Analysis of compliance and efficacy of integrated management of whole process in the choice of percutaneous full-endoscopic surgery for patients with cervical disc herniation

Clinical efficacy and learning curve of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for symptomatic cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and learning curve of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) in treating patients with symptomatic cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).

METHODS

A total of 105 patients with single-segment symptomatic CSR treated between January 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into PECD and ACDF groups based on the surgical approach. Patient demographics, operation time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, complications, postoperative hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, neck dysfunction index (NDI), arm and neck visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared and analyzed. The learning curve of the PECD group was assessed using cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P > 0.05). The PECD group had shorter operative time, smaller incision length, less estimated intraoperative bleeding, lower total hospitalization costs, and shorter postoperative hospital stays compared to the ACDF group (P < 0.05). Postoperative NDI, arm VAS, and neck VAS scores improved significantly in both groups compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups during the same period (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences between the PECD and ACDF groups in the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, complications, or surgical success rates (P > 0.05). As more cases accumulated, a trend toward shorter operative times was observed in the PECD group. When grouped according to the learning curve, with the 23rd case as the cutoff point, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the learning phase and proficient phase groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PECD is a safe and effective procedure for treating single-segment CSR, offering clinical outcomes comparable to ACDF. PECD has a notable learning curve, requiring beginners to perform 23 cases to reach proficiency. However, longer operative times do not negatively impact preclinical outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospectively registered.

Construction of a nomogram for predicting the prognosis of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a retrospective study

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a neurological disorder characterized by degenerative changes in the spinal cord and compression of the spinal cord and its adjacent structures due to various reasons, such as intervertebral disc herniation. The Japan Orthopaedic Association score is a disease-specific outcome tool that provides quantitative measurements for CSM patients. At present, no scholars have developed a model that can directly predict the prognosis of CSM patients. This study used binary logistic regression analysis to identify clinical independent predictive factors, and then used R language to construct a nomogram. The results showed that Hb (0.71 [0.51, 0.99]), LYM (0.32 [0.22, 0.46]), and ALB (0.32 [0.23, 0.45]) were independent predictive factors. Good prediction performance with modest errors was shown by the nomogram in both the training and validation groups. Hb, LYM, ALB are independent predictors of the prognosis of ACDF in CSM patients. The constructed nomogram can help clinicians assess and treat patients early, benefiting more patients.

Impact of congenital spinal stenosis on the outcome of three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

To investigate whether congenital cervical spinal stenosis (CCSS) affects the outcome of three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

METHODS

One hundred seventeen patients with CSM who underwent three-level ACDF between January 2019 and January 2023 were retrospectively examined. Patients were grouped according to presence of CCSS, which was defined as Pavlov ratio ≤ 0.75. The CCSS and no CCSS groups comprised 68 (58.1%) and 49 (41.9%) patients, respectively.

RESULTS

The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score did not significantly differ between the two groups at any postoperative time point (p > 0.05). The JOA improvement rate was lower in the CCSS group 1 month after surgery (41.7% vs. 45.5%, p < 0.05), but showed no difference at any follow-up time point after one month. Multivariate logistic regression identified preoperative age (OR = 10.639), JOA score (OR = 0.370), increased signal intensity (ISI) in the spinal cord on T2-weighted MRI (T2-WI) (Grade 1: OR = 6.135; Grade 2: OR = 29.892), and degree of spinal cord compression (30-60%: OR = 17.919; ≥60%: OR = 46.624) as independent predictors of a poor one year outcome (JOA recovery rate < 50%).

CONCLUSION

Although early JOA improvement is slower in the CCSS group, it does not affect the final neurological improvement at 1 year. Therefore, CCSS should not be considered a contraindication for three-level ACDF in patients with CSM. The main factors influencing one year outcome were preoperative age, JOA score, ISI grade, and degree of spinal cord compression.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for cervical disc herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Since there are currently no systematic evidence-based medical data on the efficacy and safety of PECD, this meta-analysis pooled data from studies that reported the efficacy or safety of PECD for cervical disc herniation to examine the efficacy, recurrence and safety of using PECD to treat cervical disc herniation.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases for studies published from inception to July 2022. Nine nonrandomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) that reported the efficacy or safety of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for cervical disc herniation were included. We excluded duplicate publications, studies without full text, studies with incomplete information, studies that did not enable us to conduct data extraction, animal experiments and reviews. STATA 15.1 software was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The proportions of excellent and good treatment results after PECD for CDH were 39% (95% CI: 31-48%) and 47% (95% CI: 34-59%), respectively. The pooled results showed that the VAS scores at 1 week post-operatively (SMD = -2.55, 95% CI: - 3.25 to - 1.85) and at the last follow-up (SMD = - 4.30, 95% CI: - 5.61 to - 3.00) after PECD for cervical disc herniation were significantly lower than the pre-operative scores. The recurrence rate of neck pain and the incidence of adverse events after PECD for cervical disc herniation were 3% (95% CI: 1-6%) and 5% (95% CI: 2-9%), respectively. Additionally, pooled results show that the operative time (SMD = - 3.22, 95% CI: - 5.21 to - 1.43) and hospital stay (SMD = - 1.75, 95% CI: - 2.67to - 0.84) were all significantly lower for PECD than for ACDF. The pooled results also showed that the proportion of excellent treatment results was significantly higher for PECD than for ACDF (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.06-4.96).

CONCLUSION

PECD has a high success rate in the treatment of CHD and can relieve neck pain, and the recurrence rate and the incidence of adverse events are low. In addition, compared with ACDF, PECD has a higher rate of excellent outcomes and a lower operative time and hospital stay. PECD may be a better option for treating CHD.

Predictive Nomogram for Clinical Prognosis in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy With Intramedullary T2-Weighted Increased Signal Intensity: A Novel Digital Tool for Patient Prognosis Education

Aims

To establish a predictive nomogram for clinical prognosis in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with intramedullary T2-weighted increased signal intensity (ISI).

Methods

The clinical data of 680 patients with CSM with intramedullary T2-weighted ISI were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the modeling group (476) and the validation group (204) by using a random number table at a ratio of 7:3. The independent prognostic factors were screened using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The factors were subsequently incorporated into the establishment of the predictive nomogram. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was undertaken to estimate the discrimination of the predictive nomogram. The calibration curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to assess the calibration of the predictive nomogram. The clinical usefulness of the predictive nomogram was evaluated by decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Based on the pre-operative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, maximal canal compromise (MCC), and maximal spinal cord compression (MSCC), we established a predictive nomogram. The AUCs in the modeling group and validation group were 0.892 (95% CI: 0.861~0.924) and 0.885 (95% CI: 0.835~0.936), respectively, suggesting good discrimination of the nomogram. Calibration curves showed a favorable consistency between the predicted probability and the actual probability. In addition, the values of P of the Hosmer-Lemeshow were 0.253 and 0.184, respectively, suggesting good calibration of the nomogram. DCA demonstrated that the nomogram had good clinical usefulness.

Conclusion

We established and validated a predictive nomogram for the clinical prognosis in CSM with intramedullary T2-weighted ISI. This predictive nomogram could help clinicians and patients identify high-risk patients and educate them about prognosis, thereby improving the prognosis of high-risk patients.

Large prevertebral hematoma and carotid pseudoaneurysm following percutaneous anterior cervical discectomy: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

The percutaneous, endoscope-assisted anterior cervical discectomy is a relatively new procedure, and because of its novelty, complications are minimal and pertinent literature is scarce. This approach relies on a sufficient anatomical understanding of the vital neurovascular structures in the operating workspace. Although complications are rare, they can be significant.

OBSERVATIONS

The patient presented with difficulty breathing following an anterior percutaneous cervical discectomy performed at an outpatient surgical center. Imaging revealed a prevertebral hematoma and multiple carotid pseudoaneurysms. Given the large prevertebral hematoma and concern for imminent airway collapse, the authors proceeded with emergent intubation and surgical evacuation of the clot.

LESSONS

The authors propose managing complications in a fashion similar to those for comparable injuries after classic anterior approaches. Definitive management of our patient’s carotid injury would require stenting and, therefore, dual antiplatelet agents. Thus, the authors proceeded with the hematoma evacuation first. Additionally, careful dissection was needed to decrease further carotid damage. Thus, the authors made a more rostral incision to maintain the given stability of the carotid insult before the angiographic intervention to follow. It is the authors’ hope that the technical pearls from this two-staged open hematoma evacuation and endovascular stenting may guide future presurgical and intraoperative planning and management of complications, should they arise.