Shih-Tien Wang

Is fusion necessary for surgically treated burst fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine? : A prospective, randomized study

Study Design. A prospective clinical trial was conducted. Objectives. To compare the results of fusion versus nonfusion for surgically treated burst fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine. Summary of Background Data. The operative results of surgically treated burst fractures with short segmental fixation have been well documented. There is no report comparing the results of fusion and nonfusion. Methods. Fifty-eight patients were included in this study, with the inclusion criteria as follows: neurologically intact spine with a kyphotic angle ≥20°, decreased vertebral body height ≥50% or a canal compromise ≥50%, incomplete neurologic deficit with a canal compromise <50%, complete neurologic deficit, and multilevel spinal injury or multiple traumas. All patients were randomly assigned to fusion or nonfusion groups, and operative treatment with posterior reduction and instrumentation was carried out. Posterior fusion with autogenous bone graft was performed for the fusion group (n = 30), and no fusion procedure was done for the nonfusion group (n = 28). The average follow-up period was 41 months (range, 24–71 months). Results. The average loss of kyphotic angle was not statistically significant between these 2 groups. The radiographic parameters were statistically significantly better in the nonfusion group, including angular change in the flexion-extension lateral view (4.8° vs. 1.0°), lost correction of decreased vertebral body height (3.6% vs. 8.3%), intraoperative estimated blood loss (303 mL vs. 572 mL), and operative time (162 minutes vs. 224 minutes). The scores on the low back outcome scale were not statistically significant for these 2 groups. Conclusions. The short-term results of short segmental fixation without fusion for surgically treated burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine were satisfactory. The advantages of instrumentation without fusion are the elimination of donor site complications, saving more motion segments, and reducing blood loss and operative time.

Efficacy of dilute betadine solution irrigation in the prevention of postoperative infection of spinal surgery.

Study Design. Prospective, single-blinded, randomized study. Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of dilute betadine irrigation of spinal surgical wounds in prevention of postoperative wound infection. Summary and background. Deep wound infection is a serious complication of spinal surgery that can jeopardize patient outcomes and increase costs. Povidoneiodine is a widely used antiseptic with bactericidal activity against a wide spectrum of pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dilute betadine solution in the prevention of wound infection after spinal surgery. Methods. Four hundred and fourteen patients undergoing spinal surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. In group 1 (208 patients), surgical wounds were irrigated with dilute betadine solution (3.5% betadine) before wound closure. Betadine irrigation was not used in group 2 (206 patients). Otherwise, perioperative management was the same for both groups. Results. Mean length of follow-up was 15.5 months in both groups (range, 6–24 months). No wound infection occurred in group 1. One superficial infection (0.5%) and six deep infections (2.9%) occurred in group 2. The differences between the deep infection rate (P = 0.0146) and total infection rate (P = 0.0072) were significant between the two groups. Conclusions. Our report is the first prospective, single-blinded, randomized study to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of dilute betadine solution irrigation for prevention of wound infection following spinal surgery. We recommended this simple and inexpensive measure following spinal surgery, particularly in patients with accidental wound contamination, risk factors for wound infection, or undergoing surgery in the absence of routine ultraviolet light, laminar flow, and isolation suits.

Can povidone-iodine solution be used safely in a spinal surgery?

Intra-operative incidental contamination of surgical wounds is not rare. Povidone-iodine solution can be used to disinfect surgical wounds. Although povidone-iodine is a good broad-spectrum disinfecting agent, it has occasionally been reported to have a negative effect on wound healing and bone union. Therefore, its safety in a spinal surgery is unclear. A prospective, single-blinded, randomized study was accordingly conducted to evaluate the safety of povidone-iodine solution in spinal surgeries. Ascertained herein was the effect of wound irrigation with diluted povidone-iodine solution on wound healing, infection rate, fusion status and clinical outcome of spinal surgeries. Materials and methods: From January 2002 to August 2003, 244 consecutive cases undergoing primary instrumented lumbosacral posterolateral fusion due to degenerative spinal disorder with segmental instability had been collected and randomly divided into two groups: the study group (120 cases, 212 fusion levels) and the control group (124 cases, 223 fusion levels). Excluded were those patients with a prior spinal surgery, spinal trauma, malignant tumor, infectious spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, metabolic bone disease, skeletal immaturity or with an immunosuppressive treatment. In the former group, wounds were irrigated with 0.35% povidone-iodine solution followed by normal saline solution just before the bone-grafting and instrumentation procedure. However, only with normal saline solution in the latter. All the operations were done by the same surgeon with a standard technique. All the patients were treated in the same postoperative fashion as well. Later on, wound healing, infection rate, spinal bone fusion and clinical outcome were evaluated in both groups. Results: A significant improvement of back and leg pain scores, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association function scores (JOA) and ambulatory capacity have been observed in both groups. One hundred and seven patients in the study group and one hundred and nine in the control group achieved solid union. There was no infection in the study group but six deep infections in the control group. Wound dehiscence was noted in one group 1 and two group 2 patients. A subsequent statistical analysis revealed higher infection rate in the control group (P<0.05), but no significant difference in fusion rate, wound healing, improvement of pain score, function score and ambulatory capacity between the two groups. Conclusion: Diluted povidone-iodine solution can be used safely in spinal surgeries, and it will not influence wound healing, bone union and clinical outcome.

Posterior instrumentation reduces differences in spine stability as a result of different cage orientations: an in vitro study.

Study Design. A multisegmental cadaveric spine model was used to quantify the load-displacement behavior of intact spine specimens, specimens injured and stabilized using Bagby and Kuslich (BAK) cages as lumbar interbody fusion devices with or without posterior instrumentation across two levels. Objectives. To compare the stabilities imparted by the cages placed using an oblique and conventional posterior approaches and to determine the effects of supplementary posterior instrumentation. Summary of Background Data. The BAK cage as posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has been used to restore disc height, reduce morbidity, provide immediate stability to the patients, and enhance fusion rates. The obliquely inserted BAK cage has the advantages of reducing exposure and precise implantation. The biomechanical efficacy of this procedure is sparse, especially in comparison to the PLIF with and without posterior instrumentation. Methods. Nine fresh human ligamentous spines (L2–S1) were affixed within a testing frame for determining their load-displacement behaviors. Load testing in clinically relevant modes was performed sequentially for the intact and the following procedures across the L4–S1 segment: posterior destabilization, stabilization using two parallel BAK cages (CBAK group) or one oblique BAK cage (OBAK group), further stabilization with posterior instrumentation, and finally cyclic loading in flexion-extension. Spatial positions of the LEDs attached to vertebral bodies were recorded using a three-dimensional motion measurement system. Results. When used alone to restore stability, the orientation of the cage affected the outcome. In flexion OBAK orientation and in extension CBAK orientation provided better stability (decrease in motion with respect to intact case), compared with the other orientation. In lateral bending, CBAK orientation was found to be better than OBAK. In axial mode, CBAK orientation was effective in both directions while OBAK was effective only in right axial rotation. With the supplementary posterior fixation, the differences in stability resulting from the orientations were not noticeable at all, both before and after cyclic tests. Conclusions. Owing to the differences in the surgical approach and the amount of dissection, the stability for the cages when used alone as a function of cage orientation was different. These subtle differences were reduced by the use of posterior fixation device, underscoring the importance of using instrumentation when cages are used as PLIFs. However, the oblique insertion may be more favorable since it requires less exposure, enables precise implantation, and is less expensive, especially when used with supplementary instrumentation.

Risk factors associated with migraine or chronic daily headache in out‐patients with major depressive disorder

Objective:  This study investigated independent comorbidities and factors associated with migraine and chronic daily headache (CDH) in out‐patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Fusion may not be a necessary procedure for surgically treated burst fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spines: a follow-up of at least ten years.

BACKGROUND The surgical results of treating thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures were reported to be comparable between patients with and without fusion in an intermediate-term follow-up. To our knowledge, no prior report has compared the results of fusion and non-fusion with long-term follow-up. METHODS This study was designed to provide long-term evaluation of patients with a burst fracture of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine treated with short-segment fixation who were randomly assigned to a fusion or non-fusion group. Patients older than sixty years of age at the time of injury and those who were lost to follow-up were excluded. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Greenough Low-Back Outcome Score and the visual analog scale for back pain. Radiographic outcomes were focused on the vertebral body height of the injured vertebra, the kyphotic angle, and the regional segmental motion. RESULTS Twenty-two patients were enrolled in the non-fusion group, and twenty-four patients were enrolled in the fusion group. The average follow-up period was 134 months (range, 121 to 161 months). The average preoperative kyphotic angle was 16.4° for the non-fusion group and 19.5° for the fusion group. The average postoperative kyphotic angle was 1.5° for the non-fusion group and 4.0° for the fusion group. At the time of the latest follow-up, the average kyphotic angle was 13.8° for the non-fusion group and 14.7° for the fusion group. The average kyphotic angle between the two groups was similar at all follow-up times. A progressive decrease of the kyphotic angle was significant (p < 0.05) with time, regardless of fusion. The radiographic outcomes were similar between these two groups at all follow-up times, as were functional outcomes. More patients in the non-fusion group underwent additional surgery to remove implants. Regional segmental motion was preserved in the non-fusion group, with a mean motion (and standard deviation) of 4.2° ± 1.9°. CONCLUSIONS The long-term results of short segmental fixation with and without fusion for burst fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine were comparable. Regional segmental motion could be preserved without fusion, and bone graft donor site complications could be eliminated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Are intravertebral vacuum phenomena benign lesions

We retrospectively reviewed plain radiographs from patients with four different diseases that can cause vertebral collapse: osteoporotic vertebral collapse, spinal infection, spinal metastasis, and multiple myeloma. The objective of the study was to find the percentages of intravertebral vacuum phenomena and vertebral collapse rates in the four groups. The vacuum phenomenon is often observed in osteoporotic compression fractures. However, these phenomena are rarely seen in spinal infection and malignant lesions. Whether the vacuum phenomenon is a benign indicator is not known. We retrospectively reviewed plain radiographs from four groups of patients, including 328 osteoporotic vertebral collapse patients, 317 spinal infection patients, 302 spinal metastasis patients, and 325 multiple myeloma patients. The pattern and occurrence rates of intravertebral vacuum phenomena and vertebral body collapse were analyzed. The occurrence rate of intravertebral vacuum phenomena in patients with osteoporotic vertebral collapse was approximately 18.9%. Only one case of intravertebral vacuum phenomena was observed in patients with spinal infection. Vacuum phenomena were not observed in patients with spinal metastasis. The occurrence rate of intravertebral vacuum phenomena in patients with multiple myeloma was 6.4%. The patterns of intravertebral vacuum phenomena were also analyzed. Intravertebral vacuum phenomena are common in patients with osteoporotic vertebral collapse. Most cases of intravertebral vacuum phenomena are of a benign nature. Moreover, intravertebral vacuum phenomena occur extremely rarely in patients with spinal infection. Such phenomena are also found in patients with multiple myeloma.

Lateral mass anchoring screws for cervical laminoplasty: preliminary report of a novel technique.

Study Design Preliminary reporting of a group of patients with multiple level cervical spinal stenosis treated with a simple technique using lateral mass anchoring screw and unabsorbable suture line for securing the lamina position after expansive open-door laminoplasty. Objective To develop an improved method for laminoplasty fixation. Summary of Background Data Laminoplasty is considered the standard procedure for treating multiple-level cervical spinal stenosis with myelopathy. Keys to successful laminoplasty are expanding and maintaining the spinal canal. There are many techniques for maintaining and securing of the expanded spinal canal such as fascial or joint capsule anchoring suture, spacer interposition, allograft, autograft, or miniplate fixation. However, many reports have indicated that these complicated and/or costly techniques are not superior to other techniques. This study reports a simple, reliable technique using a lateral mass anchoring screw for augmentation of laminoplasty fixation. Methods Five patients with multiple level cervical spinal stenosis underwent laminoplasty. A unilateral open door technique was done for the lesion level and the elevated lamina was fixed to lateral mass anchoring screws at each level using unabsorbable suture line. Results The mean follow-up period was 14.5 months (9 to 34 mo). Postoperatively, the Japanese Orthopedic Association score improved from an average of 8.6 (range: 7 to10 points) to 14.2 points (range: 13 to 15 points). The average recovery rate was 67% (60% to 75%). Follow-up computed tomography scans showed the average improvement in anterioposterior diameter at each level of the cervical canal to be about 4.0 to 7.7 mm. The average open angle at each level was 19.0 to 23.8 degrees. All hinged sides had bony fusion. Conclusions Although this is a small series, the preliminary results suggest that this simple lateral mass anchoring screw technique can provide a firm and secure anchor for elevated open lamina in laminoplasty.

Hamstring graft sizes differ between Chinese and Caucasians.

PurposeThe use of hamstring tendon autografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery has become more and more common. The purposes of this study were to determine whether anthropomorphic measurement correlated with tendon sizes in Chinese patient group and whether tendon sizes in Chinese and Caucasian patient groups differed.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2009, 100 patients that received double-bundle ACL reconstruction with autologous hamstring tendons were prospectively enrolled. The original lengths and triple-folded graft diameters of the individual semitendinosus (ST) and gracilis (Gr) tendons were recorded and correlated with the anthropometric data (height, weight, body mass index, gender, thigh length, shank length, leg length and bilateral thigh circumference) of the patients. Later, using height for predictions, the original heights of patients were added to the equations previously used for regression models to compare the tendon lengths in different ethnic groups.ResultsAfter stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, the height and leg lengths showed greatest correlation with the lengths of both tendons. The lengths of both the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons in Caucasian patients were significantly longer than in the Chinese patients.ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that anthropomorphic measurements (height and leg length) correlated with tendon lengths. In addition, Caucasians had significantly longer hamstring tendons than the Chinese patients.Level of evidenceProspective cohort study (prevalence), Level I.

Arthroscopic posteroinferior capsular plication and rotator interval closure after Bankart repair in patients with traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability—A minimum follow-up of 5 years

BACKGROUND Shoulder joint laxity over anteroinferior and posteroinferior labral–capsular structure inpatients with traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability was reported in the previous literature. The purpose of this study was to report our experience in arthroscopic treatment of traumatic anterior–inferior shoulder instability by Bankart lesion stabilisation with rotator interval closure and posteroinferior capsular plication. METHODS From August 2000 to November 2004, 45 patients with traumatic anterior–inferior shoulder instability were retrospectively enrolled. Each shoulder was treated with absorbable suture for rotator interval closure and posteroinferior capsular plication after anteroinferior stabilisation. The assessments were performed using the Rowe score, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score) and shoulder range of motion (ROM). RESULTS With the average follow-up time of 77.1 months, all shoulder scores improved after surgery(P < 0.001). The average ROM deficit of the operated shoulders was not significant (P > 0.05) as compared with the healthy side. A total of 42 shoulders remained stable (93.3%) and there were three recurrences (6.6%). All patients without recurrence returned to their pre-injury levels of athletic activity. CONCLUSIONS In patients with anterior glenohumeral instability, arthroscopic stabilisation of anteroinferior capsulolabral structure with rotator interval closure and posteroinferior capsular plication provided a reasonable result without significant loss of ROM at a minimum follow-up of 5 years.