Repeat pelvic osteotomy in patients with failed closure of bladder exstrophy: applications and outcomes

Background/Purpose

In patients with failed primary or secondary closure of bladder exstrophy, repeat osteotomy is useful in facilitating reconstruction. The clinical consequences of repeated surgical disruption of the pelvic ring have not been carefully described, however.

Methods

We reviewed our experience with exstrophy patients who had undergone repeat pelvic osteotomy (RPO) and analyzed patient history, complications, and orthopedic outcomes.

Results

Fifty-six patients who underwent RPO were identified. All had previously failed at least one attempted bladder closure. The patients underwent RPO at a mean age of 23.2 months. The mean time from initial osteotomy to RPO was 20.5 months. Anterior innominate or combined iliac/innominate approaches comprised 80% of RPO procedures. Of the patients, 95% had a normal gait after RPO; all 3 patients with an abnormal gait had osteotomy site nonunion, which was treated with bone grafting. Five patients had local fixator pin site infections, which were managed with local care and oral antibiotics, and 1 patient had late osteomyelitis requiring incision and drainage. No patient had femoral or sciatic nerve palsy after RPO at our institution.

Conclusions

Orthopedic complications after RPO are uncommon, and most patients have a normal gait postoperatively. Repeat pelvic osteotomy is useful in the complex reconstruction of failed exstrophy closures, and few cases fail reclosure when the reconstruction is combined with RPO.     

Lateral column osteotomy versus subtalar arthroereisis in the correction of Grade IIB adult acquired flatfoot deformity: A clinical and radiological follow-up at 24 months

BackgroundAdult acquired flat foot deformity (AAFD) is a spectrum of conditions which can be progressive if untreated. Surgical correction and restoration of anatomical relationship are often required in the treatment of symptomatic Grade II AAFD after a failed course of conservative treatment. There is a paucity of literature recommending best practice–especially in the adult population. The authors aim to compare radiological and clinical outcomes of two widely employed surgical techniques in the treatment of symptomatic AAFD.MethodsA retrospective study of 76 patients with Grade IIB AAFD and had undergone either lateral column lengthening (LCL) or subtalar arthroereisis (STA) surgical correction of their symptomatic AAFD. Each technique was augmented with both bony osteotomy and soft tissue transfer as determined by on table assessment. Clinical and radiological outcomes were reviewed 24 months after surgery.ResultsLCL and STA groups had comparable radiological outcomes at 24 months after surgery. However, LCL group demonstrated superior American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot (90.3 ± 12.6 vs 81.1 ± 20.6, p < 0.001) as well as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) midfoot scores (0.5 ± 1.6 vs 1.3 ± 2.4, p < 0.001) at 24 months compared to the STA group. STA had a higher complication rate (20.6% vs 4.4%), with all cases complaining of sinus tarsi pain requiring subsequent removal of implant.ConclusionThere is a role for either techniques in the treatment of symptomatic AAFD. LCL whilst more invasive has demonstrated superior outcome scores and lower complication rates at 24 months compared to STA. Patients need to be counselled appropriately to appreciate the benefits of each technique.     

Vertebral subluxation during three-column osteotomy in surgical correction of adult spine deformity: incidence,risk factors,and complications

Purpose

To investigate incidence, risk factors, and complications of vertebral subluxation (VS) during three-column osteotomy in surgical correction of adult spine deformity.

Methods

Adult spine deformity patients who underwent three-column osteotomies including VCR, PSO, and other modified types from March 2000 to December 2014 in our center were retrospectively reviewed. The following parameters were measured pre- and postoperatively: Cobb angle of main curve, global kyphosis, sagittal vertical axis, and kyphosis flexibility. Radiographic parameters between groups (VCR vs. PSO and subluxation vs. non-subluxation) were compared.

Results

171 ASD patients were recruited, 18 of which (10.5%) developed sagittal vertebral subluxation at the osteotomy site. 5 of 18 patients (27.8%) developed neurological complications after surgery. For these five patients, two patients got partial recovery, and three got complete recovery at 2-year follow-up. 116 patients underwent PSO, 12 of which (10.3%) developed sagittal vertebral subluxation. In 55 patients receiving VCR, 6 (10.9%) developed sagittal vertebral subluxation. No significant difference was noted between the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean age of VS group was larger than that of non-VS group (46.2 vs. 34.2, P < 0.05). VS group had less kyphosis flexibility (11 vs. 23%, P < 0.05). More patients in VS group had preoperative sagittal VS as compared to non-VS group (77.8 vs. 20.9%, P < 0.05). VS group had more neurological complications than non-VS group (25 vs. 5.4%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

VS occurred in one-tenth of patients receiving three-column osteotomies, one-fourth of which would develop neurological deficits. Older age, rigid kyphosis, and the pre-existence of VS were risk factors for developing VS.

     

Giant cell tumor of the lumbar spine: operative management via spondylectomy and short-segment, 3-column reconstruction with pedicle recreation

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumors of the lumbar spine are uncommon lesions. Aggressive management of such lesions via spondylectomy to obtain local control and prevent recurrence is often necessary. Spinal reconstruction after total spondylectomy can be challenging. Traditional reconstructions typically require multisegment fixation with an association loss of segmental motion and limited 3-column reconstruction. METHODS: The authors report a case of a GCT of the lumbar spine occurring in a 49-year-old woman. The authors describe the surgical management of such a lesion via a 1-stage posterior-anterior-posterior procedure that entails a lumbar spondylectomy and short-segment posterior fixation with 3-column reconstruction using a stackable carbon-fiber-reinforced cage device with direct posterior rod connection for pedicle reconstruction. RESULTS: At 33 months postoperative follow-up, neither tumor recurrence nor instrumentation-related complications were noted, bone fusion was prevalent, and sagittal alignment was well maintained. The patient reported no loss of functions, was neurologically intact, and remained active. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive operative management via spondylectomy of a lumbar GCT provides local tumor control. In select patients, spinal reconstruction after a spondylectomy via a 1-stage posterior-anterior-posterior approach to establish short-segment, 3-column reconstruction with recreation of the pedicles is a promising procedure that provides immediate spinal stabilization without evidence of early instrumentation-related complications, maintains spinal alignment, promotes a quick return to daily activities, and avoids sacrificing excessive motion segments and biomechanical function associated with more traditional procedures.     

Surgical strategy for revisional lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy to correct fixed sagittal imbalance: The effect of the osteotomy level and iliac screw fixation

BackgroundMore caudal osteotomy is believed to lead to greater sagittal correction; however, the osteotomy level and whether or not to use iliac screw fixation (ISF) are topics of on-going debate. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes after revisional lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for fixed sagittal imbalance (FSI) according to the osteotomy level and ISF.MethodsAll consecutive patients who underwent revisional PSO (at L3 or L4) for FSI in a single institute from July 2006 to January 2014 were investigated retrospectively. Thirty-eight patients with at least 2-year follow-up were finally included. Clinical outcomes including the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were investigated. Radiographic spinopelvic parameters were analyzed according to the level of PSO, the degree of correction, and the use of ISF.ResultsThe mean number of fused segments after PSO was 6.6 ± 1.8. Sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was restored after the surgery (12, 2.5, and 5.2 cm at preoperative, postoperative, and the last follow-up, respectively). PSO was performed at L3 in 16 patients and at L4 in 22 patients. The osteotomy level was not associated with any changes of spinopelvic parameters (pelvic tilt [PT] or lumbar lordosis) or sagittal alignment (T1-pelvic angle [TPA] or SVA). However, better TPA restoration was achieved with more osteotomy resection angle (P = 0.031). ISF group showed significant improvement in postoperative pelvic orientation (PT and ratio of PT to pelvic incidence) which was maintained until the last follow-up.ConclusionsAlthough postoperative sagittal alignment was different in FSI patients according to the osteotomy level, pelvic orientation improved in ISF group. Also, the degree of correction showed significant associations with sagittal alignment. When performing revisional PSO for FSI, spine surgeon should carefully consider how to correct rather than where to do the osteotomy, and the role of ISF.     

Scarf versus chevron osteotomy for the correction of 1-2 intermetatarsal angle in hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The chevron and scarf osteotomies are commonly used for the surgical management of hallux valgus (HV). However, there is debate as to whether one osteotomy provides more 1-2 intermetatarsal (1-2 IMA) correction than the other. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of 3 types of first metatarsal osteotomy for reducing the 1-2 IMA in HV correction: the chevron osteotomy, the long plantar arm (modified) chevron osteotomy, and the scarf osteotomy. A systematic search for eligible studies was performed of the following databases: Medline, Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO Host), and The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials. Only English-language studies previous to May 2010 were included in the review. Additional hand and electronic content searches of relevant foot and orthopaedic journals were performed. Criteria for inclusion in this analysis included systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies, as well as case-series studies involving the chevron, scarf, or long plantar arm chevron osteotomy of >20 participants with a minimum of 80% follow-up. Quality of evidence of the included studies was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. All pooled analyses were based on a fixed effects model. There was a total of 1351 participants who underwent either a chevron (n = 1028), scarf (n = 300), or long plantar arm chevron osteotomy (n = 23). Only one study for the long plantar arm chevron group fitted the eligibility criteria for this review; however, it was not amenable to meta-analysis. The chevron osteotomy was associated with a mean reduction of 1-2 IMA from preoperative to postoperative of 5.33° (95% confidence interval, 5.12 to 5.54, p < .001), and the scarf osteotomy was associated with a mean reduction of 6.21° (95% confidence interval, 5.70 to 6.72, p < .001). There was a statistically significant 0.88° increase in the correction of the 1-2 IMA in favor of the scarf osteotomy compared with the chevron osteotomy. The studies included in this review were of very low- to low-quality evidence. Our findings indicate that the scarf osteotomy provides greater correction of the 1-2 IMA when used for HV correction. However, only a weak recommendation in favor of the scarf osteotomy can be made based on the low quality of evidence of the studies included in this analysis.     

The impact of interbody approach and lumbar level on segmental,adjacent, and sagittal alignment in degenerative lumbar pathology: a radiographic analysis six months following surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXTInterbody fusion, including: transforaminal (TLIF), posterior (PLIF), anterior (ALIF), and lateral (LLIF); effectively treat lumbar degenerative pathology and provide spinopelvic balance. Although the decision on surgical approach and technique are multifactorial and patient specific, the impact of the interbody approach on segmental and adjacent level lordosis could be an important factor to consider during pre-operative planning to achieve pre-specified alignment goals.PURPOSEThe purpose of this study is to compare the 6-month postoperative radiographic outcomes in the lumbar spine following 1 to 2 level transforaminal (TLIF), posterior (PLIF), anterior (ALIF), and lateral (LLIF) interbody fusions at the L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 levels. As our primary outcome, we evaluated the change in segmental lordosis at the level of fusion in ALIF/LLIF approaches compared to TLIF/PLIF. Secondarily, we evaluated the pelvic incidence to lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch and examined the compensatory lordotic changes at the adjacent levels 6 months following surgery.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective cohort.PATIENT SAMPLEThis retrospective study included 18 centers of various practice settings across the United States. Patients were included in the study if they underwent a one- or two-level primary lumbar fusion for degenerative pathology.OUTCOMES MEASURESMeasurements of the pre-operative and 6-month post-operative lumbar AP and lateral lumbar plain radiographs included: pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis from L1-S1 (LL), as well as segmental lordosis (SL) of each segment between L1-S1.METHODSDue to there being 2 evaluated time points, patients were then grouped based on alignment into categories of preserved, restored, not corrected, and worsened.RESULTS474 patients underwent 608 levels of fusion. ALIF/LLIF resulted in significantly more segmental lordosis compared to TLIF/PLIF procedures at both L4-5 and L5-S1 (p<.001). Overall, ALIF/LLIF resulted in significantly more global lumbar lordotic alignment change compared to TLIF/PLIF (p=.01). Whether patients’ alignment was preserved versus worsened was not significantly predicted by type of procedure. Similarly, whether patients’ alignment was restored versus not corrected was not significantly predicted by type of procedure. Finally, anterior approaches resulted in decreased lordosis at adjacent levels, thus resulting in a more neutral position.CONCLUSIONIn this large multicenter retrospective study of 1 to 2 level interbody fusion surgeries, we identified that A/LLIF procedures at L4-L5 and L5-S1 resulted in greater segmental lordosis restoration and PI-LL mismatch improvement compared to T/PLIF procedures. A/LLIF may also significantly reduce lordosis (compared to T/PLIF) at the adjacent levels in a fashion that serves to reduce the lumbar lordosis that may have been increased at the fused level.     

Coronal deformity correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients using the fulcrum-bending radiograph: a prospective comparative analysis of the proximal thoracic, main thoracic, and thoracolumbar/lumbar curves

The aim of the prospective, comparative radiographic analysis was to determine the role of the fulcrum-bending radiograph (FBR) for the assessment of the proximal thoracic (PT), main thoracic (MT), and the thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curves in patients undergoing posterior spinal pedicle screw fixation and fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The FBR demonstrated statistically better correction than other preoperative methods for the assessment of frontal plane correction of the MT curves. The fulcrum-bending correction index (FBCI) has been considered a superior method than the correction rate for comparing curve correction undergoing posterior spinal fusion because it accounts for the curve flexibility. However, their applicability to assess the PT and TL/L curves in AIS patients remains speculative. The relation between FBR and correction obtained by pedicle screws fixation is still unknown. Thirty-eight consecutive AIS patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation and posterior fusion were included in this study. The assessment of preoperative radiographs included standing posterior–anterior (PA), FBR, supine side-bending, and postoperative standing PA and lateral plain radiographs. The flexibility of the curve, as well as the FBCI, was calculated for all patients. Postoperatively, radiographs were assessed at immediate (i.e. 1 week), 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 2-year follow-up. Cobb angles were obtained from the PT, MT, and TL/L curves. The study consisted of 9 PT, 37 MT, and 12 TL/L curves, with a mean age of 15.1 years. The mean FBR flexibility of the PT, MT, and the TL/L curves was 42.6, 61.1, and 66.2%, respectively. The mean operative correction rates in the PT, MT, and TL/L curves were 43.4, 69.3, and 73.9%, respectively, and the mean FBCI was 103.8, 117.0, and 114.8%, respectively. Fulcrum-bending flexibility was positively correlated with the operative correction rate in PT, MT, and TL/L curves. Although the correction rate in MT and TL/L curves was higher than PT curves, the FBCI in PT, MT, and TL/L curves was not significantly different (p < 0.05). The FBR can be used to assist in the assessment of PT, MT, and TL/L curve corrections in AIS patients. When curve flexibility is taken into account by FBR, the ability of pedicle screws to correct PT, MT, and TL/L curves is the same.     

The impact of implantation technique on frontal and sagittal alignment in total lumbar disc replacement: a comparison of anterior versus oblique implantation

The concept of total lumbar disc replacement (TDR) is gaining acceptance due to good clinical short-term outcome. Standard implantation is strict anterior, which poses especially above the segment L5/S1 sometimes difficulties due to the vessel configuration. Therefore, oblique implantable TDR have been invented. In oblique implantation the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) is only partially resected, with additional partial resection of lateral annulus fibers. This could have an impact on biomechanical properties, which has not been evaluated until now. We therefore compared the standing ap and lateral X-rays pre- and postoperative after anterior and oblique implantation of TDR in segment L4/5. Significant differences between the groups were not found. In both the anterior and oblique group, segmental lordosis showed a significant increase, whereas total lordosis as well as ap balance were unchanged. The absolute segmental lordosis increase was nearly double in the anterior group. In conclusion, both anterior and oblique implanted TDR significantly increase segmental lordosis while retaining total lordosis and ap balance. The segmental increase is lower in the oblique implanted group which is probably due to the remaining ALL. Further studies should evaluate whether this finding has any implication for the long-term outcome.     

Spontaneous correction of sagittal spinopelvic malalignment after decompression surgery without corrective fusion procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis and its impact on clinical outcomes: A systematic review

BackgroundThe impact of a positive sagittal vertical axis (SVA) on the surgical outcome for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) remains unclear, because sagittal imbalance in LSS may partly result from the tendency of patients to lean forward to reduce symptoms. Such an abnormality could be normalized by decompression surgery alone without corrective fusion. As this spontaneous correction is not well known, some surgeons perform only neural decompression in patients with positive SVA and decreased lumbar lordosis (LL), unless flatback-related symptoms are present, whereas other surgeons add corrective fusion to restore spinopelvic alignment. We systematically reviewed previous studies on this issue.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for English articles on the relationship between SVA and decompression surgery for LSS. The rates of spontaneous correction in spinopelvic parameters and the impact of SVA on clinical outcomes were analyzed.ResultsThe rate of spontaneous SVA correction from >40–50 mm to normal values following decompression surgery alone varied from 25% to 73%. Overall, the spinopelvic parameters tended to improve postoperatively, with statistically significant changes in some series. Postoperative residual sagittal imbalance, rather than preoperative imbalance, more consistently showed a negative impact on clinical outcomes, but not on leg symptoms. For predicting postoperative sagittal imbalance, 2 studies identified the cutoff of >20° for preoperative PI-LL mismatch. Another study suggested SVA >80 mm as a useful value for this purpose.ConclusionIn LSS treated with decompression surgery alone, postoperative rather than preoperative sagittal imbalance more consistently affects clinical outcomes, particularly low back pain. This is probably because decompression usually partly improves preoperative spinopelvic sagittal malalignment. Thus, LSS, if associated with preoperative PI-LL mismatch <20° and SVA <80 mm, may not require additional corrective fusion procedures.     

Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the chest wall: impact of initial versus delayed resection on tumor margins, survival, and use of radiation therapy

OBJECTIVE: To establish outcome and optimal timing of local control for patients with nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) of the chest wall. METHODS: Patients < or =30 years of age with ES/PNET of the chest wall were entered in 2 consecutive protocols. Therapy included multiagent chemotherapy; local control was achieved by resection, radiotherapy, or both. We compared completeness of resection and disease-free survival in patients undergoing initial surgical resection versus those treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by resection, radiotherapy, or both. Patients with a positive surgical margin received radiotherapy. RESULTS: Ninety-eight (11.3%) of 869 patients had primary tumors of the chest wall. Median follow-up was 3.47 years and 5-year event-free survival was 56% for the chest wall lesions. Ten of 20 (50%) initial resections resulted in negative margins compared with 41 of 53 (77%) negative margins with delayed resections after chemotherapy (P = 0.043). Event-free survival did not differ by timing of surgery (P = 0.69) or type of local control (P = 0.17). Initial chemotherapy decreased the percentage of patients needing radiation therapy. Seventeen of 24 patients (70.8%) with initial surgery received radiotherapy compared with 34 of 71 patients (47.9%) who started with chemotherapy (P = 0.061). If a delayed operation was performed, excluding those patients who received only radiotherapy for local control, only 25 of 62 patients needed radiotherapy (40.3%; P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The likelihood of complete tumor resection with a negative microscopic margin and consequent avoidance of external beam radiation and its potential complications is increased with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and delayed resection of chest wall ES/PNET.