双侧椎弓根螺钉三种固定方法联合椎间融合器植骨治疗下腰椎病变的优缺点.[方法] 自2007年6月～ 2009年12月分别采用瞄准器引导下经皮单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定联合椎间融合器植骨(A组)、单侧椎弓根螺钉并瞄准器引导下经皮对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定联合椎间融合器植骨(B组)、双侧椎弓根螺钉固定联合椎间融合器植骨(C组)三种方法治疗下腰椎病变共84例,均为单节段病变;其中A组26例,B组30例,C组28例;记录并对比三种手术方法其手术时间、切口长度、术中出血量、术后引流液量和住院费用;通过影像学评价三种手术方法病例其术前、术后、最后随访时的椎间隙高度的变化、内固定有无松动或断裂、椎间融合器有无移位及椎间植骨融合情况;采用JOA下腰痛评分系统评价其临床效果并进行对比.[结果] 三组病例在切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量和术后引流液量等方面A组优于B组和C组,B组优于C组,其差异均有统计学意义.三组病例均获随访,随访时间12 ～36个月(平均20个月).在病变节段椎间隙高度方面三组病例术后均获得较好的恢复,但最后随访时A组病例有明显的丢失,而B组和C组病例椎间隙高度获得良好的维持.最后随访时融合率为:A组96.2％,B组96.7％,C组92.9％,三组间无统计学差异;最后随访时JOA评分,三组间相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).[结论] 相对双侧椎弓根螺钉固定,单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定和单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定具有切口小、创伤小、操作简单、费用省等优点,特别是采用瞄准器引导下经皮椎板关节突螺钉的置入进一步减少了创伤,提高了置钉的准确性和安全性.但单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定强度有限,需慎重选择,而单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定稳定性好,临床效果良好,是一种较好的选择.     

单侧椎弓根钉结合对侧关节突螺钉内固定与双侧椎弓根钉固定治疗下腰椎退行性疾病的比较

目的比较后路减压椎间融合器植骨后行单侧椎弓根钉结合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定与双侧椎弓根螺钉固定治疗下腰椎退行性疾病的优缺点。方法2010年1月至2012年1月采用后路减压椎间融合器植骨内固定治疗80例下腰椎退行性疾病患者,均为单节段病变。其中40例在可扩张管微创系统（Quadrant系统）辅助下行椎弓根钉结合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定（微创组）,40例采用开放后路腰椎体间融合双侧弓根螺钉内固定（常规组）。使用0s—westry功能障碍指数（oswestry disability index,ODI）、疼痛视觉模拟评分（visual analogue score,VAS）评定临床疗效,并比较两组患者手术切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、住院时间、并发症等指标。结果术后1周微创组腰痛VAS评分优于常规组（P〈0．05）。而其他时间相比两组VAS评分与ODI评分相比,差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。两组患者手术切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、住院时间比较差异均有统计学意义,微创组少于常规组。随访过程中两组病例均未出现内固定物松动、移位、断裂等。融合率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论与传统后路开放减压双侧椎弓根螺钉内固定术相比,微创通道下单侧椎弓根钉结合对侧椎板关节突螺钉内固定方法具有操作简单、创伤出血少、稳定可靠、疗效确切等优点,更加符合微创原则。     

下腰椎不同固定方式的生物力学对比研究

目的 观察下腰椎不同固定方式对腰椎稳定性的影响.方法 新鲜成人尸体下腰椎标本6具,测定L4/5节段屈伸、左右侧屈、左右旋转6个方向ROM和刚度值的变化,按5组顺序依次测试:A组(正常下腰椎标本组);B组(单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定+椎间单枚Cage);C组(单侧椎弓根螺钉固定+椎间单枚Cage);D组(单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定+椎间单枚Cage);E组(双侧椎弓根螺钉固定+椎间单枚Cage).结果 与A组比较,B组各运动状态ROM有减少,而刚度明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与B组比较,C组各运动方向ROM与刚度,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);与C组比较,D组各运动状态ROM有减少,而刚度增加,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与E组比较,D组各运动方向ROM与刚度,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);与E组比较,C组各运动状态ROM有增加,而刚度减少,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨方法提供了一定的稳定性,而单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨具有与双侧椎弓根螺钉固定相同的稳定性,临床上可根据病例的具体情况,如身高体质量指数、病变类型及病变节段稳定程度选择性地应用上述两种固定融合方法.     

单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定与双侧椎弓根螺钉固定应用于下腰椎退变性疾病的比较

目的:比较后路减压椎间融合器植骨后行单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定与双侧椎弓根螺钉固定治疗下腰椎退变性疾病的优缺点。方法:2007年6月～2008年12月采用后路减压椎间融合器植骨内固定治疗51例下腰椎退变性疾病患者,均为单节段病变,无严重不稳。其中26例在瞄准器引导下经皮单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定(A组),25例采用双侧椎弓根螺钉固定(B组)。两组患者性别比例、年龄、病程、疾病类型、病变部位、疾病严重程度和术前病变节段椎间隙高度无统计学差异,比较两组患者手术创伤和临床疗效。结果:两组病例均顺利完成手术,均未输血,术中、术后未出现手术相关并发症。两组手术切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、术后切口引流液量和住院费用比较差异有显著性差异(P<0.05),A组优于B组;所有病例均获随访,随访时间12～42个月,平均19.5个月,随访过程中两组病例均未出现螺钉松动、移位、断裂等,融合率无显著性差异(P>0.05),末次随访时两组JOA评分改善率无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:对无严重不稳的单节段退变性腰椎疾病患者两种内固定方法的效果相当,但相对双侧椎弓根螺钉固定,在瞄准器引导下经皮单侧椎板关节突螺钉固定切口小、创伤小、操作简单、费用低。     

小切口单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧经皮椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合治疗腰椎病变的并发症分析

目的 :总结小切口单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧经皮椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合治疗腰椎病变并发症的发生特点和原因。方法:对2008年1月至2013年12月采用小切口单侧椎弓根螺钉联合瞄准器引导下经皮对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨治疗的166例腰椎病变患者进行回顾性分析,其中男64例,女102例;年龄24~74岁,平均51.9岁;病程8个月~30年,平均47.5个月;腰椎间盘退变49例,腰椎间盘突出症术后原位复发17例,巨大型腰椎间盘突出23例,腰椎间盘突出伴椎管狭窄27例,腰椎退行性Ⅰ度滑脱(Meyerding分级系统)21例,极外侧型腰椎间盘突出5例;单节段病变124例,双节段病变42例;L_(3,4)6例,L_(4,5)97例,L_5S_121例,L_(2,3)、L_(3,4)1例,L_(3,4)、L_(4,5)26例,L_(4,5)、L_5S_115例。结果 :166例患者术中无异常出血,均未输血;术中硬脊膜损伤并脑脊液漏1例、椎弓根(椎弓根入点)骨折4例、终板损伤2例。切口皮肤无坏死,切口无感染。术后未出现脑脊液漏,神经根损伤1例。椎弓根螺钉位置Ⅰ度163例371枚螺钉,Ⅱ度3例3枚螺钉;椎板关节突螺钉Ⅰ型157例199枚螺钉,Ⅱ型8例8枚螺钉,Ⅲ型1例1枚螺钉;椎板关节突螺钉偏短2例。失访5例,死亡2例,其余病例获得12~60个月的随访,平均35.4个月。随访过程中出现终板切割并融合器部分嵌入椎体14例14个节段。出现异常的双下肢疼痛1例。除11例11个节段不能明确外,其余148例189个节段获得椎间融合。未发现椎弓根螺钉与椎板关节突螺钉松动、移位、断裂,椎间融合器亦无前后向移位,未观察到邻近节段的明显退变现象。末次随访时腰椎冠状面Cobb角、矢状面Cobb角及JOA评分较术前均有明显的改善。结论:虽然小切口单侧椎弓根螺钉联合瞄准器引导下经皮对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨治疗腰椎病变是一较好的手术方式,但仍面临着并发症的问题,要求术者具有丰富的脊柱外科手术经验、术中严谨的操作、充分利用影像辅助系统,以有效地降低手术并发症的发生。     

单侧椎弓根螺钉固定与联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定应用于下腰椎单节段病变的临床研究

目的:对比单侧椎弓根螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨与单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨两种手术方法治疗下腰椎单节段病变的临床优缺点。方法:选择2008年1月至2009年6月收治的62例下腰椎单节段病变患者,男16例,女46例;年龄27～72岁,平均51.6岁。其中腰椎间盘退行性病变22例,腰椎间盘突出症术后原位复发13例,腰椎间盘突出伴椎管狭窄症12例,巨大型腰椎间盘突出症5例,腰椎退行性滑脱(Ⅰ度)10例。L_3,4 5例,L_4,5 42例,L₅S₁ 15例。采用单侧椎弓根螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨治疗30例(A组),采用单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨治疗32例(B组).对比两组患者的一般情况包括切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流液量。根据影像资料观察内固定有无松动或断裂、椎间融合器有无移位、椎间融合情况,并比较两组患者术前、术后5 d和末次随访时病变节段椎间隙高度变化,以及术前和末次随访时腰椎冠状面和矢状面的Cobb角。对比两组病例术后72 h腰部切口疼痛程度,并采用JOA下腰痛评分系统评价临床疗效。结果:两组病例术后切口无感染及皮肤坏死。未出现神经根或马尾损伤,以及下肢神经功能恶化现象。两组在切口长度、术中出血量和术后切口引流液量方面差异无统计学意义,而A组手术时间少于B组(P<0.05).术后72 h腰部切口VAS评分两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).两组病例均获随访,随访时间12～48个月,平均27.5个月。在椎间隙高度方面,两组病例术后5 d与术前相比,均获得良好的恢复,且末次随访时与术后5 d相比,均获得良好的维持。两组病例均未出现椎弓根螺钉或椎板关节突螺钉松动、移位、断裂,亦未出现椎间融合器移位现象。两组融合率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).两组病例末次随访时均获得良好的功能恢复,JOA评分与术前相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组间相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:两种手术方式均具有切口小、创伤小、操作简单、稳定性可、植骨融合率高、恢复快、临床效果好及并发症少等优点。而且,与单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定方式相比,单侧椎弓根螺钉固定方式操作步骤少,不需要特殊器械,因而,在严格把握手术适应证、提高手术技巧的前提下,可在部分腰椎单节段病变的固定融合治疗中选择性应用。     

两种不同固定方式并椎间融合治疗腰椎双节段病变的临床对比研究

目的:通过与双侧椎弓根螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨方法对比,探讨单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧经皮椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨方法治疗腰椎双节段病变的优缺点。方法:选择2009年6月至2011年12月分别采用上述两种固定方法治疗的腰椎双节段病变49例,男17例,女32例,其中单侧椎弓根螺钉联合瞄准器引导下经皮对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨组(A组)23例,双侧椎弓根螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨组(B组)26例。腰椎间盘突出伴椎管狭窄症29例,腰椎间盘退变17例,腰椎退行性滑脱(Ⅰ度)3例;L_2,3、L_3,4 1例,L_3,4、L_4,5 30例,L_4,5、L₅S₁ 18例。对比两组病例切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流液量。根据影像资料对比两组病例手术前后病变节段椎间隙高度的变化、腰椎冠状面和矢状面Cobb角变化,观察椎弓根螺钉、椎板关节突螺钉有无松动、断裂,以及椎间融合器有无移位,评价椎间融合情况。采用视觉模拟评分法(visual analogue scale,VAS)对腰部切口疼痛进行评分。术前、末次随访采用JOA下腰痛评分系统,评价两组病例的功能恢复情况。结果:术后切口无感染及皮肤坏死。术中、术后未出现脑脊液漏,未出现马尾或神经根损伤以及下肢神经根功能恶化现象。两组病例切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量和术后切口引流液量对比,A组优于B组。术后72 h,VAS评分A组为2.35±1.20,B组3.11±1.00,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).所有患者获随访,时间12～48个月,平均29个月。所有患者椎间隙高度获得良好的恢复,并有良好的维持,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).未出现椎板关节突螺钉或椎弓根螺钉松动、移位、断裂,亦未出现椎间融合器移位现象。末次随访时两组病例的腰椎冠状面和矢状面Cobb角均获得良好的改善,两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).融合率A组为93.5%,B组为96.2%,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).末次随访时JOA评分均较术前改善(P<0.01),两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:与双侧椎弓根螺钉固定相比,单侧椎弓根螺钉联合瞄准器引导下经皮对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨方式治疗腰椎双节段病变具有切口小、创伤小、操作简单、稳定性好、融合率高、恢复快等优点,可作为部分腰椎双节段病变病例固定融合的较好选择。     

肌间隙入路通道下腰椎固定融合术中终板损伤原因分析及预后

背景:肌间隙入路通道已成为腰椎固定融合应用较多的手术入路和显露方式,单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合器植骨术是一种独立、有效的固定融合方式,而术中终板损伤时有发生。目的:探讨肌间隙入路通道显露下单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合治疗腰椎病变术中终板损伤的特点和原因,总结终板损伤的处理方式与临床结果。方法:回顾性分析2012年6月至2017年12月采用此手术方式治疗腰椎病变术中出现终板损伤的17例患者。男4例,女13例;年龄44~73岁,平均(61.3±7.4)岁;单节段固定13例,两节段固定4例。单一终板损伤15例,融合节段上下终板均发生损伤2例。观察其临床和影像结果,以及并发症情况。结果:术中无椎弓根骨折、硬脊膜损伤,术中、术后无脑脊液漏和神经损伤,术后无切口感染。随访12~72个月,平均(38.2±15.3)个月。病变节段椎间隙高度均恢复良好,但随访中出现较为明显的丢失,末次随访时与术后对比有统计学意义。融合器均有沉降,2例融合器向后移位。末次随访时除1例不能明确外,均获得椎间融合,融合率94.1%。融合时间12~24个月,平均(16.8±2.8)个月。未发现内固定松动、移位、断裂及固定部位邻近节段的明显退变。结论:肌间隙入路通道显露下单侧椎弓根螺钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉固定并椎间融合治疗腰椎病变无法避免终板的损伤,损伤原因包括:患者骨量减少或骨质疏松、操作因素、香蕉型融合器的应用。只要处理得当,终板损伤并不影响预后,亦未增加内固定松动或断裂、椎间不融合等并发症。但可能加速椎间隙高度丢失,增加融合器沉降,需要加强终板损伤的处理和预防。     

微创入路单侧椎弓根钉联合关节突螺钉内固定治疗下腰椎退行性疾病

目的探讨多裂肌间隙入路可扩张管微创系统（Quadrant系统）辅助下单侧椎弓根钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉内固定cage椎间植骨融合术治疗下腰椎退行性疾病的疗效。方法2010年1月～2011年12月对40例单节段下腰椎退行性疾病采用多裂肌间隙人路,经椎间孔融合器植骨单侧椎弓根螺钉固定,并在椎间盘镜通道辅助直视下行对侧椎板关节突螺钉内固定。根据视觉疼痛模拟评分（visual analogue scores,VAS）及Nakai标准评定临床疗效。结果切口长3．0～4．0cm,平均3．3cm。手术时间70～120min,平均85min。术中出血量90～400ml,平均150ml。术后切口无感染、皮肤坏死。40例随访12～24个月,平均18．2月。术后1年随访时患者腰痛VAS评分从术前（6．8±2．6）分降至（2．7±1．3）分,腿痛VAS评分从术前（8．1±2．4）分降至（2．9±1．4）分。疗效评定采用Nakai标准：优25例,良12例,可3例,优良率92．5％（37／40）。所有患者无螺钉松动、断裂及cage移位等并发症。结论Quadrant系统下多裂肌间隙人路单侧椎弓根钉联合对侧椎板关节突螺钉内固定具有操作简单、出血少、稳定可靠、并发症少、疗效确切等优点．是部分下腰椎病变固定融合的理想方法。     

单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定结合椎间融合器植骨融合术治疗腰椎失稳合并椎间盘突出症的疗效观察

目的 探讨单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定结合椎间融合器植骨融合术治疗腰椎失稳合并椎间盘突出症的方法和效果.方法 对16例腰椎失稳合并椎间盘突出症采用单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定联合椎间融合器植骨融合术治疗.对术前、术后和随访时JOA评分、椎间隙高度、植骨融合率进行观察分析.结果 椎间隙高度无明显丢失,植骨融合率100%,神经功能JOA评分显著改善,无内固定断裂等并发症.结论 单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定椎间融合器植骨融合术具有操作简单、创伤小等优点,是治疗腰椎失稳合并椎间盘突出症的有效手术方式.     

脊柱前路手术的适应证

脊柱外科手术入路的选择常常取决于脊柱外科医师的手术技能。随着脊柱生物力学研究的深入、影像诊断技术的发展以及脊柱融合与内固定技术的进步 ,脊柱前路手术已作为许多脊柱疾患的常规治疗方法而逐渐普及。掌握适应证对于脊柱外科手术的成功至关重要 ,笔者就脊柱前路手术适应证的选择作一讨论。1　前方减压与稳定包括椎体和椎间盘在内的脊柱前部结构担负着脊柱的大部分生物力学功能 ,因而多数脊柱伤病系以累及脊柱前部结构为主。1.1　 感染与肿瘤　脊柱感染和肿瘤最容易累及的是椎体和椎间盘 ,经前路施行病灶清除及椎管减压手术常常为病情…     

侧方途径切除胸腰椎肿瘤和脊柱重建

目的探讨侧方入路手术途径切除胸腰椎肿瘤和重建脊柱稳定性的临床疗效和意义。方法29例T3～T4肿瘤患者，Frankel神经功能分级：A级3例，B级5例，C级7例，D级6例，E级8例。经侧方入路手术途径显露病椎前方、侧方和后方，切除肿瘤以及上下相邻椎间盘，然后根据肿瘤的具体情况进行不同肜式的脊柱稳定性的重建。结果围手术期无死亡病例，患者出院时Frankel神经功能分级，A级2例，B级3例．C级4例，D级4例，E级16例。术后获访23例，随访时间13～58个月，死亡4例；神经功能情况，13例较出院时有改善，加重1例。结论侧方入路手术途径无需经胸／腹膜腔，患者容易耐受手术，适合于某些胸腰椎肿瘤的切除和脊柱稳定性的重建。     

Atypical forms of spinal tuberculosis

Summary Twenty-three patients with atypical forms of spinal tuberculosis treated between 1975 and 1985, are described.All presented with signs and symptoms of compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina, ranging from paraesthesiae and increasing weakness of extremities to paraplegia and loss of sphincter control. None of them showed visible or palpable spinal deformity nor the typical radiographic appearance of destruction of the intervertebral disc and the two adjoining vertebral bodies. These atypical forms constituted about 12 percent of all the cases of spinal tuberculosis seen (a total of 190 cases); and fell into three well-defined groups: those with the involvement of neural arch only; those with the inolvement of a single vertebral body; and, those without bony involvement. The correct surgical approach in these groups was found to be different: spinal cord compression caused by the tuberculous disease of the neural arch was best treated by laminectomy; whereas single vertebral body disease required an anterior or anterolateral approach. Spinal computerized tomography was helpful in defining the extent of disease and planning the surgical approach. Histological confirmation of tuberculosis was obtained in all the cases and acid fast bacilli (A.F.B.) were found in, and cultured from, the biopsy specimens of 18 cases.     

椎管内肿瘤的诊断及手术治疗

探讨椎管内肿瘤的临床特点及手方法。方法１０３例椎管内肿瘤患者均经手术治疗,颈椎行单开门术暴露椎管,胸椎行全椎板切除,腰椎椎则行次全椎板切队鹘椎椎管内外哑铃型肿瘤分别采用颈前路和肋骨横突切除术入路。结果随访８２例平均随访时间３．５年,优良率为８１．７％。     

Incidence and significance of findings on spinal MRIs in a paediatric population with spinal column complaints

PurposeWe sought to identify correlations between working diagnosis, surgeon indication for obtaining spinal MRI and positive MRI findings in paediatric patients presenting with spinal disorders or complaints.MethodsSurgeons recorded their primary indication for ordering a spinal MRI in 385 consecutive patients. We compared radiologist-reported positive MRI findings with surgeon response, indication, working diagnosis and patient demographics.ResultsThe most common surgeon-stated indications were pain (70) and coronal curve characteristics (63). Radiologists reported 137 (36%) normal and 248 (64%) abnormal MRIs. In total, 58% of abnormal reports (145) did not elicit a therapeutic or investigative response, which we characterized as ‘clinically inconsequential’. In all, 42 of 268 (16%) presumed idiopathic scoliosis patients had intradural pathology noted on MRI.Younger age (10.3 years versus 12.0 years) was the only significant demographic difference between patients with or without intradural pathology. Surgeon indication ‘curve magnitude at presentation’ was associated with intradural abnormality identification. However, average Cobb angles between patients with or without an intradural abnormality was not significantly different (39° versus 37°, respectively). Back pain without neurological signs or symptoms was a negative predictor of intradural pathology.ConclusionRadiologists reported a high frequency of abnormalities on MRI (64%), but 58% of those were deemed clinically inconsequential. Patients with MRI abnormalities were two years’ younger than those with a normal or inconsequential MRI. ‘Curve magnitude at presentation’ in presumed idiopathic scoliosis patients was the only predictor of intrathecal pathology. ‘Pain’ was the only indication significantly associated with clinically inconsequential findings on MRI.Level of evidence:III     

MR-imaging of chronic spinal cord injury. Association with neurologic function

Twenty-two para- and tetraplegic patients with chronic spinal cord injuries were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical course in the entire rehabilitation period was recorded and an attempt was made to associate the functional status of the patients with the morphologic findings on MRI. Small and large spinal cord cysts and syringomyelia, cord atrophy, and spinal stenosis were found. Additionally, in a number of patients regions of increased signal intensity within the cord, interpreted as myelomalacia, and obliteration of the intradural extramedullary space, interpreted as arachnopathy, were noted. The large number (13/22) of cystic lesions in our patients was unexpected. It was in contrast to the rate reported in autopsy studies of paraplegics which note only few cysts. Whereas a direct association of morphologic findings with neurologic symptoms and the clinical course was difficult, it was found that patients with large cysts and spinal cord atrophy generally showed no tendency to improve in spite of the measures taken during the rehabilitation period. It is difficult to decide whether the initial trauma with cord hemorrhage is limiting the chance of neurological improvement or if a sequence of events leading from hemorrhage to gliosis and cystic necrosis is the determining factor.     

Flow characteristics of Luer and non‐Luer spinal needles

We investigated the flow rates of 25‐G and 27‐G spinal needles, of 90‐mm and 120‐mm lengths, from Vygon, BD, B. Braun and Pajunk; the needles had either a Luer connector, or a Surety^® or UniVia^® non‐Luer connector. We used a bench‐top model of entering the spinal space, pressurised to 35 cmH₂O to simulate cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the sitting position. We examined the time to first appearance of simulated cerebrospinal fluid in the needle hub, as well as the amount of fluid collected over 120 s after the needle was introduced. The mean (SD) times to first appearance of fluid in the needle hub of Luer spinal needles varied from 0.36 (0.22) s for the 25‐G 90‐mm BD to 3.14 (0.72) s for the 27‐G 120‐mm B. Braun, and in the non‐Luer spinal needles from 0.22 (0.17) s for the 25‐G 90‐mm B. Braun to 2.99 (0.71) s for the 27‐G 120‐mm Pajunk. There was a significant difference in the time to first appearance of fluid in the needle hub between Luer and non‐Luer needles of the same type for seven of 14 comparisons made, of which four showed slower appearance of fluid in the non‐Luer version. In some of these cases, the time to appearance of fluid was nearly twice as long with the non‐Luer counterpart. The mean (SD) weight of fluid collected in 120 s using the Luer spinal needles varied from 0.21 (0.05) g for the 27‐G 120‐mm Pajunk to 1.21 (0.18) g for the 25‐G 90‐mm Vygon, and using the non‐Luer spinal needles from 0.25 (0.05) g for the 27‐G 120‐mm Pajunk to 1.55 (0.05) g for the 25‐G 90‐mm B. Braun. All of the needle types showed a greater weight of fluid collected using the non‐Luer compared with the Luer version, with six of the 14 needle types showing a significant difference. Significant variations in flow were also seen between the same needle type from different manufacturers. We conclude that changing from Luer to non‐Luer versions of spinal needles does not merely change the hub design and connection, but may introduce important differences in function.     

Monosegmental fixation for the treatment of fractures of the thoracolumbar spine

Background:

A short vertebral arthrodesis has been one of the objectives of the surgical treatment of fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. We present here clinical, functional and radiographic outcome obtained after monosegmental fixation (single posterior or combined anterior and posterior) of specific types of unstable thoracolumbar fractures.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty four patients with fractures of the thoracolumbar spine submitted to monosegmental surgical treatment (Group I - 18 single posterior monosegmental fixations and Group II - 6 combined anterior and posterior fixations) were retrospectively evaluated according to clinical, radiographic and functional parameters. The indication for surgery was instability or neurological deficit. All the procedures were indicated and performed by the senior surgeon (Helton LA Defino).

Results:

The patients from group I were followed-up from 2 to 12 years (mean: 6.65±2.96). The clinical, functional and radiographic results show that a single posterior monosegmental fixation is adequate and a satisfactory procedure to be used in specific types of thoracolumbar spine fractures, The patients from group II were followed-up from 9 to 15 years (mean: 13 ± 2,09 years). On group II the results of clinical evaluation showed moderate indices of residual pain and of satisfaction with the final result. The values obtained by functional evaluation showed that 66.6% of the patients were unable to return to their previous job and presented a moderate disability index (Oswestry = 16.6) and a significant reduction of quality of life based on the SF-36 questionnaire. Radiographic evaluation showed increased kyphosis of the fixed vertebral segment during the late postoperative period, accompanied by a reduction of the height of the intervertebral disk.

Conclusion:

It is possible to stabilize the fractures which have an anterior good load-bearing capacity by a standalone posterior monosegmental fixation. However this procedure, even with an anterior support is not suitable for fracture involving the vertebral body.     

Efficacy of intrathecal neostigmine for the relief of postinguinal hemiorrhaphy pain

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal administration of various doses of neostigmine has been reported to produce analgesia without neurotoxicity in both animal and human studies. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal neostigmine for the relief of pain for patients having undergone inguinal herniorrhaphy surgery. METHODS: Sixty men scheduled for elective inguinal herniorrhaphy with spinal anaesthesia were randomly allocated to three groups: group I (n=20) received intrathecal (IT) tetracaine 15 mg, group II (n=20) received IT tetracaine 15 mg+ neostigmine 50 microg, and group III (n=20) received IT tetracaine 15 mg+neostigmine 100 microg. The onset of anaesthesia, duration of analgesia, time to use of first rescue analgesics, the overall 24 h VAS pain scores and the incidence of adverse effects were recorded for 24 h postdrug administration. RESULTS: Onset of anaesthesia (time to T6 sensory block) was significantly faster for group II and III patients compared with group I patients. Motor block (time to lift leg) was greatly prolonged for group III patients, with an average of 6.4 h, compared with 4.1 h for group II patients. Group III patients also showed a later onset of postsurgical pain, lower overall 24-h VAS pain score and prolonged time to first rescue analgesics than did group II patients. There was a significantly greater incidence of adverse effects associated with IT neostigmine, especially nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that intrathecal neostigmine at 50 pg or 100 microg enhanced the onset of tetracaine anaesthesia and provided analgesia lasting for 6-9 h, although increased incidences of prolonged motor blockade and nausea or vomiting were noted.     

可复式椎管扩大成形术的设计与临床应用

目的设计可复式椎管扩大成形术，探讨其临床应用的可行性。方法 自病变间隙下位棘突，椎板的上１／３水平截骨，小关节突内缘两侧椎板向上凿开，将棘突，椎板，黄韧带向上掀起，显露，扩大椎管，摘除突出髓核。结果 治疗腰椎间盘突出和椎管狭窄３６例，经７－７２个月随访，优良率达１００％。结论该术式适用范围广，病灶切除彻底，操作简单，通达到彻底减压和稳定脊柱的双重目的。