Comparison of post-operative wound pain between interlaminar and transforaminal endoscopic spine surgery: which is superior?

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study PURPOSE: The objective is to compare post-operative wound pain in patients treated by endoscopic surgery between interlaminar and transforaminal approach at lumbar region.

OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE

There are two common approaches for endoscopic lumbar spine surgery, interlaminar and transforaminal approach. The wound size of these two approaches is about the same. However, post-operative wound pain may differ according to the entrance area.

METHODS

We conducted a prospectively cohort study including all patients underwent full endoscopic lumbar spine surgery by single surgeon between January 2016 to October 2019. Wound pain using visual analog scale (VAS) at post-operative day 1 and day 14 were collected. VAS back pain, VAS leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified McNab criteria and complications were also collected.

RESULTS

There were 313 patients included in the study. There was no significant difference in VAS wound pain between interlaminar and transforaminal group. Interestingly, subgroup analysis in interlaminar group found statistically significant higher VAS for wound pain at post-operative day 1 when significant bone resection was done by power burr. VAS back-leg pain and ODI have improved significantly between pre-operative and last follow up in both approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

Wound pain from endoscopic spine surgery is minimal. This study found no difference in wound pain between endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal approach. Both approaches show favorable clinical outcomes with few serious complications rate. Further study with long term follow up is needed.

Extended Posterior Decompression and Instrumented Fusion for Spinal Tuberculosis

Study Design

Retrospective cohort.

Purpose

To evaluate clinical outcomes, including pain and neurologic status, and to evaluate radiographic outcomes of patients treated with extended posterior decompression, posterior fixation, and fusion in different vertebral segments.

Overview of Literature

The standard surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis is radical debridement via anterior approach. However, this approach may lead to several serious complications. Meanwhile, extended posterior approach, the posterior surgical approach, involving the removal of posterior elements, ribs, and pedicles, is an alternative option that can achieve the aims of treatment in this disease and may reduce the serious complications from anterior approach.

Methods

The medical records and imaging of 50 patients admitted with spinal tuberculosis from January 2010 to June 2016 were reviewed. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Frankel grading scale, and kyphotic Cobb angle between the pre- and postoperative periods were used to evaluate the patients.

Results

The patients had significant improvement of VAS score in all the groups. The T/T–L, L, and L–S group scores improved from 7.2±1.5 to 1.7±1.2 (p<0.01), from 8.1±1.8 to 1.7±1.4 (p<0.01), and from 7.9±2.2 to 1.7±0.8 (p<0.01), respectively, and overall, the patient scores (n=50) improved from 7.8±1.4 to 1.7±1.3 (p<0.01). Ten patients (20%) had Frankel grade E preoperatively, which was improved to 38 patients (76%) postoperatively. A significant improvement of the kyphotic Cobb angle was observed when compared at the preoperative, early postoperative, and final follow-up period in the T/T–L, L, and L–S groups. The loss of correction angle in the LS group was 7.7°±4.3° at the final follow-up compared with the early postoperative correction angle at 9.1°±5.8°, with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusions

Extended posterior decompression, posterior instrumentation, and fusion are effective methods of surgery for treatment of spinal tuberculosis involved in the thoracic, thoracolumbar, lumbar, and lumbosacral regions.

Congenital Spinal Canal Stenosis with Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum in an Achondroplastic Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Achondroplasia has an effect on intracartilaginous ossification during the development of the spine resulting in a narrow spinal canal. This abnormal anatomy could make an achondroplastic patient tend to have spinal canal stenosis. We reported a case of congenital spinal canal stenosis with achondroplasia combined with ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) at the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, which was treated by decompressive surgery. We reported a 52-year-old Thai male with achondroplasia presented with progressive myelopathy and neurogenic claudication due to spinal canal stenosis. Spinal canal stenosis was observed at T10/11 and L1-L5 and OLF at T10/11 through L5 varying in size. Laminectomy and removal of the OLF were performed at T11 and L1-L5. The patient's neurological symptom improved after the surgery. He could walk with a walker at the time of 6-month follow-up postoperatively. In this report, we describe a rare case of achondroplasia with OLF presenting with progressive myelopathy and claudication symptoms from multiple levels of spinal canal stenosis. Laminectomy, removal of the ossified ligament, and fusion with instrumentation resulted in the improvement of the patient's neurological symptoms and function.

Comparison between 1 g and 2 g of Intrawound Vancomycin Powder Application for Prophylaxis in Posterior Instrumented Thoracic or Lumbosacral Spine Surgery: A Preliminary Report

Background:

Surgical site infection (SSI) after instrumented spinal surgery is one of the most serious complications in spite of the routine use of prophylactic intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Many studies have suggested that intrawound vancomycin powder, applied during the intraoperative period, may decrease the incidence of SSI after surgery. However, the appropriate dose of vancomycin has not yet been reported.

Purpose:

The purpose of the study is to compare between the use of 1 g and 2 g intrawound vancomycin powder and to find out which of these two groups can reduce the rate of deep wound infection in posterior instrumented thoracic or lumbosacral spine surgery.

Materials and Methods:

The preliminary study was conducted from July 2013 to July 2015 at Lerdsin Hospital. A total of 400 patients were enrolled in the study, and their individual demographics were recorded. All patients underwent posterior instrumented thoracic or lumbosacral spine surgery. Of these, 131 patients received IV cefazolin and 2 g of vancomycin powder intrawound application, 134 patients received 1 g of intrawound vancomycin powder in addition to IV cefazolin, and 135 patients were given only IV cefazolin and were assigned as the control group.

Results:

One hundred and thirty-one patients were treated with posterior instrumented thoracic or lumbosacral fusions using IV cefazolin and adjuvant 2 g of intrawound vancomycin powder. Five patients in this group developed deep infections (3.8%). One hundred and thirty-four patients were treated with posterior instrumented thoracic or lumbosacral fusions using IV cefazolin and adjuvant 1 g of intrawound vancomycin powder. Of these, four patients developed deep infections (2.98%). One hundred and thirty-five patients in the control group were treated with posterior instrumented thoracic or lumbosacral using only IV cefazolin as prophylaxis. Of these, four patients developed deep infections (2.96%). Coagulase-negative staphylococcus was the most common isolated organism. There were no adverse clinical outcomes or wound complications due to local application of vancomycin powder.

Conclusion:

The preliminary result could not state the relation of intrawound vancomycin powder to the deep infection; further study with adequate sample size is required.

Comparison of Segmental Mobility in Lumbar Extension Radiographs between a New Technique ("Fulcrum Bending Position") and Conventional Standing Position in Spondylolisthesis Patients

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Purpose

This was carried out to evaluate the benefit of a ‘fulcrum bending position’ compared with the standing position for evaluation of sagittal translation and sagittal rotation in symptomatic patients with spondylolisthesis.

Overview of Literature

In lumbar X-ray, the standing position is the most common position used in determining abnormalities in lumbar movement. Lack of standardized method is one of the pitfalls in this technique. We hypothesized that the new technique, that is, fulcrum bending position, may reveal a higher translation and rotation in spondylolisthesis patients.

Methods

The extension lumbar radiographs of 36 patients with low-grade spondylolisthesis were included in the analysis and measurement. Sagittal translation and sagittal rotation were measured in both the routine standing position and in our new technique, the fulcrum bending position, which involves taking lateral cross-table images in the supine position wherein the patient lies on a cylindrical pipe to achieve maximum passive back extension by the fulcrum principle.

Results

Results of the measurement of sagittal translation in both positions revealed that compared with the extension standing position, the fulcrum bending position achieved a statistically significant increase of 1.57 mm in translation of the vertebra position (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–2.61; p=0.004). The measurement of sagittal rotation in both positions revealed that when compared with the extension standing position, the fulcrum bending position achieved a statistically significant increase of 3.47° in the rotation of the vertebra (95% CI, 1.64–5.30; p<0.001).

Conclusions

For evaluation of both sagittal translation and sagittal rotation in symptomatic patients with spondylolisthesis, compared with the extension standing position, the fulcrum bending position can achieve an increased change in magnitude. Our technique, that is, the fulcrum bending position, may offer an alternative method in the detection or exclusion of pathological mobility in patients with spondylolisthesis.

Chronic posterior atlantoaxial subluxation associated with os odontoideum: a rare condition. A case report and literature review

Introduction

Os odontoideum is a rare cervical lesion. This unusual condition is sometimes associated with atlantoaxial subluxation, which is mostly anterior subluxation. Posterior atlantoaxial subluxation due to os odontoideum is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We report an unusual case of a 60-year-old Thai female, who was diagnosed as having chronic posterior atlantoaxial subluxation associated with os odontoideum with progressive myelopathy. The patient underwent posterior arch of C1 laminectomy and an occipito-C3 fusion using an occipital plate, C2 pedicle screws, C3 lateral mass screws and autologous iliac crest strut bone graft arthrodesis. During three years of follow-up, she was clinically significantly improved and postoperative radiographs showed a solid osseous fusion without loss of correction or implant failure.

Discussion

Chronic posterior atlantoaxial subluxation associated with os odontoideum is rare. This condition can cause occipital-cervical pain, myelopathy, intracranial symptoms, or death. Surgical decompression and stabilization is the treatment of choice. Principles of treatment are to prevent sudden death from neurological compromise, improve neurological status, stabilize the cervical spine, and improve quality of life. Surgical options include atlantoaxial fusion, occipito-C2 fusion, and occipito-C3 fusion. Decision making depends on the location of spinal cord compression, area for arthrodesis, and bone quality.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the spine treated with total en bloc spondylectomy: the first case in Thailand-a case report and literature review

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of malignant soft tissue tumor and also one of the most aggressive soft tissue sarcomas. It commonly occurs in uterus, abdominal viscera, retroperitoneal space and soft tissue of the extremities. Primary osseous leiomyosarcoma is a rare condition. Furthermore, primary leiomyosarcoma of the spine is extremely rare. Only few cases have been reported. However, the treatment and outcomes remains controversial. Therefore, the objective of this case report is to illustrate the management of this extremely rare disease by using total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) procedure, which is one of a suitable option for surgical resection of the spinal tumors. In this study, we presented an unusual case of a 61-year-old female, who was diagnosed as primary leiomyosarcoma of the twelfth thoracic spine with liver metastasis, treated with total en bloc spondylectomy of the twelfth thoracic vertebra followed by chemotherapy. On last follow-up, 6 months after the surgery, the clinical outcome remained in good condition and no signs of local recurrence. In conclusion, primary leiomyosarcoma of the spine is an extremely rare and difficult to diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry studies are very important for confirmation of the diagnosis. Standard treatment remains controversial. However, surgical resection is still treatment of choice. One of the most effective surgical options is TES, which give the better outcome and minimize local recurrence, if indicate.

What Are the Functional Outcomes After Total Sacrectomy Without Spinopelvic Reconstruction?

BACKGROUND

After total sacrectomy, many types of spinopelvic reconstruction have been described with good functional results. However, complications associated with reconstruction are not uncommon and usually result in further surgical interventions. Moreover, less is known about patient function after total sacrectomy without spinopelvic reconstruction, which may be indicated when malignant or aggressive benign bone and soft tissue tumors involved the entire sacrum.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) What is the functional outcome and ambulatory status of patients after total sacrectomy without spinopelvic reconstruction? (2) What is the walking ability and ambulatory status of patients when categorized by the location of the iliosacral resection relative to the sacroiliac joint? (3) What complications and reoperations occur after this procedure?

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2014, we performed 16 total sacrectomies without spinopelvic reconstructions for nonmetastatic oncologic indications. All surviving patients had followup of at least 12 months, although two were lost to followup after that point (mean, 43 months; range, 12-66 months, among surviving patients). During this time period, we performed total sacrectomy without reconstruction for all patients with primary bone and soft tissue tumors (benign and malignant) involving the entire sacrum with no initial metastasis. The level of resection was the L5-S1 disc in 14 patients and L4-L5 disc in two patients. We classified the resection into two types based on the location of the iliosacral resection. Type I resections went medial to or through or lateral but close to the sacroiliac joint. Type II resections were far lateral (more than 3 cm from the posterior iliac spine) to the sacroiliac joint. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores, physical function assessments, and complications were gleaned from chart review performed by the treating surgeons (PK, BS). Video documentation of patients walking was obtained at followup in eight patients.

RESULTS

The mean overall MSTS scores was 17 (range, 5-27). Thirteen patients were able to walk, five without walking aids, two with a cane and sometimes without a walking aid, three with a cane, and three with a walker. Thirteen of 14 patients who had bilateral Type I resections or a Type I resection on one side and Type II on the contralateral side were able to walk, five without a walking aid, and had a mean MSTS score of 19 (range, 13-27). Two patients with bilateral Type II resection were only able to sit. Complications included wound dehiscences in 13 patients (which were treated with reoperation for drainage), sciatic nerve injury in seven patients, a torn ureter in one patient, and a rectal tear in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Without spinopelvic reconstruction, most patients in this series who underwent total sacrectomy were able to walk. Good MSTS scores could be expected in patients with bilateral Type I resections and patients with a Type I on one side and a Type II on the contralateral side. Total sacrectomy without spinopelvic reconstruction should be considered as a useful alternative to reconstructive surgery in patients who undergo Type I iliosacral resection on one or both sides.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study.

Neck Pain following Laminoplasty

Study Design Retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data. Objective To compare preoperative and postoperative neck pain following laminoplasty using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Methods Seventy-two patients undergoing laminoplasty from 2006 to 2009 at a single institution were identified. Thirty-four patients with a minimum 1-year follow-up who completed preoperative, 6-week, and 1-year postoperative NDI questionnaires were enrolled. Demographic data and surgical data including estimated blood loss (EBL), length of surgery, number of laminoplasty levels, complications, and length of hospitalization were collected. Results Mean age was 62 years (range: 34 to 88), mean follow-up was 17 months (range: 12 to 31), and there were 21 men and 13 women. Diagnoses were cervical spondylotic myelopathy (n = 26), ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (n = 6), and central cord syndrome (n = 2). Mean EBL was 120 mL (range: 50 to 200), and mean surgical time was 152 minutes (range: 70 to 240). Average number of laminoplasty levels was 3 (range: 1 to 5). The open door technique was used, and 24/34 (71%) did not have laminoplasty at C3 and C7. No intraoperative complications were noted, and average hospital stay was 1.6 days (range: 1 to 7). Significant improvement in NDI total score was noted at 1 year (p < 0.002) and in NDI pain score at 6 weeks (p < 0.028) and 1 year (p < 0.007) postoperatively. Conclusions Patients having laminoplasty experienced significant improvement in NDI pain subscore and NDI total scores at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively.

Total sacrectomy for low-grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour: a case report

We report on a 58-year-old woman who underwent total sacrectomy and spinopelvic reconstruction for a low-grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour involving the sacrum. One week later, she developed deep wound infection, and the entire spinopelvic reconstruction was removed. At the 36-month followup, the patient had no pain and was able to walk with a walking frame. There was no sign of recurrence or metastasis.

Dynamic radiographic criteria for detecting pseudarthrosis following anterior cervical arthrodesis

BACKGROUND

While interspinous motion analysis is commonly used to determine the status of an anterior cervical fusion, the accuracy of this technique is unclear. We believed that three questions needed to be answered. What degree of image magnification is ideal? How much motion should be considered "adequate" for making dynamic radiographs? What is the optimal amount of interspinous motion for detecting pseudarthrosis?

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 125 patients (109 fused segments and 153 pseudarthrotic segments) who had undergone reexploration with confirmation of fusion status. Interspinous motion at each operatively treated level and one superjacent level was measured by two independent investigators twice. Reliabilities of interspinous motion analysis at different magnification rates (25%, 100%, 150%, and 200%) were evaluated for fifty randomly selected segments to determine the optimal magnification, which we used for the remainder of the measurements. Fusion status was also determined on computed tomography (CT) by two other raters. We compared the intraoperative findings with those based on dynamic radiographs (with use of cutoff values of 1 and 2 mm of interspinous motion as the indication of pseudarthrosis) and CT.

RESULTS

On radiographs, both 150% and 200% magnification yielded higher interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities compared with 25% and 100% magnification, and the reliabilities at 150% and 200% were similar to each other, so subsequent measurements were made at 150%. The cutoff value of interspinous motion for detecting pseudarthrosis was 0.9 mm as determined with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Compared with CT, interspinous motion of ≥ 1 mm showed relatively low sensitivity (79.5%) and negative predictive value (77.1%) and similar specificity (97.0%) and positive predictive value (97.4%). Using interspinous motion of ≥ 2 mm as the cutoff decreased the sensitivity and negative predictive value to 46.6% and 56.8%, respectively. Our evaluation of what constituted adequate dynamic motion for making the radiographs showed that, with use of interspinous motion of ≥ 1 mm as the cutoff for detecting pseudarthrosis, superjacent interspinous motion of ≥ 4 mm increased the sensitivity and negative predictive value (86.3% and 83.4%) compared with those associated with alternative cutoffs of superjacent interspinous motion (≥ 3.5, ≥ 5, and ≥ 6 mm), and the specificity (96.1%) and positive predictive value (96.9%) were reasonable.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of interspinous motion of ≥ 1 mm as the cutoff for detection of anterior cervical pseudarthrosis on radiographs magnified 150% and made with superjacent interspinous motion of ≥ 4 mm yielded accuracies comparable with those of CT.

A comparative study of radiographic results using HEALOS collagen-hydroxyapatite sponge with bone marrow aspiration versus local bone graft in the same patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar fusion

BACKGROUND

Autologous bone harvested from the iliac crest is the gold standard for lumbar spinal fusion. However postoperative donor site pain and morbidity have been reported. Local bone graft is insufficient and contains some soft-tissue attachment. Therefore, Healos (DePuy Spine, Raynham, MA, USA) is currently bone graft substitute that was introduced for spinal fusion with good results but radiographic fusion rate has not been clearly defined yet.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the radiographic fusion rate of HEALOS with bone marrow aspiration versus autologous bone graft in the same patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar fusion.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A retrospective radiographic outcome study of radiographic fusion rate from plain radiographs in 55patients indicatedforposterolateral lumbar fusion in Lerdsin General Hospital between April 2005 and December 2006 was done. The patients were implanted with HEALOS collagen-hydroxyapatite sponge with bone marrow aspiration and local bone graft on each side of Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion. Twenty-seven patients were included in the present study according to the authors'inclusion criteria. Plain radiographs were collected and radiographic fusion rate was assessed for at least two years follow-up.

RESULTS

The two years post operative radiographic fusion rate was 29.63% (8/27) in Healos/BMA group and 62.96% (17/27) in LBG group. At three-years follow-up, radiographic fusion rate of 36.84% (7/19) was achieved in the Healos/ BMA group and 78.93% (15/19) in the LBG group.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, Healos collagen-hydroxyapatite sponge with bone marrow aspiration had lower radiographic fusion rate when compared to local bone graft in posterolateral lumbar fusion at two years post operative. The results of the Healos/BMA group was increased fusion rate with time but remained lower than LBG group at three and four years follow-up.

Proximal junctional kyphosis results in inferior SRS pain subscores in adult deformity patients

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the difference in clinical outcomes in proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

To date, PJK has been primarily a radiographical finding. Inferior outcomes associated with PJK have not been reported. We performed an analysis of PJK in adult deformity patients to identify risk factors and to evaluate clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 364 patients at a single institution from 2002 to 2007 with adult scoliosis, with an average 3.5 years' follow-up were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were age more than 18 years and fusion greater than 5 levels from any thoracic upper instrumented vertebrae to any lower instrumented vertebrae. Cobb measurements in the coronal and sagittal plane in addition to measurements of the PJK angle at postoperative time points were performed. Clinical assessment was performed using Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) scores and the Oswestry Disability Index.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PJK was 39.5% (144/364). The average age in the non-PJK group (n-PJK) was 48.9 versus 53.3 in the PJK group (PJK), and, specifically, age more than 60 years posed a higher prevalence. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 9.8% versus 20.4% in the n-PJK versus PJK groups, respectively. Sex, body mass index, revision surgery, and smoking status were not different between groups. Pain was prevalent in 0.9% versus 29.4% in n-PJK versus PJK, which resulted in lower composite SRS Pain scores (mean change +1.2 vs. +0.8), despite no differences seen in other SRS domains, total SRS score, or Oswestry Disability Index. On multivariate analysis, the presence of pain of the upper back was highly predictive of PJK (odds ratio, 12.5, 95% confidence interval, 2.5-63.2). Radiographically, no differences were seen between groups. However, increasing distance of the upper instrumented vertebrae to C7 plumb line had a higher prevalence of PJK. Instrumentation type, surgical approach, and crosslink use were not different between groups.

CONCLUSION

PJK results in worse clinical outcomes measured by the SRS Pain subscore. Our regression model suggests that pain in the upper back has a strong predictive value for PJK.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Correlation of graft position, knee laxity and clinical outcome: comparison with native anterior cruciate ligament using magnetic resonance imaging study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the sagittal obliquity of anterior cruciate ligament graft with normal native anterior cruciate ligament in contralateral knee, to determine the effect of sagittal obliquity and axial femoral tunnel graft placement on stability and functional knee score (Lysholm), and to measure size of graft after complete ligamentization.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Seventy single tunnel quadruple hamstring anterior cruciate reconstructed knee in unilateral ACL injury patients were evaluated at 18 months after surgery. At follow up, patients were evaluated including measurement of knee laxity by using side to side different on KT 1000 arthromeres and clinical outcome by completed Lysholm functional knee questionnaires. Sagittal T1 weighted magnetic resonance image with complete dimension of graft from origin to insertion on each side of knee were depicted to compare the obliquity by measuring the intersection angle of the graft line with the tibial plateau plane. The axial femoral tunnel was determined by angle between anteroposterior axis of distal femur and long axis of femoral tunnel. The diameter of graft was also measured.

RESULTS

Graft obliquity was average 58 degrees with range between 41 degrees and 69 degrees. In contralateral native ACL obliquity was average 50 degrees with range between 33 degrees and 63 degrees. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Average axial femoral tunnel was 36 degrees with range between 10 degrees and 56 degrees. Knee laxity (KT-1 000 arthrometer; average pre-op = 6, post-op = 3) and Lysholm knee scores (average score; pre-op 55, post-op score 89) were significantly improved after surgery (p < 0.01). There was no correlation between degree of sagittal obliquity and axial femoral tunnel with knee laxity and functional score in this series. Graft size was increased in average 8% after 18 months post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

ACL grafts in patients with appropriate tibial tunnel placement were more vertical than native ACL. There was no significant effect of degree of sagittal obliquity and axial femoral tunnel to antero-postero stability and knee score. ACL graft size was increased in diameter during post-operative period. Graft-notch distance should be considered during operation.