International orthopaedics
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of assessing motor evoked potentials (MEP) in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Twenty-three LSS patients were enrolled. The preoperative data of MEP latency (MEPLT), clinical symptoms, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores for low back pain, visual analogue scale (VAS) for back pain, leg pain and numbness, walking distance and the minimal cross-sectional area (mCSA) of the dural sac were evaluated. ⋯ MEPLT was significantly delayed in patients who showed a walking distance less than 500 m. MEP is useful in LSS assessment. It can reflect the subjective severity of motor disturbance and predict the neurological deficit prior to appearance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion versus posterolateral fusion in spondylolisthesis: a prospective controlled study in the Han nationality.
In this prospective study, our aim was to compare the clinical outcome of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) in spondylolisthesis. A total of 138 patients with spondylolisthesis were randomly assigned to two groups: those operated on with pedicle screw fixation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion by autografting (PLIF), and those operated on with pedicle screw fixation and posterolateral fusion by autografting (PLF). The patients were followed-up for four years. ⋯ Both surgical procedures were effective, but the PLF group showed more complications related to hardware biomechanics. There was no significant statistical difference in clinical and functional outcome in the two groups. The PLIF group presented a better fusion rate than the PLF group.
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This study entails a prospective evaluation of lumbar closing wedge osteotomy for correction of thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity in ankylosing spondylitis. Twenty patients with a median age of 52 years (range, 26-70) underwent follow-up at one year. The lumbar closing wedge osteomtomy was stabilised by metallic rods fixed by transpedicular screws. ⋯ Pain during activity, pain at night, and fatigue were significantly reduced. EuroQol improved from 0.42 to 0.69 (p = 0.002) and occiput-to-wall distance from 26 to 18 cm (p = 0.005). Functional outcome was improved after lumbar closing wedge osteotomy in ankylosing spondylitis.
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The aim of this study was to examine the results of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) of the femoral shaft fracture in patients where intramedullary nailing is contraindicated and evaluate the proper number of the screws for stable fixation. This was a retrospective study of 36 closed femoral shaft fractures which underwent MIPO using a conventional 4.5 broad dynamic compression plate (DCP) with 14-18 holes fixed with three or four screws in the proximal and distal fragments. Thirty-three fractures had bony union in 21.0 weeks (range, 12-28 weeks), two had delayed union that required bone graft and union at 28 and 32 weeks. ⋯ MIPO of the femoral shaft fracture is an alternative treatment in the patient where intramedullary nailing is contraindicated. Malalignment is the common complication that must be carefully evaluated intraoperatively. We recommend using at least three separated screws in each fragment to reduce the risk of screw breakage.