Lumbar Disc Surgery Research Articles

Comparison of 0.5% levobupivacaine alone and 0.5% levobupivacaine with butorphanol given intrathecally in infraumbilical surgeries.

Introduction: Spinal anaesthesia is the most common neuraxial block used in surgical setting. The main advantage is the high success rate, safety record, rapid onset, predictable duration, minimal side effect and reliable offset. Study aimed to compare Levobupivacaine and Levobupivacaine with Butorphanol in terms of onset of sensory and motor blockade, duration of sensory and motor block, two segment regression time, hemodynamic changes, time for first rescue analgesia and complications in infraumbilical surgeries. Materials and methods: 60 patients of ASA class 1 and 2 of age between 19 to 65 years were selected in the study and divided them into two groups with 30 patients each. Group A - 15 mg (3 ml) of 0.5% Levobupivacaine + 0.1 ml Normal saline. Group B- 15 mg (3 ml) of 0.5% Levobupivacaine + 100 g (0.1 ml) of Butorphanol. All groups received drug at L2-L3 intervertebral space. Result: On comparing both the groups, the duration of sensory and motor blockade was more in group B. The two-segment regression time was more isn group B and the time for the first rescue analgesia was also more in group B. Hemodynamic stability was achieved in group B with minimal change in the parameters and with fewer complications. Conclusion: we concluded that addition of injection Butorphanol with Levobupivacaine gives hemodynamic stability as compared to Levobupivacaine alone intrathecally and also provides longer duration of sensory and motor blockade and superior analgesia than intrathecal levobupivacaine alone. Keywords: spinal anesthesia, analgesia, intrathecal, Levobupivacaine, Butorphanol. Reference: 1. Casey WF. Spinal anaesthesia-A practical guide. Update Anaesth. 2000;12:1-7. 2. Foster RH, Markham A. Levobupivacaine. Drugs. 2000 Mar;59(3):551-79. 3. Attri JP, Kaur G, Kaur S, Kaur R, Mohan B, Kashyap K. Comparison of levobupivacaine and levobupivacaine with fentanyl in infraumbilical surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Anesthesia, essays and researches. 2015 May;9(2):178. 4. Stoelting RK, Hillier SC. Pharmacology and physiology in anesthetic practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012 Jan 11. 5. Eledjam JJ, de la Coussaye JE, Bassoul B, Brugada J. Mechanisms of the cardiac toxicity of bupivacaine. InAnnales Francaises D'anesthesie et de Reanimation 1988 Jan 1 (Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 204-210). 6. Bardsley H, Gristwood R, Baker H, Watson N, Nimmo W. A comparison of the cardiovascular effects of levobupivacaine and rac‐bupivacaine following intravenous administration to healthy volunteers. British journal of clinical pharmacology. 1998 Sep;46(3):245-9 7. McLeod GA. Density of spinal anaesthetic solutions of bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine with and without dextrose. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2004 Apr 1;92(4):547-51. 8. Singh A, Gupta A, Datta PK, Pandey M. Intrathecal levobupivacaine versus bupivacaine for inguinal hernia surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Korean Journal of Anesthesiology. 2018 Jun;71(3):220. 9. Fattorini F, Ricci Z, Rocco A, Romano R, Pascarella MA, Pinto G. Levobupivacaine versus racemic bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in orthopaedic major surgery. Minerva Anestesiologica. 2006 Jul 1;72(7-8):637-44. 10. Şahin AS, Türker G, Bekar A, Bilgin H, Korfalı G. A comparison of spinal anesthesia characteristics following intrathecal bupivacaine or levobupivacaine in lumbar disc surgery. European Spine Journal. 2014 Mar;23(3):695-700. 11. Glaser C, Marhofer P, Zimpfer G, Heinz MT, Sitzwohl C, Kapral S, Schindler I. Levobupivacaine versus racemic bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2002 Jan 1;94(1):194-8. 12. Singh V, Gupta LK, Singh GP. Comparison among intrathecal fentanyl and butorphanol in combination with bupivacaine for lower limb surgeries. Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology. 2006 Oct 1;22(4):371- 13. Singh SN, Subedi A, Prasad JN, Regmi MC. A comparative study to assess the effect of intrathecal bupivacaine with morphine or butorphanol

Tension Pneumocephalus Unexpected Complication Following Lumbar Disc Surgery

Pneumocephalus (PNC) is termed as an abnormal air presence in the cranium. PNC is a well-known complication of epidural and spinal anesthesia but it develops rarely after spinal surgery for lumbar disc herniation. A 67-year-old female patient was presented to the emergency department (ED) with diffuse non-localized headache and change in mental status. Non-contrast brain-computed tomography scans revealed massive PNC in the frontotemporal fossa and intraorbital region. The patient was transferred to the neurosurgery intensive care unit for clinical observation. Among patients admitted to the ED in the early period after spinal surgery; PNC should be considered in the differential diagnosis if there is persistent headache and confusion.

요추간판탈출증 재건술 후 저항운동이 여성 요통환자들의 요부근력 및 통증지수 변화에 미치는 영향

In this study targeted 12 resistance exercise participants and 15 home exercise participants of female patients, who got the herniated lumbar disc surgery. After 4-week different exercises, changes in lumbar extension strength and visual analog scale(VAS) were measured and the results are as follows. First, the resistance exercise group showed significant differences at all the 7 angles with a 44.99% increase in lumbar extension strength after exercise(p.01), and the home exercise group showed a 17.12% increase in muscular strength(p.05). Second, the resistance exercise group and the home exercise group reduced the pain by 36.76% and 19.04% respectively, which menas they both showed statistically significant differences(p.001). These results imply that resistance exercise and stabilization exercise for improving low back pain of female patients positively influenced the reduction in pain by increasing lumbar extension strength.

Practice Variation Research in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Surgery: A Literature Review on Design Characteristics and Outcomes.

Study DesignLiterature review.ObjectiveTo describe whether practice variation studies on surgery in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease used adequate study methodology to identify unwarranted variation, and to inform quality improvement in clinical practice. Secondary aim was to describe whether variation changed over time.MethodsLiterature databases were searched up to May 4th, 2021. To define whether study design was appropriate to identify unwarranted variation, we extracted data on level of aggregation, study population, and case-mix correction. To define whether studies were appropriate to achieve quality improvement, data were extracted on outcomes, explanatory variables, description of scientific basis, and given recommendations. Spearman’s rho was used to determine the association between the Extreme Quotient (EQ) and year of publication.ResultsWe identified 34 articles published between 1990 and 2020. Twenty-six articles (76%) defined the diagnosis. Prior surgery cases were excluded or adjusted for in 5 articles (15%). Twenty-three articles (68%) adjusted for case-mix. Variation in outcomes was analyzed in 7 articles (21%). Fourteen articles (41%) identified explanatory variables. Twenty-six articles (76%) described the evidence on effectiveness. Recommendations for clinical practice were given in 9 articles (26%). Extreme Quotients ranged between 1-fold and 15-fold variation and did not show a significant change over time (rho= −.33, P= .09).ConclusionsPractice variation research on surgery in patients with degenerative disc disease showed important limitations to identify unwarranted variation and to achieve quality improvement by public reporting. Despite the availability of new evidence, we could not observe a significant decrease in variation over time.

Modic Changes on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Smoking History Predict Vascular Adherence During Anterior Lumbar Exposure.

Anterior approaches to surgically access the lumbar intervertebral discs are associated with a risk of developing major vascular injury and bleeding. The likelihood of injury increases in the presence of dense adherence between the disc annulus, vertebral periosteum, and vessels, which result from reactive inflammatory changes that cause fibrous scarring. To identify factors that predict vascular adherence, which may facilitate preoperative planning and technique modifications for anterior spine surgery. Prospective study examining patients undergoing anterior retroperitoneal exposure for lumbar disc surgery. A total of 246 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study, all of whom had anterior retroperitoneal exposure for lumbar disc surgery. Patient demographics, smoking status, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, operative parameters, and dissection difficulty associated with vascular adherence were recorded. Current smokers were defined as those who smoked at the time of surgery or had ceased smoking <6 months before the operation. Patients were excluded if they were morbidly obese or had previously undergone anterior spine surgery or radiotherapy. A multivariate regression analysis identified 2 significant risk factors for difficult dissections that are complicated by vascular adhesion: Modic Type 2 changes on MRI (P = 0.009) and any history of smoking (P = 0.007). Patients with Modic Type 2 changes or a smoking history were 2.1 and 2.2 times more likely to present with vascular adherence, respectively. Modic Type 2 changes on MRI and any smoking history can predict the adherence of large blood vessels to the anterior disc annulus, which enhances the difficulty of the dissection. These predictors could indicate to spinal surgeons that the patient has a 2-fold increased risk of vascular adherence. Modic Type 2 changes on MRI and any smoking history can predict the adherence of large blood vessels to the anterior disc annulus, which enhances the difficulty of the dissection. These predictors could indicate to spinal surgeons that the patient has a 2-fold increased risk of vascular adherence during anterior lumbar exposure. 3.

How Can we Improve the Comfort Level and Sleep Quality After Surgery?

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises on the comfort level and sleep quality of patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery. The study was conducted between July 2015 and October 2016 in the neurosurgery clinic. The sample consisted of 96 patients (n = 56, experimental patients; n = 40 control patients) randomized into groups. The data was collected by using the personal information form, The Perianesthesia Comfort Questionnaire, The General Comfort Questionnaire and Visual Analog Sleep Scale. In the postoperative General Comfort Scale that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean of the control group and experimental group on the final test (P < .05). When the Visual Analog Sleep Scale mean of the experimental and control group patients were compared between the groups, there was a statistically significant difference on the postoperative 2nd day and 3rd day (P < .05). This study supports previous work that progressive relaxation exercises are feasible and effective to improve patient comfort levels after lumbar disc surgery.

P.218 Patient reported outcomes following surgery for lumbar disk herniation: comparison of a universal and multitier health care system.

Background: Canada has a universal health care system that is funded by the government while the United States utilizes a combined public and private payer system. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in clinical outcomes between those surgically treated for lumbar disk herniation in Canada as compared to the United States. Methods: Surgical lumbar disk herniation patients enrolled in the Canadian Spine Outcome Research Network (CSORN) prospective registry. were compared with the surgical cohort enrolled in the Spine Patients Outcome Research Trial (SPORT) study. Spine-related patient reported outcomes (PROs) were compared at 3 months and 1 year. Results: The CSORN cohort consisted of 443 patients and the SPORT cohort was made up of 573 patients. Patients in the CSORN cohort were older (p&lt;0.001), and were more likely to be employed (p=0.003). The CSORN cohort demonstrated significantly greater rates of satisfaction after surgery at 3 months (87.2% vs. 65.5%, p=0.003) and 1 year (85.6% vs. 69.0%, p&lt;0.0001). The CSORN cohort was a significant independent predictor of patient satisfaction at 1 year. Conclusions: Patients undergoing surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation in Canada reported higher rates of satisfaction at 3 months and 1 year post-operatively compared to the United States.

Endovascular Repair of an Ilio-Iliac Arteriovenous Fistula with Pseudoaneurysm after Lumbar Disc Surgery: A Case Report

Aortoiliac vascular injury during lumbar disc surgery is potentially life-threatening, but occasionally presents with delayed-onset symptoms. This is a case report of a fistulized pseudoaneurysm presenting with claudication. A 73-year-old female presented with swelling of the left leg and short-distance claudication. Two months prior, she had undergone discectomy for the management of right foot drop caused by an L4-L5 herniated lumbar disc. The left ankle-brachial index was 0.71. Computed tomography angiography revealed a 31 mm×20 mm pseudoaneurysm of the left common iliac artery fistulized to the left common iliac vein. The patient was successfully treated with stent graft placement.

The Effect of Computer-Based Training on Self-care and Daily Living Activities in Patients With Lumbar Discectomy Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This research was conducted to determine the effect of computer-based discharge training on patients with lumbar disc surgery on self-care agency and independence in daily living activities. A randomized controlled study was conducted on 60 patients, 30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. Computer-based lumbar disc surgery discharge training and a CD containing the training content were given to the intervention group after the surgery, whereas the control group received routine discharge training in the ward. The data of the study were collected using a Patient Information Form, the modified Barthel Index, and the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale. The increase in the modified Barthel Index and Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale scores after training in the intervention and control groups were statistically significant (P < .001). The increase in Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale scores after the training was found to be higher in the intervention group than in the control group. There was no difference between the modified Barthel Index mean scores before and after the training between the groups (P > .05). Computer-based discharge training improved the participants' independence in their daily living activities and increased the self-care power of the patients compared with the control group.

The Effect of Prone Position on the Integrated Pulmonary Index (IPI) Score in Lumbar Disc Surgeries Performed with Spinal Anesthesia

The Effect of Prone Position on the Integrated Pulmonary Index (IPI) Score in Lumbar Disc Surgeries Performed with Spinal Anesthesia

A prospective study of the relation of patient-reported outcome measures with lumbar disc surgery for herniated lumbar disc

Introduction: The aim of this 6-month prospective study was to seek out the factors affecting surgical outcome, predictors of treatment response and their correlates in open discectomy for herniated lumbar disc. Methods and Materials: Eighty patients who fulfilled the required criteria were chosen. Socio-demographic, clinical data proforma, Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) Scale for subjective and objective pain related QoL, General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) for screening mental health, Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey for assessing Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) for measurement of clinical depression were used at the preoperative stage and reassessed again at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-discectomy. Results: Postoperatively, VAS and JOA Scale scores continued to show improvement at each follow up (p&lt;0.001). Majority of the SF-36 subscales showed significant improvement at 3-months and 6-months of the postoperative period. A significant correlation was seen between the duration of pain symptoms and depression scores at 6 months (rho 0.301 p&lt;0.01). Baseline VAS score had a significant negative correlation with baseline Physical Functioning and General Health scores at 6 months. The duration and severity of pain symptoms before surgery predicted the depression scores at 6 months (adjusted R square 0.056 p&lt;0.001) postoperatively. Conclusion: The discectomy procedure resulted in significant improvement in baseline subjective pain symptoms and overall HRQOL. Greater the duration and intensity of pain symptoms at baseline, greater was the depression scores and lesser was the SF-36 physical functioning and general health at 6-month postoperative period.

Establishment of a Rabbit Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model by Percutaneous Posterolateral Puncturing of Lumbar Discs Under Local Anesthesia

An anterior approach is applied to establish the majority of rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) models in current studies. However, for research on disc repair via biomaterial implantation and tissue engineering, this traditional model establishment method has many shortcomings, such as the risk of general anesthesia, unnecessary tissue damage, and the influence of scar formation on the visual field for secondary implantation surgery. The aim of this study was to report a modified method of establishing an IDD model by applying percutaneous posterolateral puncturing for rabbit lumbar disc surgery under local anesthesia. We built a rabbit model of IDD by percutaneous posterolateral annulus fibrosus puncturing (AFP) (with or without nucleus pulposus aspiration [NPA]) under local anesthesia. Then, we analyzed the outcome after 12 weeks via magnetic resonance images, disc height changes, and disc histologic grades determined from morphologic observation and histologic analyses (hematoxylin and eosin and safranin-O staining and type II collagen expression analysis). The IDD model was successfully built based on both AFP and AFP/NPA, as demonstrated by the results of magnetic resonance imaging index, morphologic, and histologic analyses. Both methods can successfully produce an IDD model after 12 weeks. However, we found that the addition of NPA significantly enhanced the modeling results. Our results show that percutaneous posterolateral AFP/NPA of rabbit lumbar discs under local anesthesia is a minimally invasive, safe and reproducible method of establishing an IDD model. The posterolateral surgical approach is especially suitable for disc regeneration studies that require secondary biomaterial implantation via an anterior approach after the IDD model is established.

P69. The influence of cognitive behavioral therapy on lumbar spine surgery outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

P69. The influence of cognitive behavioral therapy on lumbar spine surgery outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Our clinical experiences of vascular injuries due to lumbar disc surgeries.

We aimed to evaluate emergency vascular complications of the lumbar disc reconstructive surgery in this study. Between March 2006 and February 2020, nine patients (six males and three females; mean age: 53.4 ± 9.6 years; range: 38-64 years) who underwent emergent vascular intervention during lumbar spinal disc reconstructive surgery in our clinic were included in this retrospective study. The left common iliac artery injury, the left common iliac artery and left common iliac vein injuries, bilateral common iliac artery and abdominal aortic injuries, and vena cava inferior injury with left common iliac vein and right common iliac vein injuries were detected in two, three, two, and two patients, respectively. In addition, 16 mm Dacron tube graft interposition and graft patch plasty were performed in one and two patients who had an abdominal aortic injury, respectively. Also, 8 mm polytetrafluoroethylene straight graft interposition was performed in two patients with left common iliac artery injury, and lateral wall repair was performed in other patients. Graft patch plasty and 8 mm polytetrafluoroethylene graft interposition were performed in one patient with vena cava inferior injury and left common iliac vein injury, respectively. Also, lateral wall repair was performed in other patients with venous injuries. Deep venous thrombosis had developed in three patients, and one patient of these had a pulmonary embolism. The incidence of vascular injury after the lumbar disc surgery is relatively low; however, the emergency vascular operation should be performed as soon as possible.

Efficacy of Intravenous Paracetamol and Ibuprofen on Postoperative Pain and Morphine Consumption in Lumbar Disc Surgery: Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

ObjectivesEffective postoperative pain management after lumbar disc surgery reduces complications and improves postoperative care. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study is to evaluate the effects of IV paracetamol and ibuprofen on postoperative pain, morphine consumption and side effects of morphine in patients who underwent lumbar disc surgery. Materials and methodsSeventy-five patients aged 18-85 years scheduled for lumbar disk surgery with a single level laminectomy included in this study. All patients received morphine with an IV patient-controlled analgesia device during the first postoperative 24hour. The patients were divided randomly and double-blinded into three groups (control, paracetamol and ibuprofen). The demographic characteristics and procedure data, VAS score, cumulative morphine consumption, opioid-related side effects were recorded. ResultsThere was no significant difference regarding to demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and durations of anesthesia and surgery. There was a significant difference between all groups regarding to total morphine consumption (P<0.001). IV ibuprofen significantly reduced the total morphine consumption in comparison with control and paracetamol (P<0.001). Repeated measures ANOVA showed in all periods of the study that VAS score was significantly lower in ibuprofen (P<0.001), but not in paracetamol (P=0.394) in comparison with control. There was no difference between groups regarding postoperative heart rate, mean arterial pressure, nausea-vomiting, pruritus and urinary retention. ConclusionsThis study showed that pain scores and morphine consumption, but not the side effects of patient-controlled analgesia during 24hours after the lumbar disk surgery, were significantly reduced by IV ibuprofen as a supplemental analgesic when compared with controls and paracetamols.

Postoperative Epidural Fibrosis Prevention: Which Is Better-Autologous Fat versus Gelfoam.

Study DesignProspective, randomized study of 100 patients with prolapsed intervertebral disc with an average of 12- to 18-month follow-up postoperatively.PurposeTo compare the role of Gelfoam and autologous fat in the prevention of postoperative epidural fibrosis (EF) after lumbar spine surgery.Overview of LiteratureEF is a possible sequelae of lumbar disc surgery. Different treatments and surgical strategies have been attempted to prevent postoperative fibrosis without providing consistent long-term results.MethodsThe study was conducted on 100 adult patients. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 50 patients each: group A, autologous fat group, and group B, Gelfoam group. The postoperative follow-up was conducted at intervals of 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Both groups were evaluated clinically (Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire [ODI], Visual Analog Scale [VAS], Straight Leg Raising Test [SLRT]) and radiologically (using Ross grading by contrast magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) for development of radicular pain and hence EF.ResultsBased on the analysis, improvement in mean values of ODI score, VAS score, and SLRT were found to be statistically significant postoperatively at intervals of 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months when compared individually in both groups. However, improvement was greater in the autologous fat group than in the Gelfoam group. Based on contrast-enhanced MRI, the number of patients who developed EF was smaller in the autologous fat group than in the Gelfoam group.ConclusionsIn the present study, on clinical and radiological assessment, we conclude that both groups prevent radicular pain and postoperative EF individually but relatively autologous fat was found to be more effective than Gelfoam in the prevention of EF and hence radicular pain.

The effect of preoperative sublingual buprenorphine on postoperative pain after lumbar discectomy: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLumbar discectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed to manage pain caused by the protrusion of an intervertebral disc. Postoperative pain management can be challenging and might lead to increased intake of opioids. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative sublingual buprenorphine on severity of pain after lumbar disc surgery and postoperative intake of morphine. MethodsThis Randomized clinical trial study was performed on 78 patients who were selected for lumbar discectomy surgery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 39 patients, each. Patients in the buprenorphine and placebo group received 2 mg buprenorphine sublingual, and placebo 1 h before surgery. Severity of pain, nausea, vomiting and pruritus and intake of opioids in the two groups were evaluated and recorded 1, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery. Data were analyzed using SPSSv21. ResultsThere was a significant difference in pain score in buprenorphine group at 1, 6, 12, and compared with placebo (P < 0.005). In the control group, the use of analgesics was more than the buprenorphine group. In the first hours after surgery (1–6 h), the incidence of nausea in the buprenorphine group was significantly lower than of the control group (P < 0.05). However, at 12 and 24 h, this difference was not observed, p > 0.05. There was no significant difference in incidence of side effects (nausea, vomiting, pruritus) in the two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionSublingual buprenorphine in postoperative pain management is an effective and low dose drug. Due to its simpler administration, it is recommended to relief postoperative pain after lumbar disc surgery.

Clinical Outcomes of Incidental Dural Tears During Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

Background: A dural tear (DT) is the most commonly encountered complication during lumbar spine surgery. The incidence of DT increases depending on the complexity of the surgical procedure and the presence of a DT is related to a poor outcome and patient satisfaction.Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence and clinical outcomes of DTs in those patients who undergo lumbar disc surgery.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent surgery for the management of a primary single-level lumbar disc herniation at a single institution between 2004 and 2014. Among the studied population, those with DTs were included in the study group. An age- and sex-matched group of randomly selected patients who underwent the same level and type of lumbar spine surgery, but did not develop DTs, were assigned as the control group. The outcomes were compared at 12 months postoperatively between the groups.Results: A total of 5,476 consecutive patients (2,608 female, 2,868 male; mean age, 54 ± 11.45 [range, 21-86] years) underwent surgery for primary single-level lumbar disc herniation. DT was noted in 192 (2.85%) cases. Of these, 102 patients with complete data were included in the DT group. The DT group had a significantly increased length of hospital stay (p = 0.001). Also, the duration of bed rest in the hospital was significantly higher in patients wherein DT was repaired using hemostatic material and fibrin glue, compared to the patients with primary closure with suturing of the tear.Conclusion: Incidental DTs, if recognized and treated appropriately, will not lead to poor clinical results and do not adversely impact postoperative outcomes.

Spinal Anesthesia Versus General Anesthesia for Elective Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Either general or regional anesthesia can be used for lumbar disk surgery. The common anesthetic technique is general anesthesia (GA). The aim of this study was to compare the intra and postoperative outcomes of spinal anesthesia (SA) with GA in these patients.Seventy-two patients were enrolled in the study. They were randomized into two groups with 37 patients in GA Group and 35 ones in SA Group. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood loss, surgeons satisfaction with the operating conditions, the severity of postoperative pain based on visual analogue scale (VAS) and analgesic use were recorded.The mean blood loss was significantly less in the SA Group compared to GA Group (p < 0.05). Intraoperative maximum blood pressure and heart rate changes were significantly less in SA Group (p < 0.05). The surgeons satisfaction was significantly more in the SA Group (p < 0.05). The number of patients who used postoperative analgesic as well as postoperative mean VAS was significantly less in SA Group in comparison with GA group (p < 0.05 for both).Our study showed that SA was superior to GA in providing postoperative analgesia and decreasing blood loss while maintained better perioperative hemodynamic stability without increasing adverse side effects.

Assessing the Effect of Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine on Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Apoptotic Factors: A Clinical Trial Study in Lumbar Disc Surgery

Background: Dexmedetomidine protective effects on apoptosis in the brain and peripheral organs have been reported in vivo and in vitro. Apoptotic factors of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may influence the prognosis of patients undergoing open discectomy surgery. Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine administration on the CSF levels of apoptotic factors and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar discectomy. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on patients undergoing open lumbar discectomy. Forty patients were randomly divided into control and dexmedetomidine groups. In the dexmedetomidine group, 0.1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine was intrathecally injected after anesthesia induction. Patients’ hemodynamic status during surgery was recorded; additionally, their pain scores were recorded by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) in the recovery room. The levels of apoptotic factors including Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the CSF were measured at the beginning and end of discectomy, and the results were compared between the two groups. Results: Of the 40 evaluated patients, the mean levels of caspase-3 in the intervention and control groups were 2.28 ± 0.35 and 2.34 ± 0.32 ng/mL before surgery and 2.56 ± 0.42 and 2.72 ± 0.39 ng/mL after surgery, respectively. The levels of Bax/Bcl-2 in the intervention and control groups were 1.01 ± 0.11 and 0.89 ± 0.07 before surgery and 1.28 ± 0.14 and 1.16 ± 0.19 after surgery, respectively. The levels of these two factors were not significantly different. However, the NRS scores were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the control group. Conclusions: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine could significantly and safely reduce the NRS score in the intervention group but did not have any significant effect on the CSF levels of apoptotic factors before and after lumbar discectomy surgery.