Our research examines the learning curves of various minimally invasive lumbar surgeries to determine the benefits and challenges they pose to both surgeons and patients. The advent of microsurgical techniques since the 1960s, including advances in fluoroscopic navigation and intraoperative computed tomography, has significantly shifted spinal surgery from open to minimally invasive methods. This study critically evaluates surgical duration, intraoperative conversions to open surgery, and complications as primary parameters to gauge these learning curves. Through a comprehensive literature search up to March 2024, involving databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, this paper identifies a steep learning curve associated with these surgeries. Despite their proven advantages in reducing recovery time and surgical trauma, these procedures require surgeons to master advanced technology and equipment, which can directly impact patient outcomes. The study underscores the need for well-defined learning curves to facilitate efficient training and enhance surgical proficiency, especially for novice surgeons. Moreover, it addresses the implications of technology on surgical accuracy and the subsequent effects on complication rates, providing insights into the complex dynamics of adopting new surgical innovations in spinal health care.
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Objective To evaluate the degeneration patterns of paraspinal muscles in double-level degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (dl-DLS) versus single-level degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (sl-DLS).
Methods A total of 67 dl-DLS and 73 sl-DLS patients were included. Multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES), and psoas major (PM)’s fatty infiltration (FI) and relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) were measured. Sagittal parameters such as lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS) were also assessed. Comparisons and correlation analysis were performed between the 2 groups.
Results MF atrophy is worse in dl-DLS patients from L3–4 to L5–S1, with higher FI from L1–2 to L5–S1 compared to sl-DLS patients. ES atrophy and FI are more pronounced in dl-DLS patients from L1–2 to L5–S1. PM atrophy is more significant in dl-DLS patients at L2–3 to L5–S1, with heavier FI from L1–2 to L3–4, though no difference in FI from L4–5 to L5–S1. The rCSA and FI of MF and ES show significant differences between adjacent segments in both groups, except for MF rCSA between L3–4 and L4–5 in dl-DLS. In dl-DLS, PM rCSA negatively correlates with PT from L4–5 to L2–3, while FI of MF and ES in L5–S1 positively correlates with LL. In sl-DLS, PM FI in L4–5 and L5–S1 negatively correlates with LL.
Conclusion Degeneration of MF, ES, and PM is more severe in dl-DLS patients, particularly at the spondylolisthesis level. Severe paraspinal muscle degeneration can lead to spinal force imbalance and progression from sl-DLS to dl-DLS. The degradation of PM and ES correlates negatively with PT and SVA, indicating a link to pelvic decompensation and SVA abnormalities, potentially causing disproportionate degenerative changes in dl-DLS patients.
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Objective To compare the radiological outcomes in Lenke 5C type patients whose lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) was L3 or L4 in a case-match study.
Methods We conducted a retrospective case-match study and included 82 patients in the study. Radiological results before surgery, after surgery, and at last follow-up were recorded and analyzed in the L3 and L4 groups.
Results After matching the age, Risser’s sign, sex, and main Cobb, 41 pairs of patients were enrolled in our study. The total fusion segments in the L3 group (median [interquartile range]: 5.0 [6.0–5.0]) were shorter than those in the L4 group (6.0 [6.5–6.0]). The main curve was significantly corrected after surgery in both groups, and was comparable at the last followup between groups. In addition, according to the results of Fisher precision probability test, there was no significant difference of coronal or sagittal imbalance between the 2 groups at the 2-year follow-up.
Conclusion The correction in coronal and sagittal planes in L3 group and L4 group remains similar. On account of more motion segments, L3 could be an ideal choice as LIV in moderate Lenke 5C type AIS. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the effect of larger compensatory lumbar-sacral curve when stopping at L3.
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