Erratum to “Comparison of adult spinal deformity patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis undergoing primary non-cervical spinal fusion surgery: a nationwide analysis of 52,818 patients” [The Spine Journal 18 (2018) 1861–1866]

In some cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, corrective surgery can improve pulmonary function. However, the effectiveness of corrective surgery in improving pulmonary function in adult spinal deformity (ASD) has not been reported. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate the recovery of pulmonary function after corrective fusion surgery in 4 patients with severe ASD and associated pulmonary dysfunction. The first patient was a 42-year-old woman with spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia, whose main presenting complaint was dyspnea. As a result of her respiratory dysfunction, associated with her severe spinal deformity, she required Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT). Prior to surgery, her %vital capacity (VC) was 25%, with a kyphosis angle of 170°. The second patient was a 55-year-old woman with a history of acromegaly, who presented with low back pain. Prior to surgery, she had a %VC of 48% and a Cobb angle of 85°. The third patient was a 59-year-old woman with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which had been previously treated, and who was now experiencing increasing low back pain. Prior to surgery, she had a %VC of 58% and a Cobb angle of 87°. The fourth patient was a 60-year-old man, with a history of tuberculous spine, who presented with low back pain. Prior to surgery, his %VC of 75% and Cobb angle of 100°. Pulmonary function improved after corrective fusion surgery in all cases. Halo traction with respiratory rehabilitation should be recommended before corrective spinal fusion surgery for patients with severe ASD and pulmonary dysfunction.

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Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of iatrogenic spinal deformity

Journal of Korean Medical Association ◽

10.5124/jkma.2021.64.11.748 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 (11) ◽

pp. 748-752

Author(s):

Nam-Su Chung

Keyword(s):

Spinal Fusion ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Global Alignment ◽

Spine Deformity ◽

Common Procedure ◽

Fusion Surgery ◽

Spinal Fusion Surgery ◽

Spinopelvic Alignment ◽

Compensation Mechanisms

Background: Spinal fusion is a common procedure that provides spinal stability by connecting vertebral segments using a bone graft. Because the spinal alignment is fixed permanently after spinal fusion, a mal-aligned fusion can produce iatrogenic spinal deformity and imbalance with significant disability.Current Concepts: Failure to restore adequate segmental lordosis in lumbar spinal fusion is a common cause of iatrogenic spine deformity. Local and regional spinal deformities can affect the global alignment; accordingly, spinal imbalance can occur when the compensation mechanisms fail. Diagnosis and surgical planning should be made on a thorough analysis of global and spinopelvic parameters on the standing whole-spine radiographs. Surgical treatment includes neural decompression, spinal fusion, and deformity correction. Spinal osteotomy provides a favorable surgical outcome, although the complication rate is high.Discussion and Conclusion: Iatrogenic spine deformity is increasing due to the increased occurrence of spinal fusion surgery. To prevent iatrogenic spine deformity, the index fusion surgery should be performed based on a comprehensive analysis of spinopelvic alignment and balance.

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Perioperative outcomes associated with thoracolumbar 3-column osteotomies for adult spinal deformity patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2018.11.spine18927 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 822-832

Author(s):

Cecilia L. Dalle Ore ◽

Christopher P. Ames ◽

Vedat Deviren ◽

Darryl Lau

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Perioperative Outcomes ◽

Medical Complications ◽

Filter Placement ◽

Estimated Blood Loss

OBJECTIVESpinal deformity causing spinal imbalance is directly correlated to pain and disability. Prior studies suggest adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have more complex deformities and are at higher risk for complications. In this study the authors compared outcomes of ASD patients with RA following thoracolumbar 3-column osteotomies to outcomes of a matched control cohort.METHODSAll patients with RA who underwent 3-column osteotomy for thoracolumbar deformity correction performed by the senior author from 2006 to 2016 were identified retrospectively. A cohort of patients without RA who underwent 3-column osteotomies for deformity correction was matched based on multiple clinical factors. Data regarding demographics and surgical approach, along with endpoints including perioperative outcomes, reoperations, and incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) were reviewed. Univariate analyses were used to compare patients with RA to matched controls.RESULTSEighteen ASD patients with RA were identified, and a matched cohort of 217 patients was generated. With regard to patients with RA, 11.1% were male and the mean age was 68.1 years. Vertebral column resection (VCR) was performed in 22.2% and pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) in 77.8% of patients. Mean case length was 324.4 minutes and estimated blood loss (EBL) was 2053.6 ml. Complications were observed in 38.9% of patients with RA and 29.0% of patients without RA (p = 0.380), with a trend toward increased medical complications (38.9% vs 21.2%, p = 0.084). Patients with RA had a significantly higher incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE) (11.1% vs 1.8%, p = 0.017) and wound infections (16.7% vs 5.1%, p = 0.046). PJK occurred in 16.7% of patients with RA, and 33.3% of RA patients underwent reoperation. Incidence rates of PJK and reoperation in matched controls were 12.9% and 25.3%, respectively (p = 0.373, p = 0.458). At follow-up, mean sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was 6.1 cm in patients with RA and 4.5 cm in matched controls (p = 0.206).CONCLUSIONSFindings from this study suggest that RA patients experience a higher incidence of medical complications, specifically DVT/PE. Preoperative lower-extremity ultrasounds, inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, and/or early initiation of DVT prophylaxis in RA patients may be indicated. Perioperative complications, morbidity, and long-term outcomes are otherwise similar to non-RA patients.

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