Pars interarticularis repair using pedicle screws and laminar hooks fixation technique in patients with symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis

Study Design: Prospective case series. Purpose: To assess the outcomes of pars repair surgery using pedicle screws and laminar hooks. Methods: This study was conducted on 22 patients with symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis. Curettage of the fibrocartilage in the defect and drilling of the sclerotic bone ends were done, followed by impaction of cancellous bone graft. Pedicle screws were inserted bilaterally in the corresponding pedicles and connected to a laminar hook via rods (screw-rod-hook fixation). The intensity of back pain and the functional outcome were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Plain radiographs were performed immediately postoperatively and after 3 and 6 months. CT scan was done at the final follow-up to assess pars healing. The mean follow-up period was 27 months. Results: The mean preoperative VAS and ODI were 7.4 ± 0.8 and 64.8 ± 6.7, which improved to 2.4 ± 0.8 and 20 ± 6 respectively at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). Healing of the defect was found in 19 patients at the final follow-up. Non-fusion with graft resorption was noticed in the remaining 3 cases (13.6%). However, postoperative VAS and ODI values improved even in the radiologically non-fused patients. Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV. Conclusion: Pars repair using pedicle screws and laminar hooks is a relatively simple yet effective procedure

Plate Augmentation Combined with Bone Grafting For Asptic Non-union Of Femoral Shaft Fractures Following Interlocking Nails

The aim of this study was to evaluate plate augmentation over previously inserted interlocking nails, combined with iliac bone grafting in treating aseptic femoral shaft non-unions. The research was conducted prospectively on 34 patients. A narrow dynamic compression plate was placed while the nail was retained. All the screws were directed posterior to the nail. There were 25 males and 9 females with mean age of 36.6 years old. The mean operative time was 95 minutes with 320ml blood loss. 28 patients showed solid healing by 6 months postoperatively (82%). By 8 months, all patients showed solid union (mean 6.3 months). Full range was regained in both hips and knees and all patients could walk bearing full weight without supportive devices by 8 months. Where non-union occurs over an interlocking nail, augmenting it with a plate and bone grafting appears to be an effective treatment method to obtain solid union

interbody fusion versus posterolateral fusion in treatment of low grade lytic spondylolisthesis

Objectives. A prospective randomized study to compare the outcome of two widely used fusion methods; posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) in treatment of adult low grade lytic spondylolisthesis to know which is ideal.Methods. 40 consecutive patients with single level lytic spondylolisthesis were randomly divided into two treatment groups when undergoing surgery. Blood loss and operative time were recorded. Patients were postoperatively assessed using JOA score. Union rate was assessed. They were followed up for a minimum of 2 years.Results. No differences were found between both groups as regards operative time, blood loss. At 2 years follow up, statistically significant improvement in JOA scores were found in both fusion groups. However, no difference could be found between the groups. Both groups showed solid fusion with no evidence of non-union in all cases.Conclusion. Both methods appear to be equally effective in treatment of the condition

Posterior approach for cervical fracture–dislocations with traumatic disc herniation

In the treatment algorithm for cervical spine fracture–dislocations, the recommended approach for treatment if there is a disc fragment in the canal is the anterior approach. The posterior approach is not common because of the disadvantage of potential neurological deterioration during reduction in traumatic cervical herniation patients. However, reports about the frequency of this deterioration and the behavior of disc fragments after reduction are scarce. Forty patients with traumatic disc herniation were observed. They represented 29.2% of 137 consecutive patients with subaxial cervical spine fracture–dislocations. Surgical planning was performed according to our two-stage algorithm. In the first stage, they were treated with posterior open reduction and posterior spine arthrodesis. In the second stage, anterior surgery was added for cases where neurological deterioration attributed to non-reduced disc fragments on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neurological deterioration after posterior open reduction was not observed. Furthermore, 25% of total cases and 75% of incomplete paralysis cases improved postoperatively by ≥1 grade in the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale. Reduction or reversal of disc herniation was observed in all cases undergoing postoperative MRI. For local sagittal alignment, preoperative 9.4° kyphosis was corrected to 6.9° lordosis postoperatively. The disc height ratio was 72.4% preoperatively and 106.3% postoperatively. The second stage of our plan was not required after the posterior approach in this series. The incidence of neurological deterioration after posterior open reduction was zero, even in cases with traumatic cervical disc herniation. Favorable clinical and radiological outcomes could be obtained by the first stage alone. Although preparations for prompt anterior surgery should always be made to cover any contingency, the need for them is minimal