Anterior stabilization of spine column in the staged surgical treatment of patients with fractures of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae with low bone mineral density

Aim. To determine the clinical effectiveness of anterior stabilization in the surgical treatment of patients with traumatic injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine with reduced bone mineral density. Materials and methods. The study included 238 patients with thoracic and lumbar vertebral fractures with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). The age of patients is from 48 to 85 years. There are following types of fractures according to F. Magerl (1992): A1.2, A1.3, B1.2, B2.3. BMD of the vertebrae was decreased (T-score from 1.5 to 3.5). Results. All patients underwent short segment transpedicular fixation (TPF) with four-screw systems. In group 1 were included 68 patients who underwent TPF without cemented augmentation of screws. Group 2 included 170 patients who underwent TPF reinforced with a cement. Both groups were divided into 2 subgroups. Subgroup 1.1 included patients, which were operated on in two stages. The first stage is TPF. The second stage is the anterior stabilization. Subgroup 1.2 included patients who underwent only TPF. Patients in group 2 were divided into two subgroups in a similar way. The results and complications according to clinical and spondylometric criteria were studied. Correlation analysis was performed between surgical technique, surgical tactics and the treatment results in the four selected subgroups. The observation period is at least 2 years. Conclusion. 1. When using TPF with cement augmentation for the treatment of patients with fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine with reduced BMD, the anterior stabilization of injured spinal motion segment as a second stage of surgical treatment does not provide clinical advantages compared to the use of only TPF with cement augmentation. 2. In case of cementless TPF in patients with reduced BMD, anterior stabilization of the injured spinal motion segment is necessary. Only when anterior stabilization is performed, the stability of fixation is ensured. It is sufficient to preserve the anatomical relationships restored during the operation and functional adaptation of patients in the long-term period after surgery.

Imaging Features of Cervical Spinal Motion Segment Lesions before and after Surgery: A Case Report

Spinal injuries remain a serious modern health problem that leads to a high level of disability and prehospital mortality. This clinical case of cervical fracture-dislocation demonstrates the diagnostic signs and the surgical approach.

INTERRELATION OF SPONDYLOMETRIC PARAMETERS WITH THE OUTCOME OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE DISEASES OF THE LUMBOSACRAL JUNCTION

Objective. To evaluate the relationship between the radiological and neuroimaging parameters of the spinal motion segment and the clinical outcome of surgical treatment of patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral junction to clarify the indications for dynamic and rigid stabilization.Material and Methods. The study included 267 patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine. Depending on the stabilization method, patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 83) with dynamic intervertebral disc (IVD) prosthesis; and Group II (n = 184) with interbody fusion and transpedicular fixation. Long-term clinical parameters and biomechanical characteristics before and after surgery were analyzed.Results. A significant nonparametric correlation of the long-term result of surgical treatment assessed by VAS and Oswestry Disability Index with radiological parameters and results of neuroimaging was revealed. It was determined that the use of artificial IVD allows achieving a minimum level of pain syndrome and good functional recovery with effective preservation of the volume of physiological movements in the operated segment and restoration of the total angle of lumbar lordosis.Conclusion. Objective neuroimaging data (grade II-IV of degeneration according to the measured diffusion coefficient) and radiological parameters (linear displacement of vertebrae not more than 4 mm, sagittal volume of movements in the spinal motion segment less than 6°, decrease in the height of intervertebral disc space no more than 2/3 of the superjacent one) make possible using total arthroplasty. It is advisable to perform interbody fusion and rigid stabilization in grade IV-V of degeneration, linear displacement of vertebrae more than 4 mm, sagittal volume of movements of at least 6°, and decrease in the interbody space height over 2/3 of the superjacent one.

Comparative Analysis of Changes in the Desmal and Chondral Structures of Spinal Motion Segment at Various Methods for Posterior Spine Fixation in Experiment

Purpose:to elaborate the criteria for the assessment of the degree of spinal motion segment degradation at various methods for posterior spine fixation in experiment.Material and methods. The study included mongrel dogs with body mass of 12±1.5 kg aged 21±3 months. Transpedicular lumbar spine fixation was performed with either rigid titanium alloy rods (1st group, n=5) or dynamic nitinol rods (2nd group, n=5). X-ray examination and morphologic study of the structural elements of spinal motion segment (SME) were performed to all animals in 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery.Results. Functional examination showed that in both groups the range of motion made up 18±1.2° preoperatively. In the 1st group of animals the range of motion in the operated SME made up 0±0.03°. In the second group the range of motion was preserved throughout the experiment and averaged 15±1.3° that made up 78.9% of the preoperative range. In both groups the disc height at the fixation level was constant throughout the experiment and made up 0,3±0.003 cm pre- and postoperatively. Obtained roentgenologic and morphologic data indicated that posterior dynamic spine fixation with nitinol rods ensured more balanced distribution of loads on the supportive elements of the construction and enabled prevent the development of the adjacent segments degeneration. Based on the study results the criteria for the assessment of the degree of the facet joints and discs degradation were formulated.