个体化导航模板在胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入中的初步临床应用

目的:通过临床应用评价个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性。方法:2008年7月～2009年9月,对11例需要行胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入手术的患者(青少年特发性脊柱侧凸7例,先天性脊柱侧凸2例,胸椎结核后凸畸形1例,多发性胸椎骨折1例)术前根据CT三维重建图像利用计算机辅助设计及快速成型技术设计制作46个胸椎个体化导航模板,术中应用个体化导航模板辅助在T2～T12置入椎弓根螺钉92枚,术后CT扫描评价螺钉位置,记录有无与螺钉置入相关的并发症。结果:通过个体化导航模板辅助置入的92枚胸椎椎弓根螺钉中,83枚完全在椎弓根内,9枚穿破椎弓根壁(其中椎弓根内侧壁穿破2枚、椎弓根外侧壁穿破7枚),其中5枚螺钉因椎弓根宽度小于4mm(3.0～3.8mm)而采用椎弓根旁固定方法(椎弓根螺钉轻度穿破椎弓根外侧壁经胸肋关节内侧进入椎体),椎弓根壁非故意穿破率为4.3%,置钉准确率为95.7%,所有穿破椎弓根壁的螺钉的穿出距离均小于2mm,螺钉位置可接受率为100%。无与螺钉置入有关的神经、血管、内脏损伤等并发症的发生。结论:个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的置钉准确率高,安全、可行。     

特发性脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根的CT测量及其临床意义

目的：测量特发性脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根的有关数据，探讨其临床应用价值。方法：在30例特发性脊柱侧凸患者术前CT扫描片上测量胸椎椎弓根的宽度、深度、角度、椎体旋转角度等数据，根据所得数据选定置入螺钉的直径、长度．确定置入方向和深度。术后对置入螺钉的胸椎椎弓根节段行CT扫描，判断置钉位置。结果：CT测量的各项数据显示胸椎椎弓根适合椎弓根螺钉的置入。以此为依据术中置入胸椎弓根螺钉共245枚，228枚(93％)置入无误，6枚穿破椎弓根外壁，9枚穿破椎弓根下壁，2枚穿破椎弓根内壁，无神经系统并发症。结论：术前CT扫描测量特发性脊柱侧凸患者的胸椎椎弓根的有关数据可为选择适当长度和直径的螺钉并将其准确置入胸椎椎弓根内提供参考。从而保证螺钉安全置入。     

低龄儿童脊柱侧凸矫正术中椎弓根螺钉置入的精确性和安全性评估

目的:评估10岁及以下脊柱侧凸患儿侧凸矫正术中椎弓根螺钉置入的精确性及安全性,并分析其相关影响因素。方法:回顾性分析2008年2月~2008年7月我院收治的行后路椎弓根螺钉固定的10岁及以下脊柱侧凸41例患儿的临床资料,所有患者术前、术后均行CT检查,男26例,女15例,年龄2~10岁,平均5.4岁。先天性脊柱侧凸36例,特发性脊柱侧凸2例,神经肌肉源性脊柱侧凸2例,先天性软骨发育不全伴脊柱侧凸1例。术中根据解剖标志徒手置入椎弓根螺钉。在PACS系统上通过Pacs Client软件测量螺钉尖距椎弓根内壁、外壁、上壁、下壁以及椎体前缘的距离。若左侧椎弓根螺钉穿破椎弓根外壁或椎体前缘,测量钉尖与主动脉的距离。根据椎弓根螺钉所在位置(节段、凹凸侧、脊椎发育是否异常)分析其破壁率差别。不良置钉定义为椎弓根螺钉穿破椎弓根内、外壁或椎体前缘的距离超过2mm,和椎弓根螺钉进入椎间孔或穿破终板进入椎间盘。结果:本组病例共置入242枚椎弓根螺钉,胸椎128枚,腰椎114枚,平均每例患者置入5.8枚螺钉。螺钉完全在椎弓根内208枚,占86.0%。破壁34枚(占14.0%),其中不良置钉18枚(占7.4%),18枚中有5枚穿破外壁,8枚穿破内壁,5枚穿破椎体前缘。形态异常椎和凹侧的椎弓根螺钉的破壁率较高(分别为24.1%和17.9%)。术中一枚螺钉拔出,未出现其他螺钉置入相关并发症。穿破椎体前缘螺钉距离主动脉距离平均2.3mm。结论:10岁及以下儿童椎弓根螺钉的徒手置入有较高的精确性和安全性,但在发育不良椎体及凹侧置钉时应谨慎。     

个体化选择脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉进钉点的研究

目的:探讨个体化选择脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉进钉点对置钉准确性的影响.方法:2006年3月至2008年6月手术治疗脊柱侧凸患者57例,其中青少年特发性脊柱侧凸44例,先天性脊柱侧凸12例,马凡综合征1例.根据患者术前CT设计拟固定胸椎的椎弓根螺钉进钉点并用于指导术中的进钉点选择,术后根据螺钉是否突破椎弓根的皮质壁来判断置钉准确性.结果:全部患者共置入椎弓根螺钉591枚,胸椎417枚,腰椎174枚,术后530枚螺钉的轴线完全位于椎弓根皮质内,准确率为89.7%, 其中胸椎置钉准确率为86.8%(362,417).61枚螺钉的轴线突破椎弓根皮质壁,胸椎55枚,腰椎6枚.55枚偏置的胸椎椎弓根螺钉中52枚螺钉的实际进钉点与术前设计一致,其中19枚钉尖位于椎体内;3枚螺钉为术中实际进钉点选择失误,螺钉轴线突破椎弓根皮质壁的距离均不超过4mm.无脊髓、大血管及脏器损伤等严重并发症发生.结论:个体化选择胸椎椎弓根螺钉进钉点可提高脊柱侧凸患者胸椎置钉的准确率,减少术中进钉点选择失误所致的并发症.     

青少年脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性评价

目的：探讨青少年脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性，以减少相关手术并发症。方法：32例青少年脊柱侧凸患者术前均对畸形脊柱进行标准俯卧位CT加密扫描，测量进钉点至椎体前缘的深度、进针角度、椎弓根直径和椎体的旋转角度，根据测得数据确定椎弓根螺钉置入的深度和方向，置入螺钉后再行脊柱全长X线片及CT扫描评价置钉的准确性和安全性。结果：32例共置入226枚胸椎椎弓根螺钉，术后CT加密和X线片观察到205枚螺钉（90．7％）完全在椎弓根皮质骨内。10例21枚螺钉（9.3％）发生错置，7枚螺钉（3．1％）偏外，5枚螺钉（2．2％）偏前外侧（其中2枚螺钉靠近节段血管），4枚螺钉（1．8％）偏下，4枚螺钉（1．8％）直径过大导致椎弓根内壁膨胀内移，1枚螺钉（0．4％）误入椎管导致完全性脊髓损伤。T1～T4错置12枚（18．2％），T5～T12错置9枚（6．1％）；凸侧椎根螺钉置入的准确率为93．8％，凹侧为83．1％。结论：脊柱畸形患者术前应常规采用标准俯卧位CT加密扫描，根据扫描图像测得的相关数据可为术中准确置入椎弓根螺钉提供重要参考依据。在青少年脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入有一定的误置率，螺钉发生错置多见于上胸椎和凹侧．术中应高度重视。     

青少年特发性脊柱侧凸应用Ball tip技术置入椎弓根钉的准确性

目的针对需要手术治疗的青少年特发性脊柱侧凸,通过与传统徒手置钉技术比较来评价一种新的椎弓根置钉技术—Ball tip技术置入椎弓根钉的准确性。方法自2009年5月~2011年5月,对28例青少年特发性脊柱侧凸,术中应用椎弓根球形探针(ball tip probe)置入椎弓根。结果采用Ball tip技术共置入193枚椎弓根钉,传统徒手技术置入161枚螺钉。术后CT扫描显示Ball tip组椎弓根钉钉道准确率为89.1%,共有21枚(10.9%)置钉不良螺钉,其中5枚(2.6%)穿透椎弓根内侧骨皮质,16枚(8.3%)穿透外侧骨皮质。徒手置钉组准确率为75.2%,共有40枚(24.8%)置钉不良螺钉,其中11枚(6.8%)穿透椎弓根内侧骨皮质,29枚(18.0%)穿透外侧骨皮质。两组置钉准确率的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01),两组螺钉穿透椎弓根内侧、外侧骨皮质的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论与传统徒手置钉技术相比,椎弓根Ball tip技术,可准确地置入椎弓根钉,减少因螺钉误置所导致的术后并发症。     

非影像监视下行脊柱侧凸胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的临床应用

目的:探讨脊柱侧凸胸椎椎弓根螺钉非影像监视下徒手置入的方法及可行性。方法:57例脊柱侧凸患者行后路椎弓根螺钉系统矫形手术,徒手法置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉。术后常规拍摄脊柱全长X线片,随机选取10例患者行CT扫描观察,了解螺钉置入的准确性。结果:共置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉362枚。术后X线片观察到10枚螺钉偏外,4枚螺钉偏下,其中2枚螺钉引起轻微肋间神经痛,3周后完全缓解。CT观察47枚螺钉有2枚螺钉导致椎弓根内壁膨胀内移,没有相应神经症状。主弯Cobb角术前平均60.4°(32°～121°),术后平均18.3°(1°～70°),平均矫正率71.9%(38.1%～98.0%)。结论:徒手法置入脊柱侧凸胸椎椎弓根螺钉是可行的。     

漏斗技术在胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入中的临床应用

目的:探讨采用"漏斗技术"置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉的准确性和安全性。方法:回顾性分析了2005年8月至2008年3月至少有1枚螺钉置于T1-T10之间的39例患者的临床资料。其中,男27例,女14例,年龄17～56岁,平均38.5岁;1例失访,1例在随访前因非相关性原因死亡。根据术后薄层CT扫描评估置钉的安全性和准确性以及各种并发症。结果:39例均获随访,时间18～30个月,平均23.2个月,未见血管、神经和内脏损伤等并发症。共置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉208枚,置钉准确性T1-T4低于T5-T8(P=0.80),T5-T8低于T9-T10(P=0.07),T1-T4低于T9-T10(P=0.06)。27枚螺钉(13.0%)发生错置,其中,14枚(6.7%)穿破椎弓根外侧皮质,7枚(3.4%)穿破内侧皮质,5枚(2.4%)穿破椎弓根上壁,1枚(0.5%)穿出椎体侧方,未见椎弓根下壁和前壁穿破,4枚螺钉(1.9%)为危险性穿破。结论:漏斗技术是一种简单、安全、准确和经济的椎弓根螺钉置入方法,通过该技术使年轻医师迅速安全、准确置入胸椎弓根螺钉成为可能。     

胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉误置的原因分析及对策

目的 探讨胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉误置的原因及对策。方法 1996-2002年对293例脊柱疾病患者施行椎弓根螺钉内固定术发生的螺钉误置情况进行回顾性总结，分析。结果 293例共置入椎弓根螺钉1256枚，螺钉植入节段错误7例，占2.38%；上胸椎（T2-7）置钉113枚，有11枚螺钉穿破椎弓根皮质，占9.74%；下胸椎（T8-12）置钉261枚，有9枚螺钉穿破椎弓根皮质，占3.45%；腰骶椎置钉882枚，有16枚穿破椎弓根皮质，占1.81%，共计36枚螺钉，占2.87%；螺钉角异常65枚，占5.81%。结论 椎弓根螺钉误置与操作技术，解剖学变异及脊柱病损因素密切相关；良好的手术技巧，术前影像资料的认真观测及术中必要的影像监控是准确置钉的关键。     

胸椎椎弓根螺钉在脊柱侧凸矫形术中的应用效果评价

[目的]评价胸椎椎弓根螺钉在脊柱侧凸矫形术中的应用效果。[方法]2008～2010年采用后路胸椎椎弓根螺钉技术治疗特发性和先天性脊柱侧凸患者26例。根据术后临床表现、矫正率和术后X线片判定胸椎椎弓根螺钉置钉情况,对胸椎椎弓根螺钉在脊柱侧凸矫形术中的应用效果进行评价。[结果]本组病例术后平均矫正率为63.81%,术后患者脊柱长度平均增加6.2 cm;术后X线片判定置入的308枚胸椎椎弓根螺钉中,置钉不良率为16.9%;所有患者术后均无胸部脏器及神经系统损伤表现。[结论]在脊柱侧凸临床治疗中,采用胸椎椎弓根螺钉进行侧凸矫形是有效、安全的方式。     

Accuracy and safety of pedicle screw placement in neuromuscular scoliosis with free-hand technique

It is a retrospective analytic study of 1,009 transpedicular screws (689 thoracic and 320 lumbosacral), inserted with free-hand technique in neuromuscular scoliosis using postoperative CT scan. The aim of paper was to determine the accuracy and safety of transpedicular screw placement with free-hand technique in neuromuscular scoliosis and to compare the accuracy at different levels in such population. All studies regarding accuracy and safety of pedicle screw in scoliosis represent idiopathic scoliosis using various techniques such as free-hand, navigation, image intensifier, etc., for screw insertion. Anatomies of vertebrae and pedicle are distorted in scoliosis, hence accurate and safe placement of pedicle screw is prerequisite for surgery. Between 2004 and 2006, 37 consecutive patients, average age 20 years (9–44 years), of neuromuscular scoliosis were operated with posterior pedicle screw fixation using free-hand technique. Accuracy of pedicle screws was studied on postoperative CT scan. Placement up to 2 mm medial side and 4 mm lateral side was considered within-safe zone. Of the 1,009 screws, 273 screws were displaced medially, laterally or on the anterior side showing that 73% screws (68% in thoracic and 82.5% in lumbar spine) were accurately placed within pedicle. Considering the safe zone, 93.3% (942/1009, 92.4% in thoracic and 95.3% in lumbar spine) of the screws were within the safe zone. Comparing accuracy according to severity of curve, accuracy was 75% in group 1 (curve <90°) and 69% in group 2 (curve >90°) with a safety of 94.8 and 91.2%, respectively (P = 0.35). Comparing the accuracy at different thoracic levels, it showed 67, 64 and 72% accuracy in upper, middle and lower thoracic levels with safety of 96.6, 89.2 and 93.1%, respectively, exhibiting no statistical significant difference (P = 0.17). Pedicle screw placement in neuromuscular scoliosis with free-hand technique is accurate and safe as other conditions.     

Complications associated with thoracic pedicle screws in spinal deformity

Thoracic pedicle screws have superior anchoring strength compared with other available fixation techniques. However, these are not universally accepted in many developing countries because of the concerns regarding safety and complications. In addition, there is evidence that pedicle morphology is unique in Chinese patients. The goal of this study was to analyze the complications seen at our institution, while using thoracic pedicle screws for the treatment of thoracic deformity, and to determine the safety of our techniques for the treatment of thoracic deformity in a Chinese population. From 1998 to 2005, there were 208 thoracic deformity patients treated at our institution, 70 of whom were male and 138 were female. Their age ranged from 11 to 55 years (mean of 14.9 years). All of them underwent corrective deformity surgery using posterior pedicle screw systems and follow-up was available for at least 3 years. Etiologic diagnoses included adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in 119 patients, congenital kyphoscoliosis in 38, adult scoliosis in 37 and undetermined in 14. Screw positions were evaluated using intraoperative and postoperative radiographs and a CT scan was performed when a concern for screw malposition was present. All radiographic evaluations were carried out in a double-blinded fashion. A total of 1,123 thoracic pedicle screws were inserted (5.4 thoracic screws/patient). The deformity correction rate was 81, 65 and 62% for idiopathic, congenital and adult scoliosis patients, respectively. The overall complication rate was 16.5% at the final follow-up. Complication rates directly and indirectly related to pedicle screws were 7.2 and 9.3%, respectively. There were no significant screw-related neurologic or visceral complications that adversely affected long-term results. The complications seen with thoracic pedicle screws in a Chinese population were similar to other populations and could be utilized safely for the treatment of thoracic deformity in this population.     

Accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement in scoliosis using the ideal pedicle entry point during the freehand technique

Previously, we described the ideal pedicle entry point (IPEP) for the thoracic spine at the base of the superior facet at the junction of the lateral one third and medial two thirds with the freehand technique on cadavers. Here we measured the accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement (Chung et al. Int Orthop 2008) on post-operative computed tomography (CT) scans in 43 scoliosis patients who underwent operation with the freehand technique taking the same entry point. Of the 854 inserted screws, 268 (31.3%) were displaced; 88 (10.3%) and 180 (21.0%) screws were displaced medially and laterally, respectively. With regard to the safe zone, 795 screws were within the safe zone representing an accuracy rate of 93%; 448 and 406 thoracic screws inserted in adolescent idiopathic and neuromuscular scoliosis showed an accuracy of 89.9 and 94%, respectively (p = 0.6475). The accuracy rate of screws inserted in the upper, middle and lower thoracic pedicles were 94.2, 91.6 and 93.7%, respectively (p = 0.2411). The results indicate that IPEP should be considered by surgeons during thoracic pedicle screw instrumentation.     

青少年特发性脊柱侧凸椎弓根螺钉的误置模式及危险因素

目的 评估青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(AIS)椎弓根螺钉不良置入的模式并分析其原因.方法 收集从2008年7月至9月行后路椎弓根螺钉固定的70例AIS患者的临床资料,其中男性12例,女性58例;年龄12～19岁,平均(14.5±2.7)岁;术前Cobb角40°～125°,平均62.0°±18.2°.术中根据解剖标志徒手置入椎弓根螺钉,所有患者术后均行CT检查.在PACS系统上通过PacsClient软件测量螺钉穿破椎弓根内、外壁以及椎体前缘的距离.定义穿破任一壁超过2 mm为不良置钉.不良置钉中穿破内壁超过4 mm或钉尖使主动脉变形定义为高危置钉.对数据进行统计学分析,探讨不良置钉的危险因素.结果 共置入椎弓根螺钉1030枚,胸椎773枚,腰椎257枚.不良置钉108枚(10.5%),其中穿破外壁35枚,穿破内壁56枚,穿破椎体前缘33枚(其中有16枚既穿破了椎体前缘又穿破了外壁).高危置钉16枚(1.6%).顶椎、顶椎近端第5节段和顶椎远端第4节段的不良置钉率高于其他节段,其中顶椎左侧和顶椎近端第5节段右侧不良置钉率均高于对侧.顶椎区高危置钉率最高,达4.8%.Cobb角>90°组不良置钉率高于Cobb角40°～90°组,椎体旋转Ⅲ～Ⅳ度组不良置钉率高于椎体旋转0～Ⅱ度组.结论 AIS不良置钉集中在顶椎、顶椎近端第5节段和顶椎远端第4节段3个区域,高危置钉多发生在顶椎区,危险因素包括Cobb角大小、旋转程度以及与顶椎的距离.     

胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入位置的CT评价

目的:探讨胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性。方法:对37例胸椎椎弓根螺钉内固定患者术后行CT断层扫描,观察螺钉在椎弓根内的位置,记录螺钉穿透骨壁的位置、数目和距离。结果:37例患者共置入405枚胸椎椎弓根螺钉,124枚螺钉(30.61%)穿透骨壁,其中76枚(18.77%)穿透椎弓根外侧壁,32枚(7.90%)穿透椎弓根内侧壁,16枚(3.95%)穿透椎体前壁。66枚(16.30%)穿透距离<2mm,37枚(9.14%)穿透距离在2mm~4mm之间,21枚(5.9%)穿透距离>4mm。结论:胸椎椎弓根螺钉骨壁穿透率较高,应严格按照胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入方法,仔细操作,避免出现因螺钉置入不当造成神经、血管或内脏损伤等并发症。     

O-arm计算机导航辅助脊柱椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性

[目的]分析O-arm计算机辅助导航技术在脊柱椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性。[方法]回顾性分析2017年1月~2018年9月本院椎弓根螺钉置入患者575例,根据椎弓根螺钉置入方式不同,分为两组。导航组采用O-arm计算机辅助导航技术系统置入椎弓根螺钉233例,传统组采用传统徒手法置入椎弓根螺钉342例。行CT检查,依据Neo分型评估置钉准确性。[结果]导航组共置入1459枚椎弓根螺钉,其中C1~7置入222枚,T1~12置入535枚,L1~5置入652枚,S1置入50枚。每名患者置钉数量1~24枚,平均(6.26±3.77)枚。传统组共置入1724枚椎弓根螺钉,其中C1~7置入269枚,T1~12置入601枚,L1~5置入785枚,S1置入87枚。每名患者置钉数量1~20枚,平均(5.67±4.11)枚。导航组全部病例顺利完成手术,术中无血管、神经损伤等并发症,置钉安全率为100%,传统组有4例发生血管、神经损伤等并发症。所有患者术后进行12~24个月随访,随访过程均未发生不良事件。依据CT影像Neo分级标准,导航0型及1型椎弓根螺钉的成功置入率达98.01%,而传统组0型及1型椎弓根螺钉的成功置入率91.85%;两组间置入螺钉准确性的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。[结论]与传统C臂X线机等徒手置钉方式相比,O-arm计算机辅助导航技术可提高脊柱椎弓根螺钉置入准确性,同时降低神经、血管等并发症的发生。     

Accuracy and safety of thoracic pedicle screw placement in spinal deformities

OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety of pedicle screw fixation in thoracic spine deformity correction. METHODS: One hundred twelve pedicle screws were surgically placed in 25 patients with degenerative, posttraumatic, and Scheuermann kyphosis and idiopathic and neuromuscular scoliosis. Screw position was evaluated using intraoperative and postoperative radiographs and thin-slice computed tomography. RESULTS: Of the total 112 thoracic pedicle screws that were inserted, 98 screws (87.5%) were fully contained within the cortical boundaries of the pedicle. When comparing proximal screws (T1-T8) with distal screws (T9-T12) and convex placed screws with concave ones, a statistically significant difference in screw placement was evident (P < 0.05). More misplaced screws were seen proximally and on the concave side. Of the 14 malpositioned screws, 2 (1.8%) demonstrated aortic abutment. There were no neurologic deficits, vascular injuries, or mechanical failures recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of thoracic pedicle screws is both feasible and safe.     

Thoracic pedicle screw fixation in spinal deformities: are they really safe?

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety of pedicle screw fixation in thoracic deformity correction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Pedicle screw fixation enables enhanced correction of spinal deformities. However, the technique is still not widely applied for thoracic deformities for fear of neurologic complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 462 patients subjected to thoracic pedicle screw fixation for spinal deformities were analyzed after a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Etiologic diagnoses were idiopathic scoliosis in 330, congenital kyphoscoliosis in 68, kyphosis in 50, and others in 14. They were reviewed using the medical records and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative roentgenograms. Computed tomography was performed when screw position was questionable. RESULTS: A total of 4604 thoracic pedicle screws were inserted (10.1 screws/patient). There were 67 screw malpositions (1.5%) in 48 patients (10.4%). The malpositions were inferior in 33, lateral in 18, superior in 12, and medial in 4. Screw-related neurologic complications occurred in four patients (0.8%); these comprised a transient paraparesis and three dural tears. Other complications comprised 11 intraoperative pedicle fractures, 35 screw loosenings, 9 postoperative infections, and 1 pneumothorax. There were no significant screw-related neurologic or visceral complications that adversely affected the long-term result. The deformity correction was 69.9% for idiopathic scoliosis and 60.7% for congenital scoliosis. The sagittal plane deformity correction was 47 degrees for kyphosis. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic pedicle screw fixation is a reliable method of treating spinal deformities, with an excellent deformity correction and a high margin of safety.