Kim Chi Heon, Renaldo Nicholas, Chung Chun Kee, Lee Heui Seung
Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.; Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Associates of Dutchess County/Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA.
J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2015 Dec;58(6):571-7. doi: 10.3340/jkns.2015.58.6.571. Epub 2015 Dec 31.
Direct removal of beak-type ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament at thoracic spine (T-OPLL) is a challenging surgical technique due to the potential risk of neural injury. Slipping off the cutting surface of a high-speed drill may result in entrapment in neural structures, leading to serious complications. Removal of T-OPLL with an ultrasonic osteotome, utilizing back and forth micro-motion of a blade rather than rotatory-motion of drill, may reduce such complications. We have applied the ultrasonic osteotome for posterior circumferential decompression of T-OPLL for three consecutive patients with beak-type OPLL and have described the surgical techniques and patient outcomes. The preoperative chief complaint was gait disturbance in all patients. Japanese orthopedic association scores (JOA) was used for functional assessment. Scores measured 2/11, 5/11, 2/11, and 4/11 for each patient. The ventral T-OPLL mass was exposed after posterior midline approach, laminotomy and transeversectomy. The T-OPLL mass was directly removed with an ultrasonic osteotome and instrumented segmental fixation was performed. The surgeries were uneventful. Detailed surgical techniques were presented. Gait disturbance was improved in all patients. Dural tear occurred in one patient without squeal. Postoperative JOA was 6/11, 10/11, 8/11, and 8/11 (recovery rate; 44%, 83%, 67%, and 43%) respectively at 18, 18, 10, and 1 months postoperative. T-OPLL was completely removed in all patients as confirmed with computed tomography scan. We hope that surgical difficulties in direct removal of T-OPLL might be reduced by utilizing ultrasonic osteotome.
由于存在神经损伤的潜在风险,直接切除胸椎后纵韧带喙突型骨化(T-OPLL)是一项具有挑战性的外科技术。高速钻头的切割面滑脱可能导致神经结构受压,引发严重并发症。使用超声骨刀切除T-OPLL,利用刀片的来回微动而非钻头的旋转运动,可能会减少此类并发症。我们已连续对3例喙突型OPLL患者应用超声骨刀进行T-OPLL后路环形减压,并描述了手术技术和患者预后。所有患者术前的主要诉求均为步态障碍。采用日本骨科协会评分(JOA)进行功能评估。每位患者的评分分别为2/11、5/11、2/11和4/11。经后正中入路、椎板切开术和横突切除术暴露腹侧T-OPLL肿块。用超声骨刀直接切除T-OPLL肿块,并进行节段性器械固定。手术过程顺利。介绍了详细的手术技术。所有患者的步态障碍均得到改善。1例患者发生硬脊膜撕裂,但无后遗症。术后18、18、10和1个月时,JOA评分分别为6/11、10/11、8/11和(恢复率分别为44%、83%、67%和43%)。计算机断层扫描证实所有患者的T-OPLL均被完全切除。我们希望通过使用超声骨刀,可减少直接切除T-OPLL的手术难度。