BackgroundLaminoplasty is an effective procedure for treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Little information is available regarding the surgical outcomes of expansive open-door laminoplasty (EOLP) when securing with titanium miniplates without bone grafting. This study is aimed to elucidate the efficacy of and problems associated with EOLP secured with titanium miniplates without bone grafting, thereby enhancing future surgical outcomes.MethodsThis is a retrospective study. The study participants comprised 104 patients who underwent cervical EOLP secured with titanium miniplates without bone graft for CSM treatment between August 2005 and March 2011. The clinical results were evaluated based on the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Nurick scores. The radiographic outcomes were determined based on plain film and magnetic resonance imaging findings, which were assessed and compared.ResultsLateral cervical spine X-rays exhibited improvement in the Pavlov ratio of the spinal canal at 1 day postoperation, and this ratio did not change at 1 year postoperation. The mean cervical curvature from C2 to C7 decreased 0.21° ± 10.09° and the mean cervical range of motion was deteriorated by 35% at 12 months (P < 0.05). The Nurick score improved from 3.19 ± 1.06 to 0.92 ± 1.32 (P < 0.05). The mean JOA recovery rate was 75% ± 21.1% at 1 year. The mean level of postoperative neck pain at 3 months was 3.09 ± 2.31, as determined using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Increased age, concomitant thoracolumbar stenosis, depression disorder, and preexisting myelomalacia negatively affected the JOA recovery rate (P < 0.05). A decreased preoperative Nurick score and superior sensory function in the upper extremities were powerful predictors of an enhanced JOA recovery rate. The postoperative complications involved hematoma formation 0.9%, reversible C5 nerve palsy 2.8%, and moderate to severe neck pain (VAS ≥ 4) 42%. No cases of lamina closure or collapse were observed.ConclusionEOLP secured with titanium miniplates without bone grafting is a safe and effective surgical method for treating most patients with CSM.

Although the optimal treatment for femur shaft fracture is intramedullary nailing fixation, nonunion still occurs. We determined the oligotrophic nonunion rate among femur fractures managed operatively and identified risk factors for reoperation. This was a retrospective clinical study. The data of the patients between 40 and 70 years old with diaphyseal femur fracture who have received reamed and interlocked intramedullary nailing fixation in our hospital from February 2014 to April 2018 were collected. They were followed at regular intervals for at least 1 year after the operation. The primary outcome was nonunion of the fracture site that required reoperation in accordance with the radiographic union scale for tibial shaft fracture (RUST), which is a reasonable score system for lower limb diaphyseal fracture. Three of them were hypertrophic nonunion (1.9%) and the other 13 cases were oligotrophic nonunion (8.6%) at postoperative 12 months follow-up. All of the postoperative plain films showed adequate reduction quality. The three hypertrophic nonunion cases were all obese male with fracture site comminution. Fracture at the proximal third junction, hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) was significantly associated with oligotrophic nonunion of the fracture site from logistic regression analysis. The mean RUST score 3 months after the operation was not significantly different between the union group and nonunion group but was significantly lower 6 months after the operation in the nonunion group. In conclusion, intramedullary nailing of the femur shaft fractures was associated with a low risk of nonunion at the 1-year follow-up in the middle age group. Those with comorbidity such as obese, HTN, and DM, with fracture site at the proximal third junction or comminution should be followed up closely and rehabilitation with cause aggressively. Radiographic scale as the RUST score at postoperative 6 months could be used to predict this complication.

Pelvic incidence and sacral slope observed in this population seemed smaller than those reported in other studies of white populations; this seems important when considering spine surgery in Taiwanese patients. Future studies should include collection of whole body sagittal parameters of larger and more-diverse populations, and assessments of patients with symptomatic spinal disorders.