Application of a new integrated low-profile anterior plate and cage system in single-level cervical spondylosis: a preliminary retrospective study

Background Although ACDF has been widely used in treating cervical spondylosis and related diseases, the complications along with this anterior surgical technique have hindered its application and affected the postoperative outcome of the patients. Here, we investigated the clinical and radiological outcomes of a new integrated low-profile anterior plate and cage system for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in treating cervical spondylosis. Methods A total of 96 cervical spondylosis patients who underwent single-level ACDF between 2018 to 2020 in our institute were enrolled. There were 28 patients using the new implants and 68 patients using the zero-profile (Zero-P) implants. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The cervical and segmental Cobb angle and range of motion (ROM) were used to assessed the radiological outcomes. Incidence of complications were also recorded. All data were recorded at pre-operation, 6-month and 12-month post-operation. Results All patients were followed-up for at least 1-year, the mean follow-up time was over one year. The fusion rate was similar in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the postoperative JOA score recovery rate, postoperative VAS score of neck and arm pain, postoperative ROM, and incidence of complications between two groups (P > 0.05). However, postoperative cervical and segmental Cobb angle were better maintained in the new low-profile implant group compared to Zero-P group. Conclusions The clinical outcomes of the new low-profile implant were satisfactory and comparable to that of zero-profile system. It may have advantages in improving and maintaining the cervical lordosis, and can be an alternative device for single-level cervical spondylosis treated with ACDF.

Limited Discectomy for single level lumbar disc herniation: a retrospective study in a tertiary level hospital

Objective: To perform retrospective analysis of 1000 patients who underwent open limited discectomy (OLD) for single level lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and to assess the long- term clinical outcomes. Methods: 745 men and 255 women, with mean age of 38.03 ± 9.14 years (range 19- 55 years) who had primary LDH at L4-5 (n=640), L5-S1 (n=352), and L3-4 (n=8); underwent OLD were reviewed. Records were obtained regarding their demographic data, the side and level of disc herniation, operating time period, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and perioperative complications. VAS score was measured before and after operation, for the assessment of low back pain (LBP) and radicular pain. Comprehensive outcome outcomes were measured postoperatively with the modified Macnab criteria and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. Results: The mean follows up was 24.5 (range 24-70) months. Significant improvement of mean VAS score for back and leg pain was achieved. At the two years follow-up, results were excellent in 525 (52.50%), good in 325 (32.50%), fair in 140 (14.00%) and poor in 10 (1.00%). Complications found were reherniation (n=52), discitis (n=19), superficial wound infection (n=7), dural tear (n=7) and foot drop (n=2). Conclusion: Open limited discectomy following fenestration or laminotomy is a safe and effective procedure and achieved favorable long-term outcome (e.g., low rate of recurrent LBP) and excellent patients’ satisfaction. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 37-44

Posterior Dynamic Stabilization with Limited Rediscectomy for Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation

Objective. Recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH) is the most common cause of sciatica after primary discectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transpedicular dynamic stabilization (TDS) combined with limited rediscectomy in the treatment of single-level RLDH. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 24 middle-aged patients who underwent TDS (Dynesys system) combined with limited rediscectomy (i.e., removing only extruded or loose disc fragments) for single-level Carragee type II and type IV RLDH between April 2012 and September 2017. Clinical results were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS) for leg and low back pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and complications. Imaging data include lumbar segment motion and intervertebral height. Results. The mean follow-up period was 38 months. The VAS and ODI scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up. The average range of motion (ROM) at the stabilized segment was 6.4° before surgery and 4.2° at the last follow-up, with a 78.6% mean preservation ( P < 0.05). Intervertebral height at the stabilized segment decreased slightly after surgery ( P < 0.05). However, there was no further decline at the last follow-up. There were no cases of reherniation, screw loosening, or segmental instability. Conclusions. TDS combined with limited rediscectomy resulted in an effective procedure in middle-aged patients with Carragee type II and type IV RLDH. It was able to stabilize the operated segment with partial motion preservation. Moreover, it could maintain disc height and decrease the risk of recurrence in patients with a large posterior annular defect.

Software Architecture of an Automated Greenhouse Complex based on Cloud Technologies

To grow crops in greenhouse complexes, it is necessary to maintain the microclimatic conditions required for these crops and monitor them. Automation of these processes is an urgent task, and for its solution it is necessary to use both hardware and software. The paper proposes a cloud service architecture for managing robotic vertical farms, which allows for reliable two-way data transfer between the greenhouse modules and the operator and can be used for growing crops both in vertical hydroponic installations and in single-level greenhouses of greenhouses. The business processes are described that allow you to understand and evaluate the principles of organizing monitoring and management of cultivation. On the basis of the developed architecture, software has been implemented, which has been tested in the tasks of managing the greenhouse complex and obtaining data on the microclimate. Thanks to the use of wireless networks, the absence of restrictions on the type and location of modules, duplication of functionality and data replication, such a system can be considered flexible in use and scalable.