International Journal of Spine Surgery最新文献

Background: The emergence of spine surgery fellowship programs in Mexico is gaining significance; however, there exists a paucity of available information pertaining to the specific requirements and criteria employed for candidate selection, operational structure, and educational framework, which affects the ability of potential applicants to make informed decisions about their training options.

Methods: A systematic web search was executed to identify the official websites of the predominant private and public health care institutions that provide spine fellowship programs in Mexico. This search was carried out by 3 spine surgery fellows between December 2023 and January 2024 utilizing the Google search engine with specific keywords previously employed in similar studies. Subsequently, we performed an evaluation to ascertain the existence of 13 elements that are pertinent to residency candidates and the ease of finding information for each program.

Results: Twenty-five spine surgery fellowship programs were identified. Of these, 14 (56%) are endorsed by the Autonomous University of Mexico, 2 (8%) by La Salle University, and the remainder by various universities such as the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, among others. The majority of programs were listed on the website of the Mexican Association of Spine Surgeons, with contact information being readily available in most cases (72%), whereas details about program chairs were primarily found on hospital websites (16%). The simplicity of the search revealed that 88% of programs could be easily located online.

Conclusions: Numerous spine surgery training programs are deficient in thorough online information, which creates challenges for prospective national and international applicants seeking details. Most programs depend on their reputation instead of an online presence, indicating a chance to improve marketing and visibility of spine surgery fellowship programs in Mexico.

Clinical relevance: The training of spine surgeons is extremely important, so the visibility of training programs helps promote this specialty and, therefore, the training of surgeons.

Level of evidence: 3:

Background: Endoscopic unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) is gaining attention as a minimally invasive procedure for treating spinal stenosis. However, comprehensive studies on its outcomes remain limited.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the changes in radiologic parameters and clinical outcomes associated with endoscopic ULBD for treating spinal stenosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 53 patients with central lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent endoscopic ULBD decompression surgery. Pre- and postoperative visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores were collected to assess the impact on activities of daily living. Parameters such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volumes (first and second day), total hospital stay, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Additionally, pre- and postoperative imaging changes were documented, and MacNab functional scores were evaluated at 6 months postoperatively to assess clinical efficacy.

Results: No nerve injuries occurred during the operation. Two cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage were successfully treated with pressure dressings, and no postoperative complications such as incision infection or dehiscence were observed. At 6-month follow-up, postoperative visual analog scale scores and Oswestry Disability Index showed significant improvement compared with preoperative levels (P < 0.05). Postoperative lumbar computed tomography images revealed a statistically significant enlargement in the anterior-posterior diameter of the spinal canal and the diameter of the bilateral lateral recesses (P < 0.05). All patients experienced either improvement or resolution of clinical symptoms. The MacNab functional scores at the 6-month follow-up indicated excellent outcomes in 37 cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 1 case, resulting in an overall good rate of 98.11%.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that endoscopic ULBD can provide favorable outcomes for single-segment central lumbar spinal stenosis under local anesthesia at a relatively low cost.

Background: Despite its clinical importance, osteoporosis remains underdiagnosed, particularly in spinal surgery patients, where bone quality affects surgical outcomes. Existing screening methods are often costly or inaccessible, highlighting the need for a simpler alternative.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the canal bone ratio (CBR) as a predictive tool for bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases and establish a specific cutoff value for diagnosing osteoporosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 102 patients older than 50 years who underwent lumbar spine surgery at our institution from 2016 to 2024. Eligible patients underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), full-spine x-ray imaging, and computed tomography within 3 months before their surgery. CBR measurements were obtained by analyzing x-ray images for the inner and outer diameters of the femoral shaft 7 cm below the lesser trochanter. The Youden index based on T score thresholds from DXA scans determined the optimal cutoff value for diagnosing osteoporosis using CBR.

Results: The cutoff value for CBR was 0.501, which was identified by analyzing BMD data from the lumbar spine and femoral neck regions. This cutoff demonstrated a strong correlation with low BMD scores, exhibiting a sensitivity of 0.656 and a specificity of 0.671 for identifying osteoporosis among the included patients. Additionally, CBR values negatively correlated with T scores and computed tomography-based Hounsfield units values obtained from lumbar and femoral regions, reinforcing its validity as a screening tool.

Conclusion: CBR correlates with T scores from DXA and Hounsfield units values, establishing itself as a feasible and practical screening tool for osteoporosis in patients with lumbar degenerative disease.

Clinical relevance: CBR facilitates early intervention and improves management in populations at high risk for bone fragility.

Level of evidence: 3:

Background: Uniportal spine endoscopy is a minimally invasive technique gaining widespread popularity, but fluid insufflation during the procedure poses risks of neurological deterioration. The present study examines these risks through a case series and literature review.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted to identify reported complications related to fluid insufflation. Additionally, we present a case series of 3 patients who experienced neurological deterioration associated with irrigation pressures.

Results: Key findings from the literature include complications such as raised intracranial pressure, seizures, durotomy-induced injuries, and unintended fluid migration. This case series describes novel complications, including transient ipsilateral weakness and lumbosacral plexopathy, linked to high irrigation pressures.

Conclusion: Neurological deterioration, though rare, is a significant risk in uniportal spine endoscopy. Future research should focus on defining optimal irrigation parameters and pressure management strategies.Clinical RelevanceBy understanding the mechanisms in which fluid insufflation may cause neurological deterioration and by consequently adopting preventive strategies, surgeons can reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.

Level of evidence: 4:

Background: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery can damage nerve fibers and has been linked to retrograde ejaculation in men. In women, sexual dysfunction following ALIF is rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of postoperative changes in sexual function and incontinence in women following ALIF.

Methods: For this study, 173 female patients aged 18 to 60 years who had undergone a primary ALIF surgery in 2015 to 2022 in a large spine center to retrospectively answer a questionnaire about sexual function and incontinence pre- and postoperatively; they were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the surgery. McNemar tests were used to compare the prevalence of specific problems pre- vs postoperatively.

Results: Of all respondents (n = 84), 23 (27%) reported a worsening of sexual function following ALIF surgery, and these changes were persistent in 83% of those patients. Among individual symptoms of sexual dysfunction, the highest increase was observed for the prevalence of vaginal dryness, which increased from 12% preoperatively to 32% postoperatively (P < 0.001), followed by dyspareunia, which increased from 8% to 21% (P = 0.001). Urinary incontinence increased from 25% to 41% (P < 0.001). Patient age, level of surgery, and fusion material were not associated with worsening of sexual function. However, worsening of sexual function was associated with a lower level of satisfaction with the surgery outcome and a lower proportion of patients who would have the surgery again.

Conclusions: Female patients undergoing ALIF should receive adequate preoperative information about potential changes in sexual function to enable them to make an informed decision.

Clinical relevance: An improved understanding among patients will lead to more realistic patient expectations and higher patient satisfaction.

Level of evidence: 4:

Background: Intramuscular myxomas (IMs) are rare benign neoplasms of fibroblastic origin, typically presenting in adults, with a female predominance. IMs are uncommonly located in the skeletal muscles, most frequently in the thighs, but rarely in the paraspinal region. IM may be located deeply in this region and that could present a challenge for complete resection.

Case presentation: A 66-year-old woman presented with progressive lower back pain and radicular symptoms, which were due to a paraspinal IM.

Case management: The patient underwent a minimally invasive microsurgical resection assisted by a 45° endoscopic microinspection tool (QEVO) to enhance visualization and access the lateral compartment of the tumor. Microsurgical dissection assisted with endoscopic visualization allowed successful resection of the tumor, including its lateral compartment, without extensive muscle transection. No complications occurred during or after surgery, and the patient reported complete symptom relief with no recurrence after 2 years.

Technology: This case demonstrates the value of integrating endoscopic tools in spinal surgery, particularly in cases where conventional microsurgical techniques are insufficient for complete tumor resection using less invasive approaches. The enhanced visualization provided by the 45° endoscope facilitated the successful resection of a paraspinal lesion, improving surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Conclusions: The QEVO microinspection tool is an effective adjunct to microsurgical techniques, offering enhanced visualization and precision during tumor resection. This case highlights its potential to address the challenges posed by deeply located paralumbar tumors. As further research explores its use in spine surgery, this microinspection tool could become an important asset in minimally invasive spinal tumor resections, improving patient outcomes through better tissue preservation and complete resection.

Level of evidence: 5:

Background: Adult spinal deformities, affecting up to 60% of individuals older than 60 years, often require long segment fusions. Constructs spanning the lumbosacral junction commonly include pelvic fixation. Despite robust pelvic fixation, distal junctional failure, such as pseudoarthrosis, bone fracture, and instrumentation failure, occurs in 24%-34% of these cases. A novel implant designed for both durable pelvic fixation and sacroiliac joint fusion was recently cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration. This implant is engineered to address some of the pelvic fixation failure mechanisms by reducing motion at the lumbosacral junction and sacroiliac joint while decreasing stress on S1 pedicle screws and S2AI implants.

Objective: To determine the failure rate of a novel osseointegrative implant for spinopelvic fixation/fusion.

Study design: Analysis of manufacturer postmarket surveillance database.

Methods: A postmarket surveillance database was analyzed to determine the type and rate of complaints and revisions of a novel osseointegrative implant. These were then compared with the published literature.

Results: A total of 15,628 implants were identified in 6907 patients. The postmarket surveillance of the novel screw fusion device revealed a low complaint rate of 0.75% and no postoperative implant breakage. Revision procedures were mostly due to set screw dissociation (0.4%) and implant loosening (0.15%), which was primarily linked to pre-existing conditions or infection. The mean (SD) time from index procedure to the complaint was 7.1 (5.4) months.

Conclusions: Compared with published literature, this novel osseointegrative implant demonstrates a significantly lower incidence of set screw dissociation than traditional pelvic screws with no incidence of breakage or back out, underscoring its durable integration with bone, with low rates of revisions and mechanical failures.

Clinical relevance: A novel osseointegrative implant offers reduced rates of mechanical failures and revisions, helping to reduce complications in pelvic fixation procedures.

Level of evidence: 4:

Background: Lumbar interbody fusion is commonly performed to improve spinal stability in the context of degenerative, traumatic, and deformity-related pathologies. The axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF) technique, also known as presacral interbody arthrodesis, is the only presacral interbody fusion technique approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is a rarely utilized approach to interbody fusion that aims to achieve fusion across L4 to L5 and/or L5 to S1 levels, which are the most susceptible to pseudoarthrosis and hardware failure. This case series describes the utility of the AxiaLIF procedure as a salvage approach when traditional interbody fusion techniques pose significant risks or are not feasible due to rare patient-specific factors.

Methods: All identifiable cases of the AxiaLIF procedure performed at a single, academic medical center were reviewed. Operative data were collected and each case presentation is described in detail.

Results: Six patients underwent AxiaLIF between July 2010 and May 2022. Indications for AxiaLIF as a salvage approach included hardware failure with a significant risk of recurrence with traditional revision techniques; a lack of segmental fixation at the distal end of the spinal construct; avoiding extensive tissue disruption in the setting of staged realignment surgery or previously compromised tissue; and comorbidities such as muscular dystrophy, abdominal hernias, and severe obesity. Two patients were fused solely across the L5 to S1 level, and 4 patients were fused from L4 to S1. The mean operative time, estimated blood loss, time under fluoroscopy, complications, and follow-up were noted.

Conclusion: This case series introduces the utility of AxiaLIF as a salvage approach. We believe the AxiaLIF procedure may be a valuable alternative to traditional lumbar interbody fusion in salvage situations when traditional techniques are not feasible or pose significant risk to the patient. In such situations, surgeon awareness of this approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and safety.

Clinical relevance: AxiaLIF, as a salvage approach, has the potential to improve patient outcomes safely when other surgical options pose significant risk or are not feasible.

Level of evidence: 4:

Background: Currently, there are no studies in the literature that specifically compare stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), 360° ALIF, or arthroplasty in patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation presenting with signs of instability. Thus, the authors sought to fill this knowledge gap by comparing intraoperative and short-term postoperative outcomes of patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation and signs of instability undergoing stand-alone ALIF), 360° ALIF, or arthroplasty.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single center from August 2019 to January 2024. Inclusion criteria included patients older than 18 years diagnosed with recurrent lumbar disc herniation and signs of instability undergoing stand-alone ALIF, 360° ALIF, or arthroplasty. Exclusion criteria were incomplete data or other indications. Data collected included demographics, surgical specifics (procedure type, operated levels, graft type, and incision type), and clinical outcomes (intraoperative morbidity and short-term postoperative outcomes).

Results: Sixty-five patients were evaluated. No intraoperative complications occurred in any group. Mean operative times were 165.8 ± 61.72 minutes for stand-alone ALIF, 236.25 ± 46.3 minutes for 360° ALIF, and 98.43 ± 45 minutes for arthroplasty (P < 0.0001). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.46 ± 1.14 days, with no significant difference between groups (P = 0.515). Postoperative complications were minimal: 1 surgical site infection in the stand-alone ALIF group (P = 0.444) and 4 instances of sympathetic changes (P = 0.477), with 1 occurring in the stand-alone ALIF group, 1 in the 360° ALIF group, and 2 in the arthroplasty group. There was no statistical difference between the groups in relation to the visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in intraoperative morbidity, short-term postoperative outcomes, or length of stay among the 3 groups. All techniques demonstrated good results with low morbidity and short hospitalizations, suggesting that the choice of technique should be based on the surgeon's experience and the patient's condition and preferences.

Level of evidence: 4: