Biomechanical Analysis of Biodegradable Cervical Plates Developed for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Study Design In-vitro biomechanical investigation. Purpose To evaluate the biomechanical effects of the degeneration of the biodegradable cervical plates developed for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on fusion and adjacent levels. Overview of Literature Biodegradable implants have been recently introduced for cervical spine surgery. However, their effectiveness and safety remains unclear. Methods A linear three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the lower cervical spine, comprising the C4–C6 vertebrae was developed using computed tomography images of a 46-year-old woman. The model was validated by comparison with previous reports. Four models of ACDF were analyzed and compared: (1) a titanium plate and bone block (Tita), (2) strong biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-4G) that represents the early state of the biodegradable plate with full strength, (3) weak biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-1G) that represents the late state of the biodegradable plate with decreased strength, and (4) stand-alone bone block (Bloc). FE analysis was performed to investigate the relative motion and intervertebral disc stress at the surgical (C5–C6 segment) and adjacent (C4–C5 segment) levels. Results The Tita and PLA-4G models were superior to the other models in terms of higher segment stiffness, smaller relative motion, and lower bone stress at the surgical level. However, the maximal von Mises stress at the intervertebral disc at the adjacent level was significantly higher in the Tita and PLA-4G models than in the other models. The relative motion at the adjacent level was significantly lower in the PLA-1G and Bloc models than in the other models. Conclusions The use of biodegradable plates will enhance spinal fusion in the initial stronger period and prevent adjacent segment degeneration in the later, weaker period

The Effect of Evogliptin Tartrate on Controlling Inflammatory Pain

Background: Evogliptin tartrate inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), boosting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion and improving insulin release and glucose tolerance, while also exerting anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Methods: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into (N = 10 in each): (1) naïve, (2) complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) inflammation + evogliptin tartrate (once for 10 mg/kg) (CFAE), (3) CFA + vehicle (same volume with normal saline with evogliptin tartrate/once) (CFAV), and (4) CFA + indomethacin (5 mg/mL/kg/1 time) (CFAI) groups. CFA was injected subcutaneously into rat plantar regions, and medications (evogliptin tartrate, vehicle, and indomethacin) were administered orally for 5 days. Post treatment, blood from the heart and plantar inflammatory tissue were collected to assess inflammatory cytokines. Evogliptin tartrate effects on controlling inflammation and pain were evaluated by measuring rat plantar paw thickness, paw withdrawal threshold, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) resting membrane potential, DRG action potential firing, and cytokine (TNF-α and IL-1β) levels. Results: Compared with the naïve group, plantar paw thickness, cytokine (TNF-α and IL-1β) levels, DRG resting membrane potential, and DRG action potential firing increased, whereas the paw withdrawal threshold decreased in all CFA groups. However, CFAE and CFAI rats showed recovery. The degree of CFAE recovery resembled that observed in the CFAI group. Conclusions: Evogliptin tartrate mirrored the anti-inflammatory pain relief of indomethacin. We aim to broaden its use as an anti-inflammatory drug or pain relief drug

Clinical Significance of Epidurography Contrast Patterns after Adhesiolysis during Lumbar Percutaneous Epidural Neuroplasty

Background. The correlation between epidurography contrast patterns and the clinical outcomes of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN) remains unclear. Objective. To analyze the correlation between postadhesiolysis epidurography contrast patterns and the clinical outcomes of patients who undergo lumbar PEN. Design. This study is a retrospective analysis of 78 consecutive patients who underwent lumbar PEN between April 2012 and March 2013. Setting. The analysis was done in the university hospital center. Method. The clinical outcomes of all patients were assessed before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after undergoing lumbar PEN. Specifically, the intensity of back and leg pain, quality of life, and procedural outcomes were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Results. The VAS scores for back and leg pain, ODI score, and SF-12 score exhibited a significant improvement during the follow-up period (P<0.01 versus preprocedural scores). At most follow-up time points, patients exhibiting extraforaminal contrast distribution n=22 on postadhesiolysis epidurograms exhibited a similar improvement in VAS scores and a significantly better improvement in ODI and SF-12 scores compared with patients exhibiting intracanal contrast distribution n=56. Conclusion. Extraforaminal contrast distribution during lumbar PEN may be associated with better functional outcomes