A retrospective analysis of health-related quality of life in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis children treated by anterior instrumentation and fusion

Background

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of spinal deformity. Scoliosis is defined as a lateral curvature of the spine greater than 10° accompanied by rotation of the vertebrae. The treatment available for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is observation, orthosis, and surgery. The surgical options include open anterior release and instrumentation, posterior instrumentation, and thoracoscopic approaches. The Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire (SRS-30) is a specific instrument to measure health-related quality of life in patients with scoliosis, who had or had not undergone surgery. The purpose was to assess the post-operative functional outcome using SRS-30 in children who underwent anterior release, instrumentation, and fusion using autogenous rib graft for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, 25 patients between the ages of 11 and 17 years, who underwent anterior release, instrumentation, and fusion using autogenous rib graft for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) between 2008 and 2014, were included in the study.

Results

The total average score was 4.26 with a SD of 0.014 and had maximum average score 4.5 (for pain) and minimum average score 3.8 (for self-image).

Conclusion

Anterior release, instrumentation, and fusion using autogenous rib graft is having good functional outcome in all domains.

     

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated with arthrodesis and posterior titanium instrumentation: 8 to 12 years follow up without late infection

Background

There are no data in the peer-reviewed literature regarding long term results in patients treated for AIS with a posterior titanium instrumentation. Therefore we assessed the outcome in 50 patients treated by titanium implant.

Methods

A total of 50 patients with a mean age of 16.6 years were treated. In all patients, titanium hooks and pedicle screws were used in combination. The demographic data and the pre- and post-operative radiographs of all 50 patients were re-examined, and 49 of the 50 patients (98%) attended a radiological and clinical follow up-examination on average 10.1 years post-operatively. The clinical results were recorded by means of the SRS 24 questionnaire.

Results

In the frontal plane, the mean pre-operative thoracic and lumbar curve had been 62.4° and 43.5° respectively, post-operatively the curves were reduced to 26.9° and 16.3°, resulting in a correction rate of 56.9% for thoracic and 62.5% for lumbar curve. At the follow up-evaluation, the Cobb angle of the thoracic and lumbar curve was 31.0° and 21.3° respectively, giving a final correction rate of 50.3% for thoracic, and 51.0% for lumbar curve. 7 of the 50 patients (14.3%) had undergo revision surgery for complications, but complete implant removal was necessary in only one case. Analysis of the SRS 24 questionnaire showed an average score of 95.8 points.

Conclusion

Posterior titanium instrumentation is a safe and effective procedure in the surgical correction of AIS. In this retrospective study with small patient number, it shows favourable long-term results; in particular, the loss of correction is low, no late infection occurred and there was a very high survival rate of the implant itself.

     

Fifteen to twenty-five year functional outcomes of twenty-two patients treated with posterior Cotrel-Dubousset type instrumentation: a limited but detailed review of outcomes

Background

Long-term outcomes of patients undergoing extensive fusions for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have conflicting results. Moskowitz found uninstrumented scoliosis fusion patients had similar back pain as a normal age matched population. Recently, long-term outcomes of patients with Harrington rod instrumentation were reviewed and found similar functional outcome scores to non-scoliosis patients, with trending toward worse outcomes when fusions extended to L4. Our study examined long-term functional outcomes of patients treated with Cotrel-Dubousset (CD) instrumentation and determined whether distal level of instrumented fusion (L4 and L5) correlate with increased back pain or lower functional level.

Methods

Retrospective review of AIS surgeries from 1986 to 1996 was undertaken. Patient demographics and surgical data were collected via case-note audit. Patients were contacted and asked to complete a series of functional outcome questionnaires including visual analog scales (VAS) for pain, Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Scoliosis Research Society 22 (SRS-22) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for function. ANOVA technique categorically compared outcome scores to most distal levels of fusion. Linear regression compared patient reported outcomes to time elapsed since surgery. Statistical significance was p?<?0.05.

Results

One hundred twelve patients were identified, 50 patients were contacted, and 22 agreed to participation and completed a full assessment. Follow-up time since surgery ranged from 15 to 26 years and age ranged from 30 to 43 years. Six patients reported daily VAS back pain of ≥5; with a mean of 2.5. Back pain was not associated with level of distal fusion (p?=?0.92). ODI was 15.36, with six patients' ODI >20. No relationship was shown between ODI and distal level of fusion (p?=?0.72). SF-36 and SRS 22 values were also not related to distal level of instrumentation. Patient reported VAS back pain scores (r²?=?0.18, p?=?0.05), ODI (r²?=?0.09, p?=?0.17), and SF-36 and SRS-22 were not worse in patients with longer follow-up over time. Back pain and certain functional score subcategories of the SF-36 and SRS-22 trended toward improved results over time.

Conclusions

Most patients who underwent multi-segment spinal fixation appeared to do well long-term, with minimal back pain. Lowest instrumented segment did not appear to be associated with increased back pain after 15 to 25 years follow-up.

     

Early versus delayed decompression for traumatic cervical spinal cord injury: results of the Surgical Timing in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (STASCIS)

Background

There is convincing preclinical evidence that early decompression in the setting of spinal cord injury (SCI) improves neurologic outcomes. However, the effect of early surgical decompression in patients with acute SCI remains uncertain. Our objective was to evaluate the relative effectiveness of early (<24 hours after injury) versus late (≥24 hours after injury) decompressive surgery after traumatic cervical SCI.

Methods

We performed a multicenter, international, prospective cohort study (Surgical Timing in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study: STASCIS) in adults aged 16–80 with cervical SCI. Enrolment occurred between 2002 and 2009 at 6 North American centers. The primary outcome was ordinal change in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade at 6 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes included assessments of complications rates and mortality.

Findings

A total of 313 patients with acute cervical SCI were enrolled. Of these, 182 underwent early surgery, at a mean of 14.2(±5.4) hours, with the remaining 131 having late surgery, at a mean of 48.3(±29.3) hours. Of the 222 patients with follow-up available at 6 months post injury, 19.8% of patients undergoing early surgery showed a ≥2 grade improvement in AIS compared to 8.8% in the late decompression group (OR = 2.57, 95% CI:1.11,5.97). In the multivariate analysis, adjusted for preoperative neurological status and steroid administration, the odds of at least a 2 grade AIS improvement were 2.8 times higher amongst those who underwent early surgery as compared to those who underwent late surgery (OR = 2.83, 95% CI:1.10,7.28). During the 30 day post injury period, there was 1 mortality in both of the surgical groups. Complications occurred in 24.2% of early surgery patients and 30.5% of late surgery patients (p = 0.21).

Conclusion

Decompression prior to 24 hours after SCI can be performed safely and is associated with improved neurologic outcome, defined as at least a 2 grade AIS improvement at 6 months follow-up.     

CT and radiographic analysis of sagittal profile changes following thoracoscopic anterior scoliosis surgery

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Previous studies report an increase in thoracic kyphosis after anterior approaches and a flattening of sagittal contours following posterior approaches. Difficulties with measuring sagittal parameters on radiographs are avoided with reformatted sagittal CT reconstructions due to the superior endplate clarity afforded by this imaging modality. METHODS: A prospective study of 30 Lenke 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients receiving selective thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion (TASF) was performed. Participants had ethically approved low dose CT scans at minimum 24 months after surgery in addition to their standard care following surgery. The change in sagittal contours on supine CT was compared to standing radiographic measurements of the same patients and with previous studies. Inter-observer variability was assessed as well as whether hypokyphotic and normokyphotic patient groups responded differently to the thoracoscopic anterior approach. RESULTS: Mean T5-12 kyphosis Cobb angle increased by 11.8 degrees and lumbar lordosis increased by 5.9 degrees on standing radiographs two years after surgery. By comparison, CT measurements of kyphosis and lordosis increased by 12.3 degrees and 7.0 degrees respectively. 95% confidence intervals for inter-observer variability of sagittal contour measurements on supine CT ranged between 5-8 degrees. TASF had a slightly greater corrective effect on patients who were hypokyphotic before surgery compared with those who were normokyphotic. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of sagittal profile is an important goal of scoliosis surgery, but reliable measurement with radiographs suffers from poor endplate clarity. TASF significantly improves thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis while preserving proximal and distal junctional alignment in thoracic AIS patients. Supine CT allows greater endplate clarity for sagittal Cobb measurements and linear relationships were found between supine CT and standing radiographic measurements. In this study, improvements in sagittal kyphosis and lordosis following surgery were in agreement with prior anterior surgery studies, and add to the current evidence suggesting that anterior correction is more capable than posterior approaches of addressing the sagittal component of both the instrumented and adjacent non instrumented segments following surgical correction of progressive Lenke 1 idiopathic scoliosis.     

The utility of superficial abdominal reflex in the initial diagnosis of scoliosis: a retrospective review of clinical characteristics of scoliosis with syringomyelia

Background

The incidence of spinal deformity in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is high, with 86% of these patients found to have a significant structural scoliosis; however, there are very few case reports describing surgical treatment for this deformity.

Methods

The authors reviewed a case series consisting of 6 patients who underwent spine surgery for scoliosis. Children's mean age at index surgery was 12 years and 10 months (range, 10 to 15 yrs). Clinical evaluation revealed the typical phenotypic features of the PWS in all of the patients; 4 subjects had a karyotype confirmation of PWS. Major structural curves showed preoperative mean Cobb angles of 80.8° (range, 65° to 96°). Hybrid instrumentation with sublaminar wires, hooks and screws was used in the first 2 patients, while the remaining 4 were treated with titanium pedicle screw constructs.

Results

The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 3 years and 10 months (range, 2 years to 9 years). Major complication rate was 50%. One patient who developed a major intraoperative complication (paraparesis) prevented spinal fusion to be obtained: the neurologic deficit resolved completely after instrumentation removal. Solid arthrodesis and deformity correction in both coronal and sagittal plane was, however, achieved in the other 5 cases and no significant curve progression was observed at follow-up. Another major short-term complication was encountered 3 months after surgery in a patient who experienced the detachment of a distally located rod and required correction through revision surgery and caudal extension by one level. Cervico-thoracic kyphosis was seen in 1 patient who did not require revision surgery.

Conclusions

Spine reconstructive surgery in patients with PWS is rare and highly demanding. The best method of reconstruction is posterior multilevel pedicle screw fixation. Moreover, even with modern techniques, the risk of complications is still high. These new techniques, however, have shown to improve the postoperative course by allowing for immediate mobilization without any brace or cast. The use of the growing rod techniques, requiring repeated surgeries, should be carefully evaluated in each single case.     

Secondary abdominal contour surgery: a review of early and late reoperative surgery

A retrospective chart review of 400 abdominal contour operations produced a series of 24 patients who underwent both their primary and then their secondary abdominal contour surgeries with the senior author (Matarasso). The majority of patients were classified and treated according to the abdominoplasty classification system previously described; however, a subgroup could not be categorized according to this system. In this study, the authors identified the secondary abdominal contour surgical experience of one surgeon. A comparison was made between two groups of patients treated for both primary and secondary operations: group I, considered early, less than 18 months after the previous operation; and group II, considered late, 18 or more months after the previous operation. There was a significant difference between groups I and II (chi2 = 4.12, p = 0.05); most patients had their surgical procedures before 18 months. For patients who underwent either a miniabdominoplasty or a full primary abdominoplasty, there was a statistically significant difference between the number of patients treated in group I and the number in group II (Fisher's exact test, D = 0, p = 0.05). Next, the nature of the secondary procedure was determined to be either a revisional procedure or a completely new reoperative procedure. The majority of patients underwent revision or "touch-ups," accomplished with either liposuction alone or in combination with scar revision. There was no significant difference between types of primary and secondary procedures performed in group I or group II. Secondary abdominal contour surgery accounted for 6 percent (24 of 400) of all abdominal contour procedures performed by one surgeon. Complete secondary surgery, performing an additional open procedure, occurred in 21 percent of cases (five of 24). Revision surgery (scar revision or removal of dog-ears) was performed in 29 percent of all cases (seven of 24). There was a 4 percent (one of 24) complication rate requiring operative intervention. This rate is consistent with that reported in the literature for primary abdominal contour surgery. With the overall acceptance of aesthetic surgery increasing, the number of patients undergoing abdominoplasty increasing, an aging population, and the safety of secondary abdominal contour surgery suggested from this review, it is likely that plastic surgeons will see more patients requesting secondary abdominal contour surgery in the future.     

The three-dimensional easy morphological (3-DEMO) classification of scoliosis – Part III, correlation with clinical classification and parameters

Background

The shape of the torso in patients with idiopathic scoliosis is considered to reflect the shape of the vertebral column, however the direct correlation between parameters describing clinical deformity and those characterizing radiological curvature was reported to be weak. It is not clear if the management proposed for scoliosis (physiotherapy, brace, surgery) affects equally the shape of the axial skeleton and the surface of the body. The aim of the study was to compare clinical deformity of (1) idiopathic scoliosis girls being under brace treatment for radiological curves of 25 to 40 degrees and (2) non treated scoliotic girls matched for age and Cobb angle.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of 24 girls wearing the brace versus 26 girls without brace treatment, matched for age and Cobb angle. Hypothesis: Patients wearing the brace for more than 6 months, when comparing to patients without brace, may present different external morphology of the trunk, in spite of having similar Cobb angle. Material. Inclusion criteria: girls, idiopathic scoliosis, growing age (10–16 years), Cobb angle minimum 25°, maximum 40°. The braced group consisted of girls wearing a TLSO brace (Cheneau) for more than 6 months with minimum of 16 hours per day. The non-braced group consisted of girls first seen for their spinal deformity, previously not treated. The groups presented similar curve pattern. Methods. Scoliometer exam: angle of trunk rotation at three levels of the spine: upper thoracic, main thoracic, lumbar or thoracolumbar. The maximal angle was noted at each level and the sum of three levels was calculated. Posterior trunk symmetry index (POTSI) and Hump Sum were measured using surface topography.

Results

Cobb angle was 34.9° ± 4.8° in braced and 32.7° ± 4.9° in un-braced patients (difference not significant). The age was 14.1 ± 1.6 years in braced patients and 13.1 ± 1.9 years in un-braced group (p = 0.046). The value of angle of trunk rotation in the main curvature was 8.4° ± 2.7°in braced and 11.4° ± 2.7° in un-braced patients (difference extremely significant, p = 0.0003). The value of the sum of angles of trunk rotation at three levels of the trunk was 12.8° ± 4.6° in braced and 16.5° ± 3.8° in un-braced patients (difference very significant, p = 0.0038). The POTSI did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.78), the Hump Sum values were not quite different (p = 0.07).

Conclusion

(1) Adolescent girls wearing the brace for idiopathic scoliosis of 25 to 40 degrees of Cobb angle, reveal smaller clinical rotational deformity of their back than non-treated girls having similar radiological deformity. (2) evaluation of the results of treatment for idiopathic scoliosis should consider parameters describing both clinical and radiological deformity.     

Development of acetabulum after closed reduction in developmental hip dysplasia

The radiographic study of acetabulum development after closed reduction of 87 congenitally dislocated hips in 64 patients who were treated between 1980 and 1990 was conducted retrospectively. An average patient's age at the moment of closed hip reduction was 16 months (range between 6 to 24 months). On the average, patients were 16 months old (range between 6 to 24 months) at the moment of closed hip reduction. Development of bony acetabulum was followed for 8 years by measuring the AC angle. According to the age at the moment of closed reduction patients were sorted into three groups, the first group from 6 months to 12 months old (39 hips), the second group from 12 to 24 months old (28 hips) and the third group from 24 to 36 months old (20 hips). At the beginning of the treatment mean values of the AC angle in the first group were 37.2 degrees +/- 3.31 degrees; in the second group 39.7 degrees +/- 3.2 degrees; and in the third group 43.8 degrees +/- 2.7 degrees. The final values of the AC angle in the first group were 14.7 degrees +/- 3.21 degrees, in the second group 21 degrees +/- 3.02 degrees; and in the third group 24 degrees +/- 3.76 degrees. Normally and mildly dysplastic hips were achieved in 80.5% treated hips, while in 19.5% treated hips medium and serious dysplasia retarded. The acetabulum development in dysplastic hip after retained stable concentric reduction was the same as in the normal hip. The operative reconstruction of acetabulum should not be done before the third year of life.     

Psychometric validation of the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) in Chinese patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Background

Scoliosis is a common spinal deformity that occurs often during adolescence. Previous studies suggested that adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients can have various aspects of their lives being affected, due to disease presentation and/or treatment received. It is important to define a reliable instrument based on which the affected patients’ health-related quality of life can be assessed. This study aims to assess the validity, reliability and sensitivity of the EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) in Chinese patients with AIS.

Methods

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients of Chinese descent were prospectively recruited to complete both the traditional Chinese versions of the EQ-5D-5L and the refined Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22r) questionnaires. Patients’ demographic profiles and corresponding clinical parameters including treatment modalities, spinal curve pattern and magnitude, and duration of bracing were recorded. Telephone interviews were then conducted at least two weeks later for the assessment of test-retest reliability. Statistical analysis was performed: construct validity of the EQ-5D-5L domains were assessed using Spearman’s correlation test against the SRS-22r; whereas intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the test-retest reliability, and agreement over the test-retest period was expressed in percentages. Also, the sensitivity of the EQ-5D-5L in differentiating various clinical known groups was determined by effect size, independent t-test and analysis of variance.

Results

A total of 227 AIS patients were recruited. Scores of domains of the EQ-5D-5L correlated significantly (r: 0.57-0.74) with the scores of the SRS-22r domains that were intended to measure similar constructs, supporting construct validity. The EQ-5D-5L domain responses and utility scores showed good test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.777; agreement: 76.4?-98.1 %). Internal consistency was good (Cronbach’s α: 0.78) for the EQ-5D-5L utility score. The EQ-5D-5L utility score was sensitive in detecting differences between subjects who had different treatment modalities and bracing duration, but not for curve pattern and its magnitude.

Conclusions

The EQ-5D-5L is found to be a valid, reliable and sensitive measure to assess the health-related quality of life in Chinese AIS patients. This potentiates the possibility of utilizing the EQ-5D-5L to estimate AIS patients’ health-related quality of life, based on which the outcome of various treatment options can eventually be evaluated.

     

Persistence of Cushing’s Disease Symptoms and Comorbidities After Surgical Cure: a Long-Term,Integral Evaluation

ObjectiveSuccessful surgery does not always resolve all the clinical consequences of hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). Our purpose was to integrally evaluate a group of CD patients cured by pituitary surgery and look for the persistence of CD symptoms, signs, and comorbidities.MethodsWe performed clinical and biochemical evaluations of 29 CD patients (2 males) cured by pituitary surgery. All patients underwent early (median 12 months) and late (median 58 months) postoperative evaluations. We sought information regarding hypercortisolism-related symptoms and signs, as well as metabolic, cardiovascular, reproductive, and psychologic comorbidities.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity dropped from 72.4% at diagnosis to 31% at early evaluation but increased again to 44.8% at the late evaluation. Diabetes was present in 14 patients (48.3%) at diagnosis and persisted in 9 at the late evaluation. Hypertriglyceridemia was present in 58.6% and 55.1% of patients at diagnosis and at the late follow-up, respectively. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 79.3% at diagnosis, decreased to 55.1% at the early evaluation, and increased to 65.5% at the late evaluation. Menstrual abnormalities were originally present in 15 of 20 women, and 8 of the 15 had recovered normal periods when seen at the last evaluation. Among the 24 patients with depression at diagnosis, 11 and 6 still exhibited mood abnormalities at the early and late evaluations, respectively.ConclusionIn a variable proportion of patients, the cardiovascular, metabolic, and emotional comorbidities of CD persist after long-term remission, irrespective of the initial degree of hypercortisolism. (Endocr Pract. 2013; 19:252-258)     

Intrathecal Morphine Use in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery is Associated with Decreased Opioid Use and Decreased Length of Stay

BackgroundLength of stay (LOS) in the hospital following posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has decreased over the past decade due to well-defined postoperative clinical pathways, earlier mobilization, and improved pain control methods. Historically, liberal use of parenteral and oral opioids for pain control caused side effects, resulting in delayed discharge. Intraoperative intrathecal morphine (ITM) has been posited to reduce the need for postoperative opioids and to expedite the discharge process. This study examines the relationship between the use of ITM with average required postoperative opioid usage and with average LOS.MethodsThis IRB-approved retrospective cohort study examined 105 patients with AIS who received PSF with instrumentation split into two cohorts. One cohort underwent PSF via standard surgical protocol (n=40) while the other cohort received intraoperative ITM with the standard surgical protocol (n=65). Power analysis demonstrated a study power of 0.8. LOS and total postoperative opioid analgesic medication (morphine milligram equivalent, MME) data were collected. Age at surgery, gender, number of spinal levels fused, estimated intraoperative blood loss (EBL), preoperative Cobb angle, and any complications related to the use of ITM were also recorded. Continuous variables were analyzed with Student’s t-test and categorical variables were analyzed with chi-square independent-sample tests using SAS 9.4 (α = 0.05).ResultsPatients who were treated with ITM displayed shorter LOS (p<0.0001) and reduced postoperative analgesic requirement (p<0.0001). Patients who received ITM spent an average of 1.8 fewer midnights in the hospital and received an average of 221.2 MME less than patients who received standard protocol (57% decrease). There were no significant differences between the two groups for any other variable.ConclusionIntraoperative ITM is a simple and effective treatment for scoliosis surgeons to better control postoperative pain in patients, reduce the risk of dependency, and achieve earlier discharge from the hospital. Shortened LOS reduces the overall cost of care, benefitting patients, hospitals, and insurance companies. Based on the results of this study and several earlier studies, the authors recommended that scoliosis surgeons consider incorporating use of ITM into their standard operative protocols. Level of Evidence: IV     

Hydroxyapatite ceramics in multilevel cervical interbody fusion - is there a role?

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of hydroxyapatite grafts in multilevel cervical interbody fusion during the one year follow-up. A total of 86 patients with degenerative cervical disc disease underwent all together 224 cervical interbody fusion procedures in which either Smith-Robinson or Cloward type hydroxyapatite grafts were used. The surgeries included radiculopathy in 38 cases, myelopathy in 20 cases and myeloradicuopathy in 28 patients. In 65 out of 86 patients, fusion was followed by an anterior instrumentation (plating). Postoperatively, patients were followed for a mean of 15.64 (range 11-23.3) months. All patients underwent radiography to evaluate fusion and the axis curvature. Excellent clinical results (86%), described as a complete or partial relief of symptoms with full return to preop activity, were obtained in patients with radiculopathy. There were 5 grafts mobilizations and one graft fracture. Two grafts extruded in non-instrumented patients and required repeated surgery. There were other three reoperations due to the hardware problems. One year fusion rate was obtained at 86% for two-level surgery, 80.1% for three-level surgery and 74% for four-level surgery. The mean (SD) hospital stay was 3.8 (0.7) days. A hydroxyapatite cheramic can be a very effective synthetic material for multilevel cervical interbody fusion. It is characterized by a high fusion rate and a small percentage of graft-related complications, especially when fusion procedure is followed by plating.     

后路减压内固定融合矫形治疗退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄的临床研究

目的:探讨后路减压内固定融合矫形治疗退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄的临床疗效。方法:将我院2009年1月~2015年1月收治的退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄患者按照手术方法分为两组,实验组进行后路减压内固定融合矫形术治疗,对照组进行单纯后路减压固定矫形术治疗,对比两组患者术前、术后6个月和18个月的Cobb角、腰椎前凸角、日本骨科学会(JOA)评分、疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)情况,SRS-22国际标准量表评分情况以及出血量情况。结果:实验组术后18个月的Cobb角、腰椎前凸角分别为(16.8±5.16)°和(36.8±5.82)°,均分别低于对照组的(20.2±6.61)°和(41.2±5.67)°,且均低于术前(P0.05),而术前及术后6个月时两组比较无差异(P0.05);两组患者术后6个月和18个月的JOA评分、VAS评分比较均较术前明显改善(P0.05),且组间比较显示,术后18月两组比较均存在显著差异(P0.05);SRS-22国际标准评估量表显示,术后18个月两组患者的自理能力、自我评价、精神状态方面无显著差异(P0.05),而疼痛情况存在显著差异(P0.05)。两组术中出血量比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:后路减压内固定融合矫形术治疗退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄疗效显著,且后路减压内固定融合矫形术在改善患者的腰椎侧凸程度、功能障碍及疼痛程度方面优于单纯后路减压矫形内固定术,值得临床推广。     

肩关节镜下Bankart合并Remplissage手术治疗创伤性肩关节脱位的效果研究

目的:探讨采用肩关节镜下Bankart合并Remplissage手术治疗创伤性肩关节脱位的患者的临床疗效,为创伤性复发性肩关节脱位的临床治疗提供参考依据。方法:回顾性分析2014年12月-2016年12月就诊于吉林市中心医院的创伤性复发性肩关节脱位的52例患者住院期间的临床资料,均采用Bankart合并Remplissage手术治疗。临床疗效分析采用重复测量资料的方差分析以确定手术治疗的单独效用。结果:术后4个月和6个月,患者的Rowe评分和Constant-Murley评分均高于术前(P0.05);患者术后的VAS评分较术前明显所降低(P0.05),但术后关节活动度(肩关节平均前屈上举角度和平均外展90度外旋角度)的改变无统计学差异(P0.05);所有患者在术后6个月内未出现术后再脱位、半脱位现象。结论:Bankart修复联合Remplissage术对创伤性复发性肩关节前脱位患者的治疗具有较好的临床效果,可显著降低复发率。     

Twelve year experience of laparoscopic gastric plication in morbid obesity: development of the technique and patient outcomes

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Gastric Plication (LGP) is a new restrictive bariatric surgery, previously introduced by the author. The aim of this study is to explain the modifications and to present the 12-year experience, regarding early and long term results, complications and cost. METHODS: We used LGP for morbid obesity during the past 12 years. Anterior plication (10 cases), one-row bilateral plication while right gastroepiploic artery included (42 cases), and excluded from the plication (104 cases) and two-row plication (644 cases). The gastric greater curvature was plicated using 2/0 prolen from fundus at the level of diaphragm preserving the His angle to just proximal to the pylorus. The anatomic and functional volume of stomach was 50cc and 25cc respectively in two-row method. Ordered postop visits also included evaluation of weight loss, complications, change of diet and control of exercise. RESULTS: LGP was performed in 800 cases (mean age: 27.5, range: 12 to 65 years, nine under 18). Female to male ratio was 81% to 19% and average BMI was 42.1 (35-59). The mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 70% (40% to 100%) after 24 months and 55% (28% to 100%) after 5 years following surgery. 134 cases (16.7%) did not completed long term follow-up. The average time of follow up was 5 years (1 month to 12 years). 5.5% and 31% of cases complained from weight regain respectively during 4 and 12 years after LGP. The mean time of operation was 72 (49--152) minutes and average hospitalization time was 72 hours (24 hours to 45 days). The cost of operation was 2000 $ less than gastric banding or sleeve and 2500 $ less than gastric bypass. Eight patients out of 800 cases (1%) required reoperation due to complications like: micro perforation, obstruction and vomiting following adhesion of His angle. Other complications included hepatitis pneumonia, self-limiting intra-abdominal bleeding and hypocalcaemia. CONCLUSION: The percentage of EWL in this technique is comparable to other restrictive methods. The technique is safe with 1.6% complication (1% reoperated), and 31% regain during 12 years. The cost of operation is less than the other methods.     

Gravitropism of oat and wheat coleoptiles: dependence on the stimulation angle and involvement of autotropic straightening

Gravitropism of oat (Avena sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) coleoptiles was investigated in relation to the displacement angle or to the initially set stimulation angle (SA). We measured curvature rates at the early phase of curvature, before it was affected by the drop in SA resulting from the curvature response itself. The plot of the rates against the sines of initial SAs revealed similar curves for oats and wheat, which approached saturation as the sine increased to unity. The two species and previously analyzed rice [Iino et al. (1996) Plant Cell Environ. 19: 1160] appeared to have similar gravisensitivities. Initial SAs below and over 90 degrees yielded comparable rates when the sine values were the same, indicating that the extent of gravitropism is determined by the gravity component perpendicular to the organ's long axis. Long-term curvature kinetics at different SAs indicated that the net curvature rate dropped sharply before the tip reached the vertical position and then the tip approached the vertical slowly, with clear oscillatory movements in the case of wheat. During this late curvature phase, the coleoptile straightened gradually, although none of its parts had yet reached the vertical. When rotated on horizontal clinostats or displaced upwards to reduce SA in the late curvature phase, coleoptiles bent in the opposite direction. These results demonstrated that autotropism counteracts gravitropism to straighten coleoptiles.     

Serum YKL-40 Levels Correlate with Infarct Volume,Stroke Severity,and Functional Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose

YKL-40 is associated with various neurological disorders. However, circulatory YKL-40 levels early after onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have not been systematically assessed. We aimed to identify the temporal changes and clinical usefulness of measuring serum YKL-40 immediately following AIS.

Methods

Serum YKL-40 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were monitored over time in AIS patients (n = 105) and compared with those of stroke-free controls (n = 34). Infarct volume and stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; NIHSS) were measured within 48 hours of symptom onset, and functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale; mRS) was measured 3 months after AIS.

Results

Within 12 hours of symptom onset, levels of YKL-40 (251 vs. 41 ng/mL) and CRP (1.50 vs. 0.96 µg/mL) were elevated in AIS patients compared to controls. The power of YKL-40 for discriminating AIS patients from controls was superior to that of CRP (area under the curve 0.84 vs. 0.64) and YKL-40 (r = 0.26, P<0.001) but not CRP levels were correlated with mRS. On day 2 of admission (D2), YKL-40 levels correlated with infarct volume and NIHSS. High YKL-40 levels predicted poor functional outcome (odds ratio 5.73, P = 0.03). YKL-40 levels peaked on D2 and declined on D3, whereas CRP levels were highest on D3.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate serial changes in serum YKL-40 levels immediately following AIS and provide the first evidence that it is a valid indicator of AIS extent and an early predictor of functional outcome.     

The Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Noncontiguous Spinal Tuberculosis: A Retrospective Study in 23 Cases

Study design

A retrospective clinical study.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the surgical treatment of noncontiguous spinal tuberculosis (NSTB), and to discuss its therapeutic strategies.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data that were prospectively collected on 550 consecutive spinal tubercular patients including 27 patients who were diagnosed and treated as NSTB in our institution from June 2005 to June 2011. Apart from 4 patients being treated conservatively, the remainder received surgery by posterior transforaminal debridement, interbody fusion with instrumentation, posterior instrumentation and anterior debridement with fusion in a single or two-stage operation. The clinical outcomes were evaluated before and after treatment in terms of hematologic and radiographic examinations, bone fusion and neurologic status. The Oswestry Disability Index score was determined before treatment and at the last follow-up visit.

Results

23 patients (15 M/8F), averaged 44.6±14.2 years old (range, 19 to 70 yd), who received surgical treatment, were followed up after surgery for a mean of 52.5±19.5 months (range, 24 to 72 months). The kyphotic angle was changed significantly between pre- and postoperation (P<0.05). The mean amount of correction was 12.6±7.2 degrees, with a small loss of correction at last follow-up. All patients achieved solid bone fusion. No patients with neurological deficit deteriorated postoperatively. Neither mortalities nor any major complications were found. There was a significant difference of Oswestry Disability Index scores between preoperation and the final follow-up.

Conclusion

The outcomes of follow-up showed that posterior and posterior-anterior surgical treatment methods were both viable surgical options for NSTB. Posterior transforaminal debridement, interbody fusion and posterior instrumentation, as a less invasive technique, was feasible and effective to treat specific tubercular foci.     

Free flaps to preserve below-knee amputation stumps: long-term evaluation

Five patients with insufficient soft-tissue coverage on below-knee amputation stumps have been treated with free-tissue transfer surgery to preserve a functional below-knee prosthetic level. The flaps employed include one latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, two latissimus dorsi muscle-skin graft flaps, one groin flap, and one foot-fillet flap. All five flaps survived; one patient required early venous anastomosis reexploration and revision. The patients have been followed for a mean duration of 5.5 years (range 3 to 8 years). The mean duration to first ambulation with a prosthesis was 3.6 months (range 2 to 7 months). Four of the five patients developed ulcerations on or adjacent to their flaps which required surgical revision. The patients required a mean of 1.28 prosthesis changes annually since surgery. The functional motion (mean active knee motion is 100 degrees) and ligamentous stability of the knee joints were well preserved in all patients. Five patients wear patella tendon-bearing prostheses, with one requiring an additional thigh corset. In two of the patients, nerve anastomoses to their flaps were performed. Both patients developed true cutaneous sensibility, but nevertheless experienced flap ulceration. All the patients are fully ambulatory on their free flaps. Free-tissue transfer can assist in preserving traumatic below-knee amputations so that patients can benefit from the functional advantage of a below-knee prosthetic device.