• Akira Dezawa, Kazutoshi Unno, Tomojiro Yamane, and Hiroshi Miki.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Teikyo, Mizonokuchi Hospital, Takatu-ku, Kawasaki City, Japan. adezawa@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
• Spine. 2002 Dec 15; 27 (24): 2844-9.

Study DesignAssessment of qualitative and quantitative changes in the microcirculation of nerve roots, such as the diameter of blood vessels and the low rate of erythrocytes, was observed during lumbar interbody fusion.ObjectiveTo ascertain changes in the microcirculation of nerve roots before and after retraction during lumbar interbody fusion surgery.Summary Of Background DataThe changes in microhemodynamics caused by nerve root retraction have not yet been elucidated.MethodsSubjects were patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis who underwent lumbar interbody fusion. Changes in the microcirculation of nerve roots were examined in the L5 nerve root in 26 patients and the S1 nerve root in 3 patients. Through the use of video images captured by contact endoscope and stored in a computer, erythrocytes were automatically followed to measure flow rate and the diameter of blood vessels.ResultsPlasma skimming, where blood cells and plasma flow separately, was seen in 3 of the 29 patients (10.3%) before retraction of the nerve root and in 8 of the 29 patients (27.6%) following retraction. Intravascular erythrocyte agglutination, when erythrocytes flow in clumps due to changes in the charge state of erythrocytes, was seen in blood vessels larger than 100 microm in 3 patients (10.3%) after retraction. Following nerve root retraction, the flow rate of erythrocytes through blood vessels decreased an average of 23.9% (P< 0.005).ConclusionsA contact endoscope was used to observe the microhemodynamics of nerve roots before and after retraction of the nerve root during lumbar interbody fusion surgery, and a decrease in the flow rate of erythrocytes was observed.

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