Objective To establish the mode of anterior cervical surgery in outpatient setting, and evaluate its preliminary effectiveness. Methods A clinical data of patients who underwent anterior cervical surgery between January 2022 and September 2022 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. The surgeries were performed in outpatient setting (n=35, outpatient setting group) or in inpatient setting (n=35, inpatient setting group). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) in age, gender, body mass index, smoking, history of alcohol drinking, disease type, the number of surgical levels, operation mode, as well as preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale score of neck pain (VAS-neck), and visual analogue scale score of upper limb pain (VAS-arm). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total hospital stay, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital expenses of the two groups were recorded; JOA score, VAS-neck score, and VAS-arm score were recorded before and immediately after operation, and the differences of the above indexes between pre- and post-operation were calculated. Before discharge, the patient was asked to score satisfaction with a score of 1-10. Results The total hospital stay, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital expenses were significantly lower in the outpatient setting group than in the inpatient setting group (P<0.05). The satisfaction of patients was significantly higher in the outpatient setting group than in the inpatient setting group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time and intraoperative blood loss (P>0.05). The JOA score, VAS-neck score, and VAS-arm score of the two groups significantly improved at immediate after operation when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement of the above scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The patients were followed up (6.67±1.04) months in the outpatient setting group and (5.95±1.90) months in the inpatient setting group, with no significant difference (t=0.089, P=0.929). No surgical complications, such as delayed hematoma, delayed infection, delayed neurological damage, and esophageal fistula, occurred in the two groups. Conclusion The safety and efficiency of anterior cervical surgery performed in outpatient setting were comparable to that performed in inpatient setting. Outpatient surgery mode can significantly shorten the postoperative hospital stay, reduce hospital expenses, and improve the patients’ medical experience. The key points of the outpatient mode of anterior cervical surgery are minimizing damage, complete hemostasis, no drainage placement, and fine perioperative management.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of stage I anterior approach debridement and autologous iliac crest graft with single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation for the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis. MethodsSeven cases of lumbosacral tuberculosis were treated by stage I anterior approach debridement, autologous iliac crest graft, and single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation between February 2010 and October 2014. There were 5 males and 2 females, aged 18-65 years (mean, 41.6 years). The disease duration was 5-21 months (mean, 8 months). The patients had signs and symptoms of pain in lumbosacral region, radiating pain in unilateral lower limb or bilateral lower limbs, decreased muscular strength and disorders of superficial sensation. According to Frankel classification for spinal injury, 1 case was rated as grade C, 3 cases as grade D, and 3 cases as grade E. Preoperative imaging examination suggested L5, S1 lesions in line with the manifestations of tuberculosis; the lumbosacral angle was 16.4-28.5° (mean, 18.6°). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 28-105 mm/1 hour (mean, 61 mm/1 hour). All patients received 4-drug antituberculosis therapy. ResultsAll patients underwent the operation successfully and all incisions healed at stage I, without relevant complication. All patients were followed up 14-70 months (mean, 25.6 months). All symptoms of tuberculosis disappeared and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate returned to normal. At last follow-up, Frankel classification was returned to E from D in 3 cases, returned to D from C in 1 case. Two cases suffered from pains in the lumbosacral region and at the donor site, 1 case suffered from upper abdominal discomfort and poor appetite,but these symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. At last follow-up, X-ray examination indicated that the lumbosacral angle was 23.4-34.2° (mean, 28.6°). According to Bridwell criteria, 5 cases gained grade I bone fusion, and 2 cases gained grade II bone fusion, without migration of bone graft, or loosening or breakage of titanium plate or bolt. ConclusionStage I anterior approach debridement and autologous iliac crest graft with single self-locked titanium plate internal fixation is safe and effective in treating lumbosacral tuberculosis. It can achieve good bone fusion and stable lumbosacral stability, and maintain good deformity correction.
目的:探讨CCRS拉钩在颈椎前路手术中的应用方法及结果。方法:回顾分析2007~2008年在我院完成的97例颈椎前路手术中,应用CCRS拉钩来显露切口者的临床资料,并观察平均手术时间、术中出血量、周围软组织突入手术野的次数、术者术中调整撑开器的次数、患者术后咽部不适时间和医生满意度等指标。结果:该组病例平均手术时间103min,平均术中出血量110 mL,每台次软组织突入术野的次数为0~2次,术者术中调整CCRS 1~2次,患者术后咽部不适1~4 d,医生满意度为95.88%。结论:CCRS拉钩撑开切口后颈前方显露清晰,避免了周围软组织突入颈前操作区,从而提高了手术安全性和术者满意度。
Objective To study the prevention and management of early compl ications associated with anterior cervical spinal surgery. Methods From November 1998 to December 2006, 363 cases were treated with anterior cervicalsurgery, including 268 males and 95 females aged 17-79 years．In these cases, 224 suffered from cervical spondylosis, 39 from cervical disc herniation, 87 from cervical trauma, 9 from cervical tumor and 4 from cervical tuberculosis. Forty-eight cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by autogenous il iac bones, 132 cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by autogenous il iac bones and anterior cervical spine locking plates, and 183 cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by titanium mesh cage and anterior cervical spine locking plates. Results A total of 282 cases were followed up for 3 months to 5 years with the average of 1 year and 11 months. Twenty-three compl ications associated with surgery were found, with an incidence of 8.16%. Three cases of transient superior laryngeal nerve palsy recovered within 3-7 days after the restriction of l iquid diet and fluid replacement. Two cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy recovered by 3-month pronunciation practice. One case of spinal cord injury was treated with medicine for dehydration and anti-inflammation, and was restored to preoperative muscle power of inferior extremity after 6 months. Two cases of CSF leakage were cured with moderate local compression and meticulous water-tight wound closure. Among the 10 patients with compl ications of internal fixation, one suffering mild dysphagia was reoperated, while the others were treated with cephal-cervico-thorax plaster external fixation and recovered with sol id fusion within 3-18 months. Among the 4 cases with cervical hematoma, 1 died of wrong rescue procedures and 1 was infected. Conclusion Adequate preoperative preparation, thorough understanding of anatomy related to the anterior approach and skilled surgical technique are essential for preventing the early postoperative compl ications of anterior cervical spinal surgery．
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the value of anterior operation in fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae. METHODS: From 1997, 21 patients with fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebra and thoracic vertebrae were operated on. The interval between injury and operation was within 24 hours in 4 cases, 2-7 days in 9 cases, 8-14 days in 3 cases and within 4 weeks in 5 cases. The locations were C6,7 in 7 cases, C7 in 9 cases and T1 in 5 cases. The nerves function of spinal of all the cases have different degrees of injury. Classification of Frankel were the following: 3 cases of grade A, 6 cases of grade B, 9 cases of grade C, and 3 cases of grade D. The operative procedure included the following: anterior operation of cervical vertebrae; incision of most fracture vertebral body to decompress; transplantation of ilium bone grafting fusion; and internal fixation of anterior cervical vertebrae with locking-steel. RESULTS: In 21 patients, 1 died of accompanying by pulmonary infection; 20 were followed up 8 months to 3 years with an average of 21 months. All transplanted ilium had fused. The nerve function of spinal cord had recovered in different degrees(2 cases of grade A, 1 case of grade C, 9 cases of grade D and 8 cases of grade E); the turn of vertebral column was normal. No internal fixation failed. CONCLUSION: Anterior operation is a better way to treat fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae with easy operation, less complications, satisfactory reduction of fracture and good stability.
Objective To compare the outcomes of two operative methods, the anterior decompression in subsection and the anterior decompression in one section, which were used to treat multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods Data of multilevel CSM undergoing the anterior decompression in subsection (33 cases, the subsection group) and the anterior decompression in one section (19 cases, the one section group) from July 1999 to January 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. The- incidence of perioperative complications and the rate of fusion were evaluated by the postoperative X-ray and MRI examinations, and improvement of the neurological function was evaluated by the JOA score.Results The incidence of perioperative complications was 36.8%in the one section group, mainly including immigration of the plate and grafts,which was settled by the revision surgery; while the incidence of perioperative compilcations was 12.1% in the subsection group, mainly including the immigration of the titanium mesh. There was a significant difference between the two groups (Plt;0.05). 84.2％ of the patients in the one section group and 81.8％ of the patients in the subsection group developed bony fusion by the end of the follow-up (9-31 mon, averaged 112 mon), and there was no significant differencebetween the two groups (Pgt;0.05). According to the JOA score, the ratio of the improvement in the neurological function was 70.4% in the subsection group and 64.4% in the one section group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The anterior decompression in subsection is more rational for the surgical treatment on the multilevel CSM than the anterior decompression in one section. It can provide an equal decompressive effect but a more stable local mechanical environment right after the surgery and can maintain it well, which is critical for the bony fusion.
目的:探讨前路手术治疗胸椎转移瘤的临床疗效、手术方法及手术适应证。方法:2003年11月至2005年11月收治胸椎转移瘤38例,男21例,女17例;所有患者均伴有不同程度疼痛,伴神经功能障碍29例。结果:术后随访6个月,患者疼痛均有不同程度缓解, 视觉类比评分(VAS)由术前平均7.13降至术后平均1.71。术后患者使用止痛药的级别和用量均明显下降,其中多数患者(15例)无需再使用止痛药。伴神经功能障碍29例患者中,术后27例有改善,其中2例Frankel C级和9例Frankel D级患者感觉、运动基本恢复正常。局部肿瘤无复发,内固定器无松动断裂。结论:前路手术治疗胸椎转移瘤可以充分显露病灶, 有利于减压以及重建脊柱稳定性,从而有效控制疼痛、防治神经功能损害,提高生存质量。
With the continuous deepening of the practice related to the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, patients with cervical spondylosis have higher expectations and requirements for postoperative rehabilitation. In order to improve the rehabilitation of patients with cervical spondylosis, and increase patient satisfaction, the orthopedics team of West China Hospital of Sichuan University has formulated a program for early ambulation after anterior cervical spine surgery based on the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery. This article introduces the program from the definition, background, feasibility, significance, and specific content of early ambulation for patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery, and aims to provide experience and reference for future clinical practice.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of V-shaped stealth decompression technique using ultrasonic bone scalpel in anterior surgery for adjacent two-level cervical spondylosis. Methods A clinical data of 41 patients with adjacent two-level cervical spondylosis, who admitted between January 2020 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria, was analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 22 cases were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) assisted by V-shaped stealth decompression technique using ultrasonic bone scalpel (group A) and 19 cases with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) (group B). There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, disease duration, surgical segment, preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, neck dysfunction index (NDI), pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal in the responsibility space of axial CT (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospital stay, complications during follow-up, JOA score, NDI, and VAS score at last follow-up, and the incidences of intervertebral fusion at 3 months after operation, and cage subsidence at last follow-up were compared between the two groups. Results The operations in the two groups were successfully completed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and hospital stay in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). Two cases (9.1%) in group A and 4 cases (21.1%) in group B developed complications, with no significant difference in the incidence between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9.3 months). There was no significant difference in follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the JOA score and VAS score in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The change values of VAS score and the improvement rate of JOA score in group A were significantly superior to group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the change values of NDI and JOA score between the two group (P>0.05). Imaging reexamination showed that the rate of intervertebral fusion at 3 months after operation was significantly higher in group A (81.8%) than in group B (52.6%) (P<0.05), and all patients obtained bony intervertebral fusion at last follow-up. At last follow-up, 2 cases (9.1%) in group A and 11 cases (57.9%) in group B had cage sinking, and the difference in the incidence was significant (P<0.05). No loosening or fracture of internal fixators occurred in all patients. Conclusion Using ultrasonic bone scalpel can transform single vertebral ACCF into two-segment ACDF in anterior cervical spondylosis surgery. The V-shaped stealth decompression technique is safe and efficient, with the advantages of minimal trauma, fewer postoperative complications, and rapid recovery of patients.
Objective To investigate the effect of ultrasonic bone curette in anterior cervical spine surgery. MethodsA clinical data of 63 patients with cervical spondylosis who were admitted between September 2019 and June 2021 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 32 cases were operated with conventional instruments (group A) and 31 cases with ultrasonic bone curette (group B). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) in gender, age, surgical procedure, surgical segment and number of occupied cervical space, disease type and duration, comorbidities, and preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical dysfunction index (NDI), and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospital stay, and the occurrence of postoperative complications were recorded in both groups. Before operation and at 1, 3, and 6 months after operation, the JOA score and NDI were used to evaluate the function and the postoperative JOA improvement rate was calculated, and VAS score was used to evaluate the pain improvement. The anteroposterior and lateral cervical X-ray films were taken at 1, 3, and 6 months after operation to observe whether there was any significant loosening and displacement of internal fixators. ResultsCompared with group A, group B had shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay, less intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). All incisions healed by first intention in the two groups, and postoperative complications occurred in 5 cases (15.6%) in group A and 2 cases (6.5%) in group B, showing no significant difference (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 7.9 months). The JOA score and improvement rate gradually increased in groups A and B after operation, while the VAS score and NDI gradually decreased. There was no significant difference in VAS score between 3 months and 1 month in group B (P>0.05), and there were significant differences between the other time points of each indicator in the two groups (P<0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months after operation, the JOA score and improvement rate in group B were better than those in group A (P<0.05). X-ray films examination showed that there was no screw loosening or titanium plate displacement in the two groups after operation, and the intervertebral cage or titanium mesh significantly sank. ConclusionCompared with traditional instruments, the use of ultrasonic bone curette assisted osteotomy in anterior cervical spine surgery has the advantages of shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, less postoperative drainage, and shorter hospital stay.