• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.151-155
• /
• 2005

Interspinous spacers have been developed as an alternative surgical treatment for laminectomy or fusion with pedicle screws and rods for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. However, its biomedical efficacies are well not known. In this study, we evaluated kinematic behaviors of the surgical and the adjacent levels before and after inserting interspinous spacers. Three porcine lumbar spines were prepared. On each specimen, an interspinous spacer was inserted at the L4-L5. Flexion-extension moments (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10Nm) were applied. A stereophotogrammetric set-up with DLT algorithm was used to assess the three-dimensional motions of the specimen where three markers $({\square}0.8mm)$ were attached to each vertebra. Results showed that extension motion decreased by $15-24\%$ at the surgical level (L4-L5) after insertion of interspinous spacer. At the adjacent levels, the range of motion remained unchanged. In flexion, no significant changes in motion were observed regardless of levels. Therefore, our experimental results demonstrated the interspinous spacer is very effective in limiting the extension motion that may cause narrowing of the spinal canal and vertebral foramen while maintaining kinematic behaviors at the adjacent levels. Further, these results suggested that the use of interspinous spacer may be able to prevent lower back pain at the surgical level and to lower the incidence of degenerative changes at the adjacent levels.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.82-86
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Soft tissue defect can occur on the posterior aspect of the elbow after trauma or fracture fixation. To cover the defect and maintain elbow functions, various flap surgeries including latissimus dorsi muscle flap, lateral arm flap and radial forearm flap can be performed. We present the clinical results of transposition lateral arm flap for coverage of the elbow defect and discuss the cause of posterior soft tissue necrosis after fracture fixation. Materials and Methods: Two patients who had posterior soft tissue defect of the elbow after open reduction of the fractures around the elbow were treated with transposition lateral arm flap. The mean size of skin defect was 20 $cm^2$. The flap was elevated with posterior radial collateral artery pedicle and transposed to the defect area. Donor defect was covered with split thickness skin graft. The elbow was immobilized for 1 week in extended position and active range of motion was permitted. Results: All two cases of transposition lateral arm flap survived without marginal necrosis. The average range of motion of the elbow was 10~115 degrees. Mayo elbow performance score was 72 and Korean DASH score was 23. Conclusion: When elbow fractures are fixed with three simultaneous plates and screws, skin necrosis can occur on the posterior aspect of the elbow around olecranon area. If the size of skin defect is relatively small, transposition lateral arm flap is very useful option for orthopaedic surgeons without microsurgical technique.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.553-559
• /
• 2010

By applying the various reformation techniques by using a circle raw data of after computed tomography image in the patient enforcing the spine screw fixation, this research tried to look into the various information including the exact location of the position of the screw spike and accuracy of an operation. In a clinical, by applying the or multi planar reformatting(MPR), that is the re-composition technique used mainly, maximum intensity projection (MIP), and volume rendering technique(VRT) and transformation removal from a register modifying VRT, video data were compared and were analyzed by the quantitative method and qualitative method. It is judged as the transformation volume rendering technique of the re-composition technique which is most useful in minimizing the artifact shadow by the exact location of the position of a screw and metal among the analysis and evaluation result computed tomography image reformation technique of the reformation image after the spine screw fixation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.50-53
• /
• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiographic/clinical outcomes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients treated by a Korean neurosurgeon. Methods : Ten AIS patients were treated by a single neurosurgeon between January 2011 and September 2013 utilizing segmental instrumentation with pedicle screws. Basic demographic information, curve pattern by Lenke classification, number of levels treated, amount of correction achieved, radiographic/clinical outcomes [by Scolisis Resarch Society (SRS-22r) questionnaire] and complications were evaluated to determine the surgical results. Pulmonary function test was utilized to assess forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) before and after surgery. Results : The average percentage of correction of the major structural curve was 73.6% (ranged from 64% to 81.5%). Preoperative and final postoperative absolute FVC averaged 3.03 L and 3.76 L (0.73 L increase, p=0.046), and absolute FEV1 averaged 2.63 L and 3.49 L (0.86 L increase, p=0.021). Preoperative and final postoperative average self-image and function scores of SRS-22r were, $2.6{\pm}0.5$, $3.3{\pm}0.1$, $4.0{\pm}0.5$, and $4.6{\pm}0.0$, respectively. There was a significant improvement of the self-image and function scores of SRS-22r questionnaires before and after surgery (p<0.05). There was no case of neurological deficit, infection and revision for screw malposition. One patient underwent a fusion extension surgery for shoulder asymmetry. Conclusion : Radiographic/clinical outcomes of AIS patients treated by a Korean neurosurgeon were acceptable. Fundamental understanding of pediatric spinal deformity is essential for the practice of AIS surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.5-10
• /
• 2014

Objective : When the pedicle screw insertion technique is failed or not applicable, C7 intralaminar screw insertion method has been used as an alternative or salvage fixation method recently. However, profound understanding of anatomy is required for safe application of the bilaterally crossing laminar screw at C7 in clinic. In this cadaveric study, we evaluated the anatomic feasibility of the bilateral crossing intralaminar screw insertion and especially focused on determination of proper screw entry point. Methods : The C7 vertebrae from 18 adult specimens were studied. Morphometric measurements of the mid-laminar height, the minimum laminar thickness, the maximal screw length, and spino-laminar angle were performed and cross-sectioned vertically at the screw entry point (spino-laminar junction). The sectioned surface was equally divided into 3 parts and maximal thickness and surface area of the parts were measured. All measurements were obtained bilaterally. Results : The mean mid-laminar height was 13.7 mm, mean minimal laminar thickness was 6.6 mm, mean maximal screw length was 24.6 mm, and mean spinolaminar angle was $50.8{\pm}4.7^{\circ}$. Based on the measured laminar thickness, the feasibility of 3.5 mm diameter intralaminar screw application was 83.3% (30 sides laminae out of total 36) when assuming a tolerance of 1 mm on each side. Cross-sectional measurement results showed that the mean maximal thickness of upper, middle, and lower thirds was 5.0 mm, 7.5 mm, and 7.3 mm, respectively, and mean surface area for each part was $21.2mm^2$, $46.8mm^2$, and $34.7mm^2$, respectively. Fourteen (38.9%) sides of laminae would be feasible for 3.5 mm intralaminar screw insertion when upper thirds of C7 spino-laminar junction is the screw entry point. In case of middle and lower thirds of C7 spino-laminar junction, 32 (88.9%) and 28 (77.8%) sides of laminae were feasible for 3.5 mm screw insertion, respectively. Conclusion : The vertical cross-sectioned area of middle thirds at C7 spinolaminar junction was the largest area and 3.5 mm screw can be accommodated with 77.8 % of feasibility when lower thirds were the screw entry point. Thus, selection of middle and lower thirds for each side of screw entry point in spino-laminar junction would be the safest way to place bilateral crossing laminar screw within the entire lamina. This anatomic study result will help surgeons to place the screw safely and accurately.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.210-217
• /
• 2006

Many types of interspinous distraction devices (IDDs) have been recently developed as an alternative surgical treatment to laminectomy and fusion with pedicle screws for the treatment of the lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). They are intended to keep the lumbar spine in a slightly flexed posture to relieve pain caused by narrowing of the spinal canal and vertebral foramen. However, their biomechanical efficacies are not well known. In this study, we evaluated the kinematic behaviors and changes in intradiscal pressure (IDP) of the porcine lumbar spine implanted with IDD. For kinematics analysis, five porcine lumbar spines (L2-L6) were used and the IDD was inserted at L4-L5. Three markers (${\phi}{\le}0.8mm$) were attached on each vertebra to define a rigid body motion for stereophotogrammetric assessment of the spinal motion in 3-D. A moment of 7.5Nm in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were imparted with a compressive force of 700N. Then, IDD was implanted at L3-L4. IDPs were measured using pressure transducer under compression (700N) and additional extension moment (700N+7.5Nm). In kinematic behaviors, insertion of IDD resulted in statistically significant decrease 42.8% at the implanted level in extension. There were considerable changes in ROM at the adjacent levels, but statistically insignificant. In other motions, there were no significant changes in ROM as well regardless of levels. IDPs at the surgical level (L3-L4) under compression and extension moment decreased by 12.9% and 18.8% respectively after surgery (p<0.05). At the superiorly adjacent levels, IDPs increased by 19.4% and 12.9% under compression and extension, respectively (p<0.05). Corresponding changes at the inferiorly adjacent levels were 29.4% and 6.9%, but they were statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The magnitude of pressure changes due to IDD, both at the operated and adjacent levels, were far less than the previously reported values with conventional fusion techniques. Our experimental results demonstrated the IDDs can be very effective in limiting the extension motion that may cause narrowing of the spinal canal and vertebral foramens while maintaining kinematic behaviors and disc pressures at the adjacent levels.