European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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A systematic review of all available evidence on the timing of surgical fixation for thoracic and lumbar fractures with respect to clinical and neurological outcome was designed. The purpose of this review is to clarify some of the controversy about the timing of surgical fracture fixation in spinal trauma. Better neurological outcome, shorter hospital stay and fewer complications have been reported after early fracture fixation. ⋯ Early fracture fixation is associated with less complications, shorter hospital and ICU stay. The effect of early treatment on the neurological outcome remains unclear due to the contradictory results of the included studies. Early thoracic and lumbar fracture fixation results in improvement of clinical outcome, but the effect on neurological outcome remains controversial.
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Although cost-effectiveness is becoming the foremost evaluative criterion within health service management of spine surgery, scientific knowledge about cost-patterns and cost-effectiveness is limited. The aims of this study were (1) to establish an activity-based method for costing at the patient-level, (2) to investigate the correlation between costs and effects, (3) to investigate the influence of selected patient characteristics on cost-effectiveness and, (4) to investigate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of (a) posterior instrumentation and (b) intervertebral anterior support in lumbar spinal fusion. We hypothesized a positive correlation between costs and effects, that determinants of effects would also determine cost-effectiveness, and that posterolateral instrumentation and anterior intervertebral support are cost-effective adjuncts in posterolateral lumbar fusion. ⋯ This study reveals useful and hitherto unknown information both about cost-patterns at the patient-level and determinants of cost-effectiveness. The overall conclusion of the present investigation is a recommendation to focus further on determinants of cost-effectiveness. For example, patient characteristics that are modifiable at a relatively low expense may have greater influence on cost-effectiveness than the surgical technique itself--at least from an administrator's perspective.
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Clinical Trial
Prospective study of standalone balloon kyphoplasty with calcium phosphate cement augmentation in traumatic fractures.
Prospective consecutive series cases study to investigate the clinical and radiological results of standalone balloon kyphoplasty and cement augmentation with calcium phosphate in traumatic fractures. Independent observer evaluation of radiological and computer tomography results, visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland-Morris score and complications with acute traumatic compression fractures type A, treated with a standalone balloon kyphoplasty and cement augmentation with calcium phosphate (Calcibon); follow-up time at a mean of 30 months (24-37 months). From August 2002 to August 2003, consecutive patients with traumatic compression fractures (Magerl type A) without neurological deficit underwent standalone kyphoplasty with Calcibon. ⋯ However, due to the intrinsic characteristic of calcium phosphate cement (Calcibon) we recommend the application of this biological cement for standalone reduction and stabilisation only in fractures type A1 and A3.1 in young patient. In case of higher destruction levels of the VB, we propose the utilisation of Calcibon associated with posterior instrumentation. Having regard to the pointed out indications, our preliminary results demonstrate a new possibility to treat this kind of fractures, allowing a rapid handling of pain, early discharge and return to normal activities.
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Clinical Trial
Inserting pedicle screws in the upper thoracic spine without the use of fluoroscopy or image guidance. Is it safe?
Several studies have looked at accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement using fluoroscopy, image guidance, and anatomical landmarks. To our knowledge the upper thoracic spine (T1-T6) has not been specifically studied in the context of screw insertion and placement accuracy without the use of either image guidance or fluoroscopy. Our objective was to study the accuracy of upper thoracic screw placement without the use of fluoroscopy or image guidance, and report on implant related complications. ⋯ One of the seven misplaced screws was considered to be questionable in terms of pedicle perforation. No implant related complications were noted. We found that inserting pedicle screws in the upper thoracic spine based solely on anatomical landmarks was safe with an accuracy comparable to that of published studies using image-guided navigation at the thoracic level.
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To help decide the best starting point for lumbar spine pedicle screw insertion in the Chinese population using three different techniques (Roy-Camille, Magerl, and Du). Three-dimensional CT reconstructions were created from 40 adult lumbar vertebral segments. Three different starting points for lumbar pedicle screw insertion were used. ⋯ These results demonstrate that Du's method provides the safest starting point to place pedicle screws from L1 to L4, as its distance from the entrance point to the pedicle axis is the shortest and the safe range of TSA the largest of the three techniques. Magerl's technique can be safely used in the pedicles from L3 to L5, and is the safest choice at L5. Roy-Camille's technique is most applicable at L1 and L2, but has the highest risk when applied from L3 to L5.