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Condoliase for lumbar disc herniation

Condoliase for lumbar disc herniation

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Percutaneous chemonucleolysis with condoliase has been available for painful lumbar disc herniation since 2018 in Japan.

In the 1980s, chemonucleolysis with chymopapain, a protease, was widely used as the intermediate treatment between conservative therapy and surgical therapy in Western countries. However, since chymopapain was withdrawn from the market in 2002 for non-scientific commercial reasons, chemonucleolysis has not been a therapeutic option for LDH. Condoliase (chondroitin sulfate ABC endolyase), a glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzyme, was approved by the drug regulatory authority in Japan as a newer intradiscal therapy for LDH after clinical studies conducted in Japan demonstrated efficacy and safety for patients with LDH 1)

Condoliase as a first-line treatment option ahead of surgical treatment for LDH is superior, from a cost perspective to surgical treatment from the beginning. Condoliase is also a cost-effective alternative to non-surgery conservative treatment 2).

Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, dose-finding studies

Patients between 20 and 70 years of age with unilateral leg pain, positive findings on the straight leg raise test, and LDH were recruited. All eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive condoliase (1.25, 2.5, or 5 U) or placebo. The primary end point was a change in the worst leg pain from preadministration (baseline) to week 13. The secondary end points were changes from baseline in the following items: worst back pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), SF-36, and neurological examination. For pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses, plasma condoliase concentrations and serum keratan sulfate concentrations were measured. The safety end points were adverse events (AEs) and radiographic and MRI parameters. Data on leg pain, back pain, abnormal neurological findings, and imaging parameters were collected until week 52. RESULTS A total of 194 patients received an injection of condoliase or placebo. The mean change in worst leg pain from baseline to week 13 was -31.7 mm (placebo), -46.7 mm (1.25 U), -41.1 mm (2.5 U), and -47.6 mm (5 U). The differences were significant at week 13 in the 1.25-U group (-14.9 mm; 95% CI -28.4 to -1.4 mm; p = 0.03) and 5-U group (-15.9 mm; 95% CI -29.0 to -2.7 mm; p = 0.01) compared with the placebo group. The dose-response improvement in the worst leg pain at week 13 was not significant (p = 0.14). The decrease in the worst leg pain in all 3 condoliase groups was observed from week 1 through week 52. Regarding the other end points, the worst back pain and results of the straight leg raise test, ODI, and SF-36 showed a tendency for sustained improvement in each of the condoliase groups until week 52. In all patients at all time points, plasma condoliase concentrations were below the detectable limit (< 100 μU/ml). Serum keratan sulfate concentrations significantly increased from baseline to 6 hours and 6 weeks after administration in all 3 condoliase groups. No patient died or developed anaphylaxis or neurological sequelae. Five serious AEs occurred in 5 patients (3 patients in the condoliase groups and 2 patients in the placebo group), resolved, and were considered unrelated to the investigational drug. Severe AEs occurred in 10 patients in the condoliase groups and resolved or improved. In the condoliase groups, back pain was the most frequent AE. Modic type 1 change and decrease in disc height were frequent imaging findings. Dose-response relationships were observed for the incidence of adverse drug reactions and decrease in disc height. CONCLUSIONS Condoliase significantly improved clinical symptoms in patients with LDH and was well tolerated. While all 3 doses had similar efficacy, the incidence of adverse drug reactions and decrease in disc height were dose dependent, thereby suggesting that 1.25 U would be the recommended clinical dose of condoliase. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT00634946 (clinicaltrials.gov) 3).

Case series

Ohtonari et al. investigated clinical and radiographic outcomes three months after the administration because secondary surgical removal is most required during this period for insufficient pain relief, and analyzed whether the differences in intradiscal injection areas affected the clinical outcomes. They retrospectively investigated 47 consecutive patients (males, 31; median age, 40 years) three months after the administration. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), a visual analog scale (VAS) score for low back pain, and VAS scores for pains and numbness in the lower limbs. Radiographic outcomes were analyzed in 41 patients, using parameters such as mid-sagittal disc height and maximal protrusion length of herniation on MRI preoperatively and at the final follow-up. The postoperative median evaluation period was 90 days. The effective rate of low back pain based on the pain-related disorders at baseline and the last follow-up in the JOABPEQ reached 79.5%. The postoperative proportion of VAS scores recovery ≥ 2 points and ≥ 50% for pains in the lower limbs were 80.9% and 66.0%, respectively, revealing satisfactory effectiveness. Preoperative median mid-sagittal disc height significantly reduced from 9.5 to 7.6 mm postoperatively. There were no significant differences in pain relief in the lower limbs by injection areas in the center and the dorsal 1/3rd near the herniation of the nucleus pulposus. Chemonucleolysis with condoliase revealed satisfactory short-term outcomes after the administration regardless of intradiscal injection areas 4).

101 patients who underwent chemonucleolysis with condoliase from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients were divided into good outcome (i.e., favorable outcome) and poor outcome (i.e., requiring additional surgical treatment) groups. Patient demographics and imaging findings were collected. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the numerical rating scale and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores at baseline and at 1- and 3-month follow-up. Pretreatment indicators for additional surgery were compared between the 2 groups. Results: There was a significant difference in baseline leg numbness between the good outcome and poor outcome groups (6.27 ± 1.90 vs. 4.42 ± 2.90, respectively; p = 0.033). Of the 101 included patients, 32 received a preoperative computed tomography scan. In those patients, the presence of calcification or ossification in disc hernia occurred more often in the poor outcome group (61.5% vs. 5.3%, respectively; p &lt; 0.001; odds ratio = 22.242; p = 0.014). Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis for accompanying calcification or ossification showed an area under the curve of 0.858 (95% confidence interval, 0.715-1.000; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Calcified or ossified disc herniation may be useful predictors of unsuccessful treatment in patients with condoliase administration 5).

Sixty-seven patients (44 men, 23 women; mean age, 46.7 ± 18.0 years) were analyzed. Time-course changes in disc height, disc degeneration, and herniation size were assessed. For clinical outcomes assessment, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for leg and back pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were obtained at baseline and the 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-ups. We obtained a questionnaire from these patients at two years to assess satisfaction and recommendation. Condoliase therapy was considered to be effective in patients whose VAS score for leg pain improved by ≥ 50% at 2 years from baseline and who did not require surgery.

Results: Condoliase therapy was effective in 51 patients (76.1%). Eight patients (11.9%) required surgery due to ineffectiveness of the therapy. Condoliase therapy was ineffective in five out of six patients with a history of discectomy. The ODI and VAS scores for leg and back pain significantly improved from three months to two years. Of the patients, 80% satisfied with their outcomes, and 85% recommended this therapy. Progression of disc degeneration was observed in 57.1% of patients at three months; however, 30% recovered to baseline at two years. The mean disc height decreased at three months, but recovered slightly at one year and remained stable until two years. No recurrent disc herniation was observed.

Conclusions: Chemonucleolysis with condoliase was effective in 78% of patients with LDH for 2 years. Chemonucleolysis-induced disc degeneration was slightly recovered and maintained for two years post-injection. This treatment resulted in high patient satisfaction and recommendations 6).

137 LDH patients treated through condoliase at four Japanese institutions and assessed its effectiveness among different age categories on alleviation of visual analog scale (VAS) of leg pain, low back pain and numbness, as well as ODI and JOA scores. Moreover, we divided them into either a “group-A” category if a ≥50% improvement in baseline leg pain VAS was observed or “group-N” if VAS leg pain improved &lt;50%. Next, we assessed the differences in clinical and demographic distribution between group-A and group-N. Results: Fifty-five patients were classified as group-A (77.5%) and 16 patients were allocated to group-N (22.5%). A significant difference in Pfirrmann classification was found between both cohorts, with grade IV suggested to be most receptive. A posterior disc angle &gt; 5° was also found to approach statical significance. In all age groups, average VAS scores showed improvement. However, 75% of adolescent patients showed deterioration in Pfirrmann classification following treatment. Conclusions: Intradiscal condoliase injection is an effective treatment for LDH, even in patients with large vertebral translation and posterior disc angles, regardless of age. However, since condoliase imposes a risk of progressing disc degeneration, its indication for younger patients remains controversial 7).

Medical records and radiographic findings were reviewed retrospectively for 127 patients with LDH (88 male, 39 female, mean age: 46.6 ± 17.1 years, mean follow-up: 9.8 ± 7.8 months) who underwent chemonucleolysis with intradiscal condoliase injection at our center since September 2018. Condoliase (1.25 U/mL; 1 mL volume) was injected toward the middle of the affected intervertebral nucleus pulposus using a 21-gauge disc-puncture needle.

Results: Cases in which the Pfirrmann grade did and did not progress in the 3 months after the injection were included in groups P (progression, n = 49) and NP (non-progression, n = 78), respectively. Logistic regression analysis of progression of Pfirrmann grade post-injection showed significant associations with age <40 years (p = 0.013, odds ratio (OR): 3.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-10.31), Pfirrmann Grade II or III at baseline (p = 0.021, OR: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.24-9.64), and a high-intensity MRI signal in the herniation (p = 0.047, OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.03-8.87). Patients in group P had significantly higher rates of disc height decrease ≥20%, reduced herniated disc size, and improved VAS for pain, but both groups had significant decreases in pain. No cases had an anaphylactic shock or neurologic sequelae.

Conclusions: These results show the safety and efficacy of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for treatment of painful LDH. Progression of Pfirrmann criteria on MRI at 3 months after injection was significantly associated with an improved clinical outcome 8).

Seventy patients (85.4%) were classified into the effective (E) group and 12 patients (14.6%) into the less-effective (L) group. Surgical treatment was required in four patients. No severe adverse complications were reported; 41.3% of the patients developed disc degeneration of Pfirrmann grade 1 or more at the injected disc level. Univariate analysis revealed that young age (p = 0.036), without history of epidural or nerve root block (p = 0.024), and injection into the central portion of the intervertebral disc (p = 0.014) were significantly associated with clinical effectiveness. A logistic regression analysis revealed that injection into the central portion of the intervertebral disc (p = 0.049; odds ratio, 4.913; 95% confidence interval, 1.006-26.204) was significantly associated with clinical effectiveness.

Conclusions: Chemonucleolysis with condoliase is a safe and effective treatment for painful LDH; 85.4% of the patients showed improvement after the treatment without severe adverse events. To obtain the best outcome, condoliase should be injected into the center of the intervertebral disc 9).

Forty-seven patients (20 women, 27 men; mean age 48 years) were included. The herniation level was L2/3 in one patient, L3/4 in two, L4/5 in 23, and L5/S1 in 21. Median symptom duration was 8 months. The mean VAS and ODI improved significantly from the baseline to 3-month follow-up (p < 0.01). Group E included 33 patients (70.2%) and group I included 14, three of whom had a history of discectomy. The rates of spondylolisthesis and posterior intervertebral angle ≥5° were significantly higher in group I than in group E. However, the rates of trans-ligamentous type and herniation with high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (highT2) were significantly higher in group E. Reduction of disc herniation was more frequently observed in group E.

Conclusions: Condoliase injection resulted in significantly improved symptoms in patients with LDH. Condoliase therapy was less effective for patients with a history of discectomy, spondylolisthesis, or those with a posterior intervertebral angle ≥5°, while trans-ligamentous type and high T2 herniation were associated with increased efficacy 10)

A total of 52 patients (mean age, 45.0 years) were enrolled and classified according to whether the injection was effective (E group, n=40, 76.9%) or less effective (L group, n=9, 17.3%). Three patients (5.8%) underwent herniotomy for residual pain within 6 months of the injection. There were no severe adverse events. Reduction of herniation was seen on MRI more often in the E group than in the L group. The effectiveness in patients with transligamentous LDH was similar to that in patients with subligamentous LDH. High-intensity signal change in the area of LDH on pretreatment T2-weighted MRI was a significant predictor of successful leg pain relief.

Conclusions: An intradiscal condoliase injection was a safe and effective treatment for painful radiculopathy caused by LDH. Leg pain was more likely to improve in patients with high-intensity signal change in the area of LDH before treatment 11).

In total, 84 patients were recruited (52 men, 32 women; mean age, 44.2 ± 17.1 [16-86 years]). The duration of illness was 6.7 ± 6.8 (1.5-30) months. All patient-based outcomes significantly improved at 4 weeks after the administration compared with pretreatment. The intervertebral disc height decreased significantly at four weeks after condoliase administration compared with that before administration. Progression of intervertebral disc degeneration occurred in 50% of the patients. Eleven patients underwent herniotomy due to poor treatment effects. Moreover, treatment in 77.4% of the patients was considered effective. A logistic regression analysis revealed that L5/S1 disk administration (p = 0.029; odds ratio, 5.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-29.45) were significantly associated with clinical effectiveness.

Conclusions: Condoliase disk administration improved pain and quality of life over time. Condoliase disk administration was more effective in L5/S1 intervertebral administration 12).

47 patients who received condoliase, 34 were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was 33 years. The average duration since the onset of disease was 8.6 months. We evaluated patients’ low back and leg pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS) score at two time points (before therapy and 3 months after therapy). We divided the patients into two groups (good group (G): NRS score improvement ≥ 50%, poor group (P): NRS score improvement < 50%). The parameters evaluated were age, disease duration, body mass index (BMI), and positive or negative straight leg raising test results. In addition, the loss of disc height and preoperative radiological findings were evaluated. Results: In terms of low back and leg pain, the G group included 9/34 (26.5%) and 21/34 (61.8%) patients, respectively. Patients’ age (low back pain G/P, 21/36.5 years) was significantly lower in the G group for low back pain (p = 0.001). High-intensity change in the protruded nucleus pulposus (NP) and spinal canal occupancy by the NP ≥ 40% were significantly high in those with leg pain in the G groups (14/21, p = 0.04; and 13/21, p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: The efficacy of improvement in leg pain was significantly correlated with high-intensity change and size of the protruded NP. Condoliase was not significantly effective for low back pain but could have an effect on younger patients 13).

42 patients with LDH who underwent intradiscal condoliase injection. Patients with and without a ≥50% improvement from baseline of leg pain at 3 months after injection were defined as responders and non-responders, respectively. Clinical features and radiological findings were compared between these groups.

Results: Of the 42 patients, 32 (76.2%) were responders and 10 (23.8%) were non-responders. Of 8 patients with a history of discectomy at the same level as LDH, 6 (75.0%) were responders. Non-responders had a significantly longer time from onset to treatment, smaller herniated volume before treatment, lower percentage reduction of herniated mass, and less intervertebral disc degeneration before treatment. There were no significant differences in LDH types (subligamentous extrusion or transligamentous extrusion types), high-intensity area within the herniation, changes in disc height, and region of condoliase injection between the two groups.

Conclusions: Intradiscal condoliase injection had a good short-term therapeutic effect in patients with LDH, including in transligamentous extrusion-type and revision cases as well as subligamentous extrusion-type cases. Administration of intradiscal condoliase injection may be most effective in patients with a larger herniated mass volume before treatment, and least effective in cases with a longer time and less intervertebral disc degeneration before treatment 14).

A total of 82 and 81 patients received an injection of condoliase and placebo, respectively. The average changes in worst leg pain from baseline to week 13 (primary endpoint) were -49.5 mm in the condoliase group and -34.3 mm in the placebo group, and the difference of -15.2 mm was significant (95% confidence interval, -24.2 to -6.2; P = 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in the condoliase groups, compared with the placebo group, in most secondary endpoints at 1 year after administration. In the condoliase group, back pain, Modic type 1 change, and decrease in disc height were frequently reported, without any clinically relevant consequences.

Conclusion: Condoliase significantly improved symptoms in patients with LDH and was well tolerated. Condoliase is a novel and potent chemonucleolytic drug for the treatment of LDH 15).

Case reports

It has been available for painful lumbar disc herniation since 2018 in Japan.

A 25-year-old man with a history of LDH in L4/5, who underwent transforaminal full endoscopic lumbar discectomy when he was 17 years old, complained of severe pain radiating to his left leg for 1 month. The straight leg-raising test was limited to 25° on the left side. Lumbar T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed intracanal, left-sided transligamentous disc herniation at L4/5 with high-signal intensity. Because the conservative treatment with oral analgesics and selective left L5 nerve root block failed, the patient requested intradiscal condoliase injection instead of revision surgery. There were no adverse events reported after the condoliase treatment, and the pain radiating to the left leg improved within 2 weeks. A lumbar MRI performed 2 months after treatment revealed that the disc herniation had significantly decreased in size. The straight leg-raising test examined 3 months after treatment was negative. In this case, the disc herniation was of the transligamentous type and showed a high-signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI which could be suitably treated by condoliase injection therapy. This case report is the first to suggest that intradiscal condoliase injection could be a useful and novel conservative treatment option to treat postoperative rec-LDH 16).

References

1)

Matsuyama Y, Chiba K. Condoliase for treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Drugs Today (Barc). 2019 Jan;55(1):17-23. doi: 10.1358/dot.2019.55.1.2899445. PMID: 30740609.
2)

Takaki S, Miyama H, Iwasaki M. Cost-effectiveness analysis of intradiscal condoliase injection vs. surgical or conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation. J Med Econ. 2023 Jan-Dec;26(1):233-242. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2023.2173465. PMID: 36794375.
3)

Matsuyama Y, Chiba K, Iwata H, Seo T, Toyama Y. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, dose-finding study of condoliase in patients with lumbar disc herniation. J Neurosurg Spine. 2018 May;28(5):499-511. doi: 10.3171/2017.7.SPINE161327. Epub 2018 Feb 9. PMID: 29424676.
4)

Ohtonari T, Torii R, Noguchi S, Kitagawa T, Nishihara N. Short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for painful lumbar disc herniation and analysis regarding intradiscal injection area. Neurosurg Rev. 2023 Feb 23;46(1):59. doi: 10.1007/s10143-023-01966-w. PMID: 36813932.
5)

Takeuchi S, Hanakita J, Takahashi T, Inoue T, Minami M, Suda I, Nakamura S, Kanematsu R. Predictive Factors for Poor Outcome following Chemonucleolysis with Condoliase in Lumbar Disc Herniation. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Dec 18;58(12):1868. doi: 10.3390/medicina58121868. PMID: 36557070; PMCID: PMC9781337.
6)

Banno T, Hasegawa T, Yamato Y, Yoshida G, Arima H, Oe S, Ide K, Yamada T, Kurosu K, Nakai K, Matsuyama Y. Condoliase therapy for lumbar disc herniation -2 year clinical outcome. J Orthop Sci. 2022 Nov 21:S0949-2658(22)00317-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2022.11.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36424250.
7)

Oshita Y, Matsuyama D, Sakai D, Schol J, Shirasawa E, Emori H, Segami K, Takahashi S, Yagura K, Miyagi M, Saito W, Imura T, Nakazawa T, Inoue G, Hiyama A, Katoh H, Akazawa T, Kanzaki K, Sato M, Takaso M, Watanabe M. Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of Intradiscal Condoliase Injection Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 15;58(9):1284. doi: 10.3390/medicina58091284. PMID: 36143959; PMCID: PMC9501482.
8)

Kobayashi K, Sato K, Ando T. Factors associated with disc degeneration based on Pfirrmann criteria after condoliase treatment for lumbar disc herniation. J Orthop Sci. 2022 Aug 24:S0949-2658(22)00230-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2022.08.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36030156.
9)

Okada E, Suzuki S, Nori S, Tsuji O, Nagoshi N, Yagi M, Fujita N, Nakamura M, Matsumoto M, Watanabe K. The effectiveness of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for treatment of painful lumbar disc herniation. J Orthop Sci. 2021 Jul;26(4):548-554. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2020.06.004. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 32713796.
10)

Banno T, Hasegawa T, Yamato Y, Yoshida G, Yasuda T, Arima H, Oe S, Ushirozako H, Yamada T, Ide K, Watanabe Y, Matsuyama Y. Clinical outcome of condoliase injection treatment for lumbar disc herniation: Indications for condoliase therapy. J Orthop Sci. 2021 Jan;26(1):79-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2020.02.002. Epub 2020 Feb 25. PMID: 32111547.
11)

Hirai T, Takahashi T, Tanaka T, Motoyoshi T, Matsukura Y, Yuasa M, Inose H, Yoshii T, Okawa A. Intradiscal Injection with Condoliase (Chondroitin Sulfate ABC Endolyase) for Painful Radiculopathy Caused by Lumbar Disc Herniation. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2021 Oct 11;6(3):252-260. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2021-0151. PMID: 35800623; PMCID: PMC9200423.
12)

Inoue M, Sainoh T, Kojima A, Yamagata M, Morinaga T, Mannoji C, Ataka H, Yamashita M, Takahashi H, Saito J, Fujiyoshi T, Ishikawa T, Eguchi Y, Kato K, Orita S, Inage K, Shiga Y, Norimoto M, Umimura T, Shiko Y, Kawasaki Y, Aoki Y, Ohtori S. Efficacy and Safety of Condoliase Disc Administration as a New Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2021 Jun 11;6(1):31-37. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2021-0035. PMID: 35224244; PMCID: PMC8842352.
13)

Ishibashi K, Fujita M, Takano Y, Iwai H, Inanami H, Koga H. Chemonucleolysis with Chondroitin Sulfate ABC Endolyase for Treating Lumbar Disc Herniation: Exploration of Prognostic Factors for Good or Poor Clinical Outcomes. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Nov 19;56(11):627. doi: 10.3390/medicina56110627. PMID: 33228119; PMCID: PMC7699387.
14)

Nakajima H, Kubota A, Maezawa Y, Watanabe S, Honjoh K, Ohmori H, Matsumine A. Short-Term Outcome and Predictors of Therapeutic Effects of Intradiscal Condoliase Injection for Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2020 Nov 20;5(4):264-271. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2020-0126. PMID: 34435150; PMCID: PMC8356240.
15)

Chiba K, Matsuyama Y, Seo T, Toyama Y. Condoliase for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Aug 1;43(15):E869-E876. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002528. PMID: 29257028.
16)

Funayama T, Setojima Y, Shibao Y, Noguchi H, Miura K, Eto F, Sato K, Kono M, Asada T, Takahashi H, Tatsumura M, Koda M, Yamazaki M. A Case of Postoperative Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation Conservatively Treated with Novel Intradiscal Condoliase Injection. Case Rep Orthop. 2022 Feb 15;2022:3656753. doi: 10.1155/2022/3656753. PMID: 35211348; PMCID: PMC8863464.

Rongeur

Rongeur

A rongeur is a strongly constructed instrument with a sharp-edged, scoop-shaped tip, used for gouging out bone. Rongeur is a French word that means rodent or ‘gnawer’.

A rongeur can be used to open a window in bone, often in the skull. It is used in neurosurgery, podiatric surgery, and orthopedic surgery to expose areas for operation.

Stille-Luer Horsley rongeur

Leksell rongeur

The Stille-Luer Horsley and Leksell rongeur point straight from the handle, while the duckbill points to the side.

Echlin Duckbill rongeur

Ruskin Duckbill Rongeur

Kerrison rongeur

A common example of a surgical rongeur is the Kerrison rongeur, in which its first design was created by Dr. Robert Masters Kerrison (1776–1847), an English physician, but it took more than 100 years before the Kerrison rongeur was modified and took its current form.

Pituitary rongeur

Peapod pituitary rongeur

Micro straight pituitary rongeur

Casper serrated pituitary rongeur

Micro Williams pituitary rongeur

ShuntScope

ShuntScope

Autoclavable reusable SHUNTSCOPE® is designed to facilitate the endoscopic ventricular drainage placement during shunt surgery.

Case series

A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients undergoing ventricular catheter placement using the ShuntScope from 01/2012 to 01/2022 in the Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg was performed. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were evaluated. The visualization quality of the intraoperative endoscopy was stratified into the categories of excellent, medium, and poor and compared to the postoperative catheter tip placement. Follow-up evaluation included the surgical revision rate due to proximal catheter occlusion.

A total of 65 ShuntScope-assisted surgeries have been performed on 51 children. The mean age was 5.1 years. The most common underlying pathology was a tumor- or cyst-related hydrocephalus in 51%. Achieved image quality was excellent in 41.5%, medium in 43%, and poor in 15.5%. Ideal catheter placement was achieved in 77%. There were no intraoperative ventricular catheter placement complications and no technique-related morbidity associated with the ShuntScope. The revision rate due to proximal occlusion was 4.61% during a mean follow-up period of 39.7 years. No statistical correlation between image grade and accuracy of catheter position was observed (p-value was 0.290).

The ShuntScope can be considered a valuable addition to standard surgical tools in pediatric hydrocephalus treatment. Even suboptimal visualization contributes to high rates of correct catheter placement and, thereby, to a favorable clinical outcome 1).

The purpose of the study is to compare the accuracy of catheter placement and the complication and revision rates between SG and freehand (FH) techniques.

A retrospective study based on a prospectively acquired database of patients who underwent VC placement between September 2018 and July 2021. The accuracy of catheter placement was graded on postoperative imaging using a three-point Hayhurst grading system. Complication and revision rates were documented and compared between both groups with an average follow-up period of 20.84 months.

Results: Fifty-seven patients were included. SG technique was used in 29 patients (mean age was 6.3 years, 1.4 -27.7 years, 48.1% females), and FH technique was used in 28 patients (mean age was 26.7 years, 0.83 – 79.5 years, 67.9% female). The success rate for the optimal placement of the VC with a grade I on the Hayhurst scale was significantly higher in the SG group (93.1%) than in the FH group (60.7%), P = 0.012. The revision rate was higher in the FH group with 35.7% vs. 20.7% of in the SG group, P = 0.211.

Conclusion: VC placement using the SG technique is a safe and effective procedure, which enabled a significantly higher success rate and lower revision and complication rate. Accordingly, we recommend using the SG technique especially in patients with difficult anatomy 2)

The experience of shuntscope-guided ventriculoperitoneal shunt in 9 cases done from June 2015 to April 2016. Shuntscope is a 1 mm outer diameter semi-rigid scope from Karl Storz with 10000 pixels of magnification. It has a fiber optic lens system with a camera and light source attachment away from the scope to make it lightweight and easily maneuverable.

Results: In all cases, VC was placed in the ipsilateral frontal horn away from choroid plexuses, septae, or membranes. Septum pellucidum perforation and placement to the opposite side of the ventricle was identified with shunt scope assistance and corrected.

Conclusion: Although our initial results are encouraging, larger case series would be helpful. Complications and cost due to shunt dysfunction can thus be reduced to a great extent with shuntscope 3)

The semi-rigid ShuntScope (Karl Storz GmbH & Co.KG, Tuttlingen, Germany) with an outer diameter of 1.0 mm and an image resolution of 10,000 pixels was used in a series of 27 children and adolescents (18 males, 9 females, age range 2 months-18 years). Indications included catheter placement in aqueductal stenting (n = 4), first-time shunt placement (n = 5), burr hole reservoir insertion (n = 4), catheter placement after endoscopic procedures (n = 7) and revision surgery of the ventricle catheter (n = 7).

ShuntScope-guided precise catheter placement was achieved in 26 of 27 patients. In one case of aqueductal stenting, the procedure had to be abandoned. One single wound healing problem was noted as a complication. Intraventricular image quality was always sufficient to recognize the anatomical structures. In the case of catheter removal, it was helpful to identify adherent vessels or membranes. Penetration of small adhesions or thin membranes was feasible. Postoperative imaging studies demonstrated catheter tip placements analogous to the intraoperative findings.

Misplacements of shunt catheters are completely avoidable with the presented intra-catheter technique including slit ventricles or even aqueductal stenting. Potential complications can be avoided during revision surgery. The implementation of the ShuntScope is recommended in pediatric neurosurgery 4).

Latest articles

1)

Prajsnar-Borak A, Teping F, Oertel J. Image quality and related outcomes of the ShuntScope for catheter implantation in pediatric hydrocephalus-experience of 65 procedures. Childs Nerv Syst. 2022 Dec 2. doi: 10.1007/s00381-022-05776-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36459211.
2)

Issa M, Nofal M, Miotik N, Seitz A, Unterberg A, El Damaty A. ShuntScope®-Guided Versus Free Hand Technique for Ventricular Catheter Placement: A Retrospective Comparative Study of Intra-Ventricular Catheter Tip Position and Complication Rate. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.1055/a-1768-3892. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35144299.
3)

Agrawal V, Aher RB. Endoluminal Shuntscope-Guided Ventricular Catheter Placement: Early Experience. Asian J Neurosurg. 2018 Oct-Dec;13(4):1071-1073. doi: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_98_17. PMID: 30459870; PMCID: PMC6208226.
4)

Senger S, Antes S, Salah M, Tschan C, Linsler S, Oertel J. The view through the ventricle catheter – The new ShuntScope for the therapy of pediatric hydrocephalus. J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Feb;48:196-202. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.10.046. Epub 2017 Nov 6. PubMed PMID: 29102235.

Axonova Medical

Axonova Medical

https://axonovamed.com/

Functional restoration following major peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is challenging, given slow axon growth rates and eventual regenerative pathway degradation in the absence of axons. Smith et al. from the Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, Axonova Medical are developing tissue-engineered nerve grafts (TENGs) to simultaneously “bridge” missing nerve segments and “babysit” regenerative capacity by providing living axons to guide host axons and maintain the distal pathway. TENGs were biofabricated using porcine neurons and “stretch-grown” axon tracts. TENG neurons survived and elicited axon-facilitated axon regeneration to accelerate regrowth across both short (1 cm) and long (5 cm) segmental nerve defects in pigs. TENG axons also closely interacted with host Schwann cells to maintain pro-regenerative capacity. TENGs drove regeneration across 5-cm defects in both motor and mixed motor-sensory nerves, resulting in dense axon regeneration and electrophysiological recovery at levels similar to autograft repairs. This approach of accelerating axon regeneration while maintaining the pathway for long-distance regeneration may achieve recovery after currently unrepairable PNIs 1).

Burrell JC, Das S, Laimo FA, Katiyar KS, Browne KD, Shultz RB, Tien VJ, Vu PT, Petrov D, Ali ZS, Rosen JM, Cullen DK. Engineered neuronal microtissue provides exogenous axons for delayed nerve fusion and rapid neuromuscular recovery in rats. Bioact Mater. 2022 Mar 24;18:339-353. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.03.018. PMID: 35415305; PMCID: PMC8965778.

Wofford KL, Shultz RB, Burrell JC, Cullen DK. Neuroimmune interactions and immunoengineering strategies in peripheral nerve repair. Prog Neurobiol. 2022 Jan;208:102172. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102172. Epub 2021 Sep 4. PMID: 34492307; PMCID: PMC8712351.

Shultz RB, Katiyar KS, Laimo FA, Burrell JC, Browne KD, Ali ZS, Cullen DK. Biopreservation of living tissue engineered nerve grafts. J Tissue Eng. 2021 Aug 11;12:20417314211032488. doi: 10.1177/20417314211032488. PMID: 34394908; PMCID: PMC8361542.

O’Donnell JC, Purvis EM, Helm KVT, Adewole DO, Zhang Q, Le AD, Cullen DK. An implantable human stem cell-derived tissue-engineered rostral migratory stream for directed neuronal replacement. Commun Biol. 2021 Jul 15;4(1):879. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02392-8. PMID: 34267315; PMCID: PMC8282659.

Katiyar KS, Burrell JC, Laimo FA, Browne KD, Bianchi JR, Walters A, Ayares DL, Smith DH, Ali ZS, Ledebur HC, Cullen DK. Biomanufacturing of Axon-Based Tissue Engineered Nerve Grafts Using Porcine GalSafe Neurons. Tissue Eng Part A. 2021 Oct;27(19-20):1305-1320. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2020.0303. Epub 2021 Apr 9. PMID: 33514288; PMCID: PMC8610031.

1)

Smith DH, Burrell JC, Browne KD, Katiyar KS, Ezra MI, Dutton JL, Morand JP, Struzyna LA, Laimo FA, Chen HI, Wolf JA, Kaplan HM, Rosen JM, Ledebur HC, Zager EL, Ali ZS, Cullen DK. Tissue-engineered grafts exploit axon-facilitated axon regeneration and pathway protection to enable recovery after 5-cm nerve defects in pigs. Sci Adv. 2022 Nov 4;8(44):eabm3291. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abm3291. Epub 2022 Nov 4. PMID: 36332027.

Vagus nerve stimulation complications

Vagus nerve stimulation complications

The most common side effects associated with Vagus nerve stimulation are hoarseness, throat pain and coughing. Cardiac arrhythmia has been reported during lead tests performed during implantation of the device, but few cases during regular treatment.

After implanting vagus nerve electrodes to the cervical vagus nerve, side effects such as voice alterations and dyspnea or missing therapeutic effects are observed at different frequencies. Cervical vagus nerve branching might partly be responsible for these effects.

Adverse events (AEs) are generally associated with implantation or continuous on-off stimulation. Infection is the most serious implantation-associated AE. Bradycardia and asystole have also been described during implantation, as has vocal cord paresis, which can last up to 6 months and depends on surgical skill and experience. The most frequent stimulation-associated AEs include voice alteration, paresthesia, cough, headache, dyspnea, pharyngitis and pain, which may require a decrease in stimulation strength or intermittent or permanent device deactivation. Newer non-invasive VNS delivery systems do not require surgery and permit patient-administered stimulation on demand. These non-invasive VNS systems improve the safety and tolerability of VNS, making it more accessible and facilitating further investigations across a wider range of uses.

VNS battery replacement, revisions, and removals account for almost one-half of all VNS procedures. The findings suggest important long-term expectations for VNS including expected complications, battery life, and other surgical issues. Review of the literature suggests that the first large review of VNS revisions by a single center was done by Couch et al. The findings are important to better characterize long-term surgical expectations of VNS therapy. A significant portion of patients undergoing VNS therapy will eventually require revision 1).

In a retrospective study over an 8-year period, 13 patients underwent revision surgery due to lead failure. Lead failure was classified as either lead intrinsic damage or lead pin disengagement from the generator header. In the X-ray image, Zhou et al., defined an RC ratio that represented the portion of rear lead connector in the header receptacle. It was used to quantitatively evaluate the mechanical failure of the lead-header interface. Optimal procedures to identify and manage lead failure were established.

All 13 patients presented with high lead impedance ≥ 9 kOhms at the time of revision. Seven of ten patients with lead damage presented with increased seizure frequency after a period of seizure remission. In contrast to lead damages occurring relatively late (> 15 months), lead pin disengagement was usually found within the early months after device implantation. A significant association was found between an elevated RC ratio (≥ 35%) and lead pin disengagement. The microsurgical technique permitted the removal or replacement of the lead without adverse effects.

The method of measuring the RC ratio developed in this study is feasible for identifying lead disengagement at the generator level. Lead revision was an effective and safe procedure for patients experiencing lead failure 2).

Vocal cord paralysis

Main risk of surgery is transient or permanent vocal cord paralysis.

Endotracheal Tube Electrode Neuromonitoring represents a safe adjunctive tool that can help localize the vagus nerve, particularly in the setting of varying anatomy or hazardous dissections. It may help reduce the potential for vagal trunk damage or electrode misplacement and potentially improve clinical outcomes 3).

1)

Couch JD, Gilman AM, Doyle WK. Long-term Expectations of Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Look at Battery Replacement and Revision Surgery. Neurosurgery. 2016 Jan;78(1):42-6. doi: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000000985. PubMed PMID: 26678088.
2)

Zhou H, Liu Q, Zhao C, Ma J, Ye X, Xu J. Lead failure after vagus nerve stimulation implantation: X-ray examination and revision surgery. World Neurosurg. 2018 Dec 26. pii: S1878-8750(18)32893-6. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.12.070. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30593965.
3)

Katsevman GA, Josiah DT, LaNeve JE, Bhatia S. Endotracheal Tube Electrode Neuromonitoring for Placement of Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy: Intraoperative Stimulation Thresholds. Neurodiagn J. 2022 Feb 28:1-12. doi: 10.1080/21646821.2022.2022911. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35226831.

Woven EndoBridge (WEB)

Woven EndoBridge (WEB)

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) (Sequent Medical, Aliso Viejo, California), is a ellipsoid braided-wire embolization device designed to provide flow disruption along the aneurysm neck 1).

Placed in the aneurysm, the device will modify the blood flow at the level of the neck and induce aneurysmal thrombosis. The WEB shape was designed to treat wide necked aneurysm. The device has been developed progressively from a dual-layer version (WEB DL) to single-layer versions (WEB SL and WEB SLS [single-layer spherical]).

This device does not require long-term antiplatelet use.

Indications

For the treatment of both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. The WEB has received the CE mark and to date has been used to treat a wide variety of more than 1,400 aneurysms in Europe, Latin America and New Zealand. The WEB is not available for sale or use in the United States.

The WEB is a self-expanding, oblate, braided nitinol mesh.

The device is composed of an inner and outer braid held together by proximal, middle, and distal radiopaque markers, creating 2 compartments: 1 distal and 1 proximal. Depending on the device diame- ter, the inner and outer braids are 108 wires or 144 wires. Therefore, blood flow into a WEB-embolized aneurysm initially encounters 2 layers of wires comprising 216 or 288 wires, with the largest interwire distance ranging from 106 to 181 􏰅m, respectively, depending on the device size. The WEB implant is deployed—or retrieved before de- tachment—in a manner similar to that in endovascular coil systems, through microcatheters with an internal diameter 􏰆0.027 inch. For devices with a diameter of 􏰇7 mm, microcatheters with an internal diameter of 0.027 inch are used; and for devices with a diameter 􏰁7 mm, microcatheters with an internal diameter 0.032 inch are used. The detachment system is electrothermal and instantaneous. 2).

In a study, there was no difference in the early clinical course between those treated with WEB embolization, coil embolization, or neurosurgical clipping. Since WEB embolization is a valuable treatment alternative to coiling, it seems not justified to exclude this procedure from upcoming clinical SAH trials, yet the clinical long-term outcome, aneurysm occlusion, and retreatment rates have to be analyzed in further studies 3).

Trials

WEB Intrasaccular Therapy Study (WEB-IT)

The WEB Clinical Assessment of Intrasaccular Aneurysm Therapy (WEBCAST) trial is a prospective European trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of WEB in wide necked aneurysm of the bifurcation.

Procedure

>

Limitations

It does not immediately secure the aneurysm in most subarachnoid hemorrhage cases. Second, it may not be suitable for embolization of wide-neck aneurysms with an unfavorable aspect ratio. To overcome these limitations, Zanaty et al., used the WEB device in conjunction with stenting and/or coiling.

They presented a technical note with an illustrated case-series, and provide a detailed step-by-step description on how the WEB device can be used in adjunct to coiling and/or stenting to achieve successful angiographic results. Accurate sizing of the WEB device before deployment is critical. Larger case-series are required to further assess the safety and success of these combined techniques 4).

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Zhang et al. searched the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases between December 1, 2012 and June 30, 2018.

Studies that included five or more patients undergoing WEB for Wide necked intracranial aneurysms, reported an angiographic or clinical outcome and risk factors, and were published after December 1, 2012 were eligible.

Major outcomes included initial or short-term complete and adequate occlusion. Secondary outcomes included treatment failure, recanalization, mortality, morbidity, and complication (e.g., thromboembolism or intraoperative rupture) rates. A random-effect model was used to pool the data. To assess risk factors for short-term angiographic outcomes and the most common complications, they conducted subgroup analyses and obtained odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

They included 36 studies (1759 patients with 1749 aneurysms). The initial complete and adequate occlusion rates were 35% and 77%, respectively. After a mean follow-up of 9.34 months, the short-term complete and adequate occlusion rates were 53% and 80%, respectively. Thromboembolism and recanalization were the most common complications (both 9%), followed by mortality (7%), morbidity (6%), failure (5%) and intraoperative rupture (3%). The following factors were related to higher short-term obliteration rates: unruptured status, in the anterior circulation, a medium neck (4-9.9 mm), newer-generation WEB and treatment without additional devices. Ruptured status, anterior circulation, preoperative antiplatelet therapy and newer-generation WEB were not significantly related to withto thromboembolism.

WEB has a satisfactory safety profile and shows promising efficacy in treating wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. They preliminarily identified several risk factors for short-term angiographic outcomes 5).

Case series

Woven EndoBridge case series.

Case reports

A case of a shallow basilar tip aneurysm treated with the WEB device that required stabilization with Y-stent through radial access 6).

References

1)

Ding YH, Lewis DA, Kadirvel R, Dai D, Kallmes DF. The Woven EndoBridge: a new aneurysm occlusion device. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2011 Mar;32(3):607-11. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A2399. Epub 2011 Feb 17. PubMed PMID: 21330397.
2)

Pierot L, Liebig T, Sychra V, Kadziolka K, Dorn F, Strasilla C, Kabbasch C, Klisch J. Intrasaccular flow-disruption treatment of intracranial aneurysms: preliminary results of a multicenter clinical study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2012 Aug;33(7):1232-8. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A3191. Epub 2012 Jun 7. PubMed PMID: 22678844.
3)

Sauvigny T, Nawka MT, Schweingruber N, Mader MM, Regelsberger J, Schmidt NO, Westphal M, Czorlich P. Early clinical course after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: comparison of patients treated with Woven EndoBridge, microsurgical clipping, or endovascular coiling. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2019 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s00701-019-03992-4. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31280480.
4)

Zanaty M, Roa JA, Dandapat S, Samaniego EA, Jabbour P, Hasan D. Diverse Use of the WEB Device: A Technical Note on WEB Stenting and WEB Coiling of Complex Aneurysms. World Neurosurg. 2019 Jul 10. pii: S1878-8750(19)31933-3. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.07.027. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31301439.
5)

Zhang SM, Liu LX, Ren PW, Xie XD, Miao J. Effectiveness, safety and risk factors of Woven EndoBridge device in the treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms : systematic review and meta-analysis. World Neurosurg. 2019 Aug 13. pii: S1878-8750(19)32175-8. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.08.023. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31419591.
6)

Nordmann NJ, Weber MW, Dayoub H. Woven Endobridge (WEB) augmented by Y-stent in a shallow basilar tip aneurysm. J Cerebrovasc Endovasc Neurosurg. 2022 Feb 17. doi: 10.7461/jcen.2022.E2021.08.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35172073.

Robotic pedicle screw placement

Robotic pedicle screw placement

Robotic spinal fixation is associated with increased screw placement accuracy and similar operative blood loss, length of stay, and operative duration. These findings support the safety and cost-effectiveness of robotic spinal surgery across the spectrum of robotic systems and screw types 1).

In addition to demonstrating excellent pedicle screw accuracy, early studies have explored the impact of robot-assisted spine surgery on reducing radiation time, length of hospital stay, operative time, and perioperative complications in comparison to conventional freehand technique. The Mazor X Stealth Edition was introduced in 2018. This robotic system integrates Medtronic’s Stealth navigation technology into the Mazor X platform, which was introduced in 2016. It is unclear what the impact of these advancements have made on clinical outcomes.

In a multicenter study, both robot systems achieved excellent screw accuracy and low robot time per screw. However, using Stealth led to significantly less fluoroscopic radiation time, lower robot abandonment rates, and reduced blood transfusion rates than Mazor X. Other factors including length of stay, and 90-day complications were similar 2)

Ha Y. Robot-Assisted Spine Surgery: A Solution for Aging Spine Surgeons. Neurospine. 2018 Sep;15(3):187-188. doi: 10.14245/ns.18edi.003. Epub 2018 Sep 11. PubMed PMID: 30196675.

In three cadavers 12 pedicle screws were implanted in thoraco-lumbar segments with the robotic surgery assistant. 3D-fluoroscopy was performed for preoperative referencing, planning and identification of postoperative screw position. The radiation exposure of fluoroscopy and a CT scanner was compared, measuring the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIw ).

Pedicle screw positioning was graded according to the Gertzbein-Robbins classification: Eleven of 12 pedicle screws showed optimal transpedicular position (Grade 1), one was positioned less than 2 mm outside (Grade 2). No major deviations were observed. Referencing with 3D-fluoroscopy resulted in a CTDIw reduction of 84% in the cervical- and 33% in the lumbar spine.

Robot-guided PS placement, using 3D-fluoroscopy for referencing, is a reliable tool for minimally invasive PS implantation; radiation exposure can be reduced 3).

Menger et al., investigated the cost effectiveness of adding robotic technology in spine surgery to an active neurosurgical practice.

The time of operative procedures, infection rates, revision rates, length of stay, and possible conversion of open to minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) secondary to robotic image guidance technology were calculated using a combination of institution-specific and national data points. This cost matrix was subsequently applied to 1 year of elective clinical case volume at an academic practice with regard to payor mix, procedural mix, and procedural revenue.

A total of 1,985 elective cases were analyzed over a 1-year period; of these, 557 thoracolumbar cases (28%) were analyzed. Fifty-eight (10.4%) were MIS fusions. Independent review determined an additional ~10% cases (50) to be candidates for MIS fusion. Furthermore, 41.4% patients had governmental insurance, while 58.6% had commercial insurance. The weighted average diagnosis-related group reimbursement for thoracolumbar procedures for the hospital system was calculated to be $25,057 for Medicare and $42,096 for commercial insurance. Time savings averaged 3.4 minutes per 1-level MIS procedure with robotic technology, resulting in annual savings of $5,713. Improved pedicle screw accuracy secondary to robotic technology would have resulted in 9.47 revisions being avoided, with cost savings of $314,661. Under appropriate payor mix components, robotic technology would have converted 31 Medicare and 18 commercial patients from open to MIS. This would have resulted in 140 fewer total hospital admission days ($251,860) and avoided 2.3 infections ($36,312). Robotic surgery resulted in immediate conservative savings estimate of $608,546 during a 1-year period at an academic center performing 557 elective thoracolumbar instrumentation cases.

Application of robotic spine surgery is cost-effective, resulting in lesser revision surgery, lower infection rates, reduced length of stay, and shorter operative time. Further research is warranted, evaluating the financial impact of robotic spine surgery 4).

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies involving robotic-assisted (RA) and free-hand with fluoroscopy-guided (FH) and published before January 2017 were searched for using the Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. A total of 55 papers were selected. After the full-text assessment, 45 clinical trials were excluded. The final meta-analysis included 10 articles.

The accuracy of pedicle screw placement within the RA group was significantly greater than the accuracy within the FH group (odds ratio 95%, “perfect accuracy” confidence interval: 1.38-2.07, P < .01; odds ratio 95% “clinically acceptable” Confidence Interval: 1.17-2.08, P < .01).

There are significant differences in accuracy between RA surgery and FH surgery. It was demonstrated that the RA technique is superior to the conventional method in terms of the accuracy of pedicle screw placement 5).

In 2013 a study evaluated the outcomes of robotic-assisted screw placement in a consecutive series of 102 patients.

Data were recorded from technical notes and operative records created immediately following each surgery case, in which the robotic system was used to guide pedicle screw placement. All cases were performed at the same hospital by a single surgeon. The majority of patients had spinal deformity and/or previous spine surgery. Each planned screw placement was classified as: (1) successful/accurately placed screw using robotic guidance; (2) screw malpositioned using robot; (3) use of robot aborted and screw placed manually; (4) planned screw not placed as screw deemed non essential for construct stability. Data from each case were reviewed by two independent researchers to indentify the diagnosis, number of attempted robotic guided screw placements and the outcome of the attempted placement as well as complications or reasons for non-placement.

Robotic-guided screw placement was successfully used in 95 out of 102 patients. In those 95 patients, 949 screws (87.5 % of 1,085 planned screws) were successfully implanted. Eleven screws (1.0 %) placed using the robotic system were misplaced (all presumably due to “skiving” of the drill bit or trocar off the side of the facet). Robotic guidance was aborted and 110 screws (10.1 %) were manually placed, generally due to poor registration and/or technical trajectory issues. Fifteen screws (1.4 %) were not placed after intraoperative determination that the screw was not essential for construct stability. The robot was not used as planned in seven patients, one due to severe deformity, one due to very high body mass index, one due to extremely poor bone quality, one due to registration difficulty caused by previously placed loosened hardware, one due to difficulty with platform mounting and two due to device technical issues.

Of the 960 screws that were implanted using the robot, 949 (98.9 %) were successfully and accurately implanted and 11 (1.1 %) were malpositioned, despite the fact that the majority of patients had significant spinal deformities and/or previous spine surgeries. “Tool skiving” was thought to be the inciting issue with the misplaced screws. Intraoperative anteroposterior and oblique fluoroscopic imaging for registration is critical and was the limiting issue in four of the seven aborted cases 6).

Learning curve

Robotic pedicle screw placement learning curve.

References

1)

Himstead AS, Shahrestani S, Brown NJ, Produturi G, Shlobin NA, Al Jammal O, Choi EH, Ransom SC, Daniel Diaz-Aguilar L, Sahyouni R, Abraham M, Pham MH. Bony fixation in the era of spinal robotics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Neurosci. 2022 Jan 19;97:62-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.01.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35065405.
2)

Lee NJ, Zuckerman SL, Buchanan IA, Boddapati V, Mathew J, Leung E, Park PJ, Pham MH, Buchholz AL, Khan A, Pollina J, Mullin JP, Jazini E, Haines C, Schuler TC, Good CR, Lombardi JM, Lehman RA. Is There a Difference Between Navigated and Non-Navigated Robot Cohorts in Robot-Assisted Spine Surgery? A Multicenter, Propensity-Matched Analysis of 2,800 Screws and 372 Patients. Spine J. 2021 May 19:S1529-9430(21)00253-9. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.05.015. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34022461.
3)

Spyrantis A, Cattani A, Seifert V, Freiman TM, Setzer M. Minimally invasive percutaneous robotic thoracolumbar pedicle screw implantation combined with three-dimensional-fluoroscopy can reduce radiation: a cadaver and phantom study. Int J Med Robot. 2019 Jun 19:e2022. doi: 10.1002/rcs.2022. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31216120.
4)

Menger RP, Savardekar AR, Farokhi F, Sin A. A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Integration of Robotic Spine Technology in Spine Surgery. Neurospine. 2018 Aug 29. doi: 10.14245/ns.1836082.041. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30157583.
5)

Fan Y, Du JP, Liu JJ, Zhang JN, Qiao HH, Liu SC, Hao DJ. Accuracy of pedicle screw placement comparing robot-assisted technology and the free-hand with fluoroscopy-guided method in spine surgery: An updated meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jun;97(22):e10970. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010970. Review. PubMed PMID: 29851848; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6392558.
6)

Hu X, Ohnmeiss DD, Lieberman IH. Robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement: lessons learned from the first 102 patients. Eur Spine J. 2013 Mar;22(3):661-6. doi: 10.1007/s00586-012-2499-1. Epub 2012 Sep 14. PubMed PMID: 22975723; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3585630.

Subdural drain for chronic subdural hematoma

Subdural drain for chronic subdural hematoma

see also Subdural Evacuating Port System.

Little is known about the best type of drainage system and its relationship with recurrence. In a study, Takroni et al. compared the use of two drainage systems on the recurrence rate of CSDH. They retrospectively analyzed the charts of 180 CSDH patients treated with bedside twist drill craniostomy (TDC) and subdural drain insertion. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n=123) received our traditional drain (pediatric size nasogastric tube (NGT), while group B (n=49) had the external ventricular drain (EVD). Various demographic and radiological data were collected. Our main outcome was recurrence, defined as symptomatic re-accumulation of hematoma on the previously operated side within 3 months. Results 212 cases of subdural hematoma were treated in 172 patients. Majority of patients were male (78%) and had a history of previous head trauma (73%). 17 cases had recurrence, 11 in the NGT group drain and 6 in the EVD group. The use of antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents was associated with recurrence (P= 0.038 and 0.05, respectively). There was no difference between both groups in terms of recurrence [OR=1.42, 95% CI:0.49 to 4.08, P=0.573].

Chronic subdural hematoma is a common disease with a high rate of recurrence. Although using a drain postoperatively has shown to improve the incidence of recurrence, little remains known about the best type of drain to use. The analysis showed no difference in the recurrent rate between using the pediatric size NGT and the EVD catheter post TDC 1).

There is some evidence that postoperative drainage is effective in reducing the symptomatic recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma surgery. Further research is likely to have an important impact on confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate. Due to the low quality of the evidence for the secondary outcomes, the effect of drainage on the occurrence of surgical complications, mortality and poor functional outcome is uncertain. This uncertainty can be clarified with data from high-quality studies which may be conducted in the future. There is no strong evidence of any increase in complications when drains are used 2).

Soleman et al. administered a survey to neurosurgeons worldwide with questions relating to the surgical treatment of chronic subdural hematoma, with an emphasis on their practices concerning the use of a drain.

The preferred surgical technique was burr-hole drainage (89%). Most surgeons prefer to place a drain (80%), whereas in 56% of the cases the reason for not placing a drain was brain expansion after evacuation. Subdural drains are placed by 50% and subperiosteal drains by 27% of the responders, whereas 23% place primarily a subdural drain if possible and otherwise a subperiosteal drain. Three quarters of the responders leave the drain for 48 hours and give prophylactic antibiotic treatment, mostly a single-shot dose intraoperatively (70%). Routine postoperative computed tomography is done by 59% mostly within 24-48 hours after surgery (94%). Adjunct treatment to surgery rarely is used (4%).

The publication of grade I evidence in favor of drain use influenced positively this practice worldwide. Some surgeons are still reluctant to insert a drain, especially when the subdural space is narrow after drainage of the hematoma. The insertion of a subperiosteal drain could be a good alternative solution. However, its outcome and efficacy must be evaluated in larger studies 3).

Tommiska et al., conducted a retrospective observational study including consecutive patients undergoing burr hole trephinations for chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs). They compared outcomes between a six-month time period when the SD placement was arbitrary (July to December 2015) and a time period when subdural drain (SD) placement for 48 h was routine (July to December 2017). The primary outcome of interest was recurrences requiring reoperation within six months. Furthermore, patient outcome, infections and other complications were assessed.

A total of 161 patients were included, of which 71 (44%) were in the SD group and 90 (56%) in the non-drain group. There were no differences in age, comorbidities, history of trauma or use of antithrombotic medication between the groups (p>0.05). Recurrences within six months occurred in 18% of patients in the non-drain group compared to 6% in the SD group (p=0.028; OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.09-0.87). There were no differences in neurological outcome (p=0.72), mortality rate (p=0.55), infection rate (p=0.96) or other complications (p=0.20).

The change in practice from no drain to SD after burr-hole craniostomies for CSDHs effectively reduced the six-month recurrence rate without any effect on patient outcome, infections or other complications 4).

Complications

Subdural drain for chronic subdural hematoma complications.

References

1)

Takroni R, Zagzoog N, Patel N, Martyniuk A, Farrokhyar F, Singh S, Trivedi A, Alotaibi M, Algird A. Comparison of two drainage systems on chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) recurrence. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1055/a-1698-6212. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34784622.
2)

Peng D, Zhu Y. External drains versus no drains after burr-hole evacuation for the treatment of chronic subdural haematoma in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Aug 31;(8):CD011402. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011402.pub2. Review. PubMed PMID: 27578263.
3)

Soleman J, Kamenova M, Lutz K, Guzman R, Fandino J, Mariani L. Drain Insertion in Chronic Subdural Hematoma: An International Survey of Practice. World Neurosurg. 2017 Aug;104:528-536. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.04.134. Epub 2017 Apr 28. PubMed PMID: 28461277.
4)

Tommiska P, Lönnrot K, Raj R, Luostarinen T, Kivisaari R. Transition of a clinical practice to use of subdural drains after burr-hole evacuation of chronic subdural haematomas: The Helsinki experience. World Neurosurg. 2019 May 31. pii: S1878-8750(19)31507-4. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.05.230. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31158547.

Gelatin Sponge

Gelatin Sponge

see Spongostan.

see also Hemostat.

Expanding the range of medical sponges and researching new excipients for their manufacture are a promising area of modern medicine and pharmacy 1).

Gelatin sponge is a non-antigenic protein that can absorb 45 times its weight in blood, and, when wet, is plastered to the irregularities of the bleeding surface. It enables the repair of torn veins, such as the superior sagittal sinus, without compromising the patency of the vessel 2).

Many ablative procedures are effective for hemifacial spasm (HFS) (including sectioning of divisions of the facial nerve), however, this leaves the patient with some degree of facial paresis. The current procedure of choice for HFS is microvascular decompression (MVD) wherein the offending vessel is physically moved off of the nerve, and a sponge (e.g. Ivalon®, polyvinyl formyl alcohol foam) is interposed as a cushion.

For Chang et al. from the Department of Neurosurgery Xinhua Hospital in hemifacial spasm (HFS) patients undergoing microvascular decompression (MVD) , using Teflon plus gelatin sponge can remarkably reduce the incidence of recurrence, facial palsy, and hearing loss compared with those using Teflon alone 3).

A study proves that, during the dural closure, placing a thin layer of gelatin sponge in the subdural space is a safe and effective method for preventing meningocerebral adhesions 4)

1)

Pavliuk B, Chubka M, Hroshovyi T, Stechyshyn I. Characteristics of structured medical hemostatic sponges as a medical devices for stop bleeding and for close the wound. Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2020 Dec 22;48(288):422-426. PMID: 33387430.
2)

Signorelli F, Montano N. Use and Efficacy of Hemostats in Neurosurgery. Surg Technol Int. 2020 Nov 28;37:414-419. PMID: 32944921.
3)

Chang B, Tang Y, Wei X, Li S. A New Application of Gelatin Sponge in the Treatment of Hemifacial Spasm by Microvascular Decompression: A Technical Note. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2021 May 19. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1720994. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34010981.
4)

Gonzalez-Lopez P, Harput MV, Türe H, Atalay B, Türe U. Efficacy of placing a thin layer of gelatin sponge over the subdural space during dural closure in preventing meningo-cerebral adhesion. World Neurosurg. 2015 Jan;83(1):93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2014.02.032. Epub 2014 Feb 19. PubMed PMID: 24560706.

Barricaid Annular Closing Device

Barricaid Annular Closing Device

https://www.barricaid.com

The bulk of the information regarding the use of annular closure devices in the prevention of recurrent herniation following lumbar discectomy comes from a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the use of Barricaid device (Barricaid, Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc, Woburn, MA) 1).

Previously reported long-term outcomes (3 years) of this RCT have shown a significant decrease in symptomatic reherniation (14.8 vs 29.5%) and reoperation (11 vs 19.3%) rates when compared with the control group 2).

Barricaid is designed to close large defects in the annulus, so to prevent recurrent disc herniation, while allowing the surgeon to preserve more of the patient’s lumbar disc.

The Barricaid Anular Closure device consists of a woven polyester occlusion component intended to block an anular defect, while anchored to the adjacent vertebral body by a titanium bone anchor.

Reinforcing the annulus fibrosus with Barricaid during lumbar discectomy may slow the progression of facet joint degeneration 3).

The polymer mesh is placed on the inner surface of the disc annulus, using the disc pressure to help seal the defect against leakage of the nucleus pulposus. Once wound dissection and (partial, hemilaminectomy has been done, discectomy is followed. However, aggressive nucleus removal has been shown to result in significant back pain and worsened clinical outcomes. After discectomy, the annular defect size is measured and the appropriately sized device is chosen. The titanium anchor is inserted into the bone (parallel to the surface of the endplate) and the mesh forms a barrier that blocks the defect.

The device provides permanent fixation through the bone anchorage and remains inside the disc. During the procedure, fluoroscopic guidance is required to ensure the appropriate location of the device.

Annular closure device insertion allows more nucleus to be left inside of the annulus and restores intra-discal pressure. Because only partial volume is removed from the intervertebral disc, this procedure can preserve disc height and motion and reduce facet degeneration

Patients with primary lumbar disc herniation show Endplate changes (EPC) in the corresponding segments. There is a significant increase in lesion number and size within 12 months after discectomy. This increase is significantly more pronounced in the annular closure device (ACD) group. The presence and growth of EPC are not correlated with low-back pain or ODI 4).

Trials

Study registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov): NCT03986580 5)

Case series

Barricaid Annular Closing Device case series.

Case reports

Barricaid Annular Closing Device case reports.

Discussion

Kurzbuch AR, Fournier JY, Tuleasca C. The annular closure device – panacea of lumbar disc herniation: how closed is closed enough for the intervertebral disc space? Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2021 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s00701-021-04764-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33606100.

References

1)

Thomé C, Klassen PD, Bouma GJ, Kuršumović A, Fandino J, Barth M, Arts M, van den Brink W, Bostelmann R, Hegewald A, Heidecke V, Vajkoczy P, Fröhlich S, Wolfs J, Assaker R, Van de Kelft E, Köhler HP, Jadik S, Eustacchio S, Hes R, Martens F, Annular Closure RCT Study Group (2018) Annular closure in lumbar microdiscectomy for prevention of reherniation: a randomized clinical trial. Spine J 18(12):2278–2287
2)

Kienzler JC, Klassen PD, Miller LE, Assaker R, Heidecke V, Fröhlich S, Thomé C, Annular Closure RCT Study Group (2019) Three-year results from a randomized trial of lumbar discectomy with annulus fibrosus occlusion in patients at high risk for reherniation. Acta Neurochir 161(7):1389–1396
3)

Trummer M, Eustacchio S, Barth M, Klassen PD, Stein S. Protecting facet joints post-lumbar discectomy: Barricaid annular closure device reduces risk of facet degeneration. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2013 Aug;115(8):1440-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2013.01.007. Epub 2013 Mar 6. PubMed PMID: 23473658.
4)

Barth M, Weiß C, Bouma GJ, Bostelmann R, Kursumovic A, Fandino J, Thomé C. Endplate changes after lumbar discectomy with and without implantation of an annular closure device. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2018 Apr;160(4):855-862. doi: 10.1007/s00701-017-3463-y. Epub 2018 Feb 2. PMID: 29396603.
5)

Strenge KB, DiPaola CP, Miller LE, Hill CP, Whitmore RG. Multicenter study of lumbar discectomy with Barricaid annular closure device for prevention of lumbar disc reherniation in US patients: A historically controlled post-market study protocol. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Aug;98(35):e16953. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016953. PMID: 31464935; PMCID: PMC6736093.