Impact of the Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding Amount of Surgical Patient With Degenerative Spinal Disease: A Randomized Blinded Study

Objective: This study aims to explore the effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing the bleeding amount of surgical patients with degenerative spinal disease in the perioperative period.Methods: A total of 80 cases of patients, who underwent elective posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgeries under general anesthesia, were enrolled in this study. The age of these patients ranged within 41–69 years old, and the surgical vertebral body segments were ≥2. The ASA classification was Level I or Level II. These patients were divided into two groups using the random number table (n = 40): TXA group and control group (S group). In the TXA group, the skin was incised after the anesthesia induction, and 20 mg/kg of TXA was immediately injected into the vein. The injection continued at a rate of 10 mg·kg−1·h−1 during the surgery, until the surgery was finished. In the S group, IV and pump injection with an equal amount of normal saline (NS) were performed. Then, the RBC, Hb, HCT, AST, ALT, BUN, Cr, PT, TT, APTT, FIB, and D-dimer were measured before the surgery and at 1 day after the surgery, and the SSFQ, intraoperative bleeding amount, homologous transfusion volume, urine volume, infusion quantity, surgical duration, drainage volume at 24 h after the surgery, total bleeding amount and adverse event occurrence at 1 week after the surgery were recorded.Results: The RBC, Hb and HCT at 1 day after the surgery were higher in TXA group than in the S group (average P < 0.05). Intraoperative bleeding, drainage volume at 24 h after surgery, and total blood loss were lower in the TXA group than in the S group (average P < 0.05). The SSFQ score and length of stay were lesser in the TXA group than in the S group (average P < 0.05). The differences in AST, ALT, BUN, Cr, PT, TT, APTT, FIB, and D-dimer at 1 day after the surgery for these two groups of patients had no statistical significance (average P > 0.05).Conclusion: TXA can reduce the bleeding amount of surgical patients with degenerative spinal disease in the perioperative period and decrease the length of stay, but does not increase the occurrence rate of adverse events, thereby promoting postoperative rehabilitation.Clinical Trial Registration:www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier: ChiCTR2000033597.

Chronic sciatic nerve compression secondary to arteriovenous malformation: case discussion and literature review

Sciatic nerve symptomatology may arise from both intra- and extra-neural pathology, at any point along descent from the sacral plexus to its bifurcation. The potential aetiology is broad, ranging from degenerative spinal disease to muscle, bony and vascular pathology. We present an extremely unusual case of position and exercise-induced nerve compression secondary to arteriovenous malformation and review the potential extraspinal causes, many of which may be ameliorated by surgical excision or decompression. We further discuss the usefulness of diagnostic imaging, specific clinical tests and histopathological tools that may aid in management.

Preoperative Cognitive Impairment as a Predictor of Postoperative Outcomes in Elderly Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery for Degenerative Spinal Disease

Cognitive status has been reported to affect the peri-operative and post-operative outcomes of certain surgical procedures. This prospective study investigated the effect of preoperative cognitive impairment on the postoperative course of elderly patients (n = 122, >65 years), following spine surgery for degenerative spinal disease. Data on demographic characteristics, medical history, and blood analysis results were collected. Preoperative cognition was assessed using the mini-mental state examination, and patients were divided into three groups: normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment. Discharge destinations (p = 0.014) and postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (p = 0.037) significantly differed based on the cognitive status. Operation time (p = 0.049), white blood cell count (p = 0.022), platelet count (p = 0.013), the mini-mental state examination score (p = 0.033), and the Beck Depression Inventory score (p = 0.041) were significantly associated with the length of hospital stay. Our investigation demonstrated that improved understanding of preoperative cognitive status may be helpful in surgical decision-making and postoperative care of elderly patients with degenerative spinal disease.

Acute bilateral foot drop with or without cauda equina syndrome—a case series

Introduction Isolated acute bilateral foot drop due to degenerative spine disease is an extremely rare neurosurgical presentation, whilst the literature is rich with accounts of chronic bilateral foot drop occurring as a sequela of systemic illnesses. We present, to our knowledge, the largest case series of acute bilateral foot drop, with trauma and relevant systemic illness excluded. Methods Data from three different centres had been collected at the time of historic treatment, and records were subsequently reviewed retrospectively, documenting the clinical presentation, radiological level of compression, timing of surgery, and degree of neurological recovery. Results Seven patients are presented. The mean age at presentation was 52.1 years (range 41–66). All patients but one were male. All had a painful radiculopathic presentation. Relevant discopathy was observed from L2/3 to L5/S1, the commonest level being L3/4. Five were treated within 24 h of presentation, and two within 48 h. Three had concomitant cauda equina syndrome; of these, the first two made a full motor recovery, one by 6 weeks follow-up and the second on the same-day post-op evaluation. Overall, five out of seven cases had full resolution of their ankle dorsiflexion pareses. One patient with 1/5 power has not improved. Another with 1/5 weakness improved to normal on the one side and to 3/5 on the other. Conclusion When bilateral foot drop occurs acutely, we encourage the consideration of degenerative spinal disease. Relevant discopathy was observed from L2/3 to L5/S1; aberrant innervation may be at play. Cauda equina syndrome is not necessarily associated with acute bilateral foot drop. The prognosis seems to be pretty good with respect to recovery of the foot drop, especially if partial at presentation and if treated within 48 h.

Rasch validation of the Depression Scale among patients with low back pain

BACKGROUND: The Depression Scale (DEPS) is a commonly used screening tool for major depression in studies investigating low back pain, yet it has not been validated for patients with back-specific problems. OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychometric properties of the DEPS in patients with degenerative spinal disease. METHODS: Six hundred and thirty-seven patients with a degenerative spinal disease completed the DEPS instrument. The Rasch Measurement Theory was applied to analyze the measurement properties of the DEPS. The main hypothesis-driven approach was whether the DEPS would meet relevant psychometric criteria for assessing depressive symptoms among patients with degenerative spinal disease. RESULTS: The Mean (SD) DEPS score was 9.2 (6.6). Scale minimum or maximum points among participants were 2.4% and 0.8%, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was 0.92. Person Separation Index for reliability was 0.88. All items had ordered thresholds and seven of the 10 items had good item fit. Unidimensionality of the DEPS was supported (proportion of significant t-tests, 4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the validity of the DEPS for screening depressive symptoms in patients with degenerative spinal disease.