Long-term Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Discectomy by Fenestration

Methodological considerations in calculating the minimal clinically important change score for the core outcome measures index (COMI): insights from a large single-centre spine surgery registry

INTRODUCTION

The Minimal Clinically Important Change (MCIC) is used in conjunction with Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to determine the clinical relevance of changes in health status. MCIC measures a change within the same person or group over time. This study aims to evaluate the variability in computing MCIC for the Core Outcome Measure Index (COMI) using different methods.

METHODS

Data from a spine centre in Switzerland were used to evaluate variations in MCIC for the COMI score. Distribution-based and anchor-based methods (predictive and nonpredictive) were applied. Bayesian bootstrap estimated confidence intervals.

RESULTS

From 27,003 cases, 9821 met the inclusion criteria. Distribution-based methods yielded MCIC values from 0.4 to 1.4. Anchor-based methods showed more variability, with MCIC values from 1.5 to 4.9. Predictive anchor-based methods also provided variable MCIC values for improvement (0.3-2.4), with high sensitivity and specificity.

DISCUSSION

MCIC calculation methods produce varying values, emphasizing careful method selection. Distribution-based methods likely measure minimal detectable change, while non-predictive anchor-based methods can yield high MCIC values due to group averaging. Predictive anchor-based methods offer more stable and clinically relevant MCIC values for improvement but are affected by prevalence and reliability corrections.

Effect of Preoperative Parameters on Outcomes of Lumbar Microdiscectomy: A Retrospective Analysis

Objective  The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of preoperative variables on outcomes after minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy.

Materials and Methods  This study was done from January 2019 to May 2020. This included medical records of all patients who were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation and treated surgically by microdiscectomy. The medical records of such patients from January 2016 to January 2018 were included in this study. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) leg, and VAS back scores, that were noted at preoperative, immediate postoperative, 6 months postoperative, and 1 year after operation. Difference in each outcomes score was calculated postoperatively with respect to the preoperative readings. Minimal clinically important difference was further calculated for each outcome score.

Results  On analyzing the ODI, VAS leg, and VAS back scores across various age groups, genders, body mass indexes, addictions, comorbidities, preoperative epidural steroid injection and physiotherapy, and levels of disc herniation, and it was found that there was no statistically significant difference across these categories. However, the ODI scores (∼ ODI) at all time points showed greater difference in the younger age group, that is, 18 to 30 years, males, nonsmokers, those with symptom duration of less than 6 weeks, and with disc herniation at L3 to L4.

Conclusion  The findings of this study will help to properly counsel patients with regard to the factors mentioned above so as to set realistic expectations, to help improve the outcomes, and for appropriate surgical decision making, that is, at which point should a surgical intervention be made.

Pain and functional disability after lumbar microdiscectomy and their correlations with gender, depression and recovery expectations

Background/Aim. Among the various factors that can influence continued postoperative back pain and/or leg pain, and functional disability after lumbar microdiscectomy are gender, depression, and pessimism. The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between these factors. Methods. The research was conducted after microdiscectomy on 198 patients (95 men and 103 women), with a mean age of 50.20 ? 10.26 years. The following questionnaires were used for examinations: for assessment of pain and its intensity and character ? PainDETECT Test; for functional disability ? Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire; for the presence and degree of depression ? Beck Depression Inventory-II; and questionnaire for the assessment of personal expectations (pessimistic/optimistic) about the treatment results. These assessments were carried out after microdiscectomy ? just before rehabilitation treatment, one month later, and then 3 and 6 months after a microdiscectomy. Results. Depression (p < 0.01) and pessimism (p < 0.01) had significant negative influences on the pain and functional disability. The subjective sensation of pain was significantly higher in women than in men (p < 0.01), while men had a greater degree of functional disability (p < 0.01) than women. Conclusion. Pain and functional disability of the patients after lumbar microdiscectomy are significantly interconnected with gender, depression, and pessimism. The sensation of pain was higher in women, while men had a greater degree of functional disability. Globally, the intensity of pain and functional disability were significantly greater in patients with a higher degree of depression and pessimism, and, by registering mentioned factors, it is possible to predict the postoperative results.

Functional Outcome of Lumbar Discectomy by Fenestration Technique in Lumbar Disc Prolapse - Return to Work and Relief of Pain

INTRODUCTION

Low back pain affects every population and is one of world's foremost debilitating conditions. Clinically significant sciatica due to lumbar disc prolapse occurs in 4-6% of population. Fenestration discectomy as a surgical procedure is less time consuming, with lesser blood loss, lesser post-operative complications and does not compromise with stability of spine when compared to laminectomy.

AIM

Present study was conducted to determine extent of functional recovery i.e. pain relief and return to work in patients with lumbar disc prolapse treated by fenestration technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From October 2010 to March 2012, 50 patients with signs and symptoms of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc who failed to respond to conservative treatment were operated for discectomy by fenestration technique and studied prospectively. Functional outcome was evaluated by 'Back Pain Functional Score (BPFS)' of Strafford et al., PROLO rating scale to determine preoperative functional and economical status and outcome at final follow up after 6 months. In order to identify physical signs from non organic signs Wadell's score system was used. Result of surgery was evaluated with help of McNab's criteria.

RESULTS

In our study, according to Back Pain Functional Scale by Strafford et al., and PROLO scale, good results were found in 42 (84%) cases, fair result in 8 cases (16%) and none with poor results at follow up of six months. According to PROLO economical and functional scale, 84% cases were able to join their previous occupation at end of six months and 76% cases had complete pain relief. In our study, correlation of age and duration of symptoms to functional outcome was statistically significant (p=0.089 & p = 0.098+ respectively) showing more good results among patients with age less than 30 years and patients having duration of symptoms less than 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Functional outcome of fenestration technique in terms of return to work and complete back and leg pain relief at end of six months had been satisfactory in our study. Moreover, old age, long duration of symptoms and presence multiple psychological issues are negative predictors of functional outcome.

Effects of hypoxia on differentiation from human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells to nucleus pulposus-like cells

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Low back pain is a frequently occurring disease caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a possible treatment modality. Studies have shown MSCs can be transformed into nucleus pulposus-like cells under normoxic conditions. However, this is not a true representation of the hypoxic environment nucleus pulposus cells experience during in vivo growth and differentiation.

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of a hypoxic environment on the differentiation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) to nucleus pulposus-like cells.

STUDY DESIGN

An experimental study.

METHODS

Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured and the mesenchymal lineage was confirmed by flow cytometry. Two groups of PMSCs were then cultured under different oxygen concentrations creating a hypoxic group and normoxic group. The proliferation of cells in each group was compared by cell counting kit-8 on Day 1, 3, 5, and 7. Real-time polymerase chain reaction on Days 3 and 7 compared the expressions of Sox-9, Type II collagen, aggrecan, and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) between the two groups. Immunofluorescence was used to compare the expression of Type II collagen between the two groups after 14 days.

RESULTS

Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells were successfully isolated and cultured. Mesenchymal markers were positive. On Days 3 and 5, the hypoxic group had a significantly higher proliferation rate than the normoxic group (p<.05). The expression of Sox-9 and HIF-1α was significantly higher (p<.05) in the hypoxic group at Days 3 and 7. Type II collagen and aggrecan expressions were significantly higher (p<.05) in the hypoxic group at Day 7. The hypoxic group stained more positive for Type II collagen at Day 14.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoxic conditions lead to an increased differentiation and proliferation of nucleus pulposus-like cells. Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured in nucleus pulposus inducing media and a hypoxic environment show enhanced expression of the nucleus pulposus-like cell markers, Sox-9, Type II collagen, aggrecan, and HIF-1α.