KẾT QUẢ PHẪU THUẬT GIẢI CHÈN ÉP ỐNG SỐNG QUA ỐNG BANH ĐIỀU TRỊ HẸP ỐNG SỐNG THẮT LƯNG DO THOÁI HÓA

Mục tiêu: Đánh giá kết quả phẫu thuật giải phóng chèn ép qua ống banh điều trị hẹp ống sống thắt lưng (HOSTL) do thoái hóa. Đối tượng và phương pháp: Nghiên cứu tiến cứu 62 bệnh nhân (BN) được chẩn đoán HOSTL do thoái hóa được phẫu thuật (PT) giải chèn ép ống sống qua ống banh thuật tại khoa CTCH cột sống - BVTWQĐ108 từ tháng 3/2015- 09/2016. Kết quả: 62 BN (25 nam, 37 nữ), tuổi trung bình là 57,61 ± 9,6 (từ 32 tới 81) đã được PT mở của sổ xương một bên giải chèn ép hai bên qua ống banh. Thời gian giải phóng chèn ép trung bình cho 1 mức đốt sống là 65,00 ±10,97 phút, 02 mức là 85,88 ± 18,04 phút. Kết quả xa sau PT được đánh giá theo thang điểm JOA (Japanese Orthopaedic Association score) tại thời điểm khám lại cuối cùng sau mổ trên 12 tháng 58/62 BN khám (93,5%) Thời gian kiểm tra trung bình: 33,47 ± 16,89 tháng (12-60). Rất tốt: 22 (37,9%), tốt: 31 (53,4%), trung bình: 3 (5,1%), kém: 2 (3,6%). Đánh giá cải thiện triệu chứng lâm sàng sau can thiệp tại thời điểm khám cuối cùng: điểm đau lưng VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) trước mổ 5,03 ± 1,24 khi khám lại là 0,67 ± 1,09, điểm đau chân VAS trước mổ là 7,23 ± 0,98 khi khám lại là 0,95 ±1,42, ODI (Oswestry Disability Index 2.0) trước mổ 66,32 ± 5,39 khi khám lại là 17,47±11,77, điểm JOA trước phẫu thuật là 11,29 ± 1,35 khi khám lại là 24,39 ± 2,70. Đánh giá sự gia tăng kích thước của ống sống trên phim cộng hưởng từ (CHT) sau PT giải chèn ép tại thời điểm khám cuối cùng 35/62 BN với sự thay đổi có ý nghĩa thống kê (p < 0,001): đường kính trước sau ống sống (ĐKTS) là 4,82 ± 1,65 mm (trước PT: 6,43 ± 1,34 mm, sau PT:11,25 ± 1,59 mm) và diện tích ống sống (DTOS) 73,06 ± 18,80 mm² (trước PT: 49,29 ± 15,09, sau PT: 122,35 ± 25,79). Biến chứng trong mổ: rách màng cứng: 02 (3,2%), tụ máu ngoài màng cứng 01(1,6%). Kết luận: Phẫu thuật giải chèn ép ống sống qua ống banh dưới kính vi phẫu thuật là phương pháp can thiệp ít xâm lấn, hiệu quả và an toàn trong điều trị bệnh lý HOSTL do thoái hóa.

Clinical Validity of the Smallest Oblique Sagittal Area of the Neural Foramen in Patients With Suspected Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy

Objective To evaluate the smallest oblique sagittal area of the neural foramen in detecting cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and to determine its potential significance for treatment decisions. Methods The subjects of the study were patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy who visited the spine surgery from 2016 to 2019. All patients were compared according to the minimum oblique sagittal area and the cut-off point value, and they were divided into positive and negative parameters. The changes in neck disability index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA) and visual analog scale (VAS) during the two treatment groups from baseline to at least 24 months of follow-up were compared.Results In the surgery group, there was no significant difference in symptom improvement between patients with positive and negative parameters. In the non-surgical group, for patients with positive parameters, NDI decreased by 2.35, JOA increased by 0.88, and neck VAS score improved by 0.42. For patients with negative parameters, NDI decreased by 10.32, JOA increased by 2.86 on average, and neck VAS score improved by 2.46 points on average (both p＜0.01 on t test).Conclusions In patients undergoing surgery, the symptoms of the patients have been significantly improved after surgery, and the smallest oblique sagittal area of the neural foramen seems to be unable to predict the outcome of the surgery. However, in non-surgical patients, the improvement of symptoms in the stenosis group was more limited. This may imply that surgery may be effective for patients who had positive parameters.

Transitional vertebrae and numerical variants of the spine

Aims Although lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are well-documented, few large-scale studies have investigated thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae (TLTV) and spinal numerical variants. This study sought to establish the prevalence of numerical variants and to evaluate their relationship with clinical problems. Methods A total of 1,179 patients who had undergone thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic CT scanning were divided into groups according to the number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the presence or absence of TLTV or LSTV. The prevalence of spinal anomalies was noted. The relationship of spinal anomalies to clinical symptoms (low back pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) was also investigated. Results Normal vertebral morphology (12 thoracic and five lumbar vertebrae without TLTV and LSTV) was present in 531 male (76.7%) and 369 female patients (75.8%). Thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae were present in 15.8% of males and 16.0% of females. LSTV were present in 7.1% of males and 9.0% of females. The prevalence of the anomaly of 16 presacral mobile vertebrae (total number of thoracolumbar vertebrae and TLTV) without LSTV was 1.0% in males and 4.1% in females, and that of the anomaly of 18 vertebrae without LSTV was 5.3% in males and 1.2% in females. The prevalence of DS was significantly higher in females with a total of 16 vertebrae than in those with normal morphology. There was no significant correlation between a spinal anomaly and clinical symptoms. Conclusion Overall, 24% of subjects had anomalies in the thoracolumbar region: the type of anomaly differed between males and females, which could have significant implications for spinal surgery. A decreased number of vertebrae was associated with DS: numerical variants may potentially be a clinical problem. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7):1301–1308.

Impact of focal apex angle on postoperative decompression status of the spinal cord and neurological recovery after cervical laminoplasty

OBJECTIVE Although anterior compression factors and cervical alignment affect neural decompression, cervical laminoplasty may be used to achieve indirect posterior decompression. The focal apex (FA) angle of the anterior compression factor of the spine represents the degree of anterior prominence toward the spinal cord. The authors investigated the mechanism underlying the influence of FA angle and cervical alignment on spinal cord alignment (SCA) after laminoplasty, including how high-intensity signal cord change (HISCC) on preoperative T2-weighted MRI (T2-MRI) may affect neurological improvement. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent laminoplasty for CSM or OPLL at two hospitals (Kanto Rosai Hospital, Kawasaki City, and Yokohama Minami Kyousai Hospital, Yokohama City, Japan) between April 2004 and March 2015. In total, 109 patients (mean age 67.3 years) with cervical compression myelopathy were included. FA angle was defined as the preoperative angle between the lines from the top of the prominence to the upper and lower adjacent vertebrae. Preoperative cervical alignment was measured between the C2 and C7 vertebrae (C2–7 angle). MRI was used to classify SCA as lordosis (type-L SCA), straight (type-S), local kyphosis (type-LK), or kyphosis (type-K). Preoperative HISCC was investigated by using T2-MRI. Neurological status was evaluated by using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. RESULTS The mean preoperative FA and C2–7 angles were 32.1° and 12.4°, respectively. Preoperative SCA was type-L or type-S in 53 patients. The neurological recovery rate (NRR) was significantly higher for patients with preoperative type-L and type-S SCA (51.4% for those with type-L and 45.0% for those with type-S) than for patients with other types (35.3% for those with type-LK and 31.7% for those with type-K). Among patients with preoperative type-L or type-S SCA, 87.3% maintained SCA; however, 5/12 (41.7%) patients with a preoperative average C2–7 angle < 12.4° and an average FA angle > 32.1° had postoperative type-LK or type-K SCA. SCA changed to type-L or type-S in 13.0% of patients with preoperative type-LK or type-K SCA. Moreover, in these patients, FA angle was significantly smaller and NRR was significantly higher than in other patients in whom postoperative SCA remained type-LK or type-K. Preoperative T2-MRI showed 73 patients with HISCC (43 with type-L and type-S, and 30 with type-LK and type-K SCA) and 36 without HISCC (20 with type-L and type-S, and 16 with type-LK and type-K SCA); the NRRs of these patients were 42.6% and 41.2%, respectively. No significant differences in SCA or NRR were observed between patients with and without HISCC. CONCLUSIONS NRR depends on preoperative SCA type; however, it is possible to change the type of SCA after laminoplasty. Preoperative FA and C2–7 angles influence change in SCA; therefore, they are important parameters for successful decompression with cervical laminoplasty.

Association of Recurrent Tear After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair and Superoxide-Induced Oxidative Stress

Background: Recurrent tears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) remain a significant clinical problem. Oxidative stress contributes to the degeneration of the rotator cuff, and a degenerative rotator cuff can lead to recurrent tear after ARCR. However, the correlation between oxidative stress and retear after ARCR is unclear. Purpose: To investigate the correlation between superoxide-induced oxidative stress and recurrent tear after ARCR. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 68 patients who underwent ARCR using a suture-bridge technique participated in this study. Specimens were collected from the edge of the torn tendon during surgery. The modified Bonar score was used to evaluate degeneration of the rotator cuff on histological specimens, and fluorescence intensity on dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to detect oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity was also measured. The following were used for clinical evaluation: age, tear size on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery, Goutallier classification on MRI before surgery, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score before and 6 months after surgery. After the repaired rotator cuffs were evaluated on MRI 6 months after surgery, the patients were divided into groups: those with a healed rotator cuff (healed group; n = 46) and those with a recurrent tear (retear group; n = 22). The significant differences between the groups were determined with regard to clinical evaluation, modified Bonar score, DHE intensity, and SOD activity. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate risk factors for recurrent tear. Results: Age, tear size, Goutallier classification, modified Bonar score, DHE intensity, and SOD activity were significantly greater in the retear group than in the healed group, although the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was not significantly different. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, tear size, and SOD activity were significantly correlated with recurrent tear. Conclusion: In addition to tear size and age, superoxide-induced oxidative stress may be an exacerbating factor for retear after ARCR.

Surgical outcomes in rigid versus flexible cervical deformities

OBJECTIVECervical deformity (CD) patients have severe disability and poor health status. However, little is known about how patients with rigid CD compare with those with flexible CD. The main objectives of this study were to 1) assess whether patients with rigid CD have worse baseline alignment and therefore require more aggressive surgical corrections and 2) determine whether patients with rigid CD have similar postoperative outcomes as those with flexible CD.METHODSThis is a retrospective review of a prospective, multicenter CD database. Rigid CD was defined as cervical lordosis (CL) change < 10° between flexion and extension radiographs, and flexible CD was defined as a CL change ≥ 10°. Patients with rigid CD were compared with those with flexible CD in terms of cervical alignment and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at baseline and at multiple postoperative time points. The patients were also compared in terms of surgical and intraoperative factors such as operative time, blood loss, and number of levels fused.RESULTSA total of 127 patients met inclusion criteria (32 with rigid and 95 with flexible CD, 63.4% of whom were females; mean age 60.8 years; mean BMI 27.4); 47.2% of cases were revisions. Rigid CD was associated with worse preoperative alignment in terms of T1 slope minus CL, T1 slope, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), and C2 slope (C2S; all p < 0.05). Postoperatively, patients with rigid CD had an increased mean C2S (29.1° vs 22.2°) at 3 months and increased cSVA (47.1 mm vs 37.5 mm) at 1 year (p < 0.05) compared with those with flexible CD. Patients with rigid CD had more posterior levels fused (9.5 vs 6.3), fewer anterior levels fused (1 vs 2.0), greater blood loss (1036.7 mL vs 698.5 mL), more 3-column osteotomies (40.6% vs 12.6%), greater total osteotomy grade (6.5 vs 4.5), and mean osteotomy grade per level (3.3 vs 2.1) (p < 0.05 for all). There were no significant differences in baseline HRQOL scores, the rate of distal junctional kyphosis, or major/minor complications between patients with rigid and flexible CD. Both rigid and flexible CD patients reported significant improvements from baseline to 1 year according to the numeric rating scale for the neck (−2.4 and −2.7, respectively), Neck Disability Index (−8.4 and −13.3, respectively), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (0.1 and 0.6), and EQ-5D (0.01 and 0.05) (p < 0.05). However, HRQOL changes from baseline to 1 year did not differ between rigid and flexible CD patients.CONCLUSIONSPatients with rigid CD have worse baseline cervical malalignment compared with those with flexible CD but do not significantly differ in terms of baseline disability. Rigid CD was associated with more invasive surgery and more aggressive corrections, resulting in increased operative time and blood loss. Despite more extensive surgeries, rigid CD patients had equivalent improvements in HRQOL compared with flexible CD patients. This study quantifies the importance of analyzing flexion-extension images, creating a prognostic tool for surgeons planning CD correction, and counseling patients who are considering CD surgery.

Factors Associated With Return to Work After Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Cohort Analysis From the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network

Study design: Retrosepctive analysis of prospectively collected data from the multicentre Canadian Surgical Spine Registry (CSORN). Objective: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in North America. Few studies have evaluated return to work (RTW) rates after DCM surgery. Our goals were to determine rates and factors associated with postoperative RTW in surgically managed patients with DCM. Methods: Data was derived from the prospective, multicenter Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network (CSORN). From this cohort, we included all nonretired patients with at least 1-year follow-up. The RTW rate was defined as the proportion of patients with active employment at 1 year from the time of surgery. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were used to identify patient characteristics, disease, and treatment variables associated with RTW. Results: Of 213 surgically treated DCM patients, 126 met eligibility, with 49% working and 51% not working in the immediate period before surgery; 102 had 12-month follow-up data. In both the unadjusted and the adjusted analyses working preoperatively and an anterior approach were associated with a higher postoperative RTW ( P < .05), there were no significant differences between the postoperative employment groups with respect to age, gender, preoperative mJOA (modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association) score, and duration of symptoms ( P > .05). Active preoperative employment (odds ratio = 15.4, 95% confidence interval = 4.5, 52.4) and anterior surgical procedures (odds ratio = 4.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.2, 19.6) were associated with greater odds of RTW at 1 year. Conclusions: The majority of nonretired patients undergoing surgery for DCM had returned to work 12 months after surgery; active preoperative employment and anterior surgical approach were associated with RTW in this analysis.