【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the effectiveness of surgical treatment for discogenic low back pain (DLBP) by minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) combined with unilateral pedicle screw fixation (UPSF). Methods Between March 2006 and July 2009, 57 patients with single-level DLBP were treated by minimally invasive TLIF combined with UPSF, including 27 males and 30 females with an average age of 45.6 years (range, 38-61 years) and a disease duration of 3.8 years (range, 9 months to 11 years). The involved segments included L2，3 in 2 cases, L3，4 in 5 cases, L4，5 in 29 cases, and L5, S1 in 21 cases. The operative time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospitalization times, fusion rate, and complications were observed. The effectiveness were evaluated through Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue score (VAS), and the operative outcomes were compared in different groups classified according to various pressures of the contrast medium and sensitivities to discoblock after inducing consistent pain. Results The operation time, incision length, blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and hospitalization times were (84.6 ± 37.4) minutes, (3.4 ± 0.6) cm, (132.5 ± 23.2) mL, (58.7 ± 21.4) mL, and (6.5 ± 0.8) days, respectively. All patients were followed up 2 years and 2 months to 5 years and 4 months (mean, 3.2 years). At last follow-up, ODI and VAS scores were significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.05). The effectiveness according to ODI were excellent in 27 cases, good in 22 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 86.0%. All patients acquired b interbody fusion. At last follow-up according to ODI and VAS scores, better results were found in patients of low-pressure sensitive group and high-sensitive discoblock group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Minimally invasive TLIF combined with UPSF is reliable for DLBP with minimal surgical trauma, less paravertebral tissue injury, and fewer complications, but the indications for operation must be strictly followed. Patients being sensitive to low-pressure or high-sensitive to discoblock can achieve better surgical results.
Objective To analyze the early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) laminectomy in the treatment of two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods The clinical data of 98 patients with two-level LSS treated with UBE between September 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 53 males and 45 females with an average age of 59.9 years (range, 32-79 years). Among them, there were 56 cases of mixed spinal stenosis, 23 cases of central spinal canal stenosis, and 19 cases of nerve root canal stenosis. The duration of symptoms was 1.5- 10 years, with an average of 5.4 years. The operative segments were L2, 3 and L3, 4 in 2 cases, L3, 4 and L4, 5 in 29 cases, L4, 5 and L5, S1 in 67 cases. All patients had different degrees of low back pain, among of which 76 cases were with unilateral lower extremity symptoms and 22 cases were with bilateral lower extremity symptoms. There were 29 cases of bilateral decompression in both segments, 63 cases of unilateral decompression in both segments, and 6 cases of unilateral decompression and bilateral decompression of each segment. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total incision length, hospitalization stay, ambulation time, and related complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the low back and leg pain before operation and at 3 days, 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the functional recovery of lumbar spine before operation and at 3 months and last follow-up after operation. Modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate clinical outcomes at last follow-up. Imaging examinations were performed before and after operation to measure the preservation rate of articular process, modified Pfirrmann scale, disc height (DH), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and cross-sectional area of the canal (CAC), and the CAC improvement rate was calculated. Results All patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time was (106.7±25.1) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (67.7±14.2) mL, and the total incision length was (3.2±0.4) cm. The hospitalization stay was 8 (7, 9) days, and the ambulation time was 3 (3, 4) days. All the wounds healed by first intention. Dural tear occurred in 1 case during operation, and mild headache occurred in 1 case after operation. All patients were followed up 13-28 months with an average of 19.3 months, and there was no recurrence or reoperation during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the preservation rate of articular process was 84.7%±7.3%. The modified Pfirrmann scale and DH were significantly different from those before operation (P<0.05), while the LLA was not significantly different from that before operation (P=0.050). The CAC significantly improved (P<0.05), and the CAC improvement rate was 108.1%±17.8%. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the differences between each time points were significant (P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 63 cases were excellent, 25 cases were good, and 10 cases were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 89.8%. ConclusionUBE laminectomy is a safe and effective technique with little trauma and fast recovery for two-level LSS and the early effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective? To investigate the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unilateral gluteal muscle contracture. Methods Between January 1990 and September 2009, 41 patients with unilateral gluteal muscle contracture were treated and the cl inical data were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 24 were male and 17 were female with an age range from 6 to 29 years (mean, 12 years). Thirty-nine patients had a definite history of repeat intragluteal injection. The locations were the left side in 9 cases and the right side in 32 cases. The main cl inical manifestations included lameness and abnormal gait. The medical examination showed pelvic obl ique and relative inequal ity of lower l imbs with a mean difference of 2.1 cm (range, 1.2-3.8 cm) in the distance form navel to malleolus medials. The X-ray films of pelvis showed outpouching trochanter of femur and pelvic obl ique. The CT scans showed no abnormal finding except pelvic obl ique and gluteal muscle contracture. The arc longitudinal incision was made into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter and then lysis of the gluteal muscles was performed, followed by the skin traction of both legs and rehabil itation exercise. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Forty-one patients were followed up 1-20 years (mean, 5 years), and the signs of gluteal muscle contracture disappeared. After 1 year of operation, 34 patients had equal leg length, 5 patients had mild pelvic obl ique, and 2 patients had obvious pelvic obl ique. According to LIU Guohui et al. evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 33 cases, good in 6 cases, and poor in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 95.12% at 1 year after operation. Conclusion Unilateral gluteal muscle contracture leads to pelvic obl ique and inequal ity of lower l imbs, and it can be cured with the surgical release of the gluteal muscle contracture by the arc longitudinal incision into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter, combined with postoperative skin traction and rehabil itation exercises.
Objective To investigate the different influence of the expression levels of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) after the unilateral phrenectomy in piglets. Methods Thirty-six piglets were divided into 3 groups according to their ages during the operation (10 d,30 d,50 d). In each group, 6 piglets underwent the left cervical phrenectomy and 6 piglets were used as the shamoperation controls. The expression levels of EGF and KGF were determined by the real time quantitative RT-PCR at 2 weeks after operation.Results The melting curves of RTPCR showed that there was a single peark at the temperature of 80.0, 84.5 and 89.0℃ of EGF,KGF and GAPDH, respectively. In the experimental group, the expression levels of EGF were 3.53±0.36 and 1.73±0.29, and the expression levels of KGF were 4.71±0.42 and 2.77±0.29 in thepiglets undergiong the operation at their ages of 10 d and 30 d.Compared with the control group,the expression levels of EGF (4.60±0.41，2.18±0.24) and KGF(6.05±0.42，3.58±0.31) showed that there was a significant decrease postoperatively in the piglets undergoing the operation at their ages of 10 d and 30 d（P＜0.05）. However, there was no significant change in the piglets undergoing the operation at their ages of 50 d（P＞0.05）. The expression levels of EGF and KGF were significantly decreased with the lung development of the piglets（P＜0.05）. Conclusion The unilateral phrenectomy performed in the piglets younger than 30 d may cause abnormity of the EGF and KGF expression levels. The piglets older than 50 d may not cause a significant influence.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term effect of unilateral versus bilateral screw placement on thoracolumbar single vertebral fracture by means of meta-analysis.MethodsThe data of China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang Database, SinoMed, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Springer Link were searched by computer, and the literatures related to effect comparison between unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation in thoracolumbar single vertebral fracture were collected, including domestic and foreign published journal literatures and grey literatures such as academic conference reports and dissertations. The retrieval time was from their inception to August 17, 2019. After literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction, Stata 12.0 and RevMan 5.0 softwares were used for data analysis.ResultsA total of 12 articles were included, including 7 in English and 5 in Chinese, with a total of 848 patients (424 in the unilateral pediclescrew fixation group and 424 in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation group). The results of meta-analysis showed that: there was no significant difference in any of the main outcome indicators between the two groups, including the ratio of anterior height of fractured vertebra [mean difference (MD)= −0.16%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−1.20%, 0.88%), P=0.76], postoperative follow-up Cobb angle [MD=−0.17°, 95%CI (−0.50, 0.15)°, P=0.29], postoperative follow-up Visual Analogue Scale score [MD=−0.06, 95%CI (−0.16, 0.04), P=0.24], postoperative follow-up Oswestry Disability Index score [MD=−0.28, 95%CI (−0.66, 0.11), P=0.15], and incidence of complications [relative risk=0.81, 95%CI (0.57, 1.15), P=0.23], but two secondary outcome indicators namely operation time [MD=−33.26 minutes, 95%CI (−51.72, −14.80) minutes, P=0.000 4] in the unilateral pedicle screw fixation group were smaller than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation group, whlie there were no statistically significant difference in postoperative length of hospital stay [MD=−1.59 days, 95%CI (−4.53, 1.36) days, P=0.29] and intraoperative blood loss [MD=−74.09 mL, 95%CI (−155.96, 7.77) mL, P=0.08] between the two groups.ConclusionUnilateral and bilateral screw placement of thoracolumbar single vertebral fracture has the same long-term effect, and unilateral screw placement can reduce the number of screw implantation, and shorter operation time, which is more in line with the actual clinical needs.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of free vascularized fibula grafting with unilateral fibula as donor in treatment of bilateral avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH). Methods Between June 2007 and January 2008, 14 patients with bilateral ANFH were treated with free vascularized fibula grafting with unilateral fibula as donor. There were 12males and 2 females with an average age of 36.6 years (range, 17-57 years). The necrosis was caused by use of steroids in 3 cases, consumption of alcohol in 4 cases, and idiopathic condition in 7 cases. According to Steinberg system, 16 hips were classified as stage II, 10 hips as stage III, and 2 hips as stage IV. The preoperative Harris hip scores were 77.50 ± 4.19, 69.70 ± 2.76, 59.50 ± 0.50 in patients at stages II, III, and IV, respectively. The duration of operation and the bleeding volume were recorded. The X-ray examination, the Harris hip score, and the compl ications were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results The duration of the fibula osteotomy was 10-32 minutes (mean, 20 minutes). The duration of the total operation was 100-240 minutes (mean, 140 minutes). The bleeding volume was 200-500 mL (mean, 280 mL). All patients achieved heal ing of incision by first intention. The patients were followed up 12-40 months (mean, 24 months). One case had numbness and hyperthesia of the anterolateral thigh; 1 case had abnormal sensation of the dorsal foot; 1 case had discomfort of the ankle; and they restored to normal at 1 year after operation. According to X-ray films 1 year after operation, the improvement was achieved in 23 hi ps (82.1%) and no deterioration in 5 hips (17.9%). At 1 year after operation, the Harris hip scores were 93.90 ± 4.84, 88.50 ± 8.13, and 78.00 ± 0.00 inpatients at stages II, III, and IV, respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Unilateral free vascularized fibula grafting has lots of virtues, such as short surgical time, less bleeding volume, l ittle injury, and good results of function recovery. It could be an effective and safe method in treating bilateral ANFH.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of upper limb rehabilitation robot-assisted training combined with mirror therapy on unilateral spatial neglect (USN) in stroke patients.MethodsA total of 40 patients with USN admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2017 to December 2018 were selected and randomly divided into the trial group and the control group, with 20 cases in each group. The trial group used upper limb rehabilitation robot-assisted training combined with mirror therapy and USN comprehensive rehabilitation treatment. The control group patients only received USN comprehensive rehabilitation treatment. All patients continued treatment for 4 weeks. Before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment, the modified Barthel index (MBI) was used to assess the activities of daily living, the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used to assess motor function, and the Catherine-Bergego scale was used to assess the degree of USN.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in general information between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in MBI, FMA or USN degree scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the MBI, FMA and USN degree scores of the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). The improvements in MBI, FMA and USN degree scores of the trial group were 14.75±1.97, 17.05±3.93 and 5.25±2.29, respectively, and those of the control group were 9.75±4.44, 8.30±2.06 and 3.10±0.72, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionsUpper limb rehabilitation robot-assisted training combined with mirror therapy can effectively improve the spatial neglect of USN patients, and improve the ability of daily living and motor functions.
Objective To analyze the learning curve of unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-LIF). Methods Fifty-five patients with single-segment lumbar degenerative disease treated with UBE-LIF between December 2020 and February 2022 were selected as the research subjects. The patients were grouped according to the operation sequence, the first 27 cases were in the early group, and the last 28 cases were in the late group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, disease type, and surgical segment distribution (P>0.05). The operation time, the amount of hemoglobin loss (the difference between 1 day before operation and 3 days after operation), the hospital stay after operation, and the incidence of perioperative complications were recorded; the learning curve of UBE-LIF was analyzed by log-curve regression analysis. Results All the operations were successfully completed without changing to other operations. The operation time, the amount of hemoglobin loss, and hospital stay in the early group were significantly more than those in the late group (P<0.05). Complications occurred in 2 cases (7.4%) in the early group, including 1 case of dural tear during operation and 1 case of epidural hematoma after operation, and 1 case (3.6%) with transient radiculitis in the late group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P=0.518) . The log-curve regression analysis showed that the operation time decreased significantly with the increase of the number of patients (P<0.05). The operation time tended to be stable after the surgeon completed 17 cases. ConclusionFor single-level lumbar degenerative disease, the operation time of UBE-LIF can decrease gradually with the increase of the number of patients, and tend to be stable after 17 cases.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using unilateral incision and internal fixation of pedicle screws and a translaminar facet screw for dural-level lumbar degenerative disease. Methods Between January 2010 and January 2012, 19 patients with dural-level lumbar degenerative disease was treated, including 7 males and 12 females with an average age of 50.4 years (range, 22-68 years) and a median disease duration of 37 months (range, 8 months to 15 years). The operated segments included L3-5 in 6 cases and L4-S1 in 13 cases. MIS-TLIF was performed by unilateral incision, and then pedicle screws and a translaminar facet screw were used for internal fixation. Results Operations were successfully performed in all cases. The mean operation time was 158 minutes; the mean intraoperative blood loss was 156 mL; the mean length of incision was 42 mm; the mean postoperative ambulation time was 35 hours; the mean hospitalization time was 4.1 days; and the mean length of translaminar facet screw was 51 mm. All the wounds healed by first intention. No complication occurred in the others except 1 case of dural tear. The patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17.1 months). The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores at postoperation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05). The symptom disappeared gradually. The postoperative X-ray images showed that the internal fixations were in good position; all facets screws penetrated through the base of spinous process, laminar, and facets joint; of the screws, 2 (5.3%) facets screws penetrated lateral laminar, and 1 (1.8%) pedicle screw penetrated out of pedicle of vertebral arch, but no symptom of nerve injury was seen. The CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction at postoperative 12th month showed good interbody fusion; and based on the Bridwell’s interbody fusion grading system, 11 cases were rated as grade I, and 8 cases as grade II. Conclusions MIS-TLIF by unilateral incision and internal fixation is a safe and reliable method to treat dural-level lumbar degenerative disease, and it has the advantages of short operation time, less invasion, less blood loss, and fast recovery.
Objective To discuss the operative method and therapeutic effect of correcting nasal deformity after prothesis of unilateral complete harel ip with design of nasal subunits. Methods From January 2006 to December 2008, 18 patients with nasal deformity after prothesis of unilateral complete harel ip were treated. There were 7 males and 11 femalesaged 6-26 years old. The deformity located on the left side in 11 cases and the right side in 7 cases with major manifestations of deviation and crispation towards normal side of nasal columella, applanation and collapse of nasal ala, lenity and dyssymmetry of nostrils, malposition of basement of nasal ala. Time between harel ip prothesis and secondary epithesis was 4-21 years (average 8 years). During epithesis, nasal columella were extended, collapse nasal alar cartilages were l iberated and fixed in symmetrical positions, injured upper l ip was extended with nasolabial flap or to “tongue-l ike” flap on nasal base. Eleven cases were implanted L-type sil icone prothesis to hump nose. Results For 1 case suffered postoperative rejection, the implant of L-type sil icone prothesis was taken out promptly, and reimplant of prothesis was performed 6 months later without postoperative rejection. The incision of the other patients all healed by first intention without any postoperative compl ications. The effect of epithesis was good with such manifestations as the eminence of injured nasal ala, normal radian, and symmetrical nostils. All patients werefollowed up for 3 months-2 years (average 8 months). The incision was hidden with well-maintained appearance and no obvious scar. Conclusion Based on feature of nasal subunits and formation causes of deformity, individual-orientated epithesis design of nasal ala margin, nasal columella basement incisions, reset and fix nasal alar cartilages and tissues values can provide the patients suffering the secondary nasal deformity with satisfied appearance.