Decompression Procedures Research Articles

Intraoperative neuromonitoring is not a useful adjunct for Chiari malformation decompressive surgery: a cost-benefit and legal analysis.

Posterior fossa decompression is currently an operative treatment of choice for Chiari Malformation I (CM1). However, there is controversy surrounding the possible benefits of employing intraoperative neuromonitoring (INM) for this type of procedure. In addition to presenting our single-center experience on the use of INM, we analyze the cost associated with INM in Chiari Malformation (CM) decompression surgery using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) database and discuss the legal implications of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) monitoring during decompression for CM1. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients undergoing CM1 decompression with SSEP neuromonitoring from 2011 to 2018. We collected patient characteristics, hospital charges, and surgical cost data from the HCUP database for patients undergoing CM decompression. Finally, we performed a review within the Thompson Reuters Westlaw Edge database for reported litigation involving INM for CM decompression. None of the 110 patients submitted to surgery for CM1 at our institution had any significant SSEP changes intraoperatively or developed post-operative neurological deterioration. There were higher mean total hospital charges and surgical costs associated with INM ($31,272) for patients who received INM compared to patients who did not receive INM ($24,112). A careful review of the Westlaw database with multiple-word search strategies revealed no reported medical malpractice claims regarding the absence of SSEP neuromonitoring in a CM decompression procedure. Using data collected at our institution and the HCUP national database, we showed that intraoperative neuromonitoring did not affect surgical planning and decision-making or post operative care, while adding unnecessary costs to CM decompression procedures. The absence of reported malpractice claims targeting the lack of neuromonitoring in CM cases suggests that SSEP neuromonitoring during CM may be unnecessary. We propose that neuromonitoring should not be used for routine CM decompression.

Partington-Rochelle modified procedure of pancreatotomy with short pancreaticojejunostomy for groove pancreatitis: a technical note.

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a chronic segmental pancreatitis which leads to altered pancreatic secretions and pancreatitis. The exact pathogenesis of GP has not been clearly identified to date but heavy smoking and chronic alcohol consumption seem to be the main factors involved. The resulting chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a debilitating disease causing abdominal pain often refractory to medical therapy, so much that the main indication for surgical treatment is intractable abdominal pain. A growing number of increasingly complex and diverse surgical operations for the treatment of this disease were reported. Operative procedures for CP are currently grouped into decompression procedures and pancreatic resections. No consensus about which one leads to the best outcomes, but every case should be tailored to specific clinical scenarios and single individuals. We report the case of a 44-year-old man with intractable abdominal pain due to GP underwent to Partington-Rochelle modified procedure. A Wirsung-jejunal side-to-side anastomosis as described by Partington-Rochelle was performed but with two variations: the first was the length of the anastomosis which was < 50mm (short anastomosis), while the second was the placement of two removable Bracci stent tube 6 Fr to drain respectively the distal and the proximal-medium part of Wirsung duct. The post-operative course was uneventful with good pain control. During follow-up no evidence of any radiologic signs of infection or fluid collections or pancreatic fistula nor recrudescent of abdominal pain. Nowadays a uniform approach to this pathology still is lacking. Although surgery can be carried out with satisfactory results in specialized centers, the specifical operation type should be tailored to every single cases.

Pain and Functional Outcome After Microsurgical Decompression of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Very Short- and Long-Term Postoperative Analysis.

Multicenter, prospective observational cohort study. 109 patients with lumbar spine stenosis (LSS) undergoing minimally invasive decompression in 6 different centers (Germany, Italy, USA). The demographic, surgical and clinical data was collected. Patients were examined preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, at 6 and 12 months after surgery with regard to pain (back and legs) and functional outcomes (ODI, SF-36, EQ5D). The mean age of the cohort was 67 ± 11 years, with a BMI of 31.8 ± 6.6kg/m². Most patients (93%) underwent single-level decompression, and postoperative adverse events occurred in 17% of cases. Significant initial reductions in back (6.0 ± 2.8 to 2.4 ± 2.1) and leg pain (6.4 ± 2.1 to 2.1 ± 2.5) were observed (P < 0.001). However, pain levels increased significantly by the 12-month period, reaching 3.9 ± 2.7 for back pain and 3.9 ± 2.4 for leg pain (P < 0.001). Functional scores (ODI) improved from 43 ± 18 at baseline to 36 ± 18 post-treatment but showed no further significant change (P = 0.509) by 12 months. Health status (EQ5D index) improved from 0.53 ± 0.33 to 0.82 ± 0.16 immediately post-treatment but declined to 0.75 ± 0.21 by 12 months (P = 0.011). SF36 physical scores also showed initial improvement but plateaued at follow-ups. Notably, high BMI and prior spine surgery were associated with worse outcomes. Although minimally invasive decompression without fusion initially led to a significant improvement in patients with LSS, the results deteriorated significantly over the course of the observation period. Future studies should focus on strategies to ensure sustained improvement in symptoms in patients with lumbar stenosis undergoing decompression procedure.

Postoperative Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Report On 10 Patients with Literature Review

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a serious condition used to describe the signs and symptoms of patients with compressive neuropathy of multiple lumbar and sacral roots, though in rare cases no compression was discovered, and probably the pathology is related to ischemic changes, this syndrome is well known as an indication for urgent lumbar surgery. It is very rarely seen after surgery, in this study the authors described 10 cases of CES that occurred following uneventful lumbar spine procedures, all had open lumbar decompression. Patients and methods: Preoperative, operative and post-operative management will be discussed. Special emphasis on the high index of suspicion and the value of MRI as a diagnostic procedure. The age range between 35 to 70 years, six were female and four were males, six had decompression for lumbar canal stenosis, four had CES following lumbar discectomy. Eight had urgent decompression after CES while two were treated conservatively. All presented with cardinal clinical features of CES, in seven patients it was complete while in three patients it was incomplete. The relevant literatures were reviewed. Conclusion: High index of suspicion is required for early detection of postoperative CES Special surgical technique may reduce the incidence of this syndrome. Wide lumbar decompression or other procedures is urgently required when there is positive MRI findings of compression. Full recovery is not always possible.

Odontogenic Keratocyst: Case Study of a Young Patient

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) are benign cystic lesions of the jaws. They are aggressive with a relatively high recurrence rate. Most often they are discovered by chance during routine radiographic examination, they typically grow in an anteroposterior direction within the jawbone without causing significant expansion. OKCs generally occur in the second third, and fourth decades of life and are rare in pediatric patients. The management of these cysts is diverse and depends on several factors. The aim of the present study was to report an odontogenic keratocyst in a 13-year-old patient, associated with an impacted mandibular canine on the right side. The case was characterized by significant vestibulolingual expansion, a feature that differentiates it from typical presentations and underscores the importance of recognizing such variations in clinical practice. Management involved an initial decompression procedure, followed by subsequent enucleation of the lesion.

Effect of prior use of statins on endovascular thrombectomy outcomes in acute ischemic stroke.

Acute large vessel occlusions (LVOs) account for up to one-third of acute ischemic strokes (AIS) and are associated with high mortality and severe functional deficits. Animal model research suggests that statins may have a protective effect on vessel wall injury during endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). We conducted a retrospective observational study to assess the impact of statin use on clinical outcomes post-EVT in AIS patients with LVOs. Using the Global Collaborative Network consisting of about 143 million patients in TriNetX database, we identified adult AIS patients who underwent EVT between 2018 and 2023. Patients were categorized based on any statin use (atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, or pitavastatin) in the 3 months before AIS admission. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at one-week post-EVT. Secondary outcomes included intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), decompressive hemicraniectomy procedure (DHC), and aspiration pneumonia at one-week post-EVT. Propensity score matching balanced relevant medical history, stroke severity, medications, and demographics. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis compared outcomes between statin and non-statin cohorts. We identified 17,774 patients who received EVT for LVO ischemic stroke. A total of 10,678 patients were on statins during 3 months prior to EVT and 7096 patients were not on statins. After 1:1 propensity matching, 2148 patients were included in each group. AIS patients treated with EVT and on statins had lower risk of all-cause mortality [7 % vs. 17 %; HR 0.43, 95 % CI 0.35-0.51], ICH [10 % vs. 15 %; HR 0.64, 95 % CI 0.51-0.74], SAH [3 % vs. 6 %; HR 0.48, 95 % CI 0.35-0.64], and aspiration pneumonia [4 % vs 8 %; HR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.41-0.70] compared to AIS patients treated with EVT but not on statins. Rates of DHC were similar between groups [2 % vs 2 %; HR 0.81; 95 % CI (0.52,1.25)]. Statin use within 3 months prior to AIS was associated with better survival and lesser intracranial bleeding risks and complications following EVT. Future studies may help examine how the duration or dosages of statins or LDL levels on admission affect outcomes in LVO strokes treated with EVT.

Full-Endoscopic Midline Foraminoplasty: An Alternative Method for Treating Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis.

To describe the full-endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty with midline skin incision (FEFM) and lateral recess decompression procedure and to report its clinical outcomes at the 1-year follow-up. Consecutive patients with lumbar foraminal and/or lateral recess stenosis who underwent FEFM procedures were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS) of back and leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) up to 1 year postoperatively. The complications and recurrence rate were also recorded. A total of 30 cases (51 levels) were included (L3-4, 6 cases [11.8%]; L4-5, 23 [45.1%]; L5-S1, 22 cases [43.1%]). VAS scores collected at preoperative, postoperative day 1, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were 9.16, 1.7, 1.36, 1.3, and 1.43, respectively. The ODI scores collected at preoperative, postoperative 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were 46.63, 11.5, 10.66, and 10.46, respectively (p<0.05). The mean operation time was 88.7 minutes (range, 45-152 minutes). The length of hospital stay was 1.21 days (range, 1-3 days). No immediate complications were identified, and no patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms requiring revision surgery. FEFM is an effective procedure for treating foraminal and/or lateral recess stenosis. It demonstrates the capability to decompress both bilateral foraminal and lateral recess stenosis through a single-entry point.

Current Diagnostic, Counseling, and Treatment Options in Non-Severe and Severe Apparently Isolated Fetal Ventriculomegaly.

The widening of the vestibular dimension of lateral ventricles > 10 mm should be considered a symptom rather than a definitive diagnosis. In fact, fetal ventriculomegaly (VM) is a defect with 'multifaceted' clinical consequences in the child's further neurodevelopment. Isolated fetal ventriculomegaly can cause neurological defects ranging from mild neurodevelopmental delay to severe complications in the form of ongoing palliative care to the death of patients at various developmental periods. The spectrum of compilations often depends on the severity of the ventriculomegaly. In the prenatal period, the combined diagnostic tools include the following: ultrasound/MRI and genetic, infectious tests that form the basis of reliable counseling. We hypothesize that advances in the diagnostic process allow the identification of 'probably' isolated forms of severe VM (ISVM). The review authors electronically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases, describing the evidence-based validity and option of prenatal decompression for ISVM. The purpose of this review is to present the evolution of diagnostic techniques and views indicating the possibility and limitations of implementing prenatal decompression in severe ISVM. In conclusion, after reviewing the available data, we want to introduce the idea that perinatal centers are close to or have reached the necessary capability, expertise, and competence to perform ISVM decompression procedures. Endoscopic ventriculostomy of the third ventricle (ETV) appears to be promising, as it seems to be associated with minimal perinatal complications and better neurological outcomes for the newborn. However, long-term follow-up results for the neurodevelopment of patients who underwent ETV have not been reported. Looking ahead, randomized trials with the long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up of children who underwent prenatal decompression due to ISVM are needed.

A DNA Data Storage Method Using Spatial Encoding Based Lossless Compression.

With the rapid increase in global data and rapid development of information technology, DNA sequences have been collected and manipulated on computers. This has yielded a new and attractive field of bioinformatics, DNA storage, where DNA has been considered as a great potential storage medium. It is known that one gram of DNA can store 215 GB of data, and the data stored in the DNA can be preserved for tens of thousands of years. In this study, a lossless and reversible DNA data storage method was proposed. The proposed approach employs a vector representation of each DNA base in a two-dimensional (2D) spatial domain for both encoding and decoding. The structure of the proposed method is reversible, rendering the decompression procedure possible. Experiments were performed to investigate the capacity, compression ratio, stability, and reliability. The obtained results show that the proposed method is much more efficient in terms of capacity than other known algorithms in the literature.

Re-optimizing the Time Frame for Classifying Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: An Unmet Need.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare and complex form of stroke, representing a small percentage of all stroke cases. The disease's clinical presentation is highly variable, involving a wide range of medical specialists due to its diverse manifestations. Over the past decade, significant advancements in understanding CVT have been made, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccination efforts. Current classification systems of CVT, which categorize the disease as acute, subacute, or chronic based on symptom onset, vary significantly in their criteria and practical relevance. Key challenges include aligning these time-based classifications with real-world delays in diagnosis and treatment, as well as understanding the timing and nature of complications such as raised intracranial pressure and the need for decompressive procedures. Radiological studies of clot morphology provide additional insights, suggesting that clot characteristics may indicate the recanalization potential and influence treatment strategies. However, the relationship between clot recanalization and clinical outcomes remains debated. A comprehensive classification that integrates clinical, radiological, and prognostic parameters could aid in better managing CVT and improving patient outcomes.

Comparison of Pain and Functional Outcomes Among Geriatric and Nongeriatric Adults Following Full Endoscopic Spine Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Pathology.

Full endoscopic spine surgery (FESS) champions a rapid recovery and a low rate of overall complications. However, its efficacy in geriatric patients that might yield additional benefits from minimized invasiveness remains underexplored. A multi-institutional prospective cohort study was conducted involving patients undergoing elective lumbar FESS. Participants were categorized into nongeriatric (18-69 years old) and geriatric (≥70 years old) groups. Studied variables included demographics, medical comorbidities, operative details, visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). A mobile application was leveraged to collect real-time data pre- and postoperatively. One hundred and sixty-four patients were included and divided into nongeriatric (N = 125) and geriatric (N = 39) cohorts. No group differences were observed between sex (P = 0.404), body mass index (P = 0.372), procedure duration (P = 0.350), or blood loss (P = 0.384). Nongeriatric patients received discectomy more frequently (P < 0.001), while older patients underwent more decompressive procedures (P < 0.001). Characterization of pain and functional outcome revealed that nongeriatric and geriatric patients follow a similar recovery trajectory and both appreciate significant improvements from baseline to 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.001 for VAS back, VAS leg, and ODI). There were no differences in the rate of improvement between age groups at any time point (P > 0.05 for VAS back, VAS leg, and ODI). FESS significantly improves pain and function in both geriatric and nongeriatric adults with degenerative lumbar conditions, with no difference in the degree of improvement between groups. These findings underscore the efficacy of FESS as a minimally invasive surgical option for elderly patients. Mobile application technology is useful for collecting patient-reported data in spine surgery clinical research.

Long-term reoperation risk of thoracic to pelvis instrumentation for spinal deformity: a longitudinal study of 7,062 patients.

To perform a large-scale assessment of reoperation risk among spine deformity patients undergoing thoracic to pelvis surgery. The PearlDiver database was queried for spinal deformity patients (scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, sagittal plane deformity) undergoing at minimum, a T12-pelvis operation (2010-2020). CPT codes identified lumbar arthrodesis procedures that included pelvic fixation and ≥ 7 levels of posterior instrumentation on the same day. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Reoperations included subsequent arthrodesis, decompression, osteotomy, device insertion, and pelvic fixation procedures. Multivariable regression analysis described associations between variables and reoperation risk. 7,062 patients met criteria. Overall reoperation rate was 23.2%. Reoperation rate at 2- and 5-year was 16.9% and 22.1% respectively. 10-year reoperation-free probability was 73.7% (95% CI: 72.4-74.9%). Multivariable analysis revealed higher reoperation risk for patients with kyphosis and ≥ 13 levels of posterior instrumentation. Patients who received interbody cages had a lower reoperation risk. No association was found between the presence or absence of osteotomy procedures and reoperation risk. Lastly, linear regression analyses revealed no significant relationship between age or ECI and risk for subsequent operations did not independently influence reoperation. This study, representing a real-world cohort of over six times the largest current prospective data set, found a 2-year reoperation rate of 17%, similar to previous studies, suggesting study group findings are applicable to a broader population. Preoperative kyphosis and ≥ 13 levels of posterior instrumentation was associated with higher reoperation risk, while the use of interbody cages was protective. Age, medical comorbidities, and osteotomies did not predict reoperations.

Prehospital Trauma Compendium: Vasopressors in Trauma – a Position Statement and Resource Document of NAEMSP

Acutely injured trauma patients may develop shock from several potential mechanisms, including hypovolemic shock from hemorrhage, neurogenic shock from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury, obstructive shock from tension pneumothorax or pericardial tamponade, or a mix of several of these mechanisms. Regardless of the cause, restoration of adequate perfusion is of critical importance to reduce the morbidity and mortality of trauma patients with shock. Multiple interventions including hemorrhage control, volume resuscitation with intravenous fluids or blood products, and pleural decompression procedures are used to address some of these issues and are discussed elsewhere in the trauma compendium. The prehospital use of vasopressors to augment organ perfusion pressures seems theoretically appealing for settings where trauma patients have hemorrhagic shock that is refractory to volume resuscitation strategies alone, where blood products are not available, in cases of hypoperfusion caused by neurogenic shock, or to address mean arterial pressure (MAP) goals in severe spinal cord injury. The National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians (NAEMSP) reviewed the available evidence surrounding the prehospital use of vasopressors in shock related to trauma to develop the following recommendations as supported by the evidence summarized in the subsequent resource document.

Efficacy and Safety of Two Different Approaches in the Drainage of the Upper Urinary Tract in "Acute Obstructive Uropathy": A Critical Evaluation.

Aim: To compare the results of retrograde ureteral stent (RUS) and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) procedures for decompression in patients with acute obstructive pyelonephritis. Patients and Methods: Medical records of patients undergoing PCN or RUS for emergency urinary diversion because of obstructive pyelonephritis were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with urinary tract obstruction and concurrent fever (≥38°C), pyuria, and costovertebral angle tenderness were included and divided into two groups based on the type of emergency urinary drainage applied (PCN in Group 1) and (RUS in Group 2). Apart from the demographic data and Charlson Comorbidity Index, laboratory and radiologic examination outcomes were well evaluated. Results: A total of 155 patients including 73 patients (47.1%) undergoing PCN (Group 1) and 82 patients (52.9%) undergoing RUS (Group 2). Although no significant difference was found regarding the demographic characteristics, the operation time, as well as fluoroscopy time, was significantly shorter in Group 1 cases when compared with those in Group 2 (p < 0.0001). The success rate was similar between the two groups, and there was also a significant difference regarding the complication rates in both groups of cases (5.5% vs 7.3%). Conclusions: Our findings showed that despite similar efficacy and success rates noted between PCN and RUS applications in the emergency drainage of cases presenting with obstructive pyelonephritis, PCN application was found to be advantageous because of shorter operation and fluoroscopy durations. More importantly, this approach was associated with a significantly less need for intensive care during the postoperative period.

Management of cerebrospinal fluid leak after a minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedure: illustrative case.

Neurogenic claudication caused by lumbar stenosis is a prevalent disorder of the spinal canal for which many treatment options exist. The mild (minimally invasive lumbar decompression) procedure has recently been introduced as a safe and effective alternative to medical management in the treatment of lumbar stenosis. However, data on complications are rarely reported, and the incidence of complications, when reported, is frequently assessed at 0% in the literature. The case of a patient with a cerebrospinal fluid leak following a mild procedure performed at an outpatient facility who presented to an inpatient emergency department is discussed. After lumbar drainage failed, the patient required 2 operative procedures to rectify the leak. A seemingly innocuous procedure may have highly morbid complications requiring a lengthy inpatient stay and return trips to the operating room. The physicians and surgeons who manage these complications are frequently not those who performed the index procedure; they should be educated on the risks of the procedure and best practices for definitive management. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24497.

Meralgia Paresthetica: An Anatomical Review and Surgical Case Presentation Utilizing a Robotic Exoscope.

Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a neuropathic condition marked by pain, tingling, and numbness in the anterolateral thigh, primarily caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Although compression often occurs beneath the inguinal ligament, anatomical variations can lead to different entrapment sites. Treatments range from conservative measures to surgical decompression, depending on symptom severity. This study provides an anatomical review of the LFCN and presents a unique case of MP where the LFCN was compressed by the sartorius fascia rather than the typical site beneath the inguinal ligament. The study also explores the use of the Synaptive Modus X robotic exoscope for surgical decompression. This article presents a case study of a man in his 40s with a 15-year history of chronic MP symptoms, where the LFCN was atypically compressed by the sartorius fascia. Surgical decompression was performed using the robotic exoscope, a device offering high-definition, 3-dimensional visualization. At 13 weeks postoperatively, the patient experienced improvement in thigh sensation and no pain. He returned to baseline ambulation with no complications. The exoscope allowed precise identification of the LFCN's anatomy and compression site, proving effective in enhancing surgical precision. This is the first report of primary LFCN decompression using the Synaptive Modus X exoscope. The device provides excellent visualization, ergonomic benefits, and educational advantages, making it a valuable alternative to traditional microscopes and loupes in nerve decompression and other microsurgical procedures. Further studies are needed to assess its cost-effectiveness and broader applications in plastic surgery.

Finite element analysis shows minimal stability difference between individualized mini-hemilaminectomy-corpectomy and partial lateral corpectomy in a dog model.

Use finite element analysis to evaluate the biomechanical effects of spinal decompression procedures in healthy Beagle dogs, comparing individualized mini-hemilaminectomy-corpectomy (iMHC), mini-hemilaminectomy, partial lateral corpectomy (PLC), and hemilaminectomy. A finite element model of the L1-L2 functional spinal unit was generated using CT data. For each decompression model, loads were applied in 0.2-Nm steps (maximum, 2.0 Nm) in 6 directions: flexion, extension, right and left lateral bending, and right and left axial rotation. The L1 spinous process tip displacement angle was quantified numerically. Among the 4 techniques, mini-hemilaminectomy exhibited the smallest displacement angles across all directions. Hemilaminectomy exhibited the largest displacement angles in extension, flexion, right rotation, and left rotation across all techniques. Left and right lateral bending displacement angles were marginally larger for iMHC than for hemilaminectomy at 0.4 Nm; however, at 2.0 Nm, displacement angles were similar. Mini-hemilaminectomy minimizes functional spinal unit instability to the greatest extent. Hemilaminectomy is more unstable than iMHC and PLC in flexion, extension, and rotation. Mini-hemilaminectomy-corpectomy and PLC are more unstable than hemilaminectomy in lateral bending, with iMHC being slightly more unstable than PLC or nearly equal. Mini-hemilaminectomy minimizes instability to the greatest extent in cases of ventrolateral spinal compression. In cases of ventral spinal compression, iMHC may be preferable to PLC for providing equivalent stability without impeding spinal cord visualization, but both techniques can cause instability depending on loading direction, so careful attention to postoperative instability is necessary when excessive vertebral body resection is involved.

CORR Insights®: A Small Number of Surgeons Perform the Large Majority of Uncommon Nerve Decompression Procedures.

CORR Insights®: A Small Number of Surgeons Perform the Large Majority of Uncommon Nerve Decompression Procedures.

A Small Number of Surgeons Perform the Large Majority of Uncommon Nerve Decompression Procedures.

A Small Number of Surgeons Perform the Large Majority of Uncommon Nerve Decompression Procedures.

Effects of two posterior procedures for treatment of cervical hyperextension injury with multilevel spinal stenosis: A retrospective study

BackgroundCervical hyperextension injuries (CHI), commonly resulting in central cord syndrome and spinal instability, often affect the elderly with preexisting degenerative spinal changes, leading to a need for surgical interventions that address both the compression and stability of the cervical spine. This study compares the clinical outcomes of two posterior decompression and fixation procedures for treating cervical hyperextension injury in patients with preexisting multilevel spinal canal stenosis.MethodsPatients suffering from cervical hyperextension injury combined with multilevel spinal stenosis were divided into two groups. They received laminoplasty combined with selective unilateral pedicle screw fixation or laminectomy combined with bilateral lateral mass screw fixation. The clinical records including demographic data, operation time, length of hospital stay, estimated blood loss and surgical complications were collected, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. Preoperative and postoperative cervical lordosis were measured.ResultsPostoperative AISA scores were significantly increased compared with that before surgery in both groups, there was no significant differences between groups. The intraoperative blood loss in the laminoplasty group was significantly less than that in the laminectomy group and there were no significant differences in operation time and length of hospital stay between the two groups. No significant difference was found in the incidence of overall surgical complications between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the cervical lordosis after surgery compared with that before surgery in both groups.ConclusionsFor patients suffering from cervical hyperextension injury combined with preexisting multilevel spinal stenosis, both cervical laminoplasty with selective unilateral pedicle screw fixation and laminectomy with bilateral lateral mass screw fixation could achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes.