• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different patterns of bone loss between the lumbar spine and the femur after ovariectomy in rats. Methods : Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a sham operation (the sham group) or bilateral ovariectomy (the ovariectomized group). Four and eight weeks after operation, six rats from each of the two groups were euthanized. Serum biochemical markers of bone turnover including osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which are sensitive biochemical markers of bone formation, and the telopeptide fragment of type I collagen C-terminus (CTX), which is a sensitive biochemical marker of bone resorption, were analyzed. Bone histomorphometric parameters of the 4th lumbar vertebrae and femur were determined by micro-computed tomography. Results : Ovariectomized rats were found to have higher osteocalcin, ALP and CTX levels than sham controls. Additionally, 8 weeks after ovariectomy in the OVX group, serum levels of osteocalcin, ALP and CTX were significantly higher than those of 4 weeks after ovariectomy. Bone loss after ovariectomy was more extensive in the 4th lumbar spine compared to the femur. Bone loss in the 4th lumbar spine was mainly caused by trabecular thinning, but in the femur, it was mainly caused by trabecular elimination. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates different patterns of bone loss between the 4th lumbar spine and the femur in ovariectomized rats. Therefore, when considering animal models of osteoporosis, it is important that bone sites should be taken into account.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.212-220
• /
• 2020

This study examines the effects on isometric lumbar extension strength, dynamic balance ability, and range of motion, after administering 8 weeks SEBT exercise (dynamic balance exercise) and Lumbar Stabilizing exercise, to open laser lumbar microdiscectomy patients. Totally, 14 patients who underwent preservation treatment for 6 weeks after undergoing open laser lumbar microdiscectomy, were enrolled for the study. Patients were randomly assigned to the Lumbar Stabilizing Exercise Group (LSG, n=7) and SEBT Exercise + Lumbar Stabilizing Exercise Group (SGLS, n=7). Results indicate that isometric lumbar extension strength ratio significantly decreases after 8 weeks rehabilitation exercise in both the LSG (p=0.007) as well as SLSG (p=0.024) groups. Normalized reach distance of the three directions in the Y-balance test to examine the dynamic balance capability showed a significant increase in both groups. The dynamic balance capability showed significant increase to the left (LSG, p=0.010; SLSG, p=0.002) and right (LSG, p=0.002; SLSG, p=0.002). Moreover, significant increase was also obtained in the range of joint operation, in both LSG (p=0.006) and SLSG (p=0.017) groups. These results indicate that both groups of rehabilitation exercise achieve positive outcomes on the isometric lumbar extension strength, range of motion, and dynamic balance ability. However, some results suggest that the SEBT program is likely to have a better efficacy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.10
• /
• pp.1193-1199
• /
• 2001

Objectives : The goal of operation for degenerative lumbar diseases is to relieve radiculopathy and low back pain and to prevent further degeneration. The authors analyzed the surgical results of posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF) and $0^{\circ}$ fixation to evaluate the proper treatment policy in spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis and low grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. Material and Methods : The authors performed PLIF on 92 patients and $0^{\circ}$ fixation on 138 patients with spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis and low grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. We retrospectively studied clinical outcomes and subjective satisfaction of these patients by several criteria such as visual analog scale(VAS), Prolo's economic and functional outcome scale, medication usage after operation and questionaire for overall outcome. Result : Pre- and postoperative VAS on back pain and leg pain showed decrease of pain from 6.5, 6.7 to 2.2, 2.4 in PLIF group and from 7.0, 7.2 to 2.5, 2.7 in $0^{\circ}$ fixation group. Excellent and good outcomes on Prolo's scale were 81.5% in PLIF group and 82.6% in $0^{\circ}$ fixation group. Medication usage after operation was reduced in 79.3% of PLIF group and in 78.3% of $0^{\circ}$ fixation group. Patients' self-reported overall success of their procedure showed 82% in PLIF group and 84% in $0^{\circ}$ fixation group. Conclusion : Both PLIF and $0^{\circ}$ fixation showed good outcomes and provided biomechanically stable fusion in spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis and low grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. Therefore, only PLIF seems necessary and considered a proper surgical treatment for these disorders.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.65 no.4
• /
• pp.539-548
• /
• 2022

Objective : Although full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) has been tried as the latest alternative technique to minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interobody fusion (MIS-TLIF) since mid-2010, the evidence is still lacking. We compared the clinical outcome and safety of Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF for lumbar degenerative disease. Methods : We systematically searched electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library to find literature comparing Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF. The results retrieved were last updated on December 11, 2020. The perioperative outcome included the operation time, blood loss, complication, and hospital stay. The clinical outcomes included Visual analog scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the radiological outcome included pseudoarthosis rate with 12-month minimum follow-up. Results : Four retrospective observational studies and one prospective observational study comprising 423 patients (183 Endo-LIF and 241 MIS-TLIF) were included, and the pooled data analysis revealed low heterogeneity between studies in our review. Baseline characteristics including age and sex were not different between the two groups. Operation time was significantly longer in Endo-LIF (mean difference [MD], 23.220 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.669-35.771; p=0.001). However, Endo-LIF resulted in less perioperative blood loss (MD, -144.710 mL; 95% CI, 247.941-41.478; p=0.023). Although VAS back pain at final (MD, -0.120; p=0.586), leg pain within 2 weeks (MD, 0.005; p=0.293), VAS leg pain at final (MD, 0.099; p=0.099), ODI at final (MD, 0.141; p=0.093) were not different, VAS back pain within 2 weeks was more favorable in the Endo-LIF (MD, -1.538; 95% CI, -2.044 to -1.032; p<0.001). On the other hand, no statistically significant group difference in complication rate (relative risk [RR], 0.709; p=0.774), hospital stay (MD, -2.399; p=0.151), and pseudoarthrosis rate (RR, 1.284; p=0.736) were found. Conclusion : Relative to MIS-TLIF, immediate outcomes were favorable in Endo-LIF in terms of blood loss and immediate VAS back pain, although complication rate, mid-term clinical outcomes, and fusion rate were not different. However, the challenges for Endo-LIF include longer operation time which means a difficult learning curve and limited surgical indication which means patient selection bias. Larger-scale, well-designed study with long-term follow-up and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm and update the results of this systematic review.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.285-291
• /
• 2009

Objective : This study examined the change of range of motion (ROM) at the segments within the dynamic posterior stabilization, segments above and below the system, the clinical course and analyzed the factors influencing them. Methods : This study included a consecutive 27 patients who underwent one-level to three-level dynamic stabilization with Bioflex system at our institute. All of these patients with degenerative disc disease underwent decompressive laminectomy with/without discectomy and dynamic stabilization with Bioflex system at the laminectomy level without fusion. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, whole lumbar lordosis (from L1 to S1), ROMs from preoperative, immediate postoperative, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 months at whole lumbar (from L1 to S1), each instrumented levels, and one segment above and below this instrumentation were evaluated. Results : VAS scores for leg and back pain decreased significantly throughout the whole study period. Whole lumbar lordosis remained within preoperative range, ROM of whole lumbar and instrumented levels showed a significant decrease. ROM of one level upper and lower to the instrumentation increased, but statistically invalid. There were also 5 cases of complications related with the fixation system. Conclusion : Bioflex posterior dynamic stabilization system supports operation-induced unstable, destroyed segments and assists in physiological motion and stabilization at the instrumented level, decrease back and leg pain, maintain preoperative lumbar lordotic angle and reduce ROM of whole lumbar and instrumented segments. Prevention of adjacent segment degeneration and complication rates are something to be reconsidered through longer follow up period.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this study was to compare the lumbar extensor strength between before exercise and after 8 weeks exercise in the elderly. To evaluate lumbar extensor strength of total 18 patients (above 59 age) with low back pain or have experienced surgical operation. Lumbar extensor strength was measured in 8 male patients and 10 female patients (9 op group and 9 non-op group) by Medx lumbar extension machine. The data were analyzed with paired t-test compared to muscle strength, with repeated measured ANOVA compared to amount increase of muscle strength, using SPSS ver. 10.0 program. The results of this study were as follows: 1. There were significantly increased total lumbar extension strength was appear $6918.7{\pm}2802.77$ft-lbs in before exercise, $10432.83{\pm}2802.773397.1$ft-lbs in after 8 weeks exercise (p<. 05). 2. There were significantly increased total lumbar extension strength was increased to compared before exercise with after 8 weeks exercise in sex (p<. 05), op/non-op group (p<. 05).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.318-321
• /
• 2009

Tension pneumocephalus may follow a cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leak communicating with extensive extradural air. However, it rarely occurs after diagnostic lumbar puncture, and its treatment and pathophysiology are uncertain. Tension pneumocephalus can develop even after diagnostic lumbar puncture in a special condition. This extremely rare condition and underlying pathophysiology will be presented and discussed. The authors report the case of a 44-year-old man with a basal skull fracture accompanied by pneumothorax necessitating chest tube suction drainage, who underwent an uneventful lumbar tapping that was complicated by postprocedural tension pneumocephalus resulting in an altered mental status. The patient was managed by burr hole trephination and saline infusion following chest tube disengagement. He recovered well with no neurologic deficits after the operation, and a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated that the pneumocephalus had completely resolved. Tension pneumocephalus is a rare but serious complication of lumbar puncture in patients with basal skull fractures accompanied by pneumothorax, which requires continuous chest tube drainage. Thus, when there is a need for lumbar tapping in these patients, it should be performed after the negative pressure is disengaged.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.171-181
• /
• 2008

Purpose : In order to estimate clinical effects of Oriental Medicine Treatment with acupotomy therapy of herniated lumbar intervertebral Disc patient needed operation. Methods : From 17th April, 2008 to 17th April, 2008, 1 female patient diagnosed as herniated lumbar intervertebral Disc at L4/5(right postero-lateral extrusion type)was treated with general oriental medicine therapy(acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, physical therapy, herbal medication) and acupotomy. Results : The patient's chief complaints - Low back pain, both buttock pain, Right. leg paresthesia were remarkably improved. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that oriental medical treatment with acuputomy therapy has notable effect in improving functional disability and symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy. as though we had not wide experience in this treatment, more research is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.206-210
• /
• 2014

Objective : Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common degenerative spine disease that requires surgical intervention. Currently, there is interest in minimally invasive surgery and various technical modifications of decompressive lumbar laminectomy without fusion. The purpose of this study was to present the author's surgical technique and results for decompression of spinal stenosis. Methods : The author performed surgery in 57 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis between 2006 and 2010. Data were gathered retrospectively via outpatient interviews and telephone questionnaires. The operation used in this study was named central decompressive laminoplasty (CDL), which allows thorough decompression of the lumbar spinal canal and proximal two foraminal nerve roots by undercutting the lamina and facet joint. Kyphotic prone positioning on elevated curvature of the frame or occasional use of an interlaminar spreader enables sufficient interlaminar working space. Pain was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Surgical outcome was analyzed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Results : The interlaminar window provided by this technique allowed for unhindered access to the central canal, lateral recess, and upper/lower foraminal zone, with near-total sparing of the facet joint. The VAS scores and ODI were significantly improved at six-month follow-up compared to preoperative levels (p<0.001, respectively). Excellent pain relief (>75% of initial VAS score) of back/buttock and leg was observed in 75.0% and 76.2% of patients, respectively. Conclusion : CDL is easily applied, allows good field visualization and decompression, maintains stability by sparing ligament and bony structures, and shows excellent early surgical results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.62 no.5
• /
• pp.586-593
• /
• 2019

Objective : To study risk factors of secondary lumbar discectomy (LD) for recurrent herniated lumbar disc (HLD) and identify methods to lower the rate of recurrence. Methods : Data from 160 patients who underwent primary LD were collected retrospectively. Demographic features, radiologic findings including Pfirrmann disc degeneration, and surgical information were analyzed to compare risks between revision and non-revision patients. Results : The revision rate was 15% (24 patients), and the mean follow-up was 28.3 months. HLD recurrence was not related to any demographic characteristics. Primary and secondary LD were most common at the L4-5 level, but the level of operation was not significantly associated with revision. Primary LD most commonly had a Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of 3, followed by 4. For recurrent HLD, Pfirrmann grade 4 was most common and was statistically significant (p<0.05). A body mass index (BMI) over 30 was considered obese and was significantly related with HLD revision (p<0.05). Conclusion : Patients with high BMI or severe disc degeneration should be informed of HLD revision.