The intervertebral disc has an important role in the spinal biomechanics. The influence of lumbar discectomy on the disc space height is still uncleared. This study was performed to evaluate the long term influence of lumbar discectomy on intervertebral disc space height.
The author analysed the disc space height in 25 patients who had performed open discectomy for the disc herniation at least two years age. The height was compared with that of unoperated disc and evaluated the role of discectomy in the change of disc space height.
The decrease of disc space height was 3.3mm in average. The loss of anterior height was 4.1mm and that of posterior height was 2.5mm. This discrepancy was statistically significant(p<0.05). Although the difference of disc height loss in each disc space was not significant. the loss in L4-5 disc space was greater than that of other disc space.
These data suggest that lumbar discectomy accelerate the loss of disc height and influence the process of vertebral degeneration by change of spinal biomechanics in long term period.
, Chung Nam Kang, Jin Man Wang, Kwon Jae Roh, Hong Suk Kim Metastatic tumors involving the spine cause severe pain and paraplegia. Vertebral body collapse results in spinal collapse results in spinal instability. In order to promote stability and improve pain, anterior fusion with bone cement and posterior fusion with instruments were used. Retrospective study was carried out of 16 cases of the metastatic tumor of the spine in Ewha Womans University Hospital Orthopedic Surgical dept. from Jan. 1982 to Dec. 1988. We have analyzed the results of treatment and obtained following conclusions.
The results were as follows :
1) Of the 16 patients, the ratio of men to women approximately 3:5 and the high incidence was over 5th. decades.
2) According to tumor classification, reproductive tract tumor was in 4 cases(25%), gastric, lung and hepato-biliary tumors in 2 cases each(12%), thyroid tumor in 1 case(7%) unknown origin in 5 cases(31%).
3) The thoracic spine commonly involved in 12 cases(75%).
4) Anterior fusion with bone cement was in 11 cases and posterior fusion with instrument in 4 cases. Both anterior and posterior fusion was in 1 case.
5) In functional results, the ambulation was achieved in 14 cases postoperatively, in 12 cases at 6 months, and 10 cases finally.
6) The surgical treatment was valuable, because the good results were appeared in 62.5% finally with loss of pain.
, Chung Nam Kang, Jin Man Wang, Kwan Jae Roh, Woo Sup Youn Diseases or traumas involving the spine occasionally cause severe vertebral body collapse to result in either spinal instability or neural deficit, or both. In methods of treatment, conventional decompressive laminectomy results in neural improvement, but it can cause local instability of spine and lead progressive neural deficit. Vertebral stabilization by using bone cement(methylmethacrylate) provides immediate stabilization and avoids bulky external-fixation devices and external supports. We report two cases of thoracic spinal stabilization by using bone cement.
, Choong Nam Kang, Jin Man Wang, Se Hwan Oh The sequelae of unstable fracture of the cervical spine were tragic. The first objective of treatment is protection of the spinalcord during reduction and stabulization. Since 1933, skeletal traction which was introduced by Crutchfield and modified by Vinke, Barton and others, has been used for reduction of fracture-dislocation of the cervical spine. 4 cases of fracture and dislocation of the cervical spine were treated at this department. 2 cases of them, one was quadriplegic and the other revealed nerve root irritation sign, were performed posterior spine fusion and recovered. The third who had fracture-dislocation between C5 and C6 with ankylosing spondylitis was died in the early course. The 4th who hadfracture-dislocation between C5 and C6 with transsection of the spinal cord was also died at home 7 weeks after trauma.
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