• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.604-608
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• 2000

Objective : The purpose of this non randomized prospective study was to verify the effect of pain control in small doses of epidural morphine and bupivacaine through continuous infusion for 48 hours. Patients and Methods : Thirty-five patients who underwent spine surgery including laminectomy, fusion with fixation were assigned into two groups ; pain control group(n＝20) and control group(n＝15). Pain score was measured on a visual analogue scale(VAS). A continuous infusor was used to give morphine and bupivacaine continuously via indwelling epidural catheter which was placed before closure of muscles in pain control group. Results : Mean scores(VAS) of pain control group were between 1.3 and 2.1 from the 30 min to the 72 hour, but the lowest mean score in the control group was about 2.6 at the 72 hour. Although a number of extra-analgesics were used in control group, differences of mean scores were statistically significant till 24 hour in pain control group. The patients in pain control group was less painful than the patients in control group from 24 hour till 72 hour, but it was statistically insignificant. There were some side effects such as nausea/vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention which existed transiently, but there was no respiratory depression. Conclusion : It was concluded that the early postoperative pain can be easily and safely controlled with continuous infusion of epidural morphine and bupivacaine in small doses.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study was to report the results of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for fixed sagittal imbalance with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Besides, authors evaluated the effect of adjunctive multi-level posterior column osteotomy (PCO) on achievement of additional lumbar lordosis (LL) during PSO. Methods : A total of 31 consecutive patients undergoing PSO for fixed sagittal imbalance were enrolled and analyzed. Correction angle of osteotomized vertebra (PSO angle) and other radiographic parameters including pelvic incidence (PI), thoracic kyphosis, LL, and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were evaluated. Clinical outcomes and surgical complications were also assessed. Results : The mean age was 66.0±9.3 years with a mean follow-up period of 33.2±10.5 months. The mean number of fused segments was 9.6±3.5. The mean operative time and surgical bleeding were 475.9±160.5 minutes and 1406.1±932.1 mL, respectively. The preoperative SRS-22 score was 2.3±0.7 and improved to 3.2±0.8 at the final follow-up. The mean PI was 54.5±9.5°. LL was changed from 7.0±28.9° to -50.2±13.2°. The PSO angle was 33.7±13.5° (15.6±20.1° preoperatively, -16.1±19.4° postoperatively). The difference of correction angle of LL (57.3°) was greater about 23.6° than which of PSO angle (33.7°). SVA was improved from 189.5±93.0 mm, preoperatively to 12.4±40.8 mm, postoperatively. There occurred six, eight, and 14 cases of complications at intraoperative, early (<2 weeks) postoperative, and late (≥2 weeks) postoperative period, respectively. Additional operations were needed in nine patients due to the complications. Conclusion : PSO could provide satisfactory results for patients with fixed sagittal imbalance regarding clinical and radiographic outcomes. Additional correction of LL could be achieved with conduction of adjunctive multi-level PCOs during PSO.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcomes of distal hook augmentation using a pedicle screw in thoracolumbar fusion in elderly patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective multicenter study recruited 20 patients aged 65 years or older, who underwent anterior support and long level posterior fusion in the thoracolumbar junction with a follow-up of one year. To assess the effect of distal hook augmentation, the patients were divided into two groups; the pedicle screw with hook group (PH group, n=10) and the pedicle screw alone group (PA group, n=10). Results: The average age was 72.4 years (65-83 years). The average fusion segment was 4.6 segments (3-6 segments). There were no significant differences in age, sex, causative diseases, bone mineral density of lumbar and proximal femur, number of patients with osteoporosis, and number of fused segments between the two groups (p≥0.05). At 1 year follow-up after surgery, parameters related with distal screw pullout were significantly worse in the PA group. No patients in the PH group had distal screw pullout. However, six patients (60%, 6/10) in the PA group had distal screw pullout. There were no significant differences in the progression of distal junctional kyphosis between the two groups. Conclusion: Distal hook augmentation is an effective procedure in protecting distal pedicle screws against the pullout when long level thoracolumbar fusion was performed in elderly patients aged 65 years or older.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.411-417
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• 2020

Purpose: This paper reports the short-term clinical and radiological results of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression (UBE) to prove its efficacy. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients who received unilateral biportal endoscopic far-lateral decompression (UBEFLD) were analyzed statistically using the visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Macnab criteria and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) clinically. Radiologically, their intervertebral angle (IVA), percentage slip, disc height index (DHI) and foraminal height index (FHI) were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Results: The VAS scores were 6.20 preoperatively, which improved to 2.05, 1.75 and 1.45 at postoperative one month, three months and one year, respectively (p<0.001). The modified macnab criteria in both the good or excellent category was 70.0%, 80.0% and 85.0% at postoperative one month, three months and one year, respectively (p=0.034). The ODI improved from 59.8% preoperatively to 35.8%, 33.2%, and 17.1% at postoperative one month, three months, and one year, respectively (p<0.001). The IVA was increased 0.40±0.88 after a surgery (p=0.057). Percentage slip was increased 0.19% after surgery (p=0.134). The DHI changed from 0.49 preoperatively to 0.62 postoperatively (p=0.359), and the FHI changed from 0.71 preoperatively to 0.79 postoperatively (p<0.001). Conclusion: UBEFLD displayed satisfactory results. Such a result highlights the potential of UBEFLD as an excellent alternative to spinal fusion or microscopic surgery.