Recently published results suggest insertion of shorter screws in L5/S1 stand-alone anterior interbody fusion, fearing S1 nerve root violation. However, insertion of shorter screws led to screw fixation failure and new onset of S1 body fractures. Retrospective review of patients with L5/S1 stand-alone anterior interbody fusion, focussing on screw length, radiological outcomes (especially metal work failure, screw fixation and S1 body fractures) and new onset of S1 nerve root irritation.Introduction
Material and Methods
Due to co-morbidities in elderly like atherosclerosis and approach-related risks, anterior lumbar surgery is mainly recommended for younger patients. We reviewed approach-related complications in anterior lumbar surgery in senior patients for complex reconstructions. Retrospective review of 12 patients (8 female and 4 male), mean age 65.5±4.9 years, treated with anterior fusion mainly for degenerative scoliosis and lumbar kyphosis in between 2007-10. 9(75%) patients had multilevel procedures. Most common co-morbidities were atherosclerosis (CT-proven in 7 patients), coronary heart disease and COPD. Renal impairment was present preoperatively in 3 patients.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Iatrogenic spondylolisthesis occurs infrequently after posterior decompression. Posterior surgery is challenging due to altered anatomy and scarring. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) allows indirect decompression, restoration of lordosis and fusion. Retrospective review of 6 patients (5 female, 1 male, mean age 64±5.8 years) with iatrogenic spondylolisthesis (5 L4/L5; 1 L4/L5) treated with stand-alone ALIF (Synfix, BMP2). Assessment of pelvic incidence, listhesis, pre- and post-operative ODI, VAS, global lumbar lordosis and segmental lordosis as outcome measurements.Introduction
Material and Methods
A retrospective review of the management of adjacent level discectomy and fusion using a Zero-P (Synthes) cage and report of ease of technique and outcomes. Surgical approach to adjacent level cervical disc protrusion with previous anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) can be difficult. We review 4 patients who had previous ACDF with cage and plate who developed new onset adjacent level cervical disc prolepses causing myelopathy. A retrospective review of demographic data, symptoms, details of surgery, pre and post operative radiology, pre and postoperative ODI and pain score, length of stay, complications and follow-up data were collected in all patients.Aim
Method
A retrospective review of the management of giant thoracic discs and report of their outcomes. Giant thoracic disc have been defined as disc compressing more than 60% of the canal diameter. Although discectomy may lead to improvement of clinical symptoms it can be complicated by approach related morbidity especially when discs are calcified. Between 2007 and 2010 there were a total of 7 patients treated with a giant thoracic disc. A retrospective review of demographic data, symptoms, details of surgery, pre and post operative radiology, pre and postoperative Nurick scores, ODI and pain score, length of stay, complications and follow-up data were collected in all patients.Aim
Method
Isolated U-shaped sacral fractures are rare entities, mostly seen in polytraumatized patients, and hence, they are difficult to diagnose. While the pelvic ring remains intact across S2/S3, the U-shaped fracture around S1 leads to marked instability between the base of the spine and the pelvis. As severe neurological deficits can occur, timely treatment of these fractures is crucial. We present a novel technique of percutaneous reduction and trans-sacral screw fixation in U-shaped fractures. 3 multiply injured patients with u-shaped sacral fractures (female, age 21.7±7.23). Two underwent immediate fracture fixation. In the third case delayed reduction and fixation was performed after referral 6 weeks following open decompression. In prone position, a pair of Schanz pins was inserted into pelvis at the PSIS. A second pair of Schanz pins was inserted into S1 or L5. All pins were inserted percutaneously. The fracture was reduced indirectly, using the Schanz pins as levers. After image intensifier control of the reduction result, two trans-sacral screws were inserted for finite fixation.Introduction
Material and Methods
To analyse if patients with pain improvement following a nerve root block had better outcomes following lumbar microdiscectomy. Fifty-six patients who had a lumbar microdiscectomy were retrospectively followed up to 1 year. All patients had a selective nerve root block (SNRB) as a primary treatment or diagnostic procedure. VAS pain scores were measured daily for 1 week following injection. Patients were grouped into responders and non-responders at 1 week. The 2 groups of patients were followed at 1 year following a lumbar microdiscetomy (LMD). A total of 118 patients had SNRB over a period of 3 years. Of the 56 patients studied retrospectively, 52% and 36% of patients had a VAS score improvement of more than 2 points at 4 days and 1 week respectively. At 1 year post op, 85% of patients had better outcomes in the responder group compared to 74% in the non responder group. Although there was a difference this was not statistically significant. Improvement with SNRB is not a positive predictor of good response with surgery. The ability to evaluate the effect of diagnostic or therapeutic blocks on surgical outcomes is limited by a lack of randomized studies and wide-ranging discrepancies with regard to injection techniques, surgical technique, and outcome measures. More research is needed to determine if diagnostic screening blocks can improve surgical outcomes.
Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK To retrospectively review outcomes in patients who underwent vertebroplasty in Liverpool in response to recent level 1 publications claiming vertebroplasty to be no better than sham procedure assessed using 2 criteria. We reviewed cases between 2006 and 2009 looking at 5 criteria for procedure. Visual Analogue Score (VAS) Oswestry disability index scores (ODI) 96 patients identified. 10 patients excluded (inadequate data recorded) (n=86). Operated levels n=134 (thoracic n=61, lumbar n=71, sacral n=2). Presenting symptoms included back pain (86/86) and point tenderness was present in 90% (77/86). Average length of symptoms was 11.50 months with 28% reporting greater than 12 months. 72% recalled definite onset of symptoms with 90% being associated with a low velocity injury. Radiological findings showed an average of 54% height collapse and 91% showing high signal on STIR MRI sequences. Number of levels operated – 3 or more (n=9 VAS 5.3 ODI 10.6); 1 to 2 levels (n= 77 VAS 3.7 ODI 13.9) Average improvement in VAS score was 3.8.and ODI 13.6 47% (40/86) of patients met all 5 current criteria recommended for operation (VAS 3.7, ODI 14). 53% (46/86) of patients met 2-5 criteria (VAS 3.8, ODI 13.4). There was improvement in pain scores in 91% of patients with an average pre-op VAS 7.8 and post-op VAS 4.0. There was no significant difference in patients meeting all 5 criteria compared to those meeting 2-5 criteria.
To analyse if patients with pain improvement following a nerve root block had better outcomes following lumbar microdiscectomy. Fifty-six patients who had a lumbar microdiscectomy were retrospectively followed up to 1 year. All patients had a selective nerve root block (SNRB) as a primary treatment or diagnostic procedure. VAS pain scores were measured daily for 1 week following injection. Patients were grouped into responders and non-responders at 1 week. The 2 groups of patients were followed at 1 year following a lumbar microdiscetomy (LMD). A total of 118 patients had SNRB over a period of 3 years. Of the 56 patients studied retrospectively, 52% and 36% of patients had a VAS score improvement of more than 2 points at 4 days and 1 week respectively. At 1 year post op, 85% of patients had better outcomes in the responder group compared to 74% in the non responder group. Although there was a difference this was not statistically significant. Improvement with SNRB is not a positive predictor of good response with surgery. The ability to evaluate the effect of diagnostic or therapeutic blocks on surgical outcomes is limited by a lack of randomized studies and wide-ranging discrepancies with regard to injection techniques, surgical technique, and outcome measures. More research is needed to determine if diagnostic screening blocks can improve surgical outcomes.
Standard approaches to thoracic intradural tumors often involve a large incision and significant tissue destruction. Minimally invasive techniques have been applied successfully for a variety of surgical decompression procedures, but have rarely been used for the removal of intradural thoracolumbar tumors. Here we compare the clinical outcome of mini-open resection of intradural thoracolumbar tumors to a standard open technique. We retrospectively reviewed our series of twelve mini-open thoracolumbar intradural tumor resection cases and compared the outcome to a profile matched cohort of six cases of open intradural tumor resection cases. Operative statistics, functional outcome, and complications were compared. Tumours were extirpated successfully with both approaches. There was no statistical difference in operating times, ASIA score improvement, or back pain VAS score improvement between groups. However, the mini-open group had a statistically significantly lower estimated blood loss (146 cc vs. 392 cc) and a significantly shorter length of hospitalization (3.6 vs 7.8 days). There was one complication of pseudomeningocoele formation in the mini-open cohort and no complications in the open cohort. Mean follow-up length was 13 months in the miniopen group compared to 23 months in the open group. The mini-open approach allows for adequate treatment of intradural thoracolumbar tumors with comparable outcomes to standard, open approaches. The mini-open approach is associated with a lower blood loss and a shorter length of stay compared with standard open surgery.
Review the complications reporting in 4 prominent spinal journals over the last decade. Computerised search of the Medline database and hand search was undertaken to evaluate the complication reporting in 4 spinal journals (Spine, European Spine Journal, Journal of Neurosurgery Spine and Journal of Bone and joint surgery) from 2000 to 2009. The articles were divided based on the level of NICE evidence classification A to D. A total of 88 articles reported spinal complications. Of these 5.9% was level B, 8.8% was level C and 85.3% was level D. There were no RCT's reported relating to complications (Level A) and majority of complications were case reports or expert opinions (level D). For the proportion of level D the rank order of the journals was; Spine (4.8%), European spine journal (3.8%), Journal of neurosurgery spine (5.1%) and Journal of bone and joint surgery was (1.8%). There was no increase in the rate of reporting over the decade. A detailed discussion of the reporting will be presented. Papers focusing primarily on complications and its management are still not the focus in most surgical journals. This review over the last 10 years confirms that only rare and uncommon complications are reported in the form of case reports. Meta analysis or case series of complication is rarely reported. More focus must be emphasised on reporting mortality and morbidity for education.
