PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

R D Peek

Publications and source records attributed to R D Peek.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Unilateral lumbar fusion.

Unilateral fusion of the lumbar spine is rarely necessary or indicated. However, in patients with a "far-out syndrome" requiring decompression or in cases where unilateral posterior element resection is necessary for any reason, it may be both necessary and indicated. This unilateral destabilization effectively removes one leg of the tripod, rendering that intervertebral joint potentially unstable. The charts and radiographs of 13 patients (seven men, six women) with an average age of 60 years (range, 25 to 76) who underwent unilateral fusion were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up time ranged from 12 1/2 to 2 years with a median follow-up of 8 years. Eleven of the fusions were at one level, and two were at two levels. Seven patients had a far-out syndrome secondary to degenerative scoliosis; four were secondary to spondylolisthesis. Two patients had an osteoid osteoma involving a pedicle. A paraspinal approach was used in the majority of patients. Autologous bone graft was used in all patients. Unilateral pedicle screw fixation was used in the last patient in the series. The fusion rate was 85% (11/13). Three patients were smokers, two of whom developed pseudarthrosis. Disc space height did not appear to affect fusion rate. There was no progression of slip noted in any of the patients. One complication was noted in this group: a moderate postoperative infection, which cleared spontaneously.

Female

Anatomic analysis of pedicle cortical and cancellous diameter as related to screw size.

The effective thoracic and lumbar pedicle diameter as related to screw size for that pedicle was studied in six fresh-frozen human cadaver spines. Measurements of the pedicle were obtained before screw insertion using axial and coronal reformatted computed tomographic (CT) images, as well as graduated sounding of the pedicle. After sequentially loading each pedicle with increasingly larger screws, measurements were taken of the outer cortical diameters. Plastic deformation of the pedicle preceded pedicle fracture or cutout when the screw thread diameter became larger than the endosteal diameter or within 80% of the outer cortical diameter as measured from the CT scan. Pedicle screws did not obtain cortical purchase within the pedicle.

Bone Screws

The Wiltse pedicle screw fixation system. Early clinical results.

Ninety-nine patients were studied prospectively after spine fusion augmented with the Wiltse pedicle screw fixation system. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 34 months, averaging 20 months. There were 33 men and 66 women. Their ages ranged from 20 to 86, with the average age of 52. This was the first spine surgery in 23 patients. Seventy-six patients had had prior spine surgery. Spine fusion was attempted at one to four levels of the lumbosacral spine. Major perioperative complications were seen in seven patients (7%). Hardware failure was seen in seven cases (7%). Union was assessed by radiographs at 1 year or more after surgery in 82 patients (85%). In those 82 patients, union was seen in 56 (68%) and nonunion in 26 (32%). Change in lordosis was measured in 54 patients. The average change was a loss of 1.7 degrees lordosis per level fused. A questionnaire was answered by 79 patients (81%). Overall, 55 (70%) stated that they had some benefit from surgery, ten (13%) had no change, and 13 (17%) were worse.

Adult

In situ arthrodesis without decompression for Grade-III or IV isthmic spondylolisthesis in adults who have severe sciatica.

Eight adults who had back pain and sciatica that was caused by Grade-III or IV isthmic spondylolisthesis of the fifth lumbar vertebra on the sacrum were treated consecutively by in situ arthrodesis without decompression. The anterior displacement of the fifth lumbar vertebra averaged 82 per cent (range, 66 to 118 per cent). The length of follow-up averaged 5.5 years (range, two to fourteen years). All of the arthrodeses resulted in a solid fusion and excellent relief of both the back pain and the sciatica. All of the preoperative neurological deficits resolved, with the exception of a decreased or absent Achilles-tendon reflex in two patients. There were no complications, and all of the patients returned to their preoperative occupations.

Adult

A locking collar for Luque rods.

The migration of hardware has been a problem in the Luque system of segmental spinal instrumentation. To prevent this migration, a device was designed to slip on the 3/16th inch or 1/4 inch Luque rod. This prevents movement between the wire-rod interface, stopping both distal and proximal rotation of the rod. This article reports 21 patients with neuromuscular scoliosis on whom this technique was used. There was no migration of hardware and only one wire breakage in an area separate from the locking collar. These results are a marked improvement from patients of previous reports who did not receive the new device. Laboratory testing on the locking collar determined the best location on the "L" rod to be in the middle third of the rod. Rod migration has essentially been eliminated with this technique.

Adolescent

The Wiltse pedicle screw fixation system.

This article illustrates the application of the Wiltse pedicle screw fixation system and the general principles of pedicle screw insertion. The system is designed for stabilization of the lumbosacral spine. Indications complications, and personal results are reviewed.

Bone Screws

Allograft bone in spinal fusion for paralytic scoliosis.

To determine the efficacy of allograft bone in spinal surgery, a retrospective study was carried out on thirty-two patients who had had spinal fusion with banked bone from the femoral head between 1977 and 1983. The diagnoses were paralytic and neuromuscular scoliosis. At final follow-up (average, 3.7 years), the infection rate was 9.3 per cent. There were no pseudarthroses, and all patients had well marginated trabecular markings by eighteen months. The rates of complications and of fusion were comparable with or better than those obtained using autogenous bone graft.

Adolescent

Granular tricalcium phosphate in large cancellous defects.

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) is a porous ceramic which has biological properties of being non-reactive and resorbable, and acts as a scaffolding for bone ingrowth, undergoing progressive degradation and replacement by bone. Tricalcium phosphate has been shown to be comparable to autogenous bone graft in small periodontal defects. However, orthopedic defects are much larger. This prompted us to review the bone ingrowth potential in large cancellous bone defects (up to 12 cm3) in adult pigs. To quantitate bone ingrowth potential, three skeletally mature pigs had metaphyseal defects created in the tibia and femur of each hind limb, for 12 total sites. Twelve-cc defects in the distal femur and eight cc defects in the proximal tibia were made. Bone curetted was saved to be used as autogenous graft in the control, while the other ipsilateral defect was packed with tricalcium phosphate. Four months following the initial defect, the opposite hind extremity was similarly operated. All animals were sacrificed at nine months. Specimens were imbedded in methyl-methacrylate, cut at 120 microns, and stained. The quantity of regenerated bone was measured by histomorphometric techniques. Qualitative assessment at four months revealed absence of inflammation and TCP surrounded by trabecular bone, which was uniformly viable. There was very little TCP left by nine months. Quantitative analysis revealed the tibias to have a higher percent net bone replacement with TCP as compared to the control (32 percent versus 13 percent). The femoral TCP-filled defects were comparable to autogenous bone (both measured 29 percent).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals