Abstract Dual-blade plate is widely used in reconstruction of anterior stability of spine. Two hundred and ninety-eight cases were followed up since 1984. Among them, 181 cases were fractureof thoracolumbar spine; 63 cases were tuberculosis of thoracolumbar spine; 43 cases were tumor of thoracolumbar spine; 5 cases were spondylisthesis of lumbar spine; 2 cases were ankylosing spondylitis accompanied with gibbosity; 2 cases were adolescent vertebral epiphysis; I case was hemivertebra; I case was dysplasia of the first lumbar vertebra acompanied with gibbosity. Most cases were successful following operation, but in some cases, the results were unsuccessful, mainly due to the position of the dualblade plate in the vertebral body was not satisfactory. The mistakes most commonly occurred were one or two blades, or a part of the blade going into the intervertebral space, and less commonly seen was deviation of the dual -blade plate from itscorrect orientation or a little side-bent of the blade. Split of the vertebra and fall off of the dual-blade plate were happened in few cases. The causeswere analyzed and ways of prevention were provided in this article.
Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lateral fusion (PLF) in treatment of thoracolumbar spine fracture and dislocation. Methods From January 2005 to July 2007, 35 patients (22 males, 13 females, aged 17-53 years old) with thoracolumbar spine fracture and dislocation (T11-L3) received posterior open reduction and pedicle nail-stick system internal fixation. Among which, 14 patients underwent TLIF(group TLIF), and the rest 21 patients underwent PLF (group PLF). According to AO classification, group TLIF had 3 cases of A3, 7 cases of B and 4 cases of C, while group PLF had 4 cases of A3, 10 cases of B and 7 cases of C. Based on American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Scoring Standard formulated in 2000, the motor score of group TLIF and group PLF was (50.6 ± 3.6) and (50.8 ± 4.2) points, respectively; and the sensory score was (170.5 ± 42.7) and (153.8 ± 23.7) points, respectively. No significant difference was noted between 2 groups in general information (P gt; 0.05). Results The operation time of group TLIF and group PLF was (316 ± 32) minutes and (254 ± 27) minutes, and the blood loss of group TLIF and group PLF was (487 ± 184) mL and (373 ± 72) mL, indicating there were significant differences between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). Wounds of all patients were healed by first intention and there was no death, aggravation of neurological function impairment and compl ication of internal fixation instrument loosening and breaking. All 35 cases were followed up for 9-23 months with an average of 14.6 months. Postoperatively, the thoracolumbar bone fusion rate of group TLIF and group PLF was 100% and 85.7%, respectively, indicating there was a significant difference (P lt; 0.05). At 3 months after operation, the motor score of group TLIF and group PLF was increased by (10.4 ± 10.0) and (9.4 ± 9.3) points, respectively; and the sensory score was upgraded by (26.5 ± 22.8) and (28.8 ± 28.4) points, respectively, showing there were no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). At immediate moment, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, the spine height restoration of group TLIF was (5.4 ± 2.1), (5.4 ± 1.9), (5.4 ± 1.4) and (5.3 ± 1.3) mm, respectively; while it was (5.3 ± 2.6), (5.3 ± 2.2), (4.8 ± 3.1) and (4.2 ± 3.6) mm for group PLF. Meanwhile, the Cobbangle recovery of group TLIF was (14.5 ± 3.5), (14.5 ± 3.6), (14.4 ± 3.4) and (14.4 ± 3.6)º, respectively; while it was (14.3 ± 2.7), (14.2 ± 3.1), (12.2 ± 2.8) and (11.7 ± 3.3)º for group PLF. Concerning the spine height restoration and the Cobb angle recovery, no significant difference was observed between 2 groups at immediate moment and 3 months after operation (P gt; 0.05), but significant differences were noted at 6 and 12 months after operation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion For the treatment othoracolumbar spine fracture and dislocation, TLIF is superior to PLF in bony fusion and restoration of spine column height.
目的 探讨经皮穿刺椎体成形术治疗老年性骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的临床疗效。 方法 2006年1月-2009年1月收治患者147例（214个椎体）脊柱骨折者，男56例，女91例；年龄61～80岁，平均69岁。脊柱骨折部位为T8~L3，其中胸椎98个，腰椎116个。采用C形X线机透视引导下于俯卧位或侧卧位进行经皮穿刺椎体成形术，注射聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（PMMA，骨水泥）。测量并计算术前和术后椎体前/后缘高度比值，疗效评价按WHO标准。 结果 118例获随访，随访时间3～7个月，平均4个月。147例214个椎体均手术成功，骨水泥注射量1.0～8.0 mL/椎体。术后2～4 h疼痛开始缓解，无显著危害性并发症发生，术前和术后椎体前/后缘高度比值无显著性差异，118例随访3～7个月疗效评价按WHO标准完全缓解加部分缓解率为100%。 结论 经皮穿刺椎体成形术是一种治疗老年性骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的微创手术，能够有效缓解骨质疏松性椎体骨折引起的疼痛，维持椎体稳定性，恢复椎体的高度，是一种简单、安全、有效的方法。
Objective To explore the feasibility and accuracy of ultrasound volume navigation (UVN) combined with X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw implantation through a prospective randomized controlled study. Methods Patients with thoracic and lumbar vertebral fractures scheduled for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Among them, 60 patients met the selection criteria and were included in the study. There were 28 males and 32 females, with an average age of 49.5 years (range, 29-60 years). The cause of injury included 20 cases of traffic accidents, 21 cases of falls, 17 cases of slips, and 2 cases of heavy object impact. The interval from injury to hospital admission ranged from 1 to 5 days (mean, 1.57 days). The fracture located at T12 in 15 cases, L1 in 20 cases, L2 in 19 cases, and L3 in 6 cases. The study used each patient as their own control, randomly guiding pedicle screw implantation using UVN combined with X-ray fluoroscopy on one side of the vertebral body and the adjacent segment (trial group), while the other side was implanted under X-ray fluoroscopy (control group). A total of 4 screws and 2 rods were implanted in each patient. The implantation time and fluoroscopy frequency during implantation of each screw, angle deviation and distance deviation between actual and preoperative planned trajectory by imaging examination, and the occurrence of zygapophysial joint invasion were recorded. Results In terms of screw implantation time, fluoroscopy frequency, angle deviation, distance deviation, and incidence of zygapophysial joint invasion, the trial group showed superior results compared to the control group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion UVN combined with X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw implantation can yreduce screw implantation time, adjust dynamically, reduce operational difficulty, and reduce radiation damage.
Objective To explore the short-term therapeutic effect of mini-incision common vertebral pedicle screw internal fixation on thoracoclumbar fractures without neurological injury. Methods The data of 61 patients with thoracolumbar fractures without neurological injury treated with mini-incision common vertebral pedicle screw internal fixation (the mini-incision group, n=32) or percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (the percutaneous group, n=29) from February 2014 to January 2016 was retrospectively collected and analyzed. Total incision length, operation time, blood loss, fluoroscopy times, postoperative bed rest time, hospitalization costs, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), vertebral Cobb angle of correction, and accuracy rate of screw placement were compared between the two groups. Results All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months with a mean of 13.4 months. There were no complications such as incision infection and neurovascular injury except for 2 screws breakage in one patient in the percutaneous group. In the mini-incision group, the average total incision length was longer than that in the percutaneous group [(7.33±0.53) vs. (6.38±0.44) cm], while the average operation time was shorter than that in the percutaneous group [(62.66±4.75) vs. (72.93±5.09) minutes]; the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). In the mini-incision group, the average frequency of fluoroscopy was fewer [(5.63±0.61)vs. (19.07±1.60) times] and the average hospitalization costs was lower [(23.3±1.5) thousand yuan vs. (39.5±1.6) thousand yuan] than those in the than that in the percutaneous group; the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). No significant difference was found in blood loss, postoperative bed rest time, VAS score, ODI, vertebral Cobb angle of correction, and accuracy rate of screw placement between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Mini-incision common vertebral pedicle screw internal fixation for thoracoclumbar fractures without neurological injury has the advantages of short operation time, less fluoroscopy times, low hospitalization costs and high fixation strength. It may obtain a good short-term effectiveness.
Objective To evaluate the effect of self-designed antirotation reduction internal fixator(ARRIF) on treating different spine segment fracture.Methods From August 1999 to March 2003, 76 patients(48 males and 28 females, aged from 22 to 59 with an average of 34.1) with thoracolumbar fracture were operatively treated by ARRIF. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 21 months(15 months in average). Classification according to injury segment: flexion compression racture 27 cases, burst fracture 42 cases, flexion distraction injury 3 cases, flexion revolving type fracture dislocation 2 cases, shear force type dislocation 2 cases. Classification according Frankel’s grade:A grade 16 cases, B grade 15 cases, C grade 27 cases, D grade 10 cases, E grade 8 cases.Operation duration, volume of bleeding, incidence postoperation complication and effect of reduction fixation were observed. Results The operation duration of ARRIF was 1.2 h in average, and there was about 200 ml volume of bleeding during operation. The nerve function showed one Frankel’s grade improvement after operation were as follows:A grade 8 cases(50%), B grade 11 cases (73.3%), C grade20 cases(74.1%), D grade 3 cases (30%); 2 Frankel’s E cases have no nerve function changes.The nerve function damage have no aggravation in all the patients,the postoperation Cobb’s angle was averagely corrected 22°. The horizontal displacement of dislocation vertebrae was averagely corrected 28% in sagittal plane, the statistical analysis had significant variance(Plt;0.01).ARRIF had no complications of the breakage of screws and rods. Conclusion ARRIF proves to be a valid internal fixator in reducing and fixing different thoracic lumbar segment spine fracture.
Objective To study the clinical effects of the artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (nHA/PA66) compositefor the structural reconstruction and the height restoring of the vertebral body in the thoracolumbar fractures by the anterior surgical procedures. Methods From December 2003 to January 2006, 42 patients with thoracolumbar fractures received the anterior surgical procedures to decompress and reconstruct the spinal vertebral structure with the artificial vertebral body of the nHA/PA66 composite. Among the patients, there were 28 males and 14 females, aged 1767 years, averaged 43.6 years. The thoracolumbar fractures developed at T12 in 5 patients, at L1 in 17, at L2 in 14, and at L3 in 6. The height of the anterior border of thevertebral body amounted to 29%-47% of the vertebral body height, averaged 40.6%.The Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 2138° averaged 27.6°. According tothe Frankel grading scale, the injuries to the nerves were as the following: Grade A in 7 patients, Grade B in 19, Grade C in 8, Grade D in 6, and Grade E in 2. Results All the 42 patients were followed up for 625 months. Among the patients, 36 were reconstructed almost based on the normal anatomic structure, and 6 were well reconstructed. The mean height of the anterior border of the vertebralbody was 40.6% of the vertebral body height before operation but 91.7% after operation. And the reconstructed height of the vertebra was maintained. The mean Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 27.6°before operation but 13.4° after operation. All the patients had a recovery of the neurological function that had a 1grade or 2grade improvement except 7 patients who were still in Grade A and 2 patients who were in Grade D. The implant was fused 35 months after operation. No infection, nail break, bar/plate break or loosening of the internal fixation occurred. Conclusion The artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic nHA/PA66 composite can effectively restore the height and the structure of the vertebra, can be fused with the vertebral body to reconstruct the spinal structural stability effectively, and can be extensively used in the clinical practice.
Objective To describe the up-to-date development in spine and spine cord injuries. Methods To summarize the cl inical and basic research on spine and spine cord injuries were summarized by reviewing papers and combining them with our own experience. Results The occi pitocervical and atlantoaxial fusions by the pedicle or the lateral mass screw were widely used to treat the upper cervical fractures. The anterior cervical plate, posterior pedicle or lateral mass screw fixation techniques were used in treatment of lower cervical fractures. The cl inical appl ication of artificial cervical disc replacement showed the good biomechanical results in treatment of serious cervical disc diseases. However, there were no unified criteria for selection of the surgical approach, fixation level, and fusion model in the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures. Lumbar posterior dynamic fixation and artificial disc replacement for treatment of degenerative lumbar disc diseases provided the biomechanical stabil ization and reduced the morbidity of adjacent segment diseases, but there was lack of long-term follow-up results. The basic research in spine cord injuries, especially in apoptotic signal pathway, made great progress. The biological treatment including cell transplantation and gene therapy provided the sol id theoretical foundation for cl inical appl ication. Conclusion The reparative and reconstructive development in spine and spine cord injuries has made great progress in recent years.
Thoracolumbar injury is a common injury in clinic. Accurate diagnosis and classification is of great significance for guiding treatment. Although there are many typing systems, no typing system has been widely accepted and used to guide clinical practice. Denis classification, spinal load classification, thoracolumbar injury classification system and severity score or thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score and AO classification have great influence in clinical practice, but they all have some shortcomings. In recent years, the classification of thoracolumbar injury has been updated, modified and supplemented constantly. When using these fracture types in clinical practice, different people often have some deviation. This paper reviews the widely used thoracolumbar injury classification system, discusses the main viewpoints, advantages and disadvantages of each classification system, and looks into the future research direction based on the current research progress.
Objective To investigate the cl inical characteristics and methods of diagnosis and treatment of multiple level thoracolumbar spinal fractures. Methods From March 2002 to March 2006, 17 patients with 35 thoracolumbar spinal fractures were treated, 13 males and 4 females, aged 21-52 years old (36.4 on average), among whom there were 10 cases of traffic accident injury and 7 of high fall ing injury. One fracture was located at T2, 1 at T3, 1 at T10, 4 at T11, 6 at T12, 5 at L1, 3 at L2, 7 at L3, 5 at L4, and 2 at L15, with a total of 35 segments including 26 segments with unstable fractures and 9 segments with stable compression fractures. According to the Frankel grade, there was 1 case of grade A, 1 of grade B, 2 of grade C, 5 of grade D and 8 of grade E. The preoperative height of the anterior border of the vertebral body was (20.8 ± 3.8) mm and the preoperative kyphosis angle was (16.2 ± 3.4)°. All the unstable fractures were performed operation. Sixteen injured vertebras were treated with long-segment pedicle screw internal fixation; 8 were treated with short-segment pedicle screw internal fixation, and 2 were treated with anterior fusion and fixation. Five injured vertebras with stable compression fractures were not treated and 4 were treated with pedicle screw implantation. Results The operation time was 1.8-4.2 hours and the amount of blood loss was 300-900 mL. The incisions obtained heal ing by first intention after the operation. All 17 patients were followed up for 13-41 months (18 months on average), and radiological evaluation showed no failure of the internal fixation. After the operation, the Frankel scale assessment showed that 1 patient of grade A improved to grade B, 1 of grade B improved to grade C, 1 of grade C improved to grade D, 1 of grade C improved to grade E, 5 of grade D improved to grade E, and 8 of grade E had no improvement. At the final postoperative follow-up, the height of the anterior border of the vertebral body was (31.9 ± 3.2) mm and the kyphosis angle was (6.8 ± 3.7)°, which were significantly different from those of preoperation (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion The treatment of multiple level thoracolumbar spinal fractures should be individual ized according to the patients’ actual conditions in order to obtain decompression and stabil ity of spines.