Ileal interposition reconstruction for ileo-rectal fistula following sex reassignment surgery: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Ileorectal fistulas following sigmoid colon vaginoplasty are rare. Reports on the management of the surgical complications of sex reassignment operations among transgender patients are few.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 40-year-old patient with a male-to-female sex identity disorder underwent sigmoid vaginoplasty for sex reassignment 4 months prior to presentation. The patient was referred for persistent diarrhea and postoperative lower abdominal pain. Proctoscopy, gastrografin enema, and small bowel enterography revealed rectal anastomotic stenosis and an ileorectal fistula. The prior anastomotic site and ileal rectal fistula were resected, and ileal interposition reconstruction was performed to avoid damaging the blood supply to the artificial vagina. Routine follow-up after the closure of the diverting ileostomy showed no new pathologies.

DISCUSSION

This case highlighted the management of surgical complications after sex reassignment surgery.

CONCLUSION

Ileal interposition was a useful reconstruction method after resecting the colonic anastomotic site to preserve the artificial vagina.

Cervical disc degeneration is associated with a reduction in mobility: A cross-sectional study of 1211 asymptomatic healthy subjects

The aim of this study was to establish the age-related changes and gender-specific differences of cervical disc degeneration using magnetic resonance image (MRI) and to evaluate the correlation between the severity of cervical disc degeneration and mobility in asymptomatic subjects. A total of 1,211 relatively healthy volunteers (606 males and 605 females, mean age 49.5 years) without neurological symptoms underwent MRI. At least 100 males and 100 females in each decade of life between the 20 s and the 70 s were included. This study was part of a larger project and used some previously published data. Cervical disc degeneration was defined according to the modified Pfirrmann classification system. A total disc degeneration score (DDS) was calculated by the summation of individual Pfirrmann scores from C2/C3 to C7/T1. Cervical range of motion (ROM) was measured by radiograph. The total DDS increased gradually with increasing age in both genders. DDSs were lower in females than in males in all decades. A DDS of 13 or more was found in more than half the cases in the 40 s or older age groups. The total DDS was 13 or more in over 95% of the cases in the 70 s age group. The total DDS was significantly and negatively correlated with cervical ROM overall (r =  - 0.46, p < 0.0001) and in both men (r =  - 0.52, p < 0.0001) and women (r =  - 0.40, p < 0.0001). This large-scale cross-sectional analysis of cervical spine MRI data in healthy subjects demonstrated that cervical disc degeneration progresses with age, and is correlated with a reduction in mobility.

Intraforaminal cervical gas cyst with vacuum disc treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

The authors report an extremely rare presentation of a patient with an intraforaminal cervical gas cyst with radiculopathy. The patient’s condition was refractory to conservative treatment, and he was treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Several intraspinal gas cysts with lumbar disc herniation have been treated surgically. However, no cases of intraforaminal cervical gas requiring ACDF have been reported.

OBSERVATIONS

A 70-year-old male patient presented with right-sided neck and shoulder pain, aggravating in the supine position. Cervical radiography showed vacuum disc phenomenon at C4–5, and multiplanar computed tomography showed intraforaminal gas along the right C5 nerve root. The patient experienced severe pain with impaired sleep and daytime fatigue. After confirming C5 radiculopathy using an echo-guided technique using ultrasonography guidance, the authors performed C4–5 ACDF. Postoperatively, the patient’s neck and shoulder pain disappeared immediately. There was no recurrence at the 2-year follow-up.

LESSONS

This is the first case report of an intraspinal cervical gas cyst with radiculopathy treated by ACDF surgery. The vacuum disc had been implicated as the genesis of the intraforaminal cervical gas cyst, leading to radiculopathy. ACDF surgery provides favorable outcomes in cases of intraspinal gas refractory to conservative therapy.

Trends in the numbers of spine surgeries and spine surgeons over the past 15 years

The purpose of this study is to examine trends in spine surgeries at ten facilities over 15 years, and to analyze relationships with the number of spine surgeons at these facilities. The subjects were patients who underwent spine surgery at the ten facilities from 2003 to 2017. Data were collected every year via a questionnaire designed to obtain clinicopathological and surgical information. There were 37,601 spine surgeries (60.2% male) recorded in the registry at 9 facilities in the Nagoya Spine Group (NSG) between 2003 and 2017, with an increase in the annual number of surgeries by 2.4 times over 15 years. On the other hand, the number of spine surgeons has increased by just under 1.5 times. Instrumentation surgeries increased from 959 in 2003 to 2,276 in 2017 (2.3 times). There was a particularly marked increase in surgeries for spinal degenerative disease from 1,075 in 2003 to 2,821 in 2017 (2.6 times). The number of surgeries performed per surgeon increased from 61.4 in 2003 to 102.8 in 2017, while the average number of spine surgeons per hospital increased from 2.6 in 2003 to 3.7 in 2017. In conclusion, with heavier burden on spine surgeons and the major changes in the spine surgery environment, training and increasing surgeons with advanced expertise and skills will become increasingly important.

Pancreatic serous cystadenocarcinoma diagnosed with liver metastasis at 7 years after the resection of the primary serous neoplastic lesion

Pancreatic serous neoplasms are rare tumors that are usually benign. However, histopathological differentiation between benign (serous cystadenoma) and malignant (serous cystadenocarcinoma) lesions is difficult. We present the case of a patient with pancreatic serous cystadenocarcinoma that was diagnosed with liver metastasis 7 years after the resection of the primary serous neoplastic lesion. A woman in her 60 s was diagnosed with pancreatic serous cystadenoma based on imaging and histopathological examination findings. The tumor was resected, and the patient was followed up every 6 months to monitor tumor progression. At 7 years after the resection of the primary lesion, liver tumors showing marked flare-like contrast enhancements were detected on arterial phase computed tomography findings and on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging findings acquired 60 s after the administration of a contrast agent. Laparoscopic segmental hepatectomy of S4 and S6 was performed to resect these tumors. Histopathological examination revealed that these tumors were metastatic and developed from the primary lesion. Therefore, a diagnosis of serous cystadenocarcinoma was confirmed. The flare-like contrast enhancement around the metastatic liver lesions on computed tomography and dynamic magnetic resonance images may be an indicator of serous cystadenocarcinoma with liver metastasis that could assist in diagnosis.

Seasonal variation in incidence and causal organism of surgical site infection after PLIF/TLIF surgery: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative SSI is a common and potentially serious complication in spine surgery. Seasonal variation occurs in rates of nosocomial infection, with higher rates found in the summer, during which hot, humid conditions may be optimal for proliferation of bacteria. This might also influence the rate of SSI. The purpose of the study was to examine seasonal variation in SSI after PLIF/TLIF surgery, including relationships with experience of surgeons and causal organisms.

METHODS

Cases with SSI after PLIF/TLIF surgery at 10 facilities between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014 were retrieved from a database. Infection was defined based on CDC guidelines for SSIs. Patients were followed for at least two years after surgery. Surgeries were examined in spring (April-June), summer (July-September), autumn (October-December), and winter (January-March). Seasonal variation and other factors with a potential association with SSIs were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 1174 patients (607 males, 567 females) who underwent PLIF/TLIF surgery were identified. The operations were PLIF (n = 667), TLIF (n = 443), MIS-PLIF (n = 27), and MIS-TLIF (n = 37). The total SSI rate for the 2-year period was 2.5% (29/1174), and the 2-year average SSI rates for surgeries in each season were spring, 2.6% (7/266); summer, 3.9% (13/335); fall, 1.3% (4/302); winter, 1.8% (5/271). The SSI rate was significantly higher in summer than non-summer (3.9% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.05). SSIs were caused by a variety of pathogens, including Gram-positive cocci, and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogenic organism to cause SSI.

CONCLUSION

Seasonality should be taken into account in strategies for SSI prevention, with particular attention on mitigation of increased temperature and humidity in the summer and on infection caused by Gram-positive cocci and S. aureus.

Normative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data of Age-Related Degenerative Changes in Cervical Disc Morphology

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have examined a possible correlation between cervical disc degeneration and disc height. The aim of this study was to establish age-related changes and sex-specific differences of cervical disc height using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate the relationship between degree of cervical disc degeneration and disc height in asymptomatic subjects.

METHODS

We measured the intervertebral disc anteroposterior diameter and disc height in each disc level using MRI in 1211 relatively healthy volunteers (606 men and 605 women, mean age 49.5 years). We included at least 100 males and 100 females in each decade of life between the 20s and the 70s. Cervical disc degeneration was defined according to the modified Pfirrmann classification system, and disc index and intervertebral disc height narrowing ratio were evaluated on sagittal plane MRI.

RESULTS

Intervertebral disc height decreased gradually with increasing age in both sexes. The grade of disc degeneration significantly increased with age in both sexes at every level. Mild disc degeneration was observed even in subjects their 20s. Disc degeneration occurred around the C5-C6 level. The average disc height decreased with aging after the 40s. Disc index and intervertebral disc height narrowing ratio decreased with a progression in the disc degeneration grade in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

This large-scale cross-sectional analysis of cervical spine MRI data in healthy subjects demonstrated that cervical disc height narrowing progresses with age. Cervical disc height narrowing is highly correlated with the progression of disc degeneration.

Long-term survival case of esophageal carcinosarcoma coexisting with alcoholic liver cirrhosis successfully treated by staged operation: A case report

Introduction

Patients with esophageal cancers including carcinosarcoma sometimes have underlying liver cirrhosis because of a history of heavy drinking. It is definitely required to determine the appropriate surgical strategy and to manage the patients promptly when performing esophagectomy for the esophageal carcinosarcoma coexisting with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Presentation of case

A 56-year-old male patient with a history of chest pain and difficulty swallowing was admitted to our hospital. He had a history of drinking 250 g of alcohol per day. Endoscopy revealed an irregular protruding tumor on the left wall of the lower-third thoracic esophagus. Computed tomography showed a tumor lesion in the lower-third thoracic esophagus; the images also showed irregularities on the surface of the liver, suggestive of coexisting alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The preoperative diagnosis was T3N2M0, Stage III esophageal leiomyosarcoma. In consideration of the underlying alcoholic liver cirrhosis, a staged operation was planned for this patient as a curative treatment. The patient had an uneventful postoperative clinical course and was discharged on the 47th day after the first surgery. Final histopathological diagnosis was T2N0M0, Stage II esophageal carcinosarcoma. The patient is alive without recurrence three years after surgery.

Discussion

This is the first report of long-term survival case of esophageal carcinosarcoma with alcoholic liver cirrhosis that was treated successfully by staged operation.

Conclusions

Despite coexisting with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, staged operation could reduce the surgical invasiveness, so that very good short-term outcome and long-term survival was obtained in the patient with esophageal carcinosarcoma.

•

Patients with esophageal carcinosarcoma sometimes have underlying liver cirrhosis because of a history of heavy drinking.

•

Postoperative severe complications often occur after esophagectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

•

Staged operation could reduce the surgical invasiveness and manage these patients.

Postoperative iatrogenic spinal cord herniation: three case reports with a literature review

Although a majority of spinal cord herniation reportedly occurs idiopathically, postoperative iatrogenic spinal cord herniation is rare. Therefore, the incidence rate, pathogenic mechanism, and clinical outcomes are not clear. We present three cases of postoperative iatrogenic spinal cord herniation and present a literature review. Our data base included 32253 patients who underwent spinal surgery, and among these patients, 3 showed postoperative spinal cord herniation. Postoperative spinal cord herniation was observed in a 55-year-old man and a 60-year-old man. Both these patients underwent cervical laminoplasty for degenerative cervical myelopathy; however, intraoperative dural tear was reported. They presented with severe quadriplegia and sensory disorders at 8 years and 2 months after initial surgery. The third case of postoperative spinal cord herniation was of a 47-year-old woman who underwent Th11/12 schwannoma resection. Her neurological symptoms did not improve after tumor resection, and MRI at 2 months after surgery revealed spinal cord herniation. All the 3 patients underwent spinal cord reduction surgery; one patient showed sufficient neurological improvement while 2 patients with cervical spinal cord herniation showed limited neurological improvement due to preoperative severe quadriplegia. Although postoperative iatrogenic spinal cord herniation is a relatively rare pathology, careful observation with postoperative MRI is required in cases of patients with new neurological symptoms after dural injury and durotomy.

Risk factors of non-union in Anderson-D'Alonzo type III odontoid fractures with conservative treatment

Objective

The purpose of this study was retrospectively to analyze the risk factors for non-union in Anderson-D'Alonzo type III odontoid fractures with conservative treatment.

Methods

25 patients with type III fractures were analyzed. Coronal and sagittal tilt as well as sagittal and lateral mass gaps were measured by using computed tomography.

Results

The non-union group had significantly higher age, greater coronal tilt and lateral mass gap. Especially, the lateral mass gap was >2 mm in all cases with non-union.

Conclusions

Higher age, coronal tilt, and lateral mass gap were significant risk factors for non-union.

Kinetic changes in the spinal cord occupation rate of dural sac in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Objective

The study aimed to establish the spinal cord occupation rate of the dural sac during flexion and extension.

Methods

We measured the cross-sectional area of the dural sac and the spinal cord between C2/C3 and C7/T1 disc levels in 100 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 1211 asymptomatic subjects.

Results

The spinal cord occupation rate of the dural sac in the cross-sectional area was higher on extension than on flexion at the mid-lower cervical spine.

Conclusions

The spinal cord occupation rate of the dural sac in the cross-sectional area was highest at the C4/C5 and C5/C6 levels on extension.

Risk Factors for Poor Outcome of Cervical Laminoplasty: Multivariate Analysis in 505 Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

The risk factors for poor outcome after cervical laminoplasty in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were demonstrated. These findings suggest that advanced age, long-term CSM symptoms, and lower score of preoperative 10-second step test are risk factors for poor cervical laminoplasty outcomes in patients with CSM.

Study Design..

A prospective study.

Objective..

The aim of this study was to characterize the risk factors for poor outcome following cervical laminoplasty in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Summary of Background Data..

Previous research has identified a variety of potential predictive factors that might affect outcomes after cervical laminoplasty. However, no study till date has assessed the effects of such risk factors, including internal medicine comorbidity and quantitative performance tests, on the outcome of laminoplasty in a large series of patients with CSM.

Methods..

A total of 505 consecutive patients with CSM (311 males; 194 females; mean age, 66.6 years; age range, 41–91 years) who underwent double-door laminoplasty were prospectively included. The average postoperative follow-up period was 26.5 months (range, 12–66 months). We evaluated the recovery rate (RR) on the basis of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for poor outcome, which was defined as a postoperative RR of <50%. Relationship between outcome and various clinical and imaging predictors was examined.

Results..

Two hundred ninety-five patients had good outcomes with RR >50%, whereas 210 patients had poor outcomes with RR <50%. Compared with the good-outcome group, the poor-outcome group had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet agent and smoking history (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed independent risks associated with increased age (odds ratio [ORs]  = 1.029, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.004–1054, P = 0.023). Logistic regression analysis determined that symptom duration of CSM (OR = 1.017, 95% CI = 1.008–1.026, P < 0.001) and preoperative 10-second step test (OR = 0.922, 95% CI = 0.865–0.983, P = 0.013) were significant risk factors for poor outcome.

Conclusion..

These findings suggest that advanced age, long-term CSM symptoms, and lower score of preoperative 10-second step test are risk factors for poor outcome in patients with CSM.

Level of Evidence: 2

Postoperative changes in spinal cord signal intensity in patients with spinal cord injury without major bone injury: comparison between preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance images

OBJECTIVE

Although increased signal intensity (ISI) on MRI is observed in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) without major bone injury, alterations in ISI have not been evaluated. The association between postoperative ISI and surgical outcomes remains unclear. This study elucidated whether or not the postoperative classification and alterations in MRI-based ISI of the spinal cord reflected the postoperative symptom severity and surgical outcomes in patients with SCI without major bone injury.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients with SCI without major bone injury (79 male and 21 female) with a mean age of 55 years (range 20-87 years) were included. All patients were treated with laminoplasty and underwent MRI pre- and postoperatively (mean 12.5 ± 0.8 months). ISI was classified into three groups on the basis of sagittal T2-weighted MRI: grade 0, none; grade 1, light (obscure); and grade 2, intense (bright). The neurological statuses were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS).

RESULTS

Preoperatively, 8 patients had grade 0 ISI, 49 had grade 1, and 43 had grade 2; and postoperatively, 20 patients had grade 0, 24 had grade 1, and 56 had grade 2. The postoperative JOA scores and recovery rate (RR) decreased significantly with increasing postoperative ISI grade. The postoperative ISI grade tended to increase with the postoperative AIS grade. Postoperative grade 2 ISI was observed in severely paralyzed patients. The postoperative ISI grade improved in 23 patients (23%), worsened in 25 (25%), and remained unchanged in 52 (52%). Patients with an improved ISI grade had a better RR than those with a worsened ISI grade.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative ISI reflected postoperative symptom severity and surgical outcomes. Alterations in ISI were seen postoperatively in 48 patients (48%) and were associated with surgical outcomes.

Primary cervical decompression surgery may improve lumbar symptoms in patients with tandem spinal stenosis

PURPOSE

Tandem spinal stenosis (TSS) refers to coexisting lumbar and cervical canal stenosis. Evidence regarding whether cervical decompression improves lumbar symptoms in TSS is insufficient. Therefore, we determined the effectiveness of cervical decompression surgery for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and cervical spinal stenosis.

METHODS

The records of 64 patients with TSS experiencing lumbar symptoms who underwent cervical decompression surgery between April 2013 and July 2017 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. We categorized patients into the Non-improved (n = 20), Relapsed (n = 30), and Maintained-improvement (n = 14) groups according to the presence or absence of improvement and relapse in lower limb symptoms in TSS following cervical decompression surgeries.

RESULTS

Of 64 patients, 44 (69%) showed improved lower limb or low back symptoms, with 14 (22%) patients maintaining improvement. The preoperative cervical myelopathy-Japanese Orthopedic Association score and the preoperative number of steps determined using the 10-s step test were significantly lower in the Non-improved group than in the Maintained-improvement group. Receiver operating characteristic curve of preoperative 10-s step test results revealed 12 steps as a predictor for maintained improvement.

CONCLUSION

The improvement of LSS symptoms following cervical decompression surgeries may be associated with the severity of cervical myelopathy as determined in clinical findings rather than in imaging findings. Patients with TSS having a 10-s step test result of < 12 steps were more likely to experience a relapse of lower limb symptoms following cervical decompression surgeries.

Prediction of outcome following laminoplasty of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Focus on the minimum clinically important difference

The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score has been reported to be around 2.5 points in cervical myelopathy. This study sought to define significant predictive factors on achieving the MCID following laminoplasty in a large series of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). A total of 485 consecutive patients with CSM (295 males and 190 females; mean age: 67.0 years; age range: 42-91 years) who underwent laminoplasty were prospectively enrolled. The average postoperative follow-up period was 26.6 months (range: 12-66 months). We calculated the achieved JOA score. The relationships between outcomes and various clinical and imaging predictors including comorbidity and quantitative performance tests were examined. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors correlated with a JOA score of 2.5 points or more. Clinically meaningful gains were exhibited in 299 patients (61.6%) with a JOA score of ≥2.5 points, whereas 186 patients (38.4%) achieved a JOA score of <2.5 points. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed the predictive factors with a shorter duration of CSM symptoms, lower preoperative JOA scores, absence of hypertension, no use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet agents, and nonsmoking status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined that the duration of CSM symptoms (odds ratio: 0.771, 95% confidence interval: 0.705-0.844; p < 0.01) was the only significant predictive factor for achieving JOA scores of ≥2.5 points. An important predictor of MCID achievement following laminoplasty was shorter duration of CSM symptoms.

Trends in Reoperation for Surgical Site Infection After Spinal Surgery With Instrumentation in a Multicenter Study

STUDY DESIGN

A multicenter retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the characteristics of reoperation for surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal instrumentation surgery, including the efficacy of treatment for SSI and instrumentation retention.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Aging of the population and advances in surgical techniques have increased the demand for spinal surgery in elderly patients. Treatment of SSI after this surgery has the main goals of eliminating infection and retaining instrumentation.

METHODS

The subjects were 16,707 patients who underwent spine surgery with instrumentation in 11 hospitals affiliated with the Nagoya Spine Group from 2004 to 2015. Details of those requiring reoperations for SSI were obtained from surgical records at each hospital.

RESULTS

There were significant increases in the mean age at the time of surgery (54.6-63.7 years) and the number of instrumentation surgeries (726-1977) from 2004 to 2015. The incidence of reoperation for SSI varied from 0.9% to 1.8%, with a decreasing trend over time. Reoperation for SSI was performed in 206 cases (115 men, 91 women; mean age 63.2 years). The average number of reoperations (1.4 vs. 2.3, P < 0.05), time from SSI to first reoperation (4.3 vs. 9.5 days, P < 0.05), and the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus identification rate (20% vs. 37%, P < 0.01) were all significantly lower in cases with instrumentation retention (n = 145) compared to those with instrumentation removal (n = 61).

CONCLUSION

There were marked trends of aging of patients and an increase in operations over the study period; however, the incidences of reoperation and instrumentation removal due to SSI significantly decreased over the same period. Rapid debridement after SSI diagnosis may have contributed to instrumentation retention. These results can serve as a guide for developing strategies for SSI treatment and for improved planning of spine surgery in an aging society.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Dynamic changes in longitudinal stretching of the spinal cord in thoracic spine: Focus on the spinal cord occupation rate of dural sac

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the anteroposterior diameters and cross-sectional areas of the dural sac and spinal cord in the thoracic spine, to elucidate the spinal cord occupation rate of the dural sac in these dynamic changes for each level using multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty patients with cervical or lumbar spinal disease were prospectively enrolled. After preoperative myelography, MDCT was performed at maximum passive flexion and extension. The anteroposterior diameter and cross-sectional area of the dural sac and spinal cord in the axial plane and the thoracic spinal cord length in the sagittal plane were measured. The spinal cord occupation rate in the dural sac was calculated.

RESULTS

The spinal cord occupation rate of the dural sac in anteroposterior diameter was lower on flexion than on extension, with significant differences from the T1/T2 to T11/T12 levels (p < 0.0001). The spinal cord occupation rate of the dural sac in cross-sectional area was lower on flexion than on extension, with significant differences except from T3/T4 to T6/T7 levels (p < 0.01). There was a bimodal increase in the occupation rate with elevations at the cervicothoracic junction and thoracolumbar junction. The thoracic spinal cord length on flexion was significantly longer than that on extension (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The spinal cord occupation rate of the dural sac was lower on flexion than on extension, despite thoracic spine being considered a rigid region. The dynamic changes in longitudinal stretching and shrinkage of the spinal cord affected the occupation rate.

Neurological function following early versus delayed decompression surgery for drop foot caused by lumbar degenerative diseases

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of early (<72 h) versus late (≥72 h) decompression surgery after the onset of drop foot caused by root disorder in lumbar degenerative diseases (LDDs). Data were included from 60 patients who underwent decompression surgery for drop foot caused by LDDs, including lumbar disk herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis. The primary outcome was ordinal change in the manual muscle test (MMT) at 2 years follow-up. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Japanese Orthopedic Association's (JOA) score. The early- and late-stage surgery groups included 20 and 40 patients with mean durations from the onset of drop foot to operation of 0.8 days (range, 0-3 days) and 117.1 days (range, 10-891 days), respectively. There was no significant difference (p = 0.33) between the early- and late-stage surgery groups in the improvement of MMT scores to >4 (90% versus 80%, respectively). However, more patients in the early-stage group achieved an MMT score >5 compared with those in the late-stage surgery group (80% versus 45%; p = 0.03). Furthermore, the recovery rate of JOA scores was significantly higher in the early-stage (89.1%) compared with the late-stage surgery group (68.6%; p < 0.001). Early decompression surgery produced better neurological recovery; however, an improvement of >4 in the MMT score was achieved in 80% of cases with late decompression.

A comparative study of two reconstruction procedures for osteoporotic vertebral fracture with lumbar spinal stenosis: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion versus posterior and anterior and combined surgery

BACKGROUND

Optimal treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with neurological deficit due to osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) has been controversial. We assessed the usefulness, safety, and efficacy of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for LSS with neurological deficit due to OVFs and compared this procedure to posterior/anterior combined surgery (PACS).

METHODS

Of 36 consecutive patients with LSS with neurological deficit due to OVFs, 15 underwent PLIF (6 males, 9 females; mean age, 74 years), and 21 underwent PACS (4 males, 17 females; mean age, 70 years). Surgical complications, clinical outcomes (operative time, blood loss, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS], activities of daily living [ADLs]), and sagittal alignment were investigated. Bony fusion was assessed using plain and functional X-rays and computed tomography scans.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, sex, or disease or follow-up duration between the groups. Operative time was significantly shorter and intraoperative blood loss significantly less in the PLIF than in the PACS groups. AIS and ADL improved significantly postoperatively in both groups. No significant difference was observed in neurological improvement, correction angle, loss of correction, and surgical complications. No pseudarthrosis occurred, and no patient required additional surgery in the PLIF group.

CONCLUSIONS

PLIF for LSS with neurological deficit due to OVFs achieves posterior rigid fixation with instrumentation, anterior column reconstruction by interbody fusion, and adequate decompression using a single posterior approach. This less invasive procedure is a useful reconstructive surgery option.

Differences in clinical outcomes between traumatic cervical myelopathy and degenerative cervical myelopathy: A comparative study of cervical spinal cord injury without major bone injury and cervical spondylotic myelopathy

A comparative study to examine the surgical outcomes of traumatic cervical myelopathy (TCM) patients was designed. The study aim was to compare the surgical outcomes between TCM and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and to characterize the preoperative symptoms and postoperative residual symptoms in TCM patients. One hundred consecutive patients with TCM (81 men, 19 women; mean age, 57.7 years; range, 31-79 years) and 100 consecutive patients with DCM (88 men, 12 women; mean age, 58.4 years; range, 36-78 years) were included in this study. All patients were treated by laminoplasty. The pre- and postoperative neurological statuses were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system for cervical myelopathy. The recovery rate (RR) of each function was compared between the two groups. The mean preoperative JOA scores of motor function of the upper extremity in the TCM and DCM groups were 1.9 and 2.3, respectively (P < 0.01). After surgery, the mean RRs of motor function of the upper extremity in the TDM and DCM groups were 36.4% and 55.7%, respectively (P < 0.01) and in the lower extremity were 32.3% and 46.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). The RR for sensory function of the lower extremity was significantly lower in TCM patients than in DCM patients (39.6 vs 68.2, respectively; P < 0.0001). Motor function impairments of the upper and lower extremities and sensory function impairments of the lower extremities after surgery were more persistent in the TCM group than in the DCM group.

Predictors of Prolonged Length of Stay After Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Multicenter Study

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively database.

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS) in posterior /transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF/TLIF).

METHODS

The subjects were patients who underwent PLIF/TLIF at 10 facilities from 2012 to 2014. A total of 1168 such patients with a mean age of 65.9 ± 12.5 years (range 18-87 years) were identified in the database. Operations were PLIF (n = 675), TLIF (n = 443), minimally invasive surgery (MIS)-PLIF (n = 22), and MIS-TLIF (n = 32). Age, gender, body mass index, ambulatory status, comorbidities, perioperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, operative factors, and complications were examined. LOS was defined as the number of calendar days from the operation to hospital discharge. LOS was categorized as normal (<75th percentile) or prolonged (≥75th percentile).

RESULTS

The average LOS was 20.8 ± 9.8 days (range 7-77 days). There was a significant correlation between LOS and age (P < .05). Reoperation during hospitalization was performed in 20 cases for surgical site infection (n = 12), epidural hematoma (n = 5), and screw misplacement (n = 3). In multivariate analysis, prolonged LOS was associated with preoperative variables of age ≥70 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.87, 95% CI 1.38-2.54), and ASA class ≥III (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.04-2.25); surgical variables of open procedures (OR 5.84, 95% CI 1.74-19.63), fused levels ≥3 (OR 5.17, 95% CI 3.17-8.43), operative time ≥300 minutes (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.15-3.07), and estimated blood loss ≥500 mL (OR 1.71, 95% 1.07-2.75).

CONCLUSIONS

The factors identified in this study should help with obtaining informed consent, surgical planning and complication prevention to reduce health care costs associated with prolonged LOS.