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Background This study was to evaluate and compare the biomechanical features of multilevel lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with or without supplemental instrumentations. Methods Six human lumbar specimens were tested under multidirectional nondestructive moments (7.5 N·m), with a 6 degree-of-freedom spine simulator. The overall and intervertebral range of motion (ROM) were measured optoelectronically. Each specimen was tested under the following conditions at L2–5 levels: intact; stand-alone; cage supplemented with lateral plate (LP); cage supplemented with unilateral or bilateral pedicle screw/rod (UPS or BPS). Results Compared with intact condition, the overall and intersegmental ROM were significantly reduced after multilevel stand-alone LLIF. The ROM was further reduced after using LP instrumentation. In flexion-extension (FE) and axial rotation (AR), pedicle screw/rod demonstrated greater overall ROM reduction compared to LP (P P P P = 0.245). Intervertebral ROM reductions showed similar trend as the overall ones after using different types of instrumentation. However, at L2/3 (P = 0.57) and L3/4 (P = 0.097) levels, the intervertebral ROM reductions in AR were similar between UPS and LP. Conclusions The overall and intervertebral stability increased significantly after multilevel LLIF with or without supplemental instrumentation. BPS provided the greatest stability, followed by UPS and LP. However, in clinical practice, less invasive adjunctive fixation methods including UPS and LP may provide sufficient biomechanical stability for multilevel LLIF.

PurposeTo perform an updated and comprehensive review of LLIF; we will also introduce a new modified LLIF named as crenel lateral interbody fusion (CLIF) to reduce the approach-related complicationsMethodsA systematic and critical review of recent literature was conducted. The sources of the data were form PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane. Key search terms were "transpsoas", "interbody fusion", "LLIF", "XLIF", and “DLIF”ResultsStand-alone LLIF has the risk of cage subsidence and non-union rate. LLIF has less complication compared with other approaches because of its minimal invasive, but it still has some specific complications.ConclusionLLIF is a safe, effective and lower complication rate technique when compared to other interbody fusion methods.

Background To analyze the biomechanical stability of the modified LLIF, crenel lateral interbody fusion (CLIF), and compare various methods of instrumentation of CLIF in vitro.Methods Three fresh-frozen cadaveric lumbar spines (L1-S1) were used in our study. The modified CLIF interbody cage was inserted into the L3/4 level in each specimen. Every specimen was tested under 5 conditions: intact group; stand-alone CLIF group; CLIF with lateral plate group (CLIF + LP); CLIF with lateral plate and unilateral pedicle screw group (CLIF + LP + UPS); CLIF with bilateral pedicle screw group (CLIF + BPS).Results The ROM of each CLIF group was significantly reduced when compared with intact group in all directions of loading (p< 0.05). The CLIF + LP + BPS group was the most stable in all directions of loading. CLIF + LP group has less ROM when compared with stand-alone group except for the extension condition. CLIF + BPS group has less ROM than CLIF + LP group in every condition. Conclusions CLIF combine with lateral plate and bilateral pedicel screw is the most stable supplemental fixation, and lateral plate could reduce the ROM under rotation and lateral bending conditions. For patients with good bone quality, stand-alone with or without is a alternative method to achieve a good clinical result.

To analyze the biomechanical stability of a redesigned cage, a new lateral plate and the effect of length of cage in CLIF, an L4-L5 finite element model was performed. Six different internal fixation methods were designed and operated under six conditions (Stand-alone CLIF; CLIF with unilateral pedicle screws (CLIF + UPS); CLIF with bilateral pedicle screws (CLIF + BPS); CLIF with lateral plate (CLIF + LP); CLIF with lateral plate and unilateral pedicle screws (CLIF + LP + UPS); CLIF with lateral plate and bilateral pedicle screws (CLIF + LP + BPS)). Ranges of motion (ROM) and stress distribution were evaluated. The effect of the length of cage was analyzed. The ROMs of stand-alone CLIF group and other internal fixation groups were decreased by90% compared with the intact group. The CLIF + LP + BPS group has the minimum ROM. The CLIF + LP group has smaller ROM than stand-alone group. The stand-alone group has the minimum stress except for extension condition. The CLIF + LP model has less ROM, but a greater stress load was observed in the lateral plate. As for the length of cage, the largest stress is located at the junction between cage and distal end plate, especially in the epiphyseal ring and cortical compact. We conduct a new 'cylinder wall theory' that the cage should be placed to cover the epiphyseal ring. We recommend the length of cage should cover the epiphyseal ring to reduce the subsidence of cage.

Background With the development of industrialization, public exposure to toxic metals could occur everywhere, eventually affecting individuals’ reproductive systems and even embryos and leading to early pregnancy loss. The aim of the study was to determine the profile of toxic metal levels in pregnant women in the general population and to identify biomarkers for metal toxicity in embryos. Methods A case‐control study with pregnant women was conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in 2016‐2018. Women who experienced spontaneous abortion within 12 weeks of gestation comprised the case group, and women with pregnancies showing fetal cardiac activity who requested an induced abortion almost simultaneously were included in the control group. Blood and urine specimen were tested for concentrations of cadmium, chromium, selenium, arsenic, and mercury. Results A total of 195 patients were enrolled, with 95 in the case group and 100 in the control group. Significant differences in gravidity, parity, history of miscarriage, mean blood cadmium levels, and mean urine chromium levels were present between the two groups (P1 = 0.013, P2 = 0.000, P3 = 0.000, P4 = 0.002, P5 = 0.046); the odds ratios in the spontaneous abortion with blood cadmium >0.4 µg/L, urine chromium >2 µg/L, gravity 1 compared with the induced abortion group were 1.26 (1.09, 1.85), 1.56 (1.23, 2.53), 1.39 (1.17, 1.98), 1.72 (1.21, 4.62), and 1.18 (1.06, 1.65), with P‐values of 0.003, 0.031, 0.003, 0.247, and 0.001, respectively. Conclusion Blood cadmium and urine chromium levels are two possible biomarkers of toxic metal embryotoxicity in the general population, which means that in the general population, blood cadmium >0.4 µg/L or urine chromium >2 µg/L might indicate an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.

To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation treated by posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion.From June 2010 to June 2017, posterior transforaminal decompression, interbody fusion combined with pedicle screw fixation were performed in 21 patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation. Their clinical and radiological data were collected and retrospectively analyzed, including 15 males and 6 females, aged from 25 to 58 years with an average of 45 years old. According to the criterion of American Spinal Injury(ASIA), preoperative neurological function was graded A in 3 cases, B in 7 cases, C in 6 cases, D in 4 cases and E in 1 case. Operative time and intraoperative blood loss and correlative complications were recorded. And VAS score, ODI and Cobb angle were evaluated before and after surgery. The improvement of neurological function was also analyzed at the final follow-up. Intervertebral bony fusion was observed during the follow-up by CT three-dimensional reconstruction.The operative time was 150 to 240 min with an average of (192±47) min. The intraoperative blood loss was 380 to 750 ml with an average of(603±120) ml. Dura sac tearing and cerebral fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases and were repaired during operation; superficial wound infection occurred in 1 case, and got healing after dressing change. The postoperative follow-up duration was 24 to 45 months with an average of(37.0±9.5) months. VAS score was improved from preoperative 8.9±0.4 to immediately postoperative 4.2±1.3(For the patients with thoracic and lumbar fracture and dislocation mainly involving intervertebral disc and endplate plane, posterior transforaminal decompression and interbody fusion not only is less invasive, but also can effectively reconstruct spinal three column and obtain good biomechanical stability. And, it is beneficial for the good recovery of neurological function.

To simulate acetabular morphology and perform acetabular quantitative analysis in high dislocated developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) patients using three-dimensional (3D) surface reconstruction technique, in order to understand the acetabular anatomic features and develop operative strategies for acetabular reconstruction.3D pelvic images were reconstructed by Mimics software from CT data of 13 patients (13 hips) with high developmental DDH and 13 normal persons (26 hips). True acetabular superior-inferior diameter, anterior-posterior diameter, acetabular depth, medial wall thickness, abduction angle and anteversion angle were measured and compared between the two groups of participants.Irregular acetabular shape was found in high dislocated group, showing a triangle with wide upper and narrow lower. The acetabular quantitative analysis revealed (38.29 +/- 2.71) mm superior-inferior diameter, (21.74 +/- 5.33) mm anterior-posterior diameter, (15.50 +/- 2.93) mm acetabular depth, (6.80 +/- 2.97) mm medial wall thickness, (49.29 +/- 7.40) degrees abduction angle and (23.82 +/- 11.21) degrees anteversion angle in high dislocated patients. The superior-inferior diameter, anterior-posterior diameter and acetabular depth of high dislocated patients were significantly smaller than those of the normal contirols (P0.05). However, the medial wall thickness, abduction angle and anteversion angle of high dislocated patients were significantly bigger than those of the normal controls (P0.05).3D reconstruction technique can restore true acetabular morphology and perform quantitative analysis. Compared with normal controls, high dislocated DDH patients have acetabular features: irregular shape, lower opening, higher medial wall and bigger abduction and anteversion angles. Joint arthroplasty surgery in high dislocated DDH patients needs to look at these acetabular features.