Biomedical subjects

Bobby K-B Tay

Publications and source records attributed to Bobby K-B Tay.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Intervertebral disc replacement maintains cervical spine kinetics.

STUDY DESIGN: An in vitro biomechanical study of C4-C5 intervertebral disc replacement using a cadaveric model. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the degree of motion afforded by a ball-and-socket cervical intervertebral disc prosthesis design. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intervertebral disc prostheses designs attempt to restore or maintain cervical disc motion after anterior cervical discectomy and reduce the likelihood of accelerated degeneration in adjacent discs by maintaining normal motion at the affected disc level. Surprisingly, the actual kinetic and biomechanical effects that cervical disc arthroplasty imparts on the spine have not been widely reported. Accordingly, we investigated what effect implanting a cervical disc prosthesis has on the range of motion at the affected level as well as how it changes the coupled motion patterns at the level of implantation. METHODS: Six fresh-frozen human cadaveric cervical spines (C2-C7) were used in this study. We evaluated two different spinal conditions: intact and after disc replacement at C4-C5. Compression (using the follower load concept) and pure moment loading were applied to the specimen. Range of motion was measured using an optical tracking system. Statistical differences between the intact and replaced condition range of motion was determined using analysis of variance with post hoc comparisons (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The data indicate that the intervertebral disc prosthesis approximated the intact motion in all three rotation planes at the affected level. Finally, changes in cervical coupled rotations, specifically lateral bending during axial rotation loading and axial rotation during lateral bending loading, were not statistically significant between the two tested conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that a ball-and-socket design can replicate physiologic motion at the affected and adjacent levels. More importantly, the data indicate that motion coupling, which is most dramatic in the cervical spine and plays an important biomechanical role, is maintained.

Arthroplasty, Replacement↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous plasma decompression alters cytokine expression in injured porcine intervertebral discs.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Discectomy is a surgical technique commonly used to treat bulging or herniated discs causing nerve root compression. Clinical data suggest discectomy may also help patients with contained discs and no clear neural compromise. However, the mechanisms of clinical efficacy are uncertain, and consequently bases for treatment optimization are limited. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of percutaneous plasma decompression on the histologic, morphologic, biochemical and biomechanical features of degenerating intervertebral discs. STUDY DESIGN: An adult porcine model of disc degeneration was used to establish a degenerative baseline against which to evaluate discectomy efficacy. OUTCOME MEASURES: Cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured from tissue samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histology and morphology images were rated for degenerative findings (of cells and matrix) in both the nucleus and annulus. Proteoglycan content was determined, and intact specimen stiffness and flexibility were measured biomechanically. Magnetic resonance images were collected for biomechanical specimens. METHODS: Using a retroperitoneal surgical approach, stab incisions were made in four or five lumbar discs per spine in 12 minipigs. Animals were allocated into one of three groups: 6-week recovery, 12-week recovery and percutaneous plasma decompression using an electrosurgical device at 6 weeks with recovery for 6 additional weeks. Four additional animals served as controls. RESULTS: Discs treated with discectomy had a significant increase in IL-8 and a decrease in IL-1 as compared with the 12-week, nontreated discs. There were no significant differences in morphologic and biomechanical parameters or proteoglycan content between treated discs and time-matched, nontreated discs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that percutaneous plasma discectomy alters the expression of inflammatory cytokines in degenerated discs, leading to a decrease in IL-1 and an increase in IL-8. Whereas both IL-1 and IL-8 have hyperalgesic properties, IL-1 is likely to be a more important pathophysiologic factor in painful disc disorders than IL-8. Therefore, the alteration in cytokine expression that we observed is consistent with this effect as a mechanism of pain relief after discectomy. In addition, given that IL-1 is catabolic in injured tissue and IL-8 is anabolic, our results suggest that a percutaneous plasma discectomy may be capable of initiating a repair response in the disc.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spinal infections.

Spinal infections can occur in a variety of clinical situations. Their presentation ranges from the infant with diskitis who is unwilling to crawl or walk to the adult who develops an infection after a spinal procedure. The most common types of spinal infections are hematogenous bacterial or fungal infections, pediatric diskitis, epidural abscess, and postoperative infections. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of spinal infections, the cornerstone of treatment, requires a high index of suspicion in at-risk patients and the appropriate evaluation to identify the organism and determine the extent of infection. Neurologic function and spinal stability also should be carefully evaluated. The goals of therapy should include eradicating the infection, relieving pain, preserving or restoring neurologic function, improving nutrition, and maintaining spinal stability.

Adult↗