Objective To explore the method of the distal perforator-based gluteus maximus muscle V-Y flap to treat the sacral ulcer and to simplify the operative procedures.Methods From March 2002 to March 2005, 11 cases of sacral ulcer were repaired by distal perforatorbased gluteus maximus muscle flaps. The area of sacral ulcer ranged from 13 cm×11 cm to 18 cm×14 cm. Of 11 cases, 7 were female and 4 were male,whose age ranged from 21 to 69 years, and the disease course was 8 months to 3 years.A triangular flap was designed to create a V-Y advancement flap.The length of the base was made almost equal to the diameter of the defect.The apex of the tringle was located near the great trochanter. The medial part of the flap was elevated as a fasciocutaneous flap by dissecting the layer between the fascia and the muscle.The distal part ofthe flap was elevated by dissecting the layer between the gluteus maximus muscle and the fascia of the deeper muscle group.The flap was advanced to the defect. Results All the flaps survived. After a follow-up of 5 months to 3 years, the bilateral buttocks were symmetry and whose appearance was satisfactory. Except for 1 case dying of other disease, no recurrence of ulcer was observed.All the flaps survived. Conclusion The distal perforatorbased fasciocutaneous V-Y flap for treatment of sacral ulcers is a simple and reliable technique, which has several advantages over the conventional V-Y flap technique,such as excelent excursion,viable coverage with the fasciocutaneous component, high flap reliability, preservation of the contralateral buttock, and preservation of the gluteus maximus muscle function.
To evaluate the cl inical effect of pedical screw systems fixed between lumbar and il ium for treatment of sacral fractures. Methods From June 2003 to June 2009, 21 cases of sacral fracture (29 sides including monolateral 13 cases and bilateral 8 cases) were treated with pedical screw systems to have reduction and fixation. There were 12 males and 9 females, aging 23-59 years (38.2 years on average). Fractue was caused by traffic accident in 12 cases, by fall ingfrom height in 7 cases, and by crash in 2 cases. Screws were inserted into lumbar pedicles and il iac crests. Decompression was used in 4 cases compl icated by sacral nerves injury, and reductions and fixations were used in 12 cases compl icated anterior pelvic or acetabulum injury. The preoperative proximal displacement at the injured side of the pelvis was (16.29 ± 6.47) mm compared with contralateral pelvis. Results All incisions healed primarily with no compl ication of infection. Twentyone patients were followed up 6 months to 6 years. Cl inical heal ing time of fracture was 6-9 weeks. In 4 cases compl icated by S1 or S2,3 nerves injury, the function recovered completely after 4-9 weeks. In other 17 patients, no compl ication of intraoperative nerve injury occurred. All patients could walk and squat after 6-12 weeks of operation. No breakage or displacement of implant occurred. The postoperative proximal displacement at the injured side of the pelvis was (3.51 ± 0.68) mm compared with contralateral pelvis, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.01) when compared with preoperative one. Conclusion It is a novel choice to have reduction and internal fixation for sacral fracture with pedical screw systems fixed between lumbar and il ium. The strict regulation of indication and skill is the key to prevent compl ication.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of O-arm navigation and C-arm navigation for guiding percutaneous long sacroiliac screws in treatment of Denis type Ⅱ sacral fractures. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on clinical data of the 46 patients with Denis type Ⅱ sacral fractures between April 2021 and October 2022. Among them, 19 patients underwent O-arm navigation assisted percutaneous long sacroiliac screw fixation (O-arm navigation group), and 27 patients underwent C-arm navigation assisted percutaneous long sacroiliac screw fixation (C-arm navigation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, causes of injuries, Tile classification of pelvic fractures, combined injury, the interval from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The intraoperative preparation time, the placement time of each screw, the fluoroscopy time of each screw during placement, screw position accuracy, the quality of fracture reduction, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared, postoperative complications were observed. Pelvic function was evaluated by Majeed score at last follow-up. Results All operations were completed successfully, and all incisions healed by first intention. Compared to the C-arm navigation group, the O-arm navigation group had shorter intraoperative preparation time, placement time of each screw, and fluoroscopy time, with significant differences (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in screw position accuracy and the quality of fracture reduction (P>0.05). There was no nerve or vascular injury during screw placed in the two groups. All patients in both groups were followed up, with the follow-up time of 6-21 months (mean, 12.0 months). Imaging re-examination showed that both groups achieved bony healing, and there was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). During follow-up, there was no postoperative complications, such as screw loosening and breaking or loss of fracture reduction. At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in pelvic function between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with the C-arm navigation, the O-arm navigation assisted percutaneous long sacroiliac screws for the treatment of Denis typeⅡsacral fractures can significantly shorten the intraoperative preparation time, screw placement time, and fluoroscopy time, improve the accuracy of screw placement, and obtain clearer navigation images.
Objective To observe the effect of selective sacral rhizotomy in treating spastic bladder after spinal cord injury and to explore the mechanism and the best surgical method of different sacral rhizotomies. Methods The spastic bladder models were established in 12 male dogsand were divided into 4 groups according to the different rhizotomies of the sacral nerve as the following: rhizotomy of the anterior root of S2(group A), rhizotomy of the anterior root of S2 and half of the anterior root of S3(group B), rhizotomy of the anterior roots of S2 and S3(group C), and total rhizotomy of the nerve roots of S2-4 (group D). By urodynamic examination and electrophysiological -observation, the changes of all functional data were recorded and comparedbetween pre-rhizotomy and post-rhizotomy to testify the best surgical method. In clinical trial, according to the results of the above experiments, rhizotomy of the anterior root of S2 or one of the halfanterior root of S3 were conducted on 32 patients with spastic bladder after spinal cord injury. The mean bladder capacity, the mean urine evacuation and the mean urethra pressure were (120±30), (100±30)ml and (120±20) cm H2 O, respectively before rhizotomy. Results After rhizotomy, the bladder capacity in 4 groups amounted to (150±50), (180±50), (230±50), and (400±50) ml, respectively; and the urine evacuation volume were (130±30), (180±50), (100±50) and (50±30)ml, respectively. In the treated 32 patients, the mean bladder capacity were raised to 410 ml, and the mean urine evacuation volume were also increased to 350 ml. Incontinence of urine disappeared in all patients. After 22-month follow-up on 13 patients, no recurrence was observed. Conclusion The effectof selective sacral rhizotomy in treating spastic cord injury is significant and worthy of further studies.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate an alternative procedure for complete denervation of bladder in the supra-cone cord injury to restore the bladder function. METHODS: Sixteen dogs were included in this study after their spinal cords were transected above the cone. They were divided into 6 groups and performed the rhizotomy of L7 to S3 root in different combination respectively. The bladder and urethra pressure change by electrostimulation during operation and cystometrogram change after operation were tested. RESULTS: 1. Electrostimulation study: for bladder innervation, S2was the most important and S1 was secondary. While for urethra innervation, S1 was more important than S2. When the anterior and posterior roots of S1 and S2 were intact with rhizotomy of posterior roots of L7 and S3, stimulated the common or posterior root of S1 and S2, the change of pressure in bladder and urethra was the same. When the anterior roots of S1 and S2 were resected with rhizotomy of posterior roots of L7 and S3, the pressure in bladder and urethra was significant decreased compared to stimulating the corresponding posterior roots. 2. Cystometrogram (CMG) study: in the complete deafferented group, resecting the posterior roots of L7 to S3, the bladder became flaccid. While resecting the posterior root of S2 and anterior root of S1 or, resecting the posterior root of S1 and anterior root of S2, combining with rhizotomy of posterior roots of L7 and S3, the CMG curve was similar to the complete deafferented group. In the S1 and S2 intact group, the bladder became spastic. CONCLUSION: Combining rhizotomy of anterior and posterior sacral root in different level has the same effects on bladder as complete deafferentation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of percutaneous double-segment lengthened sacroiliac screws internal fixation assisted by three-dimensional (3D) navigation technology in treatment of Denis type Ⅱ and Ⅲ sacral fractures. Methods A clinical data of 45 patients with the Denis type Ⅱ and Ⅲ sacral fractures admitted between January 2017 and May 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 14 females, with an average age of 48.3 years (range, 30-65 years). The pelvic fractures were all high energy injuries. According to the Tile classification standard, there were 24 cases of type C1, 16 cases of type C2, and 5 cases of type C3. The sacral fractures were classified as Denis type Ⅱ in 31 cases and type Ⅲ in 14 cases. The interval between injury and operation was 5-12 days (mean, 7.5 days). The lengthened sacroiliac screws were implanted in S1 and S2 segments respectively under the assistance of 3D navigation technology. The implantation time of each screw, the intraoperative X-ray exposure time, and the occurrence of surgical complications were recorded. After operation, the imaging reexamination was used to evaluate the screw position according to Gras standard and the reduction quality of sacral fractures according to Matta standard. At last follow-up, the pelvic function was scored with Majeed scoring standard. Results The 101 lengthened sacroiliac screws were implanted with the assisting of 3D navigation technology. The implantation time of each screw was 37.3 minutes on average (range, 30-45 minutes), and the X-ray exposure time was 46.2 seconds on average (range, 40-55 seconds). All patients had no neurovascular or organ injury. All incisions healed by first intention. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to Matta standard as excellent in 22 cases, good in 18 cases, and fair in 5 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 88.89%. The screw position was evaluated according to Gras standard as excellent in 77 screws, good in 22 screws, and poor in 2 screws, and the excellent and good rate was 98.02%. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 14.6 months). All fractures healed and the healing time was 12-16 weeks (mean, 13.5 weeks). Pelvic function was evaluated according to Majeed scoring standard as excellent in 27 cases, good in 16 cases, fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 95.56%. Conclusion Percutaneous double-segment lengthened sacroiliac screws internal fixation for the treatment of Denis type Ⅱ and Ⅲ sacral fractures is minimally invasive and effective. With the assistance of 3D navigation technology, the screw implantation is accurate and safe.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in the treatment of neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction in patients with spina bifida. Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction caused by spina bifida treated with SNM between July 2012 and May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 males and 14 females, with an average age of 26.0 years (range, 18.5-36.5 years). The disease duration ranged from 12 to 456 months, with an average of 195.8 months. The types of spina bifida included 8 cases of occult spina bifida and 25 cases of meningocele/myelomeningocele. Clinical symptoms included 19 cases of urgency-frequent urination, 18 cases of urinary incontinence, 27 cases of chronic urinary retention, and 29 cases of bowel dysfunction. Image urodynamics showed that 4 patients had detrusor overactivity (DO) and 29 patients had detrusor underactivity (DU). Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was found in 5 ureters (4 patients). SNM procedure was divided into experiential treatment and permanent implantation. Patients who were evaluated as successful or willing to be permanently implanted after experiential treatment would implant the permanent pulse generator. ResultsThe duration of experiential treatment was 14-28 days, with an average of 19.2 days; there was no complication during this period, and the overall success rate was 69.69% (23/33). At the end of experiential treatment, the urination frequency in 24 hours, urine volume per time, urinary urgency score, and urine leakage of patients were significantly improved when compared with those before experiential treatment (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in postvoid residual volume between before and after experiential treatment (t=1.383, P=0.179). The success rate of patients with chronic urinary retention after experiential treatment (25.93%) was significantly lower than that of urgency-frequent urination (63.16%) and urinary incontinence (61.11%) (χ2=7.260, P=0.064). Compared with those before experiential treatment, the maximum cystometric capacity and compliance increased and the maximum detrusor pressure during filling decreased significantly (P<0.05). Among the 4 patients with DO before experiential treatment, DO disappeared in 2 cases; 27 patients with DU before experiential treatment did not recover the normal contraction of detrusor during micturition. Among the 5 ureters with VUR before experiential treatment, 2 VUR disappeared at the end of experiential treatment, and the VUR grade or the bladder volume before VUR of the other 3 ureters were improved. At the end of experiential treatment, the neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) score and the grade of bowel dysfunction significantly improved (P<0.05). A total of 19 patients received permanent implantation, of which 11 patients needed to empty the bladder in combination with intermittent catheterization. ConclusionSNM is effective for neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction in patients with spina bifida. At the same time, it can significantly improve the urodynamic parameters during urine storage and avoid upper urinary tract damage.
Objective To investigate the validity of estimating American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade with a bowel-routine based self-administered questionnaire for assessment of sacral sparing after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods The 5-item SCI sacral sparing self-report questionnaire was administrated to SCI inpatients from August 2014 to July 2016, followed by an standardized digital rectal examination. Question 1 (perceiving the tissue), Question 2 (identifying the water temperature as warm or cold), Question 3 (perceiving the inserted finger), and Question 4 (perceiving the inserted enema tube) tested the sensory sacral sparing, and Question 5 (holding the enema for more than 1 min) evaluated the voluntary anal sphincter contraction. Based on the answers from each participant, the sensory and motor sacral sparing was implied, and an estimated AIS grade (AIS A, AIS B, or AIS C/D) was recorded. Agreement of the estimated AIS grade and the actual AIS grade according to the physical examination was analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, and Youden’s index of the questionnaire for estimating completeness of injury were calculated.ResultsA total of 102 SCI patients were enrolled. The general agreement of estimated and actual AIS grades was good (κ=0.681, P<0.001). For the estimation of a complete injury, both the sensitivity (87.10%) and the specificity (100.00%) of this questionnaire were high, with a Youden’s index of 0.87. For the estimation of a motor complete injury, the sensitivity increased (92.00%) while the specificity decreased slightly (75.00%), with a Youden’s index of 0.67.ConclusionsThe validity of this self-report questionnaire for estimation of AIS grade is good. In some situations, it could be considered as an alternative tool for the estimation of sacral sparing as well as the AIS grades within SCI individuals, especially when repeated anorectal examinations are not feasible.
Objective To study the MRI diagnosis of sacral fracture with sacral neurological damage and its cl inical appl ication. Methods From October 1999 to October 2007, 20 cases of sacral fracture (Denis classification, Type II)with sacral neurological damage were examined by obl ique coronal MRI of sacrum to show the whole length of sacral nerve. There were 17 males and 3 females, aged 30-55 years. The time from injury to hospital ization varied from 1 day to 23 months. The injury was caused by traffic accident in 10 cases, smash of heavy object in 8 cases and crush in 2 cases. Eight cases were accompanied by pubis fracture and 4 cases by urethral disruption. All patients accepted the examination of X-ray, CT and spiral CT 3D reconstruction. X-ray showed the displacement of fracture fragment was backwards and upwards, and sacral-hole l ine was vague, asymmetric and distorted. CT showed that sacral neural tube was left-right asymmetry, the displacement of fracture fragment was backwards and upwards, combining with the compression and intruding to sacrum center at different section levels. The cl inical manifestations, international standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury recommended by American Spinal Injury Association International Spinal Cord Society, comparison between normal and abnormal MRI and Gierada’s results were the basis for cl inical diagnose and MRI diagnose, which was confirmed by operation. Results Nerve injury diagnosed by cl inical manifestation were S1 (17 cases), S2 (14 cases), S3 (7 cases), and S4 (6 cases). Nerve injury diagnosedby MRI were S1 (17 cases), S2 (14 cases), S3 (3 cases), and S4 (2 cases). Nerve injury confirmed by operation were S1 (17 cases), S2 (14 cases), S3 (7 cases), and S4 (1 case). Obl ique coronal MRI of sacrum showed the whole length of sacral nerve and its adjacent relationship, detecting bone fragment compression and route alteration of never were evident in 5 cases, the fat disappearance around the site of nerve root injury in 19 cases, narrowness of sacral nerve canal in 17 cases and the abnormally enlarged sacral nerve in 11 cases. Conclusion Obl ique coronal MRI of sacrum is of great value in the local ization and the qual itative diagnosis of sacral neurological damage.
Objective To evaluate the effects of sacrectomy extent on the stabil ity of lumbo-il iac fixation using single or dual il iac screw technique, and to determine which conditions require the dual il iac screw technique. Methods Nine fresh L2 to pelvic specimens were harvested from donated adult cadavers. After testing the intact state simulated by L3-5 pedicle screw fixation, sequential partial sacrectomies and L3 to il iac fixation using bilateral single il iac screw (Single) wereconducted on the same specimen as follows: in group A, under S1 partial sacrectomy and Single; in group B, under 1/2 S1 partial sacrectomy and Single; in group C, one-side (left) sacroil iac joint resection and Single; in group D, total sacrectomy and Single; and in group E, the single il iac screw was replaced by dual il iac screws based on group D. Biomechanical testing was performed on a material testing machine under 0-800 N compression and —7-7 N•m torsion loading modes for construct stiffness evaluation. Results The compressive stiffness of intact condition was (392 ± 119) N/mm, groups A, B, C, D, and E obtained 106.4% ± 9.5%, 102.7% ± 8.0%, 92.2% ± 10.1%, 72.7% ± 8.0%, and 107.7% ± 10.7% of intact condition, respectively. No significant differences were found among groups A, B, C, and the intact state (P gt; 0.05), however, the four groups showed significantly higher compressive stiffness than group D (P lt; 0.05). Although group E exhibited a comparable compressive stiffness with groups A, B, and intact state (P gt; 0.05), it displayed markedly higher compressive stiffness than groups C and D (P lt; 0.05). The torsional stiffness of intact state was (3.22 ± 1.23) N•m/deg. Groups A, B, C, D, and E acquired 105.4% ± 10.1%, 89.8% ± 12.3%, 75.9% ± 10.6%, 71.2% ± 10.2%, and 109.1% ± 16.9% of intact state, respectively. No significant differences were detected among groups A, B, E, and the intact state (P gt; 0.05). However, groups C and D showed remarkably lower torsional stiffness than groups A, E, and the intact state (P lt; 0.05). Importantly, group E offered remarkably higher torsional stiffness than group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion After under 1/2 S1 partial sacrectomy, single il iac screw technique could effectively restore local stabil ity; whereas it could hardly provide adequate stabil ity for further resection of one-side sacroil iac joint or total sacrectomy; in such situation, the use of dual il iac screw technique could obtain sufficient construct stabil ity. Therefore, in the surgical treatment of sacral tumor, the dual il iac screw technique should be considered for the unstable conditions of totalsacrectomy or under 1/2 S1 sacrectomy with one-side sacroil iac joint resection.