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To summarize the experiences of endoscopic assisted anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with self-locking cage via retroperitoneal approach through small incision lateral to abdominal rectus.There were 47 cases of endoscopic assisted ALIF from April 2010 to April 2012 were reviewed retrospectively, including 28 male and 19 female patients whose age ranged from 39 to 65 years, averaged of (48 ± 11) years. Of 47 cases, 17 cases were founded instability in lumbar spine, 16 cases of discogenetic low back pain, 7 cases of degenerative spondylolithesis, and 7 cases of recurrent disc herniation. The level involved included 7 cases at L3-4 level, 33 cases at L4-5 level, 7 cases at L5-S1. X-ray and/or 3D CT scan were done in each patient at post-operative day 4, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The height and angle of disc space, angle of lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS) were recorded and measured, as well as length of incision, operation time, blood loss, complications and ratio of bone graft fusion. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS).Average length of incision was (6.2 ± 0.8)cm (5.3-7.8 cm) , average blood loss was (81 ± 20)ml (50-150 ml) , mean operation time was (96 ± 10)minutes (65-122 minutes) . There were significant improvement of ODI(48% ± 10% vs. 14% ± 5%), the VAS of back pain(6.3 ± 1.1 vs.0.7 ± 0.7) and VAS of leg pain(3.4 ± 2.1 vs.0.6 ± 0.6) during preoperative and postoperation last follow-up (t = 20.78, 25.92 and 8.74, P = 0.000). The disc height of operative segments were all recovered significantly (F = 18.971, P = 0.000) postoperatively, from preoperative (10.3 ± 2.4)mm to postoperative (12.6 ± 2.1)mm. For complications, 5 cases had peritoneum tear, 19 cases had bone donor site pain, 14 cases had abdominal distension and 5 cases had lower limb paraesthesia, which were all treated with supportive managements. Bony intervertebral fusion was obtained in all cases in 6 months postoperatively.The advantages of endoscopic assisted ALIF with self-locking cage via retroperitoneal approach are less damage, rapid recovery, and less blood loss. Comparing with traditional ALIF procedure, the view of operative field is also improved.

To investigate the use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy.From April 2008 to March 2010, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages were performed on 45 patients who suffered from multi-segmental cervical myelopathy, among of them there were 23 male and 22 female, aged from 32 to 67 years (average 53 years). Recording the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and SF-36 scores in the protocol time point, in order to investigate the clinical outcome, meanwhile, accumulating the pre-operation and postoperation X-ray films of cervical spine for measuring the height of intervertebral space, whole curvature of cervical spine and the rate of fusion by repeated measures analysis of variance.The mean follow-up time was 28.4 months (24 - 35 months). JOA scores ascended from preoperative 6.5 ± 3.1 to postoperative 13.4 ± 1.7 (F = 17.84, P = 0.001), the 7 scores of SF-36 improved significantly after operation (t = 1.151 - 12.207, P0.05), but mental health not. The fineness rate was 91.1%. Height of disc space ascended from preoperative (5.5 ± 1.8) mm to postoperative (8.3 ± 0.8) mm (F = 11.71, P = 0.043), globle curvature of cervical spine ascended from preoperative 5° ± 7° to postoperative 10° ± 14° (F = 234.53, P = 0.000), the change of the two index was significantly, respectively. Fat necrosis in one case and hematoma in another case at the bone donor-site were found, both of the two cases were cured by physiotherapy. All of the 45 cases (111 segments) achieved bone fusion.The use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy possess many advantages as follows: satisfactory clinical outcome, minimally invasive, higher fusion rate, higher orthopaedic ability.

To evaluate the different multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) features between pulmonary malignant focal ground-glass opacity (fGGO) nodules and solid nodules of 3cm or less in diameter.One hundred and five malignant solid nodules and 48 malignant fGGOs confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analysed with regard to the patient's demographic data, nodule size and MDCT features (shape, margin, interface, internal characteristics and adjacent structure). Differences were analysed using the Fisher exact test or Mann-Whitney U-test.The male to female ratio of patients with malignant solid nodules (60:45) was higher than that with malignant fGGOs (18:30) (P0.05). There was no significant difference in either patient's age (P0.05) or nodule size (P0.05). The frequency of irregular shape (4% vs. 21%), spiculation (57% vs. 40%), vacuole sign (11% vs. 52%) and natural air bronchograms (0% vs. 24%) was significantly different between malignant solid nodules and fGGOs. No differences were found in the frequency of lobulation, cusp angle, spine-like process, interface and adjacent structure between the two groups (P0.05).Malignant fGGOs and solid nodules showed mostly similar MDCT features. For malignant fGGOs, the frequency of irregular shape, vacuole sign and natural air bronchograms was higher than that in solid nodules, but the frequency of spiculation was lower than that in solid nodules.

To explore the clinical outcome of unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus single cage interbody fusion through spatium intermuscular of multifidus by Quadrant system.From April 2008 to April 2009, 47 patients underwent unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus single cage interbody fusion through spatium intermuscular of multifidus. There were 22 males and 25 females with the mean age of 58.2 years (range, 46-74 years). Among them 12 cases had far-lateral lumbar disc herniation, 7 cases had post-discectomy recurrence, and 28 cases had degenerative instability. Thirty-seven cases were treated with lumbar interbody fusion through transforaminal approach, 10 cases through posterior approach. After surgery, the radiography was carried out to demonstrate the fusion status, and the Nakai criterion was used for assessment.The average skin incision length was 3.2 cm (range, 3.0 to 3.5 cm), the average operative time was 90 min (range, 70 to 160 min), and the average blood loss was 130 ml (range, 90 to 360 ml). All cases were followed up for 8 - 20 months (average 13.6 months). Postoperative radiography showed no evidence of instrument failure, and 43 cases got bone fusion, 4 cases got suspicious fusion. At final followed-up the average leg pain VAS decreased from 7.4 ± 1.1 preoperatively to 2.4 ± 1.3 postoperatively, the average low back pain VAS decreased from 6.7 ± 1.3 preoperatively to 1.8 ± 1.5 postoperatively. According to Nakai criterion, 31 cases were rated as excellent, 11 cases as good, and 5 cases as fair with the total excellent and good rate of 89.4%.Unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus single cage interbody fusion through spatium intermuscular of multifidus has some advantages of minimal invasiveness, less blood loss, less complications and reliable curative effect. It is a satisfactory lumbar fusion method under suitable indication.