• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1388-1393
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• 2001

Objective : In the retrospective analyzing 19 consecutive patients with subaxial cervical spine(C3~T1) injury treated by posterior cervical fixation and fusion, clinical manifestation, radiologic finding, operative technique, and postoperative results following 6 months were analyzed. Materials and Methods : Most common fracture level was C4-5, mean age 41, and male to female ratio 13 : 6. The most common cause of injury was motor vehicle accident(17 cases). In 19 cervical procedures, interspinous triple wiring was done in 14 cases, lateral mass plating in 5 cases, and additional anterior fusion in 2 cases. Results : Twelve weeks after operation, all cases were reviewed by plain cervical radiogram. In 17 cases that treated by posterior fusion only, 14 cases(81%) had kyphotic angle change less than $5^{\circ}$, 2 cases(12%) $5-20^{\circ}$, and 1 case(6%) more than $20^{\circ}$. Overall fusion rate was 88%, and there was no significant difference of bone fusion rate between autogenous bone graft and allogenous bone graft. Conclusion : In the case of severe posterior column injury or displacement, posterior approach seems superior to anterior approach, but in the case of combined anterior column injury, anterior approach is considered necessary. In this study, posterior fixation and fusion might be acceptable procedure for subaxial cervical fracture and dislocation, owing to its high fusion rate, low kyphotic angulation and low operation related complication rate.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.328-332
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to establish new fusion criteria to complement existing Brantigan-Steffee fusion criteria. The primary purpose of intervertebral cage placement is to create a proper biomechanical environment through successful fusion. The existence of a traction spur is an essential predictable radiologic factor which shows that there is instability of a fusion segment. We studied the relationship between the existence of a traction spur and fusion after a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure. Methods : This study was conducted using retrospective radiological findings from patients who underwent a PLIF procedure with the use of a cage without posterior fixation between 1993 and 1997 at a single institution. We enrolled 183 patients who were followed for a minimum of five years after the procedure, and used the Brantigan-Steffee classification to confirm the fusion. These criteria include a denser and more mature bone fusion area than originally achieved during surgery, no interspace between the cage and the vertebral body, and mature bony trabeculae bridging the fusion area. We also confirmed the existence of traction spurs on fusion segments and non-fusion segments. Results : The PLIF procedure was done on a total of 251 segments in 183 patients (71 men and 112 women). The average follow-up period was $80.4{\pm}12.7$ months. The mean age at the time of surgery was $48.3{\pm}11.3$ years (range, 25 to 84 years). Among the 251 segments, 213 segments (84.9%) were fused after five years. The remaining 38 segments (15.1%) were not fused. An analysis of the 38 segments that were not fused found traction spur formation in 20 of those segments (52.6%). No segments had traction spur formation with fusion. Conclusion : A new parameter should be added to the fusion criteria. These criteria should be referred to as 'no traction spur formation' and should be used to confirm fusion after a PLIF procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate a new posterior atlantoaxial fixation technique using a nitinol shape memory loop as a simple method that avoids the risk of vertebral artery or nerve injury. Methods : We retrospectively evaluated 14 patients with atlantoaxial instability who had undergone posterior C1-2 fusion using a nitinol shape memory loop. The success of fusion was determined clinically and radiologically. We reviewed patients' neurologic outcomes, neck disability index (NDI), solid bone fusion on cervical spine films, changes in posterior atlantodental interval (PADI), and surgical complications. Results : Solid bone fusion was documented radiologically in all cases, and PADI increased after surgery (p<0.05). All patients remained neurologically intact and showed improvement in NDI score (p<0.05). There were no surgical complications such as neural tissue or vertebral artery injury or instrument failure in the follow-up period. Conclusion : Posterior C1-2 fixation with a nitinol shape memory loop is a simple, less technically demanding method compared to the conventional technique and may avoid the instrument-related complications of posterior C1-2 screw and rod fixation. We introduce this technique as one of the treatment options for atlantoaxial instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2012

Objective : We compared the radiological and clinical outcomes between patients who underwent posterior fixation alone and supplemented with fusion following the onset of thoracolumbar burst fractures. In addition, we also evaluated the necessity of posterolateral fusion for patients treated with posterior pedicle screw fixation. Methods : From January 2007 to December 2009, 46 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture were included in this study. On the basis of posterolateral fusion, we divided our patients into the non-fusion group and the fusion group. The radiological assessment was performed according to the Cobb's method, and results were obtained at immediately, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Mcnab criteria at the final follow-up. Results : The demographic data and the mean follow-up period were similar between the two groups. Patients of both groups achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes. The mean loss of kyphosis correction showed that patients of both groups experienced loss of correction with no respect to whether they underwent the posterolateral fusion. There was no significant difference in the degree of loss of correction at any time points of the follow-up between the two groups. In addition, we also compared the effect of fixed levels (i.e., short versus long segment) on loss of correction between the two groups and there was no significant difference. There were no major complications postoperatively and during follow-up period. Conclusion : We suggest that posterolateral fusion may be unnecessary for patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures who underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1017-1027
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• 2018

Study Design: This retrospective study was conducted including 18 patients who underwent posterior-only stabilization and fusion procedure for pseudoarthrosis in the ankylosed spine from October 2007 to May 2015. Purpose: This study aimed to describe the treatment outcomes in 18 patients with Andersson lesion (AL) who were managed using the posterior-only approach. Literature Review: AL is an unstable, localized, vertebral, or discovertebral lesion of the spine. It is observed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The exact etiology of this disorder remains unclear, and the treatment guidelines are not clearly described. Methods: We analyzed 18 patients with AL who were treated with posterior long segment spinal fusion without any anterior interbody grafting or posterior osteotomy. Pre- and postoperative radiography, computed tomography, and recent follow-up images were examined. The pre- and postoperative Visual Analog Scale score and the Oswestry Disability Index score were evaluated for all patients. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis criteria were applied at the follow-up. Moreover, at study completion, patient feedback was collected; all the patients were asked to provide their opinion regarding the surgery and were asked whether they would recommend this procedure to other patients and them self undergo the same procedure again if required. Results: The most common site was the thoracolumbar junction. The symptom duration ranged from 1 month to 10 years preoperatively. Most patients experienced fusion by the end of 1 year, and the fusion mass could be observed as early as 4 months. Pseudoarthrosis void of up to 2.5 cm was noted to be healed in subsequent imaging. In addition, clinically, the patients reported good symptomatic relief. No patient required revision surgery. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis score at the latest follow-up revealed goodto-excellent outcomes in all patients. Conclusions: ALs can be treated using the posterior-only approach with long segment fixation and posterior spinal fusion. This is a safe, simple, and quick procedure that prevents the morbidity of anterior surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.922-932
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• 2021

Objective : It is challenging to make solid fusion by posterior screw fixation and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion (PLF) in thoracic and thoracolumbar (TL) diseases. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique entitled posterior thoracic cage interbody fusion (PTCIF) for thoracic and TL spine in comparison with conventional PLF. Methods : After institutional review board approval, a total of 57 patients who underwent PTCIF (n=30) and conventional PLF (n=27) for decompression and fusion in thoracic and TL spine between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters, including bone fusion, regional Cobb angle, and proximal junctional Cobb angle, were evaluated. Results : In PTCIF and conventional PLF, the mean age was 61.2 and 58.2 years (p=0.46), and the numbers of levels fused were 2.8 and 3.1 (p=0.46), respectively. Every patient showed functional improvement except one case of PTCIF. Postoperative hematoma as a perioperative complication occurred in one and three cases, respectively. The mean difference in the regional Cobb angle immediately after surgery compared with that of the last follow-up was 1.4° in PTCIF and 7.6° in conventional PLF (p=0.003), respectively. The mean durations of postoperative follow-up were 35.6 months in PTCIF and 37.3 months in conventional PLF (p=0.86). Conclusion : PTCIF is an effective fusion method in decompression and fixation surgery with good clinical outcomes for various spinal diseases in the thoracic and TL spine. It provides more stable bone fusion than conventional PLF by anterior column support.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.389-391
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• 2005

We report a case of T4 bursting fracture with paraparesis that recovered by posterior approach. A 47-year-old man presented with paraparesis (grade III) which had progressed rapidly after motor cycle accident. After sacrificing the T4 nerve root (right), posterior interbody fusion using cage following T4 corpectomy and T3-4, T4-5 discectomy was performed. After operation, lower extremities motor power improved and he could walk after one month. And this is the first report of posterior approach using cage by corpectomy and two level discectomy in case of upper thoracic burst fracture in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.340-344
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• 2005

Objective: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF), the current leading method of pedicle screw fixation combined with interbody fusion via posterior route, sometimes requires too much destruction of the facet joint than expected especially for the patient with a narrow spine. On the other hand, tranforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF) technique provides potential advantages over PLIF and can be chosen as a better surgical alternative to more traditional fusion methods in certain surgical conditions. Methods: From October 1999, 99 PLIF and 29 TLIF procedures were done for the patients with spinal stenosis and instability. Radiological data including the interpedicular distance and the size of the pedicles as well as the clinical parameters were collected retrospectively. The degree of resection of the inferior articular process was compared with the interpedicular distance in each patient who received PLIF. Results: No significant differences were found between PLIF and TLIF regarding the operation time, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, or short term postoperative clinical result. There were no complication with TLIF, but PLIF resulted in 9(9.1%) complications. During PLIF procedure, all patients(n=24) except one with the interpedicular distance shorter than 27mm required near complete or complete resection of the inferior articular processes, whereas only 6(31.5%) of 19 patients with the interpedicular distances longer than 30mm required the similar extent of resection. Conclusion: TLIF is better than PLIF in terms of the complication rate. The patient who had narrow interpedicular distance(<27mm) might be better candidate for TLIF.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2012.10a
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• pp.907-908
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• 2012

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2012

Objective : To investigate the feasibility of C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw with polyaxial screw and rod system supplemented with miniplate for interlaminar fusion to treat various atlantoaxial instabilities. Methods : After posterior atlantoaxial fixation with lateral mass screw in the atlas and pedicle screw in the axis, we used 2 miniplates to fixate interlaminar iliac bone graft instead of sublaminar wiring. We performed this procedure in thirteen patients who had atlantoaxial instabilities and retrospectively evaluated the bone fusion rate and complications. Results : By using this method, we have achieved excellent bone fusion comparing with the result of other methods without any complications related to this procedure. Conclusion : C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw with polyaxial screw and rod system supplemented with miniplate for interlaminar fusion may be an efficient alternative method to treat various atlantoaxial instabilities.