The Gantry Crane Technique: A Novel Technique for Treating Severe Thoracic Spinal Stenosis and Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum and Preliminary Clinical Results

Study Design: Retrospective single-arm study. Objective: To propose a novel technique named the gantry crane technique for treating severe thoracic spinal stenosis and myelopathy caused by thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (TOLF) and investigate its clinical results. Methods: From June 2017 to January 2019, 18 patients presenting with severe spinal stenosis and myelopathy caused by TOLF were included in our study. All patients were treated with gantry crane technique, pre-operative JOA score, as well as 3 days-, 3 months-, 6 months-, 12 months-, 24 months after operation, and Hirabayashi recovery rate were reported. Pre- and post-operative image were utilized for the assessment of post-operative effect. Peri-operative complications were recorded to assess the safety of the gantry crane technique. Results: The JOA score increased from 10.56 ± 3.76 preoperatively to 12.94 ± 3.33, 13.56 ± 3.48, 13.94 ± 3.32, 14.17 ± 3.70 and 14.06 ± 3.54 in 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after surgery, respectively. The post-operative JOA scores were improved with statistical significance at the level of P < 0.05. The recovery rate was (39.09 ± 33.85) %, (51.35 ± 42.60) %, (55.79 ± 36.10) %, (64.98 ± 29.24) % and (60.98 ± 35.96) % for 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after surgery, respectively. There were 2 cases of SSI (surgical site infection), 1 case of NI (neurovascular injury) and 1 case of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Conclusions: This study highlights a safe and effective technique, the gantry crane technique, for treating severe thoracic spinal stenosis and myelopathy caused by TOLF.

Unplanned hospital readmission after surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis: incidence and causative factors

Background To assess the incidence and causative factors of unplanned hospital readmission within 90 days after surgical treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS). Methods Hospital administrative database was queried to identify patients who underwent surgical treatment of TSS from July 2010 through December 2017. All unplanned readmissions within 90 days of discharge were reviewed for causes and the rate of unplanned readmissions was calculated. Patients of unplanned readmission were matched 1:3 to a control cohort without readmission. Results Twenty-one patients (incidence of 1.7 % in 1239 patients) presented unplanned hospital readmission within a 90-day period and enrolled as the study group, 63 non-readmission patients (a proportion of 1: 3) were randomly selected as the control group. Causes of readmission include pseudomeningocele (8 patients; 38 %), CSF leakage combined with poor incision healing (6 patients; 29 %), wound dehiscence (2 patient; 9 %), surgical site infection (2 patients; 9 %), spinal epidural hematoma (1 patient; 5 %), inadequate original surgical decompression (2 patients; 9 %). Mean duration from re-admission to the first surgery was 39.6 ± 28.2 days, most of the patients readmitted at the first 40 days (66.7 %, 14/21 patients). When compared to the non-readmitted patients, diagnosis of OPLL + OFL, circumferential decompression, dural injury, long hospital stay were more to be seen in readmitted patients. Conclusions The incidence of 90-day unplanned readmission after surgical treatment for TSS is 1.7 %, CSF leakage and pseudomeningocele were the most common causes of readmission, the peak period of readmission occurred from 10 to 40 days after surgery, patients should be closely followed up within this period.

Unplanned hospital readmission after surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis: incidence and causative factors

Background To assess the incidence and causative factors of unplanned hospital readmission within 90 days after surgical treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS).Methods Hospital administrative database was queried to identify patients who underwent surgical treatment of TSS from July 2010 through December 2017. All unplanned readmissions within 90 days of discharge were reviewed for causes and the rate of unplanned readmissions was calculated. Patients of unplanned readmission were matched 1:3 to a control cohort without readmission.Results Twenty-one patients (incidence of 1.7% in 1239 patients) presented unplanned hospital readmission within a 90-day period and enrolled as the study group, 63 non-readmission patients (a proportion of 1: 3) were randomly selected as the control group. Causes of readmission include pseudomeningocele (8 patients; 38%), CSF leakage combined with poor incision healing (6 patients; 29%), wound dehiscence (2 patient; 9%), surgical site infection (2 patients; 9%), spinal epidural hematoma (1 patient; 5%), inadequate original surgical decompression (2 patients; 9%). Mean duration from re-admission to the first surgery was 39.6±28.2 days, most of the patients readmitted at the first 40 days (66.7%, 14/21 patients). When compared to the non-readmitted patients, diagnosis of OPLL+OFL, circumferential decompression, dural injury, long hospital stay were more to be seen in readmitted patients. Conclusions The incidence of 90-day unplanned readmission after surgical treatment for TSS is 1.7%, CSF leakage and pseudomeningocele were the most common causes of readmission, the peak period of readmission occurred from 10 to 40 days after surgery, patients should be closely followed up within this period.

Unplanned hospital readmission after surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis: incidence and causative factors

Background To assess the incidence and causative factors of unplanned hospital readmission within 90 days after surgical treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS).Methods Hospital administrative database was queried to identify patients who underwent surgical treatment of TSS from July 2010 through December 2017. All unplanned readmissions within 90 days of discharge were reviewed for causes and the rate of unplanned readmissions was calculated. Patients of unplanned readmission were matched 1:3 to a control cohort without readmission.Results Twenty-one patients (incidence of 1.7% in 1239 patients) presented unplanned hospital readmission within a 90-day period and enrolled as the study group, 63 non-readmission patients (a proportion of 1: 3) were randomly selected as the control group. Causes of readmission include pseudomeningocele (8 patients; 38%), CSF leakage combined with poor incision healing (6 patients; 29%), wound dehiscence (2 patient; 9%), surgical site infection (2 patients; 9%), spinal epidural hematoma (1 patient; 5%), inadequate original surgical decompression (2 patients; 9%). Mean duration from re-admission to the first surgery was 39.6±28.2 days, most of the patients readmitted at the first 40 days (66.7%, 14/21 patients). When compared to the non-readmitted patients, diagnosis of OPLL+OFL, circumferential decompression, dural injury, long hospital stay were more to be seen in readmitted patients.Conclusions The incidence of 90-day unplanned readmission after surgical treatment for TSS is 1.7%, CSF leakage and pseudomeningocele were the most common causes of readmission, the peak period of readmission occurred from 10 to 40 days after surgery, patients should be closely followed up within this period.

Unplanned hospital readmission after surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis: incidence and causative factors

Background To assess the incidence and causative factors of unplanned hospital readmission within 90 days after surgical treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS).Methods Hospital administrative database was queried to identify patients who underwent surgical treatment of TSS from July 2010 through December 2017. All unplanned readmissions within 90 days of discharge were reviewed for causes and the rate of unplanned readmissions was calculated. Patients of unplanned readmission were matched 1:3 to a control cohort without readmission.Results Twenty-one patients (incidence of 1.7% in 1239 patients) presented unplanned hospital readmission within a 90-day period and enrolled as the study group, 63 non-readmission patients (a proportion of 1: 3) were randomly selected as the control group. Causes of readmission include CSF cyst (8 patients; 38%), CSF leakage combined with poor incision healing (6 patients; 29%), wound dehiscence (2 patient; 9%), surgical site infection (2 patients; 9%), spinal epidural hematoma (1 patient; 5%), inadequate original surgical decompression (2 patients; 9%). Mean duration from re-admission to the first surgery was 39.6±28.2 days, most of the patients readmitted at the first 40 days (66.7%, 14/21 patients). When compared to the non-readmitted patients, diagnosis of OPLL+OFL, circumferential decompression, dural injury, long hospital stay were more to be seen in readmitted patients.Conclusions The incidence of 90-day unplanned hospital readmission after surgical treatment of TSS is 1.7%, the peak period of readmission occurred from 10 to 40 days after surgery, CSF leakage and CSF cyst were the most common causes of unplanned hospital readmission.

A comparison study of percutaneous endoscopic decompression and posterior decompressive laminectomy in the treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis

Background Percutaneous endoscopic decompression (PED) is considered a minimally invasive and safe procedure in lumbar degenerative disease. Few authors report the success of PED for thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) with thoracic myelopathy. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of PED versus posterior decompressive laminectomy (PDL) for TSS. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for single-level TSS from January 1, 2015 to May 1, 2019.These patients were divided into PED (n = 16) and PDL(n = 14) group. Preoperative demographic characteristics and perioperative outcomes were reviewed. Pre- and postoperative neurological status was evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score and the recovery rate (RR). Results The patients’ mean age was 57.3 years (27–76) in PED group and 58.8 years (34–77) in PDL group. No statistical difference was found between two groups with regards to neurological status at pre-operative and final follow-up. The RR in PED group achieved the same improvement as PDL group (87.5% vs 85.7%, P > 0.05), while the PED brought advantages in operative time(m) (86.4 vs 132.1, p < 0.05), blood loss (mL) (18.21 vs 228.57, p < 0.05),drainage volume(mL) (15.5 vs 601.4, p < 0.05), and hospital stay (d) (3.6 vs 5.6, p < 0.05). Conclusions Both PED and PDL showed favorable outcome in the treatment of TSS. Besides, PED had advantages in reducing traumatization. In terms of perioperative quality of life, PED could be an efficient supplement to traditional posterior decompressive laminectomy in patients with TSS.

A comparison study of percutaneous endoscopic decompression and posterior decompressive laminectomy in the treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic decompression (PED) is considered a minimally invasive and safe procedure in lumbar degenerative disease. Few authors report the success of PED for thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) with thoracic myelopathy. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of PED versus posterior decompressive laminectomy (PDL) for TSS.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for single-level TSS from January 1, 2015 to May 1, 2019.These patients were divided into PED (n=16) and PDL(n=14) group. Preoperative demographic characteristics and perioperative outcomes were reviewed. Pre- and postoperative neurological status was evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score and the recovery rate (RR).Results: The patients’ mean age was 57.3 years (27-76) in PED group and 58.8 years (34-77) in PDL group. No statistical difference was found between two groups with regards to neurological status at pre-operative and final follow-up. The RR in PED group achieved the same improvement as PDL group (87.5% vs 85.7%, P>0.05), while the PED brought advantages in operative time(m) (86.4 vs 132.1, p<0.05), blood loss (mL) (18.21 vs 228.57, p<0.05),drainage volume(mL) (15.5 vs 601.4, p<0.05), and hospital stay (d) (3.6 vs 5.6, p<0.05).Conclusions: Both PED and PDL showed favorable outcome in the treatment of TSS. Besides, PED had advantages in reducing traumatization. In terms of perioperative quality of life, PED could be an efficient supplement to traditional posterior decompressive laminectomy in patients with TSS.