Posterior vertebral column resection in spinal deformity: a systematic review

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the amount of correction and risk of complications of posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) in the treatment of spinal deformity.

Methods

A comprehensive research was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for published articles about PVCR in spinal deformity. Data from these included studies were pooled with the help of the Review Manager software from the Cochrane Collaboration and the R software. The amount of correction of PVCR was indicated with change of coronal and sagittal Cobb angle after operation. Risk of complications was demonstrated with prevalence.

Results

7 studies, a total of 390 patients, were included for analysis. The average operative time for PVCR was 430 min and the estimated blood loss was 2,639 ml. The mean amount of correction by PVCR was 64.1° in scoliosis and 58.9° in kyphosis, accounting a correction rate of 61.2 and 63.1 %, respectively. As to coronal and sagittal imbalance, data were limited. The overall prevalence of complications of PVCR was 32 % (95 % CI 12–54 %). The most common was neurologic complications, estimated to be 8 % (95 % CI 2–16 %). And risk of spinal cord injury was 2 % (95 % CI 0–3 %). The revision rate was 6 % (95 % CI 1–13 %). Incidence of infection was pooled to be 2 % (95 % CI 1–4 %). Complication rate related with implant was 2 % (95 % CI 0–6 %).

Conclusion

PVCR is a powerful surgical procedure for severe spinal deformity. However, it has the risk of excessive blood loss and major complications. Decision of PVCR should be prudent and the procedure should be performed by an experienced surgical team.

     

X-Ray assessment of the effect of pedicle screw on vertebra and spinal canal growth in children before the age of 7 years

Purpose

To determine the reliability of pedicle screws placed in children younger than 7 years of age, and to evaluate the effect of pedicle screw insertion on further growth of the vertebra and spinal canal.

Methods

A retrospective study of 35 consecutive patients through Jan 2003–Dec 2010 for congenital scoliosis in <7 years children was performed at one spine center. Patients undergoing pedicle screw instrumentation of at least two levels, which had been followed-up for at least 24 months were included. Measurements were performed in instrumented and adjacent non-instrumented levels. The effect of pedicle screw insertion on further growth was evaluated.

Results

The average age at surgery was 4.4 year (53 months, range, 23–84 months). 190 segments in 35 patients met the inclusion criteria. 77 segments had no screws and 113 had at least one screw. There was a significant difference between the pre-operative and final follow-up values of the measurement of spinal canal and vertebral body parameters (P < 0.001). No significant difference existed between growth rates of vertebral bodies and the sagittal diameters of spinal canal with or without screws. The growth rates of vertebral bodies in lumbar spine were higher than in thoracic spine in both instrumented and adjacent groups.

Conclusion

Pedicle screw instrumentation does not cause a retardation effect on the development of vertebral bodies and the spinal canal in children at an early age. It is a safe and reliable procedure to achieve a stable fixation.     

Results of fusion and instrumentation of thoracic and lumbar vertebral fractures in children: a prospective ten-year study

Background

Researches on the results of surgical treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures are infrequent. The aim of this study was to determine midterm outcomes of surgical treatment of these fractures in a prospective survey.

Methods

A case series study on pediatric patients with the diagnosis of thoracic and/or lumbar vertebral fractures was conducted over a ten-year period. Surgically treated patients were evaluated in the follow-up period, based on back pain, independent function, neurological status, and radiographic indices.

Results

There were 102 pediatric individuals, 61 boys and 41 girls, aged 3–17 years (mean 12 years of age) with thoracic and/or lumbar spinal fractures. Motor vehicle accident was the most common mechanism of injury (45.0 %). L1 was the most frequent level of fractured vertebra (24.4 %), and pelvic fracture was the most common associated orthopedic injury (21.5 %). Totally, 20 patients underwent surgery, but only fifteen (14 boys and one girl) participated in follow-up (mean 49 months; range 12–81 months). Posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation was accomplished in 12 cases. Three patients were operated by anterior approach and fusion followed by posterior fusion and instrumentation because of delay in diagnosis. There were no major perioperative complications. Two cauda equina syndromes and two incomplete spinal cord injuries improved back to normal. Five cases (33.3 %) reported occasional back pain, and all patients were functionally independent. Radiographic indices improved significantly.

Conclusions

Spinal fusion and instrumentation in pediatric patients with unstable thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with or without spinal cord injuries have favorable radiographic and functional outcomes.     

Morbidity and radiographic outcomes of severe scoliosis of 90° or more: a comparison of hybrid with total pedicle screw instrumentation

Objectives

Untreated severe scoliosis is associated with increased mortality and remains a significant surgical challenge. Few studies have reported mortality after the surgical treatment of severe scoliosis beyond a 2-year follow-up. The objectives of this study were to evaluate mortality beyond standard 2-year follow-up and compare radiographic outcomes using hybrid or pedicle screw instrumentation for severe scoliosis.

Methods

We evaluated 32 consecutive patients [11 males, mean age at surgery 15.3 (range 10.7–20.7) years] operated for a scoliosis of 90° or more using either hybrid (n = 15) or pedicle screw (n = 17) instrumentation. The follow-up time averaged 2.9 (2.0–6.6) years for radiographic and quality of life measurements and 5.5 years (2.0–9.0) years for mortality data. Of these patients, one had adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, three secondary scoliosis, and 28 neuromuscular scoliosis. Twelve patients in the hybrid and two patients in the pedicle screw groups underwent anteroposterior surgery (p < 0.001), and three patients in both groups had an apical vertebral column resection.

Results

One (3.1 %) patient died during follow-up for severe pneumonia. Preoperatively, the mean magnitude of the major curve was 109° (90°–127°) in the hybrid and 100° (90°–116°) in the pedicle screw groups (p = 0.015), and was corrected to 45° (19°–69°) in the hybrid and 27° (18°–40°) in the pedicle screw groups at the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.001), with a mean correction of the major curve of 59 % (37–81 %) in the hybrid versus 73 % (60–81 %) in the pedicle screw groups, respectively (p = 0.0023). There were six postoperative complications, including one transient spinal cord deficit necessitating reoperation in the hybrid group as compared with five complications in the pedicle screw group (p = 0.53).

Conclusions

The mid-term mortality rate after the surgical treatment of severe scoliosis was low. Severe scoliosis can be treated safely with significantly better correction of the spinal deformity using pedicle screws than hybrid instrumentation.     

Preoperative short-term traction prior to posterior vertebral column resection: procedure and role

Purpose

Severe rigid spine deformity with sharp curve can be effectively corrected by posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR). Meanwhile, high risk of this procedure also has been recognized generally. The aim of this study is to review and evaluate the role of preoperative skull-femoral traction prior to PVCR for extremely severe rigid spinal deformity with sharp angular curve >150°.

Methods

Twelve cases with extremely severe rigid deformities and sharp curves were treated by skull-femoral traction before operation. For them, the mean preoperative major scoliotic curve and kyphosis were 153° (110°–168°) and 109° (61°–180°). Continuous skull-femoral traction in supine position was started 4 weeks before operation. In the process of traction, tolerance, neurologic status, deformity changes, etc., were reviewed and documented for analysis. PVCR were performed in all these patients for final and main correction.

Results

The final traction force in the 12 cases was 63 % of body weight. After 4-week traction, the main scoliotic curve and kyphosis were decreased by 34 and 31 %. In 1 week, main scoliotic curve and kyphosis were decreased by 19 and 15 %. In 2 weeks, the major scoliosis curve was decreased by 11 %, but kyphosis was unexpectedly increased by 4 %. Deformity in the last 2 weeks was less significant than the first 2 weeks. After PVCR, the main scoliotic curve and kyphosis were improved 69 and 66 %. No permanent neurological damage occurred.

Conclusion

Preoperative skull-femoral traction effectively mitigates the neurological risks of PVCR for extremely severe rigid spinal deformity with sharp curve. During traction, scoliosis can be improved more significantly and easily than kyphosis.

     

Vertebral Bodies or Discs: Which Contributes More to Human-like Lumbar Lordosis?

Background

The attainment of upright posture, with its requisite lumbar lordosis, was a major turning point in human evolution. Nonhuman primates have small lordosis angles, whereas the human spine exhibits distinct lumbar lordosis (30°–80°). We assume the lumbar spine of the pronograde ancestors of modern humans was like those of extant nonhuman primates, but which spinal components changed in the transition from small lordosis angles to large ones is not fully understood.

Questions/Purposes

We wished to determine the relative contribution of vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs to lordosis angles in extant primates and humans.

Methods

We measured the lordosis, intervertebral disc, and vertebral body angles of 100 modern humans (orthograde primates) and 56 macaques (pronograde primates) on lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine (humans–standing, macaques–side-lying).

Results

The humans exhibited larger lordosis angles (51°) and vertebral body wedging (5°) than did the macaques (15° and ?25°, respectively). The differences in wedging of the intervertebral discs, however, were much less pronounced (46° versus 40°).

Conclusions

These observations suggest the transition from pronograde to orthograde posture (ie, the lordosis angle) resulted mainly from an increase in vertebral body wedging and only in small part from the increase in wedging of the intervertebral discs.     

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of posterior-only vertebral column resection (PVCR) for the treatment of angular and isolated congenital kyphosis

Purpose

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of posterior-only vertebral column resection (PVCR) for the treatment of angular and isolated congenital kyphosis.

Methods

24 patients with isolated angular congenital kyphosis treated by PVCR in our hospital were retrospectively studied. The patients’ radiographs and hospital records were reviewed. Deformity in sagittal planes and global sagittal alignment were analyzed for correction and maintenance of the correction in preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up radiographs. The complications and related risk factors were analyzed.

Results

The average age was 13.9 (4–40) years. Three of them were revision surgeries. Two patients have intraspinal anomalies. The mean follow-up is 56.9 (26–129) months. The mean operation time was 293.1 (170–480) min. The averaged blood loss was 993.8 (250–3000) ml. The segmental kyphosis was 87.3° before surgery, 17.6° post surgery and 20.4° at the latest the follow-up. And the sagittal vertical axis was improved from 43.1 mm to 9.2 mm. Mean total score of SRS-22 was 89.3. Complications occurred in 4 patients, including 1 screw pullout due to pseudarthrosis, 1 proximal junctional kyphosis, 1 incomplete spinal cord injury and 1 root injuries.

Conclusion

Posterior-only vertebral column resection is an ideal procedure for severe rigid congenital kyphosis. However, it is still a highly technical demanding procedure. Neurological compromises still remain the biggest challenges. Sufficient height of anterior reconstruction, avoidance sacrifice of bilateral roots in the same level in the thoracic spine, avoidance of the sagittal translation of the upper and lower vertebras, intra-operative neuromonitoring, and preoperative surgical release of diastematomyelia and tethered cord may help to improve the safety.

     

Neurological complications of thoracic posterior vertebral column resection for severe congenital spinal deformities

Purpose

The risk of neurological injury during vertebral column resection is high. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for neurological complications when treating spinal deformities by thoracic posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR).

Methods

Between 2008 and 2013, there were 62 consecutive patients (34 female patients and 28 male; the mean age: 16.3 years, range 6–46 years) treated with thoracic PVCR. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records to obtain demographic and radiographic data, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL, the ratio between circulating and lost blood), bleeding volume (the lost blood), number of vertebrae fused, number of vertebrae resected, usage of titanium mesh cage, and intraoperative neuromonitoring data. Multi-factor logistic regression was used to find the major risk factors for neurological complications.

Results

The average follow-up period was 46 months (range 24–88 months); no patients were lost to follow up. The average operative time was 524.8 ± 156.8 min (range 165.0–880.0 min), the average bleeding volume was 2585 ± 2210 ml (100–9600 ml), and the average estimated blood loss was 75.8% (9–278%). Ten patients (16.1%) developed post-operative neurological complications (nine transient and one permanent). Multi-factor logistic regression revealed that the risk factors for neurological complications were age ≥18 years, pulmonary dysfunction, and EBL >50%.

Conclusions

Thoracic PVCR can lead to satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of severe spinal deformities. Risk factors for neurological complications include the age over 18 years, presence of pulmonary dysfunction, and EBL greater than 50%. The pulmonary dysfunction can be regarded as the most valuable indicator to measure the severity of the spine deformity.

     

The use of posterior vertebral column resection in the management of severe posttuberculous kyphosis: a retrospective study and literature review

Purpose

We present a retrospective study of 15 cases with severe posttuberculous kyphosis of thoracolumbar region that underwent posterior vertebral column resection.

Methods

From 2004 to 2009, 15 consecutive patients with posttubercular kyphotic deformity underwent posterior vertebral resection osteotomy. Six subjects were females and nine were males with an average age of 35.8 years (range 20–60 years) at the time of surgery. None of the patients had neurological deficits. The mean preoperative visual analogue scale was 8.7 (range 3–9), and the average preoperative Oswestry Disability Index was 46.5 (range 40–56).

Results

The average duration of postoperative follow-up was 36.1 ± 10.7 months (range 24–62 months). The number of vertebra resected was 1.3 (range 1–2) on average. There were ten patients with one-level osteotomy and five patients with two-level osteotomy. The average operation time was 446.0 ± 92.5 min (range 300–640 min) with an average blood loss of 1,653.3 ± 777.9 ml (range 800–3000 ml). The focal kyphosis before surgery averaged 92.3 ± 8.9° (range 74–105°), and the kyphotic angle decreased to 34.5 ± 8.7° on average after the surgical correction. The average kyphotic angle at the last follow-up was 36.9 ± 8.5°, loss of correction was 2.4 ± 1.4° on average. All patients postoperatively received bony fusion within 6–9 months.

Conclusions

Our results showed that although posterior vertebral resection is a highly technical procedure, it can be used safely and effectively in the management of severe posttuberculous kyphosis. It is imperative that operations be performed by an experienced surgical team to prevent operation-related complications.     

One-stage anterior debridement,bone grafting and posterior instrumentation vs. single posterior debridement,bone grafting,and instrumentation for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare single posterior debridement, interbody fusion and instrumentation with one-stage anterior debridement, interbody fusion and posterior instrumentation for treating thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Method

From January 2006 to January 2010, we enrolled 115 spinal tuberculosis patients with obvious surgical indications. Overall, 55 patients had vertebral body destruction, accompanied by a flow injection abscess or a unilateral abscess volume greater than 500 ml. The patients underwent one-staged anterior debridement, bone grafting and posterior instrumentation (group A) or single posterior debridement, bone grafting and instrumentation (group B). Clinical and radiographic results for the two groups were analyzed and compared.

Results

Patients were followed 12–36 months (mean 21.3 months), Fusion occurred at 4–12 months (mean 7.8 months). There were significant differences between groups regarding the post-operative kyphosis angle, angle correction and angle correction rate, especially if pathology is present in thoracolumbar and lumbar regions. Operative complications affected five patients in group A, and one patient in group B. A unilateral psoas abscess was observed in three patients 12 months postoperatively. In one of them, interbody fusion did not occur, and there was fixation loosening and interbody absorption. All of them were cured by an anterior operation.

Conclusion

Anterior debridement and bone grafting with posterior instrumentation may not be the best choice for treating patients with spinal tuberculosis. Single posterior debridement/bone grafting/instrumentation for single-segment of thoracic or lumbar spine tuberculosis produced good clinical results, except in patients who had a psoas abscess.     

Treatment of early-onset scoliosis with a hybrid of a concave magnetic driver (magnetic controlled growth rod) and a contralateral passive sliding rod construct with apical control: preliminary report on 17 cases

Background Context

Magnetic controlled growth rods (MCGRs) are increasingly popular for surgical treatment of severe early-onset scoliosis (EOS), because they allow noninvasive extensions with good growth maintenance. We combined an MCGR with a contralateral passive sliding rod construct with apical control on the convex side to improve efficiency in terms of costs and three-dimensional (3D) correction.

Eosinophilic granuloma of spine in adults: a report of 30 cases and outcome

Background

Eosinophilic granuloma (EG) of the spine is rare, especially in adults. There had been few large and long-term studies reported in the literature. The management goals of this disease in adults are preservation of neurologic function, relief of pain and reconstruction of spinal stability. However, there are still controversies over appropriate management modality of eosinophilic granuloma.

Methods

Clinical manifestations, radiographic presentations, therapeutic outcomes and follow-up findings of 30 adults who were histiologically diagnosed with spinal eosinophilic granuloma, including 28 patients who received surgical treatment at our institutions from 1985 to 2008 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

There were 25 males and five females with a mean age of 34.5 years (range, 18–71 years). The post-operative follow-up period ranged from 2 to 22.4 years (mean, 8.3 years). Neurologic deficits developed in 21 patients, apparent kyphosis developed in four cases. In contrast to the classic feature of vertebra plana in children, we found that more severe lesions often led to asymmetric collapse in adult patients and only three patients presented with vertebra plana. Thirty-three vertebral lesions distributed throughout the spine column. Twenty-one lesions were in cervical spine, seven in the thoracic spine and five in the lumbar spine. Twenty-eight adult patients underwent surgical resection with or without chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and four (13.3%) patients had recurrence after surgery. No patient in our series died.

Conclusions

The onset of spinal EG is insidious and mainly presents as osteolytic destruction. There is a particular high prevalence of lesions in the cervical spine and more severe lesions often led to asymmetric collapse. As the skeleton of adults is well-developed and the epiphysis has stopped growing, individualized management including surgical intervention should be considered in adult patients with spinal EG who present with neurological damage and spinal instability.     

Segmental pedicle screws instrumentation and fusion to L5 for spinal deformity secondary to Duchenne muscular dystrophy: results with a minimum of 2 years follow-up

Background

Traditional treatment recommendations in the surgical treatment of scoliosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy have included instrumentation and fusion to the sacrum/pelvis to correct pelvic obliquity and to restore the sitting balance of the trunk. However, caudal extent of instrumentation and fusion has remained a matter of considerable debate. This study was performed to determine the efficacy and safety of stopping segmental pedicle screw constructs at L5 in the surgical treatment of scoliosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with mild pelvic obliquity (<15°).

Materials and methods

From May 2005 to June 2007, a total of 22 consecutive patients underwent posterior spinal fusion and segmental pedicle screw instrumentation only to L5 for scoliosis secondary to DMD. A minimum 2-year follow-up was required for inclusion in this study. Assessment was performed clinically and with radiologic measurements. Radiologic measurements included the Cobb angles of the curves in the coronal plane, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in the sagittal plane, and pelvic obliquity. The operating time, blood loss, and complications were evaluated.

Results

Twenty patients, aged 11–17, were enrolled. The average follow-up period was 35 months. Preoperative coronal curves averaged 70° (range: 51–85°), with a postoperative mean of 15° (range: 8–25°) and 17° (range: 9–27°) at the last follow-up. Pelvic obliquity improved from 13° (range: 7–15°) preoperatively to 5° (range: 3–8°) postoperatively and 6° (range: 3–9°) at the last follow-up. Good sagittal plane alignment was recreated and maintained. No loss of correction of scoliosis and pelvic obliquity was noted. The mean operating time was 271 min (range: 232–308 min). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 890 ml (range: 660–1260 ml). The mean total blood loss was 2100 ml (range: 1250–2880 ml).There was no major complication.

Conclusion

Segmental pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion to L5 is effective and safe in patients with scoliosis secondary to DMD without significant pelvic obliquity initially and long term, obviating the need for fixation to the sacrum/pelvis. There was no major complication.     

Clinical and radiological presentation of spinal epidural haemangiomas: clinical series in a tertiary care centre during a 10-year period

Purpose

Haemangiomas are very frequent benign spinal tumours. However, pure epidural location is extremely rare. At present, only 52 cases have been reported in the literature during the last 10 years. We proposed to analyse clinical and radiological features of this rare entity treated in a tertiary care centre over the last 10 years.

Methods

A study of a retrospective surgical series (2002–2012) was conducted. The clinic’s electronic database was searched for “spinal” and/or “vertebral haemangiomas”, which were treated by surgery and/or vertebroplasty. Clinical, radiological and histopathological data were analysed.

Results

In total, the series comprised 30 spinal haemangiomas. There were 6 epidural (20 %), 17 vertebral (57 %) and 7 intradural lesions (23 %). There were four men and two women, mean age 28.3 years, with epidural lesions. One patient presented with localised back pain only, two with radiculopathy and focal neurological deficit, two with radiculopathy only and one with isolated focal neurological deficit, respectively. The onset of symptoms was progressive in four cases over weeks to months and sudden in two cases. Preoperative MRI imaging revealed features of meningioma, neurinoma or metastasis.

Conclusion

Epidural haemangiomas are extremely rare spinal lesions. They may mimic more common spinal tumours clinically and radiologically. The usual treatment is gross total resection confirming the diagnosis histologically.     

Two-year results for scoliosis secondary to Duchenne muscular dystrophy fused to lumbar 5 with segmental pedicle screw instrumentation

Background

Instrumentation and fusion to the sacrum/pelvis has been a mainstay in the surgical treatment of scoliosis in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy since the development of the intrailiac post. It is recommended for correcting pelvic obliquity. However, caudal extent of instrumentation and fusion has remained a matter of considerable debate. This study was performed to determine the efficacy and safety of stopping segmental pedicle screw constructs at L5 during surgical treatment of scoliosis associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Methods

From May 2005 to June 2007, a total of 20 consecutive patients underwent posterior spinal fusion and segmental pedicle screw instrumentation only to L5 for scoliosis secondary to DMD. All patients had progressive scoliosis, difficulty sitting, and back pain before surgery. A minimum 2-year follow-up was required for inclusion in this study. Assessment was performed clinically and with radiological measurements. The Cobb angles of the curves and spinal pelvic obliquity were measured on the coronal plane. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were measured on the sagittal plane. These radiographic assessments were performed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at a 3-month interval thereafter. The operating time, blood loss, and complications were evaluated. Patients were questioned about whether they had difficulty sitting and felt back pain before surgery and at 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery.

Results

A total of 20 patients, aged 11–17 years, were enrolled. The average follow-up period was 37 months. Preoperative coronal curves averaged 70° (range 51°–85°), with a postoperative mean of 15° (range 8°–25°) and a mean of 17° (range 9°–27°) at the last follow-up. Pelvic obliquity improved from 13° (range 7°–15°) preoperatively to 5° degrees (range 3°–8°) postoperatively and 6° (range 3°–9°) at the last follow-up. Good sagittal plane alignment was recreated and maintained. Only a small loss of correction of scoliosis and pelvic obliquity was noted. The mean operating time was 271 min (range 232–308 min). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 890 ml (range 660–1260 ml). The mean total blood loss was 2100 ml (range 1250–2880 ml). There was no major complication. All patients reported that difficulty sitting and back pain were alleviated after surgery.

Conclusion

Segmental pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion only to L5 is safe and effective in patients with DMD scoliosis of <85° and pelvic obliquity of <15°. Good sagittal plane alignment was achieved and maintained. All patients benefited from surgery in terms of improved quality of life. There was no major complication.     

Predisposing factors for surgical site infection of spinal instrumentation surgery for diabetes patients

Purpose

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known as an important risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI) in spine surgery. It is still unclear however which DM-related parameters have stronger influence on SSI. The purpose of this study is to determine predisposing factors for SSI following spinal instrumentation surgery for patients with DM.

Methods

110 DM patients (66 males and 44 females) who underwent spinal instrumentation surgery in one institute were enrolled in this study. For each patient, various preoperative or intraoperative parameters were reviewed from medical records. Patients were divided into two groups (SSI or non-SSI) based on the postoperative course. Each parameter between these two groups was compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predisposing factor for SSI.

Results

The SSI group consisted of 11 patients (10 %), and the non-SSI group of 99 patients (90 %). Univariate analysis revealed that preoperative proteinuria (p = 0.01), operation time (p = 0.04) and estimated blood loss (p = 0.02) were significantly higher in the SSI group compared to the non-SSI group. Multivariate logistic regression identified preoperative proteinuria as a statistically significant predictor of SSI (OR 6.28, 95 % CI 1.58–25.0, p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Proteinuria is a significant predisposing factor for SSI in spinal instrumentation surgery for DM patients. DM patients with proteinuria who are likely to suffer latent nephropathy have a potential risk for SSI. For them less invasive surgery is recommended for spinal instrumentation. In this retrospective study, there was no significant difference of preoperative condition in glycemic control between the two groups.     

Operative Therapie der idiopathischen Skoliose mittels ventraler Doppelstabinstrumentation

Background

In the surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis both anterior and posterior correction and instrumentation techniques are available. The aim of the present study was to analyse the results of a new anterior dual rod instrumentation.

Patients and methods

Prospective analysis of radiometric and clinical parameters of 93 patients operated on between 1996 and 2004 using the Münster Anterior Dual Rod System.

Results

The average curve correction was 65% (fusion length usually Cobb levels) with a preoperative Cobb angle of 59°. Postoperative loss of correction amounted to 1.5° (average follow-up of 36 months). Apical vertebral derotation averaged 45% in the thoracic and 53% in the lumbar spine with a subsequent correction of the rib hump of 66% and the lumbar hump of 81%. There were no revisions or neurological complications.

Conclusion

Anterior dual rod instrumentation enables an effective and safe three-dimensional curve correction in single structural curves with only minimal loss of correction.     

Non-fusion and growing instrumentation in the correction of congenital spinal deformity associated with split spinal cord malformation: an early follow-up outcome

Study design

A retrospective case review.

Introduction

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the non-fusion technique in achieving and maintaining the proper correction for congenital spinal deformity (CSD) and allowing normal spinal growth in patients with split spinal cord malformation (SSCM).

Materials and methods

Seven patients who had CSD and SSCM were adopted, with a mean age of 8 years. All the patients in this study received Halo-gravity traction (HGT) prior to expansion of the spine and instrumentation with vertical expandable titanium prosthetic rib, growing rod or their hybrid. Five of them underwent opening wedge thoracoplasty simultaneously. And the two patients with type I SSCM underwent bony spur excision in the initial surgery before corrective manipulation. Then all the patients received a lengthened operation every six months. Changes of their major curve and length of T1–S1 spine were measured, and complications, neurological status were recorded. All the patients were followed up with an average of 32.6 months.

Results

Their mean major curve improved from 90.1° to 58.6° with a correction rate of 34.9 %. The T1–S1 length increased from 26.3 to 34.7 cm at final follow-up. Especially, one of the type I SSCM patients whose neurological deterioration was found preoperatively was significantly improved.

Conclusion

Preoperative Halo-gravity traction followed by non-fusion and growing instrumentation may be effective and safe for young children of CSD associated with SSCM. But it is an ongoing study and additional large multicenter studies are necessary to further assess the safety and efficacy of non-fusion and growing instrumentation.