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Introduction Various spondylodesis techniques are used in patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine, but the benefits of these techniques have not been proven.Objective of the study was to assess the effect of the type of fusion on the incidence of implant instability and related revision surgeries.Material and Methods This monocentric prospective study included 133 patients with degenerative stenosis of the lumbar spine and confirmed instability of spinal motion segments. Patients underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with a single cage or direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) using standard-sized cages. The conventional open technique was used to supplement TLIF with pedicle screws while percutaneous screw placement was applied in patients treated with DLIF. The duration of follow-up was 18 months. Fisher's exact test was used to assess differences in the incidence of fixator instability based on MSCT and revision interventions. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between potential risk factors and complication rates.Results The use of DLIF detected by MSCT (32.9 vs 3.6%, p < 0.0001) resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of screw instability and associated revision interventions (11.8 vs 0%, p = 0.0122). The results of logistic regression, taking into account factors such as bone density and the number of levels at which spondylodesis was performed, confirm the relationship between the reduced incidence of complications and the use of DLIF technology. Conclusion Using DLIF instead of TLIF in patients with degenerative stenosis at the lumbar spine level can lead to a significant reduction in the frequency of screw instability and associated revision surgeries.

Background. One of the reasons for the lack of standardized approaches to treating lumbar and thoracolumbar spine traumatic injuries is inconclusive information on relative contribution of various factors to pedicle screw fixation stability.Objective. To determine risk factors that influence pedicle screw fixation stability in patients with unstable traumatic injuries of a lumbar spine and thoracolumbar junction.Material and Methods. This was a retrospective evaluation of 192 spinal instrumentations. Patients with type А3, A4, B1, B2 and C injuries of lumbar and thoracolumbar spine were enrolled. Pedicle screw fixation was used either as a stand-alone technique or in combination with anterior column reconstruction. If required, decompression of nerve roots and spinal cord was performed. Cases with pedicle screw fixation failure were registered. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictive significance of potential risk factors. Results. Complication rate growth was associated with a decrease in bone radiodensity, posterior decompression extensiveness, lumbosacral fixation and residual kyphotic deformity. Anterior column reconstruction and additional pedicle screw installation led to a decline in complication rate while anterior decompression and fixation length did not influence fixation stability. Conclusion. In most cases, pedicle screw fixation system failure is associated with altered bone quality; however, surgical approach may also impact complication rate and should be taken into account when planning surgical intervention. Anterior column reconstruction and additional pedicle screw installation are associated with the decline in complication rate; the influence of those options is comparable. Anterior decompression does not influence pedicle screw fixation stability; consequently, it is preferable in cases with considerable risk of pedicle screw fixation failure.

Background. It is reported that radiodensity measured in Hounsfield units becomes more and more popular in bone property assessment, however also mismatch with DXA results is observed.Purpose. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationships between the results of DXA and CT with a focus on explanations for observed discrepancies.Material and Methods. This is a cross-sectional study; forty patients were enrolled, all patients underwent DXA and CT. A bone mineral density BMD (g/cm2) was calculated for each vertebra of a lumbar spine (L1-L4 inclusive), neck, upper neck, shaft, Wards triangle and trochanter of hip. Bone radiodensity in HU was taken from each vertebral body in the sagittal, axial and coronal planes. A total vertebra body radiodensity including cortical bone and radiodensity of only cancellous bone were calculated. To assess a potential impact on DXA and CT data agreement a mean radiodensity and square of the right and left vertebral pedicles and facet joints were measured for each vertebra.Results. A strong correlation between BMD measured using DXA and CT data was estimated with a multiply r accounting for 0.84169, p < 0.0001, however the most contributing parameters were those calculated for facet joints. It has been detected that both radiodensity of only a cancellous bone and total have a weak correlation with matching BMD measurements of a proximal femur.Conclusion. The results of DXA could be strongly influenced by hypertrophic changes of facet joints. Both CT and DXA measurements taken from a lumbar spine may have a mismatch with figures taken from hip.

The article is devoted to the methodology of metrological assurance during of operational test of the new-gen ground-based automated control of system. On the example of ATE-200, designed to measure the parameters (to diagnose) onboard means of control and other aircraft equipment. The basic test results have been summarized and presented.

Objective. To assess risk factors оf pedicle screw instability after decompression and fusion in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease.Materials and methods. This is a prospective non-randomized study, the results of 130 surgical interventions with pedicle instrumentation in patients with degenerative lumbar spine diseases were studied. Minimal follow up period accounts for 18 months. Before intervention computed tomography (CT) was applied and cancellous bone radiodensity was measured.Patients were treated with nerve root decompression and pedicle screw fixation stand-alone or with lumbar interbody fusion. During follow-up period computed tomography was applied and cases with evidence of pedicle screw loosening were detected. Radiodensity of cancellous bone, extension of fixation, extensiveness of decompression, application of interbody fusion, incomplete vertebra body reduction and heterogeneity of studied group were taken into account as potential risk factors of implant instability development. The correlation between pedicle screws loosening rate and mentioned predictors was estimated using logistic regression analysis.Results. Radiodensity of vertebra body cancellous bone getting decreased, the increase number of fixed levels and extensiveness of facet joints and ligaments resection are associated with the increased risk of a screw loosening development. Laminectomy, interbody fusion, altered biomechanics associated with incomplete vertebra body reduction and L5–S1 segment included into fixed zone did not have a significant influence on pedicle screws loosening rate. Bias related to heterogeneity of studied group was also insignificant. Goodness-of-fit of estimated general logistic regression model: № 2 = 67,57851; p < 0,0001. This model classified correctly 81,5% cases with sensitivity and specificity of 77,4% and 85,3% respectively.Conclusion. Radiodensity of a vertebra cancellous bone, number of fixed levels and extensiveness of facet joints and ligaments resection during decompression are significant predictors for pedicle screws loosening development. The detected risk factors should be taken into account in preoperative planning especially in elderly patients.

Objective. To perform comparative analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety of indirect decompression of the spinal roots and interbody fusion through the lateral pre-psoas approach (OLIF) with anterolateral (OLIF-AF) and posterior percutaneous (OLIF-PF) screw fixations in the surgical treatment of single-segment lumbar stenosis. Material and Methods. A retrospective comparative analysis of treatment of 88 patients aged 29 to 72 years with single-level lumbar stenosis was carried out. Posterior instrumental fixation (OLIF-PF) was performed in 60 cases, and anterolateral (OLIF-AF) – in 28. Results. The compared groups did not statistically significantly differ from each other in terms of age, gender, body mass index, clinical picture and duration of symptoms before surgery, assessment of neurological status according to the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), preoperative diagnosis, localization of stenosis, pain assessment in the back and leg before surgery according to a digital rating scale, physical status (ASA), health assessment (SF-12, ODI), follow-up period, as well as smoking and the presence of comorbidities (p > 0.05). In the OLIF-AF group, compared to the OLIF-PF group, a statistically significant advantage was found in terms of blood loss, duration of surgery and anesthesia, the level of radiological exposure, duration of patient’s hospitalization and hospital stay in the postoperative period, as well as the duration of antibiotic prophylaxis and intraoperative volume of infusions (p < 0.05). Despite earlier discharge and less use of local anesthesia (35.7 % vs 73.3 %; p = 0.001), patients in the OLIF-AF group had statistically significantly lower level of back pain on the day of discharge (3.0 vs 3.5; p = 0.034) and were less likely to need opioids (3.6 % vs 31.7 %; p = 0.003). With regard to complications and adverse events, there were no statistically significant differences during dynamic follow-up period from 3 to 50 months in both groups (17.9 % vs 28.3 %; p = 0.290), including depending on the timing of complications (early or late). In addition, no statistically significant differences were found for neurological, infectious, gastrointestinal, urological, or implant-related complications (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Indirect decompression of the spinal roots and interbody fusion through the lateral pre-psoas approach in combination with OLIF-AF is an effective and safe technique for the surgical treatment of single-segment lumbar stenosis. This method allows to reduce the invasiveness of surgery and severity of the pain syndrome and to create conditions for enhanced recovery after surgery. Further multicenter randomized trials are needed to comprehensively evaluate long-term outcomes.

Objective. To study the effect of arthroplasty and anterior interbody fusion in the cervical spine on degenerative changes in the adjacent intervertebral joints. Material and Methods. A retrospective cohort study included 46 patients (22 with cervical total disc arthroplasy – CTDA, and 24 with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion – ACDF) with symptoms of cervical spondylogenic compression myelopathy and/or radiculopathy. The degree of degeneration of facet joints adjacent to the operated segments was evaluated 12 months after surgical treatment. Degenerative changes in the cervical spine were assessed using CT according to the Okamoto classification. Vidar Dicom Viewer 3.2 software was used to view images and evaluate intervertebral joints. Statistical processing was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23. Data were presented as median and 25th and 75th percentiles – Me [Q1; Q3]. Results. The mean age of patients in both groups was 47 [39; 52] years (Mann – Whitney U-test, p = 0.047). In the ACDF group it was 48 [42; 55] years and in the CTDA group – 42 [36; 52] years. Comparison of degenerative changes in the ACDF group before and after treatment (Wilcoxon analysis) showed a statistically significant difference in the cranial (p = 0.023), and caudal (p = 0.001) joints, with the progression of degeneration degree. In the CTDA group, no difference between pre- and post-treatment degeneration degree (Wilcoxon analysis) was found in either cranial joints (p = 0.157) or caudal joints (p = 0.161). Conclusion. Surgeries to stabilize spinal segments in degenerative diseases undeniably affect the development of the adjacent level syndrome. However, the use of endoprosthetic technology makes it possible to aggravate the degree of degenerative changes in the intervertebral joints of adjacent segments to a lesser extent.

Objective. To analyze the attitude of neurosurgeons to the technology of enhanced recovery after spine and spinal cord surgery in the Russian Federation. Material and Methods. In March 2022, a continuous cohort comparative sociological study was conducted among 83 neurosurgeons of the Russian Federation, during which they were asked to fill out a specially designed online questionnaire consisting of 22 questions on the Google Forms platform. Results. The vast majority of respondents (95.2 %) noted the lack of information in the Russian literature on the technology of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). Nevertheless, most neurosurgeons, regardless of specialization, are familiar with the terms “fast track” (79.5 %) and “ERAS” (60.2 %). Only 44.6 % of specialists declared the implementation of ERAS recommendations into their daily clinical practice, while 78.3 % of neurosurgeons draw attention to the existence of problems that hamper adoption of enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) in Russia. The interviewed respondents are confident that it is possible to introduce ERP into spinal neurosurgery in adults (91.6 %) and children (85.5 %) in Russia. Every second respondent (50.6 %) considers it possible to directly extrapolate foreign ERP into clinical practice in Russian healthcare. Spinal neurosurgeons are more aware of ERAS than cerebral neurosurgeons (p = 0.017), and they also more often use elements of ERAS in their clinical practice (p = 0.002). In other parameters, the respondents did not differ significantly depending on their specialization. Only 7.2 % of interviewed neurosurgeons work in private clinics. All of them are engaged in spinal surgery and introduce the ERAS technology into their clinical practice. Less than half (40.0 %) of neurosurgeons in public clinics implement elements of the ERAS (p = 0.007). More than half (69.7 %) of specialists and every second manager consider the introduction of ERAS in a neurosurgical clinic to be progressive, and only a few of them (3.6 %), on the contrary, believe that the quality of medical care may decrease with the introduction of ERAS. Neurosurgeons (n = 13) identified 7 clinics of the Russian Federation, where the enhanced recovery protocol after spine surgery is implemented. In total, according to the results of the study, 23 elements of the ERAS protocol are implemented in the practice of respondents (n = 20) in the conditions of Russian healthcare. Conclusions. Despite the lack of publications in the Russian literature and the existing organizational problems in the context of domestic healthcare, neurosurgeons have a positive attitude towards the introduction of ERAS protocol into clinical practice. This protocol or its individual elements are already successfully implemented in a group of clinics in Russia.

A study is presented on four polymers of the polyurethane family, obtained using a two-stage process. The first composition is the basic polymer; the others differ from it by the presence of a variety of fillers, introduced to provide radiopacity. The fillers used were 15% bismuth oxide (Composition 2), 15% tantalum pentoxide (Composition 3), or 15% zirconium oxide (Composition 4). Using a test culture of human fibroblasts enabled the level of cytotoxicity of the compositions to be determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, along with variations in the characteristics of the cells resulting from their culture directly on the specimens. The condition of cells on the surfaces of the specimens was assessed using fluorescence microscopy. It was shown that introducing 15% bismuth, tantalum, or zinc compounds as fillers produced a range of effects on the biological characteristics of the compositions. With the different fillers, the levels of toxicity differed and the cells’ proliferative activity or adhesion was affected. However, in general, all the studied compositions may be considered cytocompatible in respect of their biological characteristics and are promising for further development as bases for bone-substituting materials. The results obtained also open up prospects for further investigations of polyurethane compounds.

Objective. To assess inter-expert agreement among spine surgeons having different levels of clinical experience when working with the AOSpine classification (TLCS, 2013). Materials and Methods. The study involved nine surgeons divided into three equal groups depending on work experience. All respondents were asked to classify the MSCT data of 50 patients with acute injuries to the thoracic and lumbar spine pursuant to TLCS (2013) classification. To evaluate inter-expert agreement, a Kappa coefficient interpreted according to Landis – Koch criteria was used. Results. The overall coefficient of inter-expert agreement for all observations among all groups of respondents was 0.43, which reflects a moderate level of agreement. Moderate inter-expert agreement was revealed for injury types A (0.45) and C (0.56), and satisfactory – for type B (0.34). The highest levels of agreement were obtained for subtypes A1 (0.67) and A4 (0.80) in the group of advanced specialists and for type C (0.70) in the group of specialists with a basic level of experience. Conclusion. The study demonstrated predominantly moderate level of inter-expert agreement when working with the AOSpine classification (TLCS, 2013). The accuracy of its use increases with a gain in practical experience of a surgeon.

Objective. To assess risk factors for the imbalance of the shoulder girdle and to identify reproducible X-ray criteria for persistent shoulder imbalance after correction of idiopathic scoliosis. Material and Methods. A total of 94 patients with idiopathic scoliosis were included in the retrospective study. All patients underwent primary posterior correction of the deformity using pedicle screw instrumentation. Radiography of the spine throughout its length was performed before surgery, in the early postoperative and in the long-term (at least 12 months after surgery) periods. The shoulder imbalance was considered clinically significant with radiographic shoulder height difference more than 2 cm. Results. A significant decrease in the magnitude of all curves after surgery and in the long-term period was noted. The magnitude of the proximal curve decreased from 25.38° ± 15.89° to 14.51° ± 8.17° (p < 0.0001) and to 14.29° ± 8.25° (p = 0.24); the main thoracic curve from 59.33° ± 20.76° to 20.096° ± 9.89° (p < 0.0001) and to 20.87° ± 9.48° (p = 0.19); and thoracolumbar curve from 47,20° ± 15,99° to 15.69° ± 8.66° (p < 0.0001) and to 16.98° ± 7.6° (p = 0.01), respectively. The shoulder imbalance was recorded in 27 patients (28.72 %) after surgery and in 13 (13.83 %) – in the long-term period. In these patients, various Lenke types of deformity were presented. A correlation of the distal adding-on phenomenon with self-correction of the shoulder balance is revealed (r = 0.56; p < 0.005). Persistent shoulder imbalance correlated with presence of a structural proximal thoracic curve (p = 0.041642), residual proximal curve magnitude after sur- gery (r = 0.22; p = 0.03), and presence of a symptom of double rib hump on radiographs after surgery (r = 0.75; p ≤ 0.005). Conclusion. The most characteristic pattern of persistent shoulder imbalance is the presence of asymmetry in the proximal and main regions of the chest. This sign can be detected by intraoperative lateral radiography of the spine, which will allow the surgeon to take measures to eliminate this phenomenon and reduce the probability of persistent shoulder imbalance development.

An analysis of key publications devoted to transpedicular fixation of the cervical spine has been carried out. The installation of transpedicular screws in the cervical spine is a technically challenging procedure, the frequency of screw deviation from the optimal trajectory remains high even with the use of modern intraoperative technologies, and there is a risk of serious life-threatening complications. The use of this technique allows achieving reliable three-column stabilization of the cervical spine through only posterior approach, which is the preferred or only possible option for a limited group of patients. According to literature data, screw displacement beyond the pedicle borders occurs, on average, in 15–20 % of cases, while clinically significant complications occur in 4–5 % of cases. Among 32 operated patients, one severe neurologic complication caused by vertebral artery compression by the screw was noted. Of the 79 installed screws, 18 (22.79 %) cases of lateral pedicle wall perforation were observed. There were no cases of the fixator instability, infection and radiculopathy due to compression by the screw.

Objective. To analyze cases of pulmonary cement embolism and to determine possible causes of the complication. Material and Methods. A heterogeneous group of 49 patients was retrospectively analyzed. Vertebroplasty was prescribed to the patients for restoration of vertebral support ability after osteoporotic compression fractures and hemangiomas, and as an auxiliary manipulation for transpedicular fixation of the osteoporotic spine. Thoracic computed tomography was performed and pulmonary cement embolism was revealed in the early or late postoperative periods. Results. Pulmonary cement embolism was revealed in 7 (14 %) patients, two of them presented with massive pulmonary cement embolism. In one case it was caused by excessive injection of cement, and in the other - by anomalous anastomosis. In one case, the vertebroplasty was cancelled taking into account the results of venospodilography. Conclusion. Attempts of maximum filling of the vertebral body and inadequate assessment of intertrabecular space volume, as well as anomalous anastomoses between the major blood vessels may cause clinically significant massive pulmonary embolism. Venospondylography performed before vertebroplasty may reveal the features of venous drainage of the vertebral body, which are the risk factors for massive cement embolism.

This article provides the results of a study of the interaction of placental growth factor with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) of various origins, as well as the possibility of generating osteoplastic material based on xenogeneic matrix functionalization with human placental growth factor (PLGF). It is demonstrated that the greatest release of this factor from the functionalized material into the medium occurs during the first 3 h of contact with the model medium, but then the levels of the factor being released fall sharply, although release did continue throughout the 7 days of observation. The modified material was not cytotoxic, and its surface provided good cell adhesion. During 3 days of cultivation, the ASCs proliferated and migrated more actively on the surfaces of the modified material than on the surfaces of the control material. This study can serve as the basis for the development of original methods to functionalize such osteoplastic material by increasing PLGF immobilization by creating stronger bonds in order to regulate both factor dosage and the dynamics of the factor release into the environment. Further studies in experimental animals should facilitate assessment of the effectiveness of the functionalized materials. Such studies will be useful in the development of osteoplastic materials with new properties resulting from the inclusion of growth factors and in research on their biological activity.

Objective. To conduct a systematic review of the literature on the use of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in spinal surgery of children and adolescents to determine the existing evidence of the effectiveness of ERAS implementation in clinical practice. Material and Methods. The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on ERAS in spinal and spinal cord surgery in children and adolescents selected in the databases of medical literature and search resources of PUBMED/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and eLibrary according to the PRISMA guidelines and the PICOS inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results. A total of 12 publications containing information on the treatment of 2,145 children, whose average age was 14.0 years (from 7.2 to 16.1), were analyzed. In the reviewed publications, the average number of key elements of the ERAS program was 9 (from 2 to 20), and a total of 23 elements used in spinal surgery in children and adolescents were identified. The most commonly used elements were preopera- tive education and counseling, prevention of infectious complications and intestinal obstruction, multimodal analgesia, refusal of routine use of drains, nasogastric probes and urinary catheters, standardized anesthesia protocol, early mobilization and enteral loading. The intro- duction of the ERAS protocol into clinical practice allowed to reduce the complication rate in comparison with the control group by 8.2 % (from 2 to 19 %), the volume of blood loss by 230 ml (from 75 to 427 ml), the operation time by 83 minutes (from 23 to 144 minutes), the duration of hospitalization by 1.5 days (from 0.5 to 3 days) and the total cost of treatment by 2258.5 dollars (from 860 to 5280 dollars). The ERAS program was implemented in pediatric clinics in the USA (75 %), France (8 %) and Canada (17 %). Conclusion. The conducted systematic review of the literature allows us to conclude that the technology of enhanced recovery after sur- gery is a promising technology that improves surgical outcomes and is applicable in pediatric practice. There is a significant shortage of published studies evaluating the implementation of ERAS in pediatric surgical practice in general, and in spinal surgery in particular, which requires further prospective randomized studies to evaluate ERAS in spinal surgery in children and adolescents.

Introduction Until now, the rates of poor results of lumbar spinal fusion remain high. It is associated with the development of adjacent segment disease and spinopelvic imbalance. The use of lordosing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (cTLIF) is aimed at normalizing the sagittal profile of the operated and adjacent segments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in radiological segmental parameters at the level of spinal fusion, as well as their influence on adjacent segments and spinopelvic relationships. Methods The study included 30 patients who underwent 1- or 2-level lumbar fusion using the cTLIF technique. Radiography of the lumbar spine with hip joints prior to surgery and in the early postoperative period was used in all patients. The measurements of sagittal parameters at the level of intervention, in adjacent segments, as well as of spinopelvic relations were made. Results Segmental lordosis before the surgery was 4.85 ± 8.021° (-11° to 20°), and 12.58 ± 6.031° (4° to 25°) after it, p < 0.0001; average segmental correction was 8.35 ± 6.64°. Lumbar lordosis increased from 44.97 ± 17.58° to 51.8 ± 11.61°, p = 0.01; negative correlation was found between the correction value of lumbar lordosis and the initial lordosis (r = -0.7510, p = 0.0001). There was a significant decrease in lordosis in the adjacent segment from 8.77 ± 4.57° to 6.83 ± 3.96°, p = 0.015. Spino-pelvic relations improved (PI-LL before the operation was 13.1 ± 11.022° and 7.93 ± 5.97, p = 0.018 after it). There were no significant changes in the pelvic tilt (20.9 ± 7.18° versus 19.1 ± 8.58°, p = 0.13). Conclusions cTLIF provides correction of segmental lordosis by 8° on average. In the adjacent segment, there is a significant decrease in the severity of lordosis. Improvement of spinopelvic relations is achieved due to the normalization of the lumbar lordosis pro rata to the pelvic incidence. The use of cTLIF technique does not correct the angle of the pelvic tilt.