侧前方病灶清除人工椎体置换术治疗胸椎结核后凸畸形

目的:探讨脊柱侧前方病灶清除椎间轴套式钛合金人工椎体置换治疗胸椎结核并后凸畸形的疗效。方法:胸椎结核并后凸畸形患者19例,后凸Cobb角15°～30°,平均25°,7例患者合并脊髓压迫,Frankel分级C级3例,D级4例。手术方法为一期侧前方病灶清除椎间轴套式钛合金人工椎体置换,置换的人工椎体内置入松质骨。术后抗结核药物治疗9个月。结果:随访2～3年,平均2年4个月。切口均一期愈合,椎体无滑脱,胸椎结核全部治愈,脊髓功能损害者术后1年内完全恢复。术后后凸Cobb角平均8°,平均矫正17°,随访期间畸形矫正无明显丢失。结论:胸椎结核侧前方病灶清除人工椎体置换术治疗胸椎结核并后凸畸形效果较好,能够一期完成病灶清除、脊髓减压、脊柱稳定性重建和后凸畸形矫正。     

一期前路手术治疗脊柱角状后凸畸形

目的:探讨一期前路松解、椎管减压、植骨、内固定手术治疗脊柱角状后凸畸形的安全性和疗效。方法:1999年9月至2003年5月23例脊柱角状后凸畸形患者接受手术治疗,其中男9例,女14例,平均年龄27岁。先天性脊柱后凸14例,脊柱结核后凸畸形5例,外伤后脊柱后凸畸形4例。后凸Cobb角平均76°。所有患者均采用一期前路松解或椎管减压、椎体间植骨及钉-棒系统矫形固定治疗。结果:所有患者安全完成手术,无脊髓及神经根损伤等严重手术并发症,后凸平均矫正47°(矫正率61.8%)。术后随访平均24个月,植骨节段全部融合,融合时间平均为4.2个月。随访中82.6%的患者对治疗结果满意。结论:一期前路手术可有效地矫正脊柱角状后凸畸形,同时能行椎管减压和重建脊柱稳定性。     

经胸前路病灶清除减压治疗胸椎结核并后凸畸形

目的:总结经胸前路病灶清除减压植骨内固定治疗胸椎结核截瘫并后凸畸形的临床疗效。方法:22例胸椎结核截瘫并后凸畸形患者,男12例,女10例,临床表现均有胸背痛、截瘫及脊柱后凸畸形,脊柱后凸角Cobb角为20～40°,平均25°。结核病损部位:T3～51例,T3～43例,T4～54例,T4～61例,T6～72例,T7～83例,T8～93例,T9～102例,T10～113例。ASIA分级:B级3例,C级11例,D级8例。MRI示椎管内均有压迫。9例行肩胛下经胸前路病灶清除矫形植骨内固定术,13例常规经胸病灶清除矫形植骨内固定术。术后继续抗痨治疗9～12个月。结果:22例患者切口均一期愈合,无肺部感染、呼吸衰竭等并发症。术后随访2～4年,14例在术后4周内瘫痪完全恢复,8例3个月内完全恢复。所有患者胸背痛消失,植骨融合,平均融合时间4个月,无1例结核复发,术后脊柱后凸Cobb角平均矫正18°,随访期间畸形矫正无丢失。结论:经胸前路病灶清除植骨内固定治疗胸椎结核截瘫并后凸畸形,能够一期完成病灶清除、脊髓减压、后凸畸形矫正和脊柱稳定性重建,是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

后路全脊椎切除牵引后伸交叉棒加压矫治重度高位胸椎角状后凸

目的:评价后路全脊椎切除牵引后伸交叉棒加压矫形治疗重度高位胸椎角状后凸畸形的安全性和临床初步效果。方法:2005年3月~2008年11月采用后路全脊椎切除牵引后伸交叉棒加压矫形治疗重度高位胸椎角状后凸畸形患者10例,男5例,女5例,年龄4~44岁,平均17.7岁;其中先天性椎体形成不良7例,陈旧性胸腰椎结核1例,神经纤维瘤病1例,陈旧性T3骨折1例。角状后凸节段:T3、T4和T5各3例,T6 1例。术前矢状面角状后凸Cobb角73°～155°,平均98.9°;腰前凸角24°～81°,平均48.2°;矢状位偏移距离-5.0～5.5cm。7例合并侧凸畸形,冠状面侧凸Cobb角11°～110°,平均56.0°;冠状位偏移距离0.2～6.5cm,平均3.24cm。2例先天性椎体形成不良和1例结核患者合并神经损害,Frankel分级C级2例,D级1例。结果:均顺利完成手术,手术时间为7.9～14.7h,平均10.6h;术中出血1400～5600ml,平均3750ml。切除椎体1～2个,平均1.5个。脊髓短缩1.6～2.6cm,平均2.1cm。融合固定5～12个椎体,平均8.7个。术后矢状面后凸Cobb角矫正至平均19.0°,矫正率80.3%;腰前凸角矫正至平均34.3°,矫正率33.5%;冠状面Cobb角矫正至平均12.0°,矫正率79.9%;躯干矢状位偏移距离矫正至-0.5~0.5cm,矫正率90.4%;冠状位偏移距离矫正至平均0.51cm,矫正率89.5%。术前2例Frankel C级和1例D级神经损害者,术后恢复到E级。随访25～69个月,平均38.2个月,所有患者获得良好的骨性愈合,无脊髓损伤和矫正度的显著丢失。结论:后路全脊椎切除牵引后伸交叉棒加压矫治重度高位胸椎角状后凸畸形可提供安全有效的矫正力并能获得满意的疗效。     

经胸入路一期病灶清除植骨内固定治疗胸椎结核

目的:评价经胸入路一期病灶清除自体骨植骨融合内固定治疗胸椎结核的疗效。方法:2000年3月至2005年7月共收治胸椎结核患者21例,均伴有胸背疼痛、乏力、低热、盗汗等结核中毒症状,其中11例有后凸畸形,平均Cobb角27°;20例伴神经功能障碍,Frankel分级B级1例,C级9例,D级10例。全部采用经胸入路一期病灶清除自体骨植骨融合前路内固定术治疗,随访观察治疗效果。结果:未发生肺部感染及呼吸衰竭等并发症。平均随访16个月,所有患者内固定位置良好,无松动、断裂等并发症。胸背疼痛及结核中毒症状消失;结核均治愈,无局部结核复发,植骨均获得骨性融合,融合时间平均为4.8个月。术后平均Cobb角15°,平均矫正12°。20例术前有神经功能障碍者术后有17例获得1级以上的恢复。结论:经胸入路一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定治疗胸椎结核暴露充分,有利于病灶清除、前方脊髓减压、重建脊柱稳定性,骨融合率高。     

后路全脊椎切除折顶椎管三维同心闭合矫形治疗重度脊柱角状后凸畸形

目的:评价后路全脊椎切除折顶矫形治疗重度脊柱角状后凸畸形的安全性和临床初步效果.方法:2004年6月至2008年5月,收治重度脊柱角状后凸畸形患者11例.男4例,女8例,年龄16-42岁,平均27.9岁:其中先天性椎体形成不良6例,胸腰椎结核3例,陈旧性脊柱骨折2例,神经纤维瘤病1例.术前矢状面角状后凸Cobb角82°～150°,平均107.0°;10例合并侧凸畸形,冠状面侧凸Cobb角11°～128°,平均52.7°;6例先天性椎体发育不良中有1例合并神经损害,3例结核中有1例合并神经损害,根据Frankel分级均为D级.均采用顶椎全脊椎切除折顶椎管三维同心闭合矫形术治疗,随访观察治疗效果.结果:手术时间为7.9～14.7h.平均11.1h.术中出血2400～5100ml,平均3866ml.脊髓短缩1.6～2.7cm,平均2.1cm.融合同定节段为8～14节椎体,平均12.5节.矢状面Cobb角由术前平均107.0°矫正至26.1°矫正率75.6%.冠状面Cobb角由术前平均52.7°矫正至12.3°,矫正率76.7%.躯干矢状偏移距离平均矫正率76.4%.术前2例神经损害者,术后Frankl分级恢复到E级,随访9～61个月,平均25.9个月.所有患者获得良好的骨质愈合,无脊髓损伤,也无矫正度的丢失.结论:全脊椎切除折顶复位术矫正重度脊柱角状后凸畸形疗效满意,椎管三维同心闭合技术保证了截骨面椎管在矢状面、冠状面及水平面的安全闭合.     

经胸一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定术治疗胸椎结核

目的评价经胸入路一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定治疗胸椎结核的疗效。方法对28例胸椎结核患者[10例伴有后凸畸形,Cobb角为13～30(22±3)°;16例伴有神经功能障碍]采用经胸入路一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定术治疗,随访观察治疗效果。结果术后Cobb角为2～10(5±3)°,后凸矫正角度无明显丢失,无手术并发症。28例均获随访,时间12～24个月。患者均临床治愈无复发。术后3～8(4.2±1)个月植骨全部融合,内固定无松动、断裂。16例脊髓损害者神经功能Frankel分级:A级1例恢复至C级;B级3例恢复至D级1例、E级2例;C级4例、D级8例均恢复至E级。结论经胸一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定治疗胸椎结核暴露充分,有利于病灶清除、前方脊髓减压、重建脊柱稳定性,植骨融合率高。     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症的外科治疗

目的探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化症的诊断与手术治疗方法，分析其手术时机、手术技巧、手术效果及并发症处理。方法回顾性总结56例患者的外科治疗过程，采用胸椎管后壁切除减压及侧后方入路，术中体感诱发电位监护。结果术后55例经随访1年以上，1例随访2个月。39例，良8例，可5例，差4例。结论胸椎黄韧带骨化所致的脊髓压迫症须早期手术治疗，可根据不同情况选择胸椎管后壁切除减压及侧后方入路的次环状减压的手术方式。     

一期后路经椎弓根"蛋壳"技术单椎体截骨治疗脊柱角状后凸畸形

目的 探讨经椎弓根"蛋壳"技术单椎体截骨治疗脊柱角状后凸畸形的可行性及疗效.方法 对2005年8月至2008年9月应用椎弓根钉-棒系统一期后路经椎弓根"蛋壳"技术单椎体楔形截骨治疗17例脊柱角状后凸畸形患者进行回顾性研究,男11例,女6例;年龄26～58岁,平均42.3岁;其中创伤后胸腰椎后n畸形14例,陈旧性结核脊柱后凸畸形3例;后凸Cobb角32°～63°,平均45.1°±17.3°;矢状面平衡距离12.5～19.0 cm,平均(16.5±2.8)cm.8例患者术前有神经系统症状,Frankel分级:c级3例,D级5例.结果 手术时间160～230 min(平均185 min),术中出血800～1450 mL(平均1150 mL),术后患者未出现神经系统症状加重,无伤口感染,所有患者腰背部疼痛、外观及后凸畸形均明显改善.所有患者均得到随访,平均随访时间18个月(8～33个月).8例术后神经功能均恢复正常.患者术后及末次随访时脊柱后凸Cobb角(9.2°±7.9°)及矢状面平衡[(7.5±2.4)cm]与术前比较有明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),末次随访时患者矫正无明显丢失.结论 一期后路经椎弓根"蛋壳"技术单椎体截骨是治疗轻中度脊柱角状后凸畸形安全有效的方法.该技术矫正后凸畸形效果满意,腰背部疼痛及神经功能改善明显,可使脊髓和神经根充分减压(360°减压),同时最大程度地避免了脊髓、神经根和椎体侧前方血管的损伤.     

前路小切口开胸入路治疗高段胸椎结核

目的讨论前路小切口开胸入路治疗高段胸椎结核的临床疗效。方法 2013年1月至2016年4月共完成前路小切口开胸入路治疗高段胸椎结核病例9例,男6例,女3例;年龄25~62岁,平均37岁。结核病灶位于T_(3~5)1例,T_(3~4)3例,T4~54例,T_(6~7)1例。神经功能ASIA分级:C级2例,D级7例。术前胸椎后凸Cobb角16°~39°,平均为(26±3.7)°。所有患者均采用前路小切口开胸入路病灶清除加植骨内固定术,术后行抗结核治疗,观察脊柱稳定性及脊髓功能恢复情况。结果所有患者均获得随访,随访10~25个月,平均16个月。切口均一期愈合,未发生肺部感染、呼吸衰竭等并发症。植骨骨性融合时间3~6个月,平均4个月。患者神经症状均完全恢复,胸背部疼痛症状消失,术前胸椎后凸Cobb角10°~20°,平均为(15±2.1)°。结论前路小切口开胸手术有创伤小、病灶清除彻底、减压充分、植骨融合确切等优点,疗效可靠,尤其适应于上胸段结核。     

Closing-opening wedge osteotomy to correct angular kyphotic deformity by a single posterior approach

STUDY DESIGN: Seven patients with angular kyphotic deformity of the thoracic or thoracolumbar spine were treated by closing-opening wedge osteotomy using a single posterior approach. OBJECTIVES: To examine the safety and efficacy of closing-opening wedge osteotomy for angular kyphosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Correction osteotomy of severe kyphosis is a challenging operation. A two-stage operation has been commonly used: anterior release and decompression followed by posterior correction and fusion. METHODS: Seven patients with angular kyphosis were treated. The apex level of kyphosis was T5 in one patient, T11 in one, and T12 in five. There was old fracture in five patients, congenital deformity in one, and neurofibromatosis in one. The first 30-35 degrees of kyphosis are corrected using the closing wedge technique with the hinge of the anterior longitudinal ligament after veretebrectomy and circumspinal decompression of the spinal cord. Then the hinge is moved posteriorly to the spinal cord and the remainder of the requisit angle of osteotomy is corrected using the opening-wedge technique (closing-opening wedge osteotomy). Spinal curvature is stabilized using posterior instrumentation and graft. RESULTS: Localized kyphosis was reduced from an average of 67 degrees to 18 degrees at 2.2 to 7.5 years' follow-up. Sagittal alignment from T1 to the sacrum became more physiologic than before. There were no neurologic complications. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients, and there was no correction loss. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory correction is safely performed by closing-opening wedge osteotomy with a direct visualization of the circumferentially decompressed spinal cord. Although the performance is technically laborious, it offers good correction without jeopardizing the integrity of the spinal cord.     

胸、腰椎脊柱结核一期病灶清除前方钛网支撑矫形内固定

目的探讨胸、腰椎结核一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、前方畸形矫正、植骨融合内固定的疗效。方法本组19例,男11例,女8例;平均年龄43.3岁(15～66岁)。病变部位:胸椎8例,胸、腰椎7例,腰椎4例。2个椎体13例,3个椎体5例,4个椎体1例,无跳跃型。椎旁脓肿15例,髂窝流注性脓肿4例。本组患者皆伴有后凸畸形,平均Cobb角44.7°。术前血沉正常5例,其余为22～127mm/h。本组患者术前应用三联(异烟肼、利福平、链霉素)化疗2周,手术采用一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、前方钛网支撑畸形矫正、植骨融合内固定术。术后化疗持续10个月,定期进行脊柱影像学检查和血沉、肝功能检查。结果刀口皆为Ⅰ期愈合,无窦道。最先解除的症状是疼痛,随访8～29个月(平均17个月),畸形矫正、植骨融合满意,未见内固定失败;后凸角度平均矫正21.3°,脊髓功能皆有不同程度地恢复。3例胸、腰段结核术中出现胸膜破裂,1例术后气胸;4例出现神经根刺激症状,1例钛网位置欠佳。无脓胸发生和迟发性脊髓功能丧失。术后血沉恢复正常时间为2～8个月。结论胸、腰椎脊柱结核一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、植骨融合,同时前方钛网支撑畸形矫正和脊柱稳定性重建,在临床上取得了满意的疗效。未见使用在脊柱结核治疗过程中的支撑物和内固定物产生的不良反应。     

Surgical treatment of congenital kyphosis

STUDY DESIGN: In this study, 26 cases of congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis treated surgically were retrospectively reviewed. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical outcomes and surgical indications for posterior only versus anteroposterior surgery in the child. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Congenital kyphosis usually is progressive without surgical intervention. Current recommended treatment includes posterior arthrodesis for deformities of less than 50 degrees to 60 degrees, and anterior release or decompression, anterior fusion, and posterior instrumented arthrodesis for large deformities and cord compression. METHODS: Cases involving myelodysplasia, spinal dysgenesis, and skeletal dysplasia were excluded from the study. Kyphoscoliosis was included if the kyphotic deformity was greater than the scoliotic deformity. Patients were grouped by age and surgical technique. The patients in group P1 underwent posterior arthrodesis at an age younger than 3 years, and those in group P2 underwent the procedure at an age older than 3 years. The patients in group AP1 underwent anterior and posterior procedures at an age younger than 3 years, and those in group AP2 underwent the procedures at an age older than 3 years. The preoperative deformity, complications, and postoperative deformity correction were analyzed. There were nine Type 1 (failure of formation), nine Type 2 (failure of segmentation), and eight Type 3 (mixed) deformities. Four patients had associated spinal dysraphism. Three patients with Type 1 deformities had clinical or radiographic evidence of cord compression. RESULTS: In Group P1, five patients at an average age of 16 months underwent posterior arthrodesis alone for an average kyphotic deformity of 49 degrees. The immediate postoperative correction improved over a period of 6 years and 9 months by an additional 10 degrees, resulting in a final deformity of 26 degrees. Pseudarthrosis developed in two patients, requiring fusion mass augmentation or anterior arthrodesis. Neither patient was instrumented. In Group P2, five patients at an average age of 13 years and 7 months underwent posterior arthrodesis with instrumentation for kyphotic deformity of 59 degrees. Approximately 30 degrees of intraoperative correction was achieved safely using compression instrumentation and positioning. No further correction occurred with growth. The final residual kyphotic deformity was 29 degrees after a follow-up period of 4 years and 5 months. In Group AP1, seven patients underwent anterior release or vertebra resection for deformity correction and posterior arthrodesis for an average kyphotic deformity of 48 degrees at the age of 16 months. There were no iatrogenic neurologic injuries. The final residual kyphotic deformity was 22 degrees after a follow-up period of 6 years and 3 months. In Group AP2, nine patients underwent anterior release or decompression with posterior arthrodesis for kyphotic deformity of 77 degrees at the age of 11 years and 6 months. The deformity was corrected to 37 degrees, with no significant loss over a follow-up period of 5 years and 2 months. There were two postoperative neurologic complications. CONCLUSIONS: After reviewing their experience, the authors made the following observations: 1) The pseudarthrosis rate was low even without routine augmentation of fusion mass if instrumentation was used; 2) gradual correction of kyphosis may occur with growth in patients younger than 3 years with Types 2 and 3 deformities after posterior fusion, but appears to be unpredictable; 3) the risk of neurologic injury with anterior and posterior fusion for kyphotic deformity was associated with greater age, more severe deformity, and preexisting spinal cord compromise.     

脊柱前方垫高-后方闭合截骨矫形术治疗胸腰段脊柱后凸畸形的初步报告

目的探讨采用以脊柱前方垫高后方闭合为技术特征的新型脊柱截骨矫形术治疗胸腰段脊柱后凸畸形的可行性、安全性和有效性。方法自2003年以来,采用新型脊柱截骨矫形术治疗不同病因所致的胸腰段脊柱后凸畸形8例。其中男、女各4例,年龄14～58岁,平均35岁。术前脊柱后凸Cobb角平均为73°(42°～90°),3例合并脊柱侧凸的Cobb角平均为25.7°。术前Frankel分级:C级2例、D级2例、E级4例。8例均伴有较为严重的胸腰背部疼痛,3例伴有膀胱括约肌功能障碍。手术方式均为:单纯后路经双侧关节突关节、椎间隙楔性截骨,切断前纵韧带,先行脊柱前方撑开垫高(将椎间融合器植入椎间截骨面),再行脊柱后方加压闭合及椎弓根螺钉器械固定。结果平均手术时间4.5h(3.5～6.0h),平均术中出血量2280ml(700～4200ml)。术中有1例血压曾一度偏低,术后脑脊液漏1例,此外无其他手术并发症发生。术后脊柱后凸Cobb角平均为8.3°、平均矫正度数为64.7°、平均矫正率为88.6%;术后脊柱侧凸Cobb角平均为18.7°、平均矫正度数为7°、平均矫正率为27.2%。术后平均随访12.8个月(5～23个月),X线片可见原截骨平面均已发生骨性融合,胸腰背部疼痛症状完全消失。术后Frankel分级:C级1例、D级2例、E级5例;3例膀胱括约肌功能障碍者中2例术后症状有改善。结论与现行常用的单纯闭合楔形截骨术式相比,新型脊柱截骨矫形术可有效地避免脊柱过度短缩和脊髓扭曲、折皱的发生,提高了脊柱闭合截骨的安全性;同时也明显地提高了单一节段脊柱后凸畸形的安全截骨矫正度数。可适用于40°～90°的胸腰段脊柱后凸畸形的手术治疗。     

胸椎结核外科治疗不同术式选择探讨

目的探讨不同解剖节段胸椎结核外科治疗术式的选择策略及疗效。方法回顾分析2005年5月至2009年5月手术治疗36例成人胸椎结核的临床资料,其中男19例,女17例;年龄17~60岁,平均32.2岁;病变破坏2个椎体23例,3个椎体7例,4个椎体6例。术前所有患者均有不同程度的后凸畸形,后凸角10°~110°,平均21°。22例伴有神经功能障碍。将胸椎按照解剖特点分为颈胸结合部(C7~T2)、中部(T3~5)、下胸椎(T6~12)。依据解剖特点不同采用5种不同的手术入路(颈胸结合部前入路、经胸腔胸膜外入路、开胸、肋横突旁入路、后正中入路)对36例胸椎结核患者行一期病灶清除、植骨融合内固定术。结果所有患者随访18~48个月,平均26个月,术后胸背部疼痛减轻,切口一期愈合,术后1~3个月血沉逐渐恢复正常,术后后凸角度矫正至0°~60°,平均14°,自体骨植骨于术后3个月开始融合,22例伴有神经功能障碍者,术后Frankel分级提高1~2级,大部分完全恢复。结论根据胸椎结核病灶部位的解剖特点、累及的范围选择恰当的术式可有效清除结核病灶,矫正后凸畸形,重建脊柱的稳定性,改善神经功能,临床效果良好。     

后路一期半椎体切除治疗脊柱上胸段侧后凸畸形

目的:观察后路一期半椎体切除、内固定植骨融合治疗上胸段侧后凸畸形的临床效果。方法 :2005年12月～2010年2月我院共收治半椎体所致脊柱上胸段侧后凸畸形患者8例,男4例,女4例;年龄11～15岁,平均13岁。3例患者合并神经系统症状。均行后路一期半椎体切除内固定植骨融合术,术前、术后和随访时拍摄站立位脊柱正侧位X线片,测量冠状面与矢状面局部后凸Cobb角;记录围手术期并发症;通过JOA评分评价术前、术后1周及末次随访时神经系统症状的改善情况。结果:全部病例随访6～50个月,平均22.8个月。手术时间150～420min,平均278min。术中出血量500～3500ml,平均1787ml。固定融合节段4～11节,平均8.5节。冠状面局部侧凸Cobb角由术前平均45.5°矫正至术后1周的14.4°;矢状面局部后凸Cobb角由术前平均47.9°矫正至术后1周的21.6°;3例合并神经系统损伤患者平均JOA评分由术前5分提高到末次随访时的8分。1例连接器固定患者术后10个月随访时发现细棒断裂,翻修后随访24个月效果良好。结论:对于先天性脊柱上胸段畸形,后路一期半椎体切除、内固定植骨融合术可取得良好的治疗效果。     

Surgical correction of the late consequences of posttraumatic spinal disorders

This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the results of the treatment of late posttraumatic spinal disorders. Five patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis, two with paralytic kyphoscoliosis and two with posttraumatic instability with pain but without neurologic symptoms and apparent deformity, were treated surgically. Various surgical procedures were performed depending on the pathologic conditions. Corrections achieved in the sagittal and frontal planes were analyzed on radiographs after a mean follow-up of 4.4 years. In cases of angular kyphosis, the deformity measured 48.8 degrees on average before operation and 9.3 degrees afterward. Preoperative neurologic impairments were improved in all cases. Patients with paralytic scoliosis benefited from an average surgical correction of 68%. The restoration of truncal balance helped the patients to regain a normal sitting posture. Pain was reduced in all patients after surgery, as it was in patients with low back pain caused by posttraumatic instability without deformity. The results of the current study emphasize the importance of adequate management of spinal injuries to prevent late spinal sequelae.     

The surgical management of congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of surgery for congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of different types of spine surgery in the management of congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Congenital kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis are much less common than congenital scoliosis but potentially more serious, because these curves can progress rapidly and Type I deformities can lead to spinal cord compression and paraplegia. No one operative procedure can be applied to all types and sizes of deformity. The method of surgical treatment depends on the age of the patient, the type and size of the deformity, and the presence or absence of spinal cord compression causing a neurologic deficit. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with a congenital kyphosis (n = 14) or kyphoscoliosis (n = 51) were treated by five different methods of spine arthrodesis: prophylactic posterior arthrodesis before age of 5 years (n = 11), posterior arthrodesis after age 5 years without instrumentation (n = 26) and with instrumentation (n = 12), combined anterior and posterior arthrodesis without instrumentation (n = 7) and with instrumentation (n = 9). Six patients had preoperative lower limb spastic paraparesis caused by spinal cord compression. The mean age at surgery was 9 years 6 months (range, 11 months to 25 years), and all 65 patients were observed for a minimum of 2 years (mean 6 years 6 months, range 2 to 18 years). Fifty-seven patients reached skeletal maturity. RESULTS: A posterior arthrodesis performed before the age of 5 years resulted in a gradual reduction of the kyphosis by a mean 15 degrees in 9 of the 11 patients, followed up for a mean of 11 years, whose initial kyphosis was less than 55 degrees. Patients treated after the age of 5 years by a posterior arthrodesis followed by cast application had poor correction and a high incidence of pseudarthrosis. This was not significantly improved by the addition of posterior instrumentation. For curves greater than 60 degrees, the most successful results were achieved by an anterior spinal release and arthrodesis with strut graft correction followed by posterior arthrodesis with instrumentation (if possible). CONCLUSION: All patients with a Type I or Type III congenital kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis should be treated by a posterior arthrodesis before the age of 5 years and before the kyphosis exceeds 50 degrees. A kyphosis that does not reduce to less than 50 degrees as measured on the lateral spine radiograph made with the patient supine requires an anterior release and arthrodesis with strut grafting followed by posterior arthrodesis with instrumentation (if possible).