Browsing by Author "Chang, Chien-Chun"

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3D Real-Time Image-Guided Navigation Spine Corpectomy with Ultrasonic Bone Cutter: Technical Note
(2020-03-01)
Lin, Chung-Wei
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Chang, Chien-Chun
;
Chen, Hsien-Te
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Chen, Yen-Jen
;
Lin, Chih-Sheng
BACKGROUND: Surgical interventions for congenital scoliosis are challenging for spine surgeons. The coordination of 3-dimensional (3D), real-time, image-guided navigation with an ultrasonic bone cutter allows surgeons to localize the affected area of the spine accurately and remove the lesion without damaging soft tissue structures. The goal of this technical paper is to report a previously undescribed method of hemivertebrectomy that combines 3D, real-time, image-guided navigation and an ultrasonic bone cutter. We highlight the feasibility and safety of this method in spinal surgery. METHODS: Three patients with congenital scoliosis were treated with this technique. We present three illustrative cases comprising hemivertebrectomies for congenital scoliosis. Intraoperative photos demonstrating the technique are also provided. RESULTS: All surgeries were completed without complications. The hemivertebrae were completely removed, and marked correction of congenital scoliosis was noted. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the combination of 3D, real-time image navigation and an ultrasonic bone cutter improves hemivertebrectomy by increasing accuracy and avoiding dura laceration, major organ damage, or potential vessel damage.
Anterior bone loss after cervical Bryan disc arthroplasty: insight into the biomechanics following total disc replacement
(2020-08-01)
Chen, Tse-Yu
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Chen, Wen-Hsien
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Tzeng, Chung-Yuh
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Huang, Chi-Wei
;
Yang, Chih-Chang
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is an innovative procedure launched in the early 2000s. Compared with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, many studies show that CDA offers equivalent clinical outcomes while reducing secondary procedures and total cost. PURPOSE: We sought to determine the incidence of anterior bone loss after CDA and the related biomechanical effects. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective chart review. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients who underwent CDA with one level Bryan Disc (Medtronic SofamorDanek, Memphis, TN, USA) at one institution. OUTCOME MEASURES: Radiological measurements, including the extent of anterior bone loss, global alignment angle, shell angle, lordotic angle, mean degree of angle of the endplate with the horizontal line, global range of motion (ROM) and ROM of the index level were recorded. The grading of anterior bone loss of the index level was defined as Grade 0, no remodeling; Grade 1, spur disappearance or mild change in body contour; Grade 2, obvious bone regression with Bryan Disc exposure. METHODS: Anatomical measures and ROM were compared by grade of bone loss. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients included in the study, anterior bone loss was found in 53 (43.8%) on the upper adjacent level and 54 (44.6%) on the lower adjacent level. Twenty-nine patients (23.9%) had anterior bone loss in both levels. The majority of cases had Grade 1 anterior bone loss. Grade 2 bone loss was noted in the upper adjacent vertebra in only 5 patients and in 4 patients in the lower adjacent vertebra. Age, sex, operative level, and hybrid surgery had no effect on anterior bone loss. Most radiological assessments, including global alignment angle, lordotic angle, mean degree of angle of the endplate with the horizontal line, global ROM, and ROM of the index level, showed no correlation to anterior bone loss. Shell angle was found to be different in groups with or without remodeling in the upper adjacent level: 5.0 degreesin the Grade 0 group and 7.0 degrees in the Grade 1-2 group, p<. 05. CONCLUSIONS: Many more patients than predicted had anterior bone loss. Increasing the shell angle of the artificial disc may increase the incidence of anterior bone loss after CDA. Further study of the biomechanics following CDA should help clarify the mechanisms at work. (c) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
New Strategy for Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery to Treat Infectious Spondylodiscitis in the Thoracolumbar Spine
(2019-05-01)
Lin, Chia-Yu
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Chang, Chien-Chun
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Chen, Yen-Jen
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Tsai, Chun-Hao
;
Tsou, Hsi-Kai
Background: Eradicating infection, protecting neurologic function, and maintaining structural alignment are the 3 objectives of treatment for infectious spondylodiscitis. For some patients, surgery may be necessary to achieve these goals; however, open surgeries are associated with high morbidity and mortality in elderly patients and those with multiple comorbidities. Endoscopic surgery provides a minimally invasive surgical option for obtaining a culture sample to aid identification of pathogens, while also providing a route for adequate decompression and drainage. The clinical results of this study were analyzed. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of spinal endoscopic surgery, the basic characteristics of patients analyzed and their inflammatory markers, pain levels, and local kyphotic angles were recorded before surgery and at regular intervals after surgery. The patients' cultured pathogens and previous antibiotic treatments were also recorded and analyzed. Study Design: Retrospective observational study (institutional review board: CMUH 105-REC2-101). Setting: Inpatient surgery center. Methods: From October 2006 to March 2017, of 508 patients who received spinal endoscopic surgery, 60 with infectious spondylodiscitis were treated using this new strategy. All 60 patients underwent plain film radiography and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the affected region to obtain evidence of infectious spondylodiscitis. The role of a computed tomography-guided biopsy and some indications for open surgery were replaced with endoscopic surgery. Results: All the patients reported rapid pain relief after endoscopic surgery and antibiotic treatment. No significant changes in sagittal alignment were observed in final follow-up radiography images. Causative pathogens were identified in 34 patients (culture rate: 77.27%) without previous antibiotic treatment. The patients' erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein levels had decreased significantly 3 months after endoscopic surgery. Two patients (3.3%) experienced infection relapse following initial endoscopic surgery; both of them were efficiently resolved through a second round of endoscopic surgery. No surgery-related complications were observed and no open spinal surgery was required during the follow-up period. Limitations: This was a retrospective study; bias was unavoidable because of the single-center nature of the study design. Conclusions: Regarding the culture rate, recurrence rate, kyphotic change, and surgery-related complications, this new strategy for endoscopic surgery is safe and effective for treating infectious spondylodiscitis in the thoracic or lumbar spine and may be considered a new trend in treating diseases of this type.
Preliminary clinical and radiographic outcomes of proximal humeral fractures: comparison of ALPS and PHILOS plating in Asian patients in Taiwan
(2020-08-28)
Chen, Chun-Yen
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Chang, Hao-Wei
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Hsieh, Shang-Lin
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Chang, Chien-Chun
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Tsai, Chun-Hao
Background Up to 20% of proximal humeral fractures need to be treated operatively. However, numerus complications were reported by using fixed angled locking plates. The ALPS Proximal Humerus Plating System is a new design implant with novel design features. The aim of this study was to compare the preliminary clinical outcomes and complications of proximal humeral fractures treated with either ALPS or the proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) in Asian patients in Taiwan. Methods Between January 2016 and December 2018, 66 patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures were analyzed retrospectively, of whom 31 underwent ALPS implant treatment and 35 underwent PHILOS implant treatment. Intraoperative blood loss and operation time, postoperative Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome (Constant-Murley) score, and complications variables were recorded for the comparison. All cases were regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Results The mean follow-up period was 400.8 days (range, 367-446 days). Union was achieved in 98.5% of patients (65/66). The ALPS group yielded similar radiologic and clinical outcomes to the PHILOS plating group for treating displaced proximal humeral fractures, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the Constant-Murley score, and varus malunion (P> 0.05, respectively). However, the incidence of total postoperative complications in the ALPS group was significantly lower than in the PHILOS group (P< 0.05). There was a trend of a lower complication rate of screws/pegs protrusion, avascular necrosis, subacromial impingement, postoperative infection, and reoperation in the ALPS group, although it was not statistically significant (P> 0.05, respectively). Conclusion The ALPS group yielded similar radiologic and clinical outcomes to the PHILOS plating group for displaced proximal humeral fractures, but the ALPS group had a significantly lower total rate of complications. Therefore, ALPS may be a better option for treating proximal humeral fractures. Further larger clinical studies are needed to confirm the findings presented here.
Seizure After Percutaneous Endoscopic Surgery?Incidence, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Management
(2020-06-01)
Lin, Chia-Yu
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Chang, Chien-Chun
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Tseng, Chun
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Chen, Yen-Jen
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Tsai, Chun-Hao