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The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on instrumented posterolateral spinal fusion and device-related stress shielding.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was designed to examine stress-shielding effects on the spine caused by rigid implants and to investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on the instrumented spine. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on posterolateral spinal fusion, and to determine if osteopenia induced by rigid instrumentation can be diminished by pulsed electromagnetic fields. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although device-related osteopenia on vertebral bodies is of a great clinical importance, no method for preventing bone mineral loss in vertebrae by stiff spinal implants has been effective. METHODS: Twenty-eight adult beagles underwent L5-L6 destabilization followed by posterolateral spinal fusion. The study was divided into four groups: 1) Group CNTL: without instrumentation, without pulsed electromagnetic fields, 2) Group PEMF: without Steffee, with pulsed electromagnetic fields, 3) Group INST: with Steffee, without pulsed electromagnetic fields, 4) Group PEMF + INST: with Steffee, with pulsed electromagnetic fields. At the end of 24 weeks, the dogs were killed, and L4-L7 segments were tested biomechanically without instrumentation. Radiographs and quantitative computed tomography assessed the condition of the fusion mass. RESULTS: Stress shielding was induced in the anterior vertebral bodies of L6 with the Steffee plates; bone mineral density was increased with the addition of pulsed electromagnetic fields, regardless of the presence or absence of fixation. A decrease in flexion and bending stiffness was observed in the Group INST; pulsed electromagnetic fields did increase the flexion stiffness regardless of the presence or absence of fixation, although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Use of pulsed electromagnetic fields has the potential to minimize device-related vertebral-bone mineral loss.

Animals↗

Efficacy of aprotinin in reducing blood loss in spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis.

Aprotinin is a proteinase inhibitor with antifibrinolytic properties that has found widespread application during cardiac surgical procedures due to its ability to decrease blood loss and transfusion requirements. Recently it has been used by orthopedic surgeons in hip replacement and other major surgeries except for scoliosis surgery, which is known to be associated with major blood loss. To evaluate the effect of aprotinin in reducing blood loss during spinal fusion surgery for idiopathic scoliosis, a double-blind randomized prospective clinical study was performed. Forty-three patients with idiopathic scoliosis underwent spinal fusion and instrumentation and were divided randomly into two groups. Fifteen patients received aprotinin, whereas 28 patients received placebo. The aprotinin group had less blood loss than the placebo group. The transfusion requirement was less in the aprotinin group than the placebo group. Although the difference was not significant statistically, the benefit of aprotinin in reducing blood loss in spinal surgery for idiopathic scoliosis was consistent.

Adolescent↗

[Experimental study of chemical spinal fusion in the rabbit by means of bone morphogenetic protein].

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is known to induce mesenchymal cell production of cartilage. During the regeneration process after chemonucleolysis, fibroblastic cells are supposed to migrate into the disc space. These migrated cells could contain BMP-responding cells. The present study was undertaken to investigate anterior spinal fusion of rabbits produced by intradisc injection of BMP after chemonucleolysis with chymopapain. After intradisc injection of BMP, roentgenographs revealed calcification of disc space. Calcification was more obvious in discs pretreated with chymopapain than in non-pretreated discs. Histology showed this calcification to be ossification of the nucleus pulposus and the anterior longitudinal ligament. Ossification was more obvious along the anterior longitudinal ligament than in the nucleus pulposus. In some cases, ossification led to the formation of bony bridges along the anterior longitudinal ligament. These results indicate that anterior spinal fusion can be produced by intradisc injection of chemicals.

Animals↗

Resorbable cages for spinal fusion: an experimental goat model.

OBJECT: A biomechanical cadaveric study and an in vivo monosegmental spinal fusion study were performed to evaluate a novel bioresorbable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) cage. METHODS: The yield strength of a spinal segment was chosen as the main design parameter for the resorbable cages to be used in a goat model. In a 3-year in vivo study the authors found fusion to be significantly faster and more complete when using PLLA cages compared to titanium cages with the same dimensions. In the PLLA group, the intervertebral grafting height did not change and bone remodeling within the cage was completed 2 years after implantation. In terms of degradation of the PLLA, similar features were observed in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Degradation was almost completed 3 years after implantation. Tissue reaction was mild during the 3-year period.

Absorbable Implants↗

Fenoldopam for controlled hypotension during spinal fusion in children and adolescents.

Fenoldopam is a dopamine1 agonist whose pharmacological effects include vasodilation of the vascular beds of the kidney, mesentery, skeletal muscle, and coronary systems, resulting in a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure. The current retrospective review outlines the use of fenoldopam for controlled hypotension during anterior or posterior spinal fusion in 10 children and adolescents, aged 8-14 years and weighing 22-61 kg. Fenoldopam was infused at a starting dose of 0.3-0.5 microg.kg-1. min-1 and increased incrementally to achieve a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 50-65 mmHg. The desired MAP was achieved in 4-11 min (7+/-2.5 min). The fenoldopam infusion was administered for 135-225 min (160+/-25 min) in doses ranging from 0.2 to 2.5 microg. kg-1.min-1. The mean fenoldopam infusion rate for the 10 cases varied from 0.5 to 1.4 microg.kg-1.min-1 (1.0+/-0.3 microg.kg-1. min-1). No excessive hypotension or clinically significant adverse effects were noted. Statistically significant, but clinically insignificant, increases in heart rate and decreases in PaO2 were noted during the fenoldopam infusion. The baseline heart rate increased from 87+/-13 b.min-1 to a maximum of 114+/-16 b.min-1 (P < 0.0001) during the fenoldopam infusion. In the six patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion, the baseline PaO2 decreased from 232+/-7 mmHg to a low of 199+/-11 mmHg (P=0.0004) during the fenoldopam infusion. Fenoldopam can be used to provide controlled hypotension during spinal surgery in children and adolescents. Future studies, with direct comparison to other commonly used agents, are needed to better define its advantages and disadvantages as well as its effects on estimated blood loss.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of thoracoscopic and open thoracic discectomy in a live ovine model for anterior spinal fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: The authors undertook a randomized comparison of 30 thoracoscopic and 30 open thoracic discectomies for anterior spinal fusion in a live sheep model. OBJECTIVES: To compare in a live sheep model discectomies performed using a thoracoscopic technique with those using an open thoracotomy technique to validate the efficacy of thoracoscopic disc and end plate removal for potential fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In 1993, Mack and Regan described a technique for video-assisted thoracic surgery that resulted in less morbidity than open techniques. Subsequent reports support the finding that thoracoscopic spinal surgery results in less morbidity. METHODS: Sixty discectomies were performed in 10 live sheep. In each sheep, three randomly selected discectomies were performed thoracoscopically, and, subsequently, three open discectomies were performed. The animal then was killed, and the spine was sectioned and analyzed by computer imaging. RESULTS: Statistical analysis found no significant difference in the amount of disc resected (t' = 1.9639, t0.025, 60 = 2.000, alpha = 0.05). The mean percentage of disc resected was 67.8% (range, 0-92.2%) in the thoracoscopic group and 76.1% (range, 44.9-95.4%) in the open group. More than 50% of the disc was excised in 27 of 30 spines (90%) in the thoracoscopic group and in 29 of 30 (96.7%) in the open group. This difference was not statistically significant (theta 2(0.05, 1) = 3.84, theta 2' = 1.07). CONCLUSION: The findings in this study indicate that the thoracoscopic discectomy technique is equivalent to the open technique in the amount of disc and end plate resected. In addition, these findings suggest that thoracoscopic discectomies provide adequate disc resection to provide for an acceptable fusion rate according to the criteria demonstrated by Bunnell in 1982 and therefore support the efficacy of a thoracoscopic technique for anterior spinal fusion.

Animals↗

Postoperative deep wound infections in adults after spinal fusion: management with vacuum-assisted wound closure.

OBJECTIVE: Vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) exposes the wound bed to negative pressure, resulting in removal of edema fluid, improvement of blood supply, and stimulation of cellular proliferation of reparative granulation tissue. It has been used to treat open wounds in the extremities, open sternal wounds, pressure ulcers, and abdominal wall wounds. This study retrospectively reviewed instrumented spine fusions complicated by surgical wound infection and managed by a protocol including the use of VAC in order to evaluate the efficacy of applying vacuum therapy on patients with deep spine infections and exposed instrumentation. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with deep wound infections after undergoing spinal fusion procedures were studied. There were 12 men and 8 women with an average age of 55 years (31-81 years). Eight patients had undergone concomitant anterior and posterior arthrodesis, nine patients had a posterior spinal fusion, and three patients had a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Seven patients had a decompression with exposed dura. Sixteen patients presented with a draining wound within the first 6 weeks postoperatively (average 24 days). There were four patients who presented with back pain and temperature after 1 year postoperatively (average 3 years). All patients were taken to the operating room for irrigation and debridement followed by placement of the VAC with subsequent delayed closure of the wound. RESULTS: There was an average of 1.8 (1-8) irrigation and debridement procedures prior to placement of the VAC. Once the VAC was initiated, there was an average of 2.2 (2-3) procedures until and including closure of the wound. The wound was closed an average of 7 days (5-14 days) after the placement of the initial VAC in the wound. All patients tolerated the VAC without adverse effects. All patients were kept on a 6-week course of intravenous antibiotic therapy. The average follow-up was 10 months (6-24 months). There were no cases of uncontrolled sepsis once the VAC was initiated. All patients achieved a clean closed wound without removal of instrumentation at a minimum follow-up of 6 months. CONCLUSION: VAC therapy is an effective adjunct in closing complex deep spinal wounds with exposed instrumentation.

Adult↗

The effect of instrumentation on human spinal fusion mass.

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a prospective histomorphometric evaluation of human spinal fusion bone using video dimensional analysis. OBJECTIVES: Little information exists regarding the biology of fusion mass (FM) and the effect that instrumentation has on FM quality. Concerns regarding potential for "stress shielding" of FM with rigid implants have arisen. The goal of this study was to determine what effect spinal implants have on the quality and metabolism of FM bone. METHODS: Fifty-six patients underwent surgeries to remove spinal implants or extend a fusion after pulse-dose labeling with fluorochrome. Twelve patients had undergone fusions without instrumentation. Duplicate biopsies of FM and iliac crest (IC) were obtained and evaluated blindly for mineralized volume, trabecular thickness, mineralization rate, and bone formation rate. Iliac crest, instrumented FM, and noninstrumented FM were compared. RESULTS: Instrumental FM had superior material properties relative to noninstrumented FM or IC. No significant difference in metabolic activity was present. CONCLUSION: Instrumentation does not lead to FM "stress-shielding."

Adolescent↗

Resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient in adolescents following spinal fusion surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, 2-factor design. The first factor was the group with 2 levels, spine surgery and control. The second factor was timing with 3 levels, baseline, 1-week follow-up, and 6-week follow-up. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in caloric requirements and the body's nutritional substrate utilization following spinal surgery in adolescents. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In an effort to optimize recovery from and assure best possible outcomes after spinal surgery in adolescents, the nutritional requirements of spine surgery patients were evaluated. METHODS: Indirect calorimetry was used to measure resting energy expenditure, a measure of caloric requirements, and respiratory quotient, an indication of percentages of fat, protein, and carbohydrate utilization. Twenty-three patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery were evaluated immediately before surgery, at an average of 4.8 days after surgery, and at an average 53 days follow-up. A control group of 15 patients completed the same series of 3 tests: baseline, 1-week later, and 6-weeks later. RESULTS: Resting energy expenditure increased significantly by 150 kcal/day (2.7 kcal/kg/day) following spinal fusion surgery in adolescents. By 6 weeks postoperation, patient's caloric requirements returned to baseline level. No changes in resting energy expenditure occurred in the control group between the 3 test periods. Anterior/posterior surgeries and single surgeries had similar kcal/kg/day requirements after surgery. Respiratory quotient decreased significantly following surgery (0.79 to 0.70), indicating a shift to fat oxidation after surgery. At 6 weeks postoperation, the respiratory quotient returned to baseline level. The control group demonstrated no change in the respiratory quotient during the 3 testing periods. CONCLUSIONS: Substrate utilization shifts to fat oxidation in adolescents following spinal surgery, indicating lipids would be the alimentation of choice immediately after surgery. Caloric requirements increase 9% above the baseline measurements. Anterior/posterior surgeries and single surgeries (anterior or posterior alone) have the same increase in kcal/kg/day. Because of the substrate utilization change by the body after surgery, a preponderance of these calories should initially be given as lipids. After approximately 6 weeks, both resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient returned to preoperative levels following spinal surgery in adolescents, indicating special nutrition is not required beyond 6 weeks.

Adolescent↗

The effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors on spinal fusion.

BACKGROUND: Spine surgeons discourage the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs following spine arthrodesis because of their inhibitory effect on bone-healing. To our knowledge, there are no data on the effects of the new cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors on bone-healing. We undertook this study to determine the effects of these more selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on spinal fusion in a rabbit model. METHODS: Seventy-two New Zealand White rabbits underwent a posterolateral intertransverse process arthrodesis with use of autologous iliac crest bone. Sixty-six rabbits survived the surgical procedure and the perioperative period and had an uneventful postoperative course. These rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. One group received 10 mg/kg of celecoxib orally, the second group received 10 mg/kg of indomethacin orally, and the third group (the control group) received 1 cm (3) of saline solution orally. The rabbits received the treatment daily for eight weeks, after which they were killed and the lumbar spine was harvested. The specimens were palpated for motion, radiographed, and prepared for histological analysis. The quality of the fusion was graded at each level by assigning a histological score of 0 to 7. RESULTS: Gross inspection and palpation revealed that 64% (fourteen) of the twenty-two control spines and 45% (ten) of the twenty-two spines in the rabbits treated with celecoxib were fused. With the numbers available, this difference was not significant (p = 0.224). Of the twenty-two spines in the indomethacin-treated rabbits, 18% (four) were fused, and this percentage was significantly different from the control value (p = 0.002). On radiographic assessment, the spine segment was deemed to be fused in 82% (eighteen) of the twenty-two controls, 86% (nineteen) of the twenty-two rabbits treated with celecoxib, and 41% (nine) of the twenty-two indomethacin-treated animals. Only the difference between the indomethacin-treated and control groups was significant (p = 0.004). The histological scores averaged 5.2, 4.8, and 3.5 for the control, celecoxib, and indomethacin groups, respectively. There was a significant difference between the control and indomethacin groups (p = 0.002) but not between the celecoxib and control groups (p = 0.161). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that celecoxib does not significantly inhibit the rate of spinal fusion in rabbits. They also suggest that the inhibitory effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on bone-healing are likely mediated by inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and that celecoxib is the better choice if treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is deemed necessary following spinal arthrodesis.

Administration, Oral↗

Macroporous calcium phosphate ceramic: a prospective study of 106 cases in lumbar spinal fusion.

Macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate (MBCP, Triosite) is well known for its safety, absence of allergenicity, and excellent bone-bonding capacity, and it has been widely used as a bone graft substitute in orthopaedic, ENT, and dental surgery. This study investigates the clinical performance of this synthetic porous ceramic in a series of 106 patients, mainly with degenerative spine aetiologies (95/106) and with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. All patients were treated with posterior correction involving the semi-rigid New Orleans instrumentation. Spinal fusion was always performed using MBCP granules mixed with autogenous bone chips and bone marrow obtained from the local spine. Fusion of the spine was confirmed for 100 patients, and 6 non-unions were observed (3 resulting from primary spondylolisthesis). This study shows that MBCP provides suitable results in spinal fusion involving a semi-rigid instrumentation. Because the indication of degenerative spine is not very favorable to fusion, this technique appears to be a good alternative to autografts and could decrease patient morbidity resulting from iliac bone grafting.

Adolescent↗

Spinal fusion for lumbar instability: does it have a scientific basis?

The validity of spinal fusion for lumbar instability is considered. Some difficulty lies in the interpretation of the term instability. The differing interpretations in the clinical, radiologic, and biomechanical contexts are discussed. These interpretations may only be reconciled if the confusion between hypermobility and instability is removed and some recourse is made to soft tissue integrity. Fusion is considered in the context of the functioning spine as a whole. Although the aim of the surgery is usually to produce a solid arthrodesis, some studies show that this can compromise the functioning of the rest of the spine. Furthermore, there is some evidence that pseudarthrosis itself may not be detrimental. Dynamic imaging offers the potential for improved diagnosis and assessment, but further work is needed to pave the way for better selection criteria and treatment strategies.

Humans↗

Evaluation of a Dallas Pain Questionnaire classification in relation to outcome in lumbar spinal fusion.

Several studies have suggested that psychosocial distress is an important predictor of negative outcome in lumbar spine surgery. Ozguler et al. [Spine 27:1783-1789, 2002, 18] described a classification tool for low back pain patients using the Dallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ) which included a measure of distress. We wanted to evaluate the ability of this classification tool to predict the outcome in spinal fusion patients. Five hundred and sixty-six patients (239 men, 327 women; mean age 46, range 18-81) operated between 1992 and 2002, with a complete DPQ preoperatively and after a minimum of 1-year follow-up, were included. They were classified preoperatively and at follow-up into four groups: group 1 (slight disability), group 2 (intermediate disability), group 3 (major disability) and group 4 (major disability and emotional distress). Using logistic regression, seven predictor variables were investigated: age (-39 years/40-59 years/60+ years), Gender (male/female), Indication (spondylolisthesis/primary degeneration/secondary degeneration), Work status (working/without work or on sick leave/retired or pensioned), Duration of pain (less than 1 year/1-2 years/more than 2 years), Presence of radiating pain (yes/no) and disability/distress [intermediate disability (group 1-2)/major disability (group 3)/major disability and distress (group 4)]. The outcome variable was disability at follow-up (low = group1 + 2/high = group 3 + 4). Preoperative classification was group 1, 1%; group 2, 14%; group 3, 37%; group 4, 48%. Variables found to predict high disability at follow-up were secondary degeneration Odds Ratio (OR) 1.61 (P=0.020), being retired/pensioned OR 3.48 (P<0.0005), age between 40-59 years OR 1.68 (P=0.011), belonging to group 3 OR 2.69 (P=0.003) or belonging to group 4 OR 5.53 (P<0.0005). The classification based on the DPQ were able to identify lumbar spinal fusion patients with a considerable amount of psychological distress in their symptomatology. Furthermore, the presence of distress, as determined by this classification, was a highly significant risk factor for inferior outcome.

Adolescent↗

Interspinous wiring without bone grafting for nonunion or delayed union following anterior spinal fusion of the cervical spine.

Nine patients who had unsuccessful anterior interbody fusion or subtotal spondylectomy and fusion for cervical spondylosis were treated by interspinous wiring without bone grafting. Bone union was confirmed during a mean postoperative period of 2 years and 2 months in seven patients by the disappearance of clear zones observed preoperatively in the disc space, and by continuity of the trabeculae in radiograms. One of the two patients in whom the procedure failed to unite the site of nonunion had received technically inadequate wiring with slight mobility at the wiring site; in the other patient, the grafted bone had collapsed and no sclerotic shadow of the nonunion site was seen at the time of surgery. Both patients underwent wiring after considerable intervals from the time of the initial anterior spinal fusion. We found that satisfactory bone union can be obtained for nonunion or delayed union following anterior cervical spinal fusion by interspinous wiring without further bone grafting if applied to properly selected patients.

Adult↗

Air embolism during posterior spinal fusion.

A 12-year-old healthy girl underwent a 13-level posterior spinal fusion with Harrington rod, Luque instrumentation and Drummond spinous process wires for scoliosis repair. Her anaesthetic induction and initial intraoperative course were completely uneventful until a precipitous blood pressure drop occurred accompanied by a significant decrease in heart rate. The Harrington rod was being manipulated at the same time as bone chips were being removed from the iliac crest. Although more common intraoperative events were presumed and treatment initiated, venous air embolism (VAE) was considered the aetiology of these events when a transient decrease in the end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and an increase in the end-tidal nitrogen (ETN2) was noted by mass spectrometry. This transient episode resolved within a relatively narrow window of time, and the case proceeded without further incident, including a wake-up test, to the conclusion of surgery.

Child↗

Early ambulation with localizer cast following posterior spinal fusion without internal fixation.

One hundred fourteen patients have been treated with posterior spinal fusion with no internal fixation, followed by early ambulation in localizer casts. The group included 114 patients (104 girls and 10 boys) with an average age of 14.5 years at the time of surgery. All patients underwent preoperative Cotrel traction. Localizer casts were fitted during the first postoperative week, and ambulation was begun as soon as supine films in the cast showed acceptable correction. Six months postfusion the localizer casts were removed and replaced with underarm casts, which were maintained for an additional 4 months. We have found this treatment to be quite effective in patients with single curves, with an average curve correction of 44 degrees. Results in patients with double structural curves have been less encouraging, and it would seem that such patients are best treated with internal fixation.

Adolescent↗