Evaluation of parallel endplate osteotomy for severe rigid spinal deformities: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases with a minimum 2-year follow-up

Background To report on the technique and results of parallel endplate osteotomy (PEO) for severe rigid spinal deformity. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 36 patients with severe rigid spinal deformities who underwent PEO between July 2016 and December 2018 and who were followed up for at least 24 months. Results Following PEO, the kyphosis and scoliosis correction rates reached 77.4 ± 14.0% and 72.2 ± 18.2%, respectively. The median intraoperative estimated blood loss was 1500 mL and the median operative time was 6.8 h. The SF-36 scores of physical function, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function, role-emotional and mental health changed from 62 ± 28, 51 ± 26, 49 ± 29, 35 ± 30, 53 ± 28, 45 ± 30, 32 ± 34 and 54 ± 18 at baseline to 81 ± 16, 66 ± 41, 72 ± 40, 64 ± 44, 75 ± 25, 71 ± 46, 66 ± 34 and 76 ± 28 at 12 months postoperatively, 82 ± 32, 67 ± 42, 81 ± 30, 71 ± 41, 80 ± 30, 74 ± 36, 68 ± 35 and 85 ± 33 at 18 months postoperatively, and 86 ± 21, 83 ± 33, 88 ± 26, 79 ± 39, 86 ± 36, 86 ± 48, 80 ± 47 and 91 ± 39 at 24 months postoperatively, respectively. Conclusions PEO is an effective technique for successful correction of spinal deformities. At the two-year follow-up visit, all patients achieved better clinical results based on the SF-36 scores.

Determination of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Correction Fusion using Pedicle Screw Versus Hook Plus Screw Pedicle Instrumentation

Introduction: Spinal instrumentation in idiopathic adolescent scoliosis (AIS) aims to correct spinal deformity, and maintain spinal stability. Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a relatively common postoperative complication. Posterior-only fusion using diverse instruments such as pedicle screw and hybrid hook plus screw is favored to correct spinal deformity. The current study aims to compare PJK incidence between pedicle screw versus hybrid hook plus screw. Methods: This non-randomized clinical trial has been conducted on 71 AIS patients undergone posterior-only spinal deformity fusion using pedicle screw only (n=42) or hook plus pedicle (n=29) implantation in 2015-20. The proximal thoracic (PT), main thoracic (MT), T5-T12 sagittal Cobb angles and proximal junctional angle (PJA) were evaluated through radiographies taken at baseline, immediately postoperative, within 6 and 18 months. PJK was defined as PJA >10 degrees. Results: Using both pedicle screw only and hook plus pedicle have led to significant improvement in MT, PT, PJA and T5-T12 angles (P-value<0.05); however, the two groups were not statistically different (P-value>0.05). Seventeen cases (23.9%) presented PJK among which 11 (26.2%) and 6 (20.7%) ones were in the predicle screw versus hook plus screw implantation groups, respectively (P-value=0.54). The comparison of PJA and T5-T12 Cobb angles revealed significant difference between the PJK versus non-PJK cases (P-value<0.05). Conclusion: AIS instrumentation was accompanied by satisfying outcomes using pedicle screw or hook plus screw. However, none of the applied instruments was superior over the other; PJK occurred in fewer cases undergone posterior-only approach of AIS correctional surgery using hook and screw.

Gerinckorrekciós műtétek háromdimenziós hatékonysági vizsgálata serdülőkori idiopathiás gerincferdülésben

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Nincs egységesen elfogadott álláspont, hogy a serdülőkori idiopathiás gerincferdülés sebészi korrekcióját melyik életkorban optimális elvégezni. Világszerte 11 éves kortól akár (kezeletlen esetben) 50–60 éves korig végeznek fúziós műtétet a betegségben, 63–83%-os átlagos koronális síkú korrekciós hatékonysággal. Célkitűzés: Célul tűztük ki, hogy felmérjük a gerinckorrekciós műtétek hatékonyságát három dimenzióban, illetve a páciens életkorának függvényében. Módszerek: A vizsgálatba 23, serdülőkori idiopathiás gerincferdüléssel diagnosztizált beteget (12 fő 17 évnél fiatalabb, 11 fő 17 évnél idősebb) vontunk be. Minden betegnél csavaros derotációt és spondylodesist végeztünk, és a beavatkozás előtt és után EOS 2D/3D felvételeket, majd sterEOS 3D rekonstrukciókat készítettünk. A következő paramétereket számítottuk: Cobb-fok, háti kyphosis, ágyéki lordosis, apicalis csigolyarotáció, maximális csigolyarotáció. A különböző életkorú csoportok közötti különbséget kétmintás t-próbával, illetve Wilcoxon-féle próbával vizsgáltuk. Eredmények: A gerinckorrekciós műtétek során a koronális síkú eltérést 78,2%-ban (átlagosan 55,1 Cobb-fokról 12,0 Cobb-fokra), az apicalis csigolyarotációt 56,7%-ban (átlagosan 21,0 fokról 9,1 fokra) tudtuk korrigálni. A 17 éves életkor után operált páciensek esetén átlagosan 79,2%-os Cobb-fok-csökkenést értünk el, míg a fiatalabb betegcsoportban 77,0%-ban korrigáltuk a koronális főgörbületet (p = 0,614). Az idősebb betegcsoportban szignifikánsan kevésbé sikerült az apicalis csigolyarotáció korrekciója (átlagosan 38,1%; 21,8 fokról 12,4 fokra), mint a fiatalabb pácienseknél (átlagosan 68,5%; 20,2 fokról 6,2 fokra; p = 0,016). Következtetés: Összességében a nemzetközi publikációknak megfelelő korrekciót értünk el. A koronális síkban közel azonos korrekciós hatékonyság figyelhető meg a különböző életkorú betegcsoportok között, a csigolyarotáció azonban 17 éves életkor előtt hatékonyabban korrigálható. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(39): 1573–1578. Summary. Introduction: There is no clear recommendation for the optimal age to perform corrective surgery in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Fusion surgery is performed from the age of 11 to 50–60 years, with an average coronal plane correction efficiency of 63–83%. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of correction surgeries in three dimensions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In addition, our objective was to examine the influence of the patient’s age on the correction. Methods: The study included 23 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (12 patients younger than 17 years, 11 patients older than 17 years). All patients underwent screw-derotation and spondylodesis and underwent EOS 2D/3D imaging before and after the operation, followed by sterEOS 3D reconstructions. The following parameters were calculated: Cobb degree, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, apical vertebral rotation, maximal vertebral rotation. Differences between different age groups were examined by paired-sample t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: The mean efficiency of correction surgeries was 78.2% in the coronal plane (from an average of 55.1 Cobb degrees to 12.0 Cobb degrees) and 56.7% in the axial plane (from an average of 21.0 degrees to 9.1 degrees). We achieved an average 79.2% reduction of Cobb angle in patients operated after the age of 17 years, which was 77.0% in the younger group (p = 0.614). Apical vertebral rotation correction was significantly less successful in the elderly group (mean 38.1%; from 21.8 degrees to 12.4 degrees) than in patients operated before the age of 17 years (mean 68.5%; from 20.2 degrees to 6.2 degrees; p = 0.016). Conclusion: We achieved scoliosis correction in line with the international publications. Nearly the same correction efficiency was observed between different age groups of patients in the coronal plane. However, vertebral rotation can be derotated more effectively before the age of 17 years. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(39): 1573–1578.

The first experience of anterior dynamic correction of scoliosis in adolescents with complete growth and adults: surgical technique and immediate results

Objective. To describe the technique of anterior scoliosis correction in patients with completed growth and to analyze immediate results of its application.Material and Methods. Study design: retrospective clinical series. Level of evidence IV (D). A retrospective analysis of clinical and radiological data of 19 patients aged 13–44 years, who underwent anterior dynamic correction of typical idiopathic scoliosis, was performed. Patients were divided into groups as follows: Group 1 (Lenke type 1 scoliosis) – 8 patients; Group 2 (Lenke 3) – 4 patients; and Group 3 (Lenke 5) – 7 patients. When analyzing clinical and radiological data, the age was taken into account; the deformity magnitude before and after surgery, and correction angle, were studied; and intraoperative blood loss, the number of fixed levels, duration of surgery and hospital stay length were evaluated. The functional status was assessed using the VAS and the SRS-22 questionnaire. Control examinations were carried out before and after surgery as well as at 4–6 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The search for statistically significant differences was carried out between all groups in pairs: between groups 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 1 and 3. Statistical analysis was conducted using Mann – Whitney U-test. The SRS-22 and VAS data were processed using the Wilcoxon W-test.Results. The number of dynamically fixed levels varied from 6 to 12. The most proximal level of fixation was T5, the most distal – L4. The average time of surgery was 181 ± 28 minutes for transthoracic access and 198 ± 34 minutes for thoracophrenolumbotomy. The average length of hospital stay was 7.2 ± 1.5 days. In the intergroup comparison of indicators of age, mean angle of deformity before and after surgery, mean angle of correction and blood loss between groups with Lenke 1 and 3 scoliosis, no statistically significant differences were found. Comparison of the same indicators for groups with Lenke 1 and 5 scoliosis showed significant differences in the angles of deformity after surgery and in the number of fixed levels (p = 0.024 and p = 0.006, respectively). There were also no statistical differences between types 1 and 5. At 3 months after surgery the average SRS-22 score for all patients was 4.0 ± 0.42 (from 3.00 to 4.95). The VAS score changed from 6.9 ± 1.5 (4.0–9.0) before surgery to 4.4 ± 1.6 (1.0–7.0) which indicates the effectiveness of the treatment in the short term.Conclusion. Analysis of the immediate results of anterior dynamic correction of Lenke type 1, 3 and 5 scoliotic deformities in physically active young adults showed positive primary effectiveness in terms of VAS and SRS-22, which makes it possible to recommend this technique for use in the presented cohort of patients. The method is effective for all studied types of scoliosis, with a greater efficiency in Lenke types 1 and 5. Further evaluation of long-term results on a larger clinical material will allow developing more precise indications and an algorithm for application of the method.

Surgical correction of pediatric spinal deformities with coexisting intraspinal pathology: A case report and literature review

Background: Surgical correction of spinal deformities with coexisting intraspinal pathology (SDCIP) requires special consideration to minimize risks of further injury to an already abnormal spinal cord. However, there is a paucity of literature on this topic. Here, the authors present a pediatric patient with a residual pilocytic astrocytoma and syringomyelia who underwent surgical correction of progressive postlaminectomy kyphoscoliosis. Techniques employed are compared to those in the literature to compile a set of guidelines for surgical correction of SDCIP. Methods: A systematic MEDLINE search was conducted using the following keywords; “pediatric,” “spinal tumor resection,” “deformity correction,” “postlaminectomy,” “scoliosis correction,” “intraspinal pathology,” “tethered cord,” “syringomyelia,” or “diastematomyelia.” Recommendations for surgical technique for pediatric SDCIP correction were reviewed. Results: The presented case demonstrates recommendations that primarily compressive forces on the convexity of the coronal curve should be used when performing in situ correction of SDCIP. Undercorrection is favored to minimize risks of traction on the abnormal spinal cord. The literature yielded 13 articles describing various intraoperative techniques. Notably, seven articles described use of compressive forces on the convex side of the deformity as the primary mode of correction, while only five articles provided recommendations on how to safely and effectively surgically correct SDCIP. Conclusion: The authors demonstrated with their case analysis and literature review that there are no clear current guidelines regarding the safe and effective techniques for in situ correction and fusion for the management of pediatric SDCIP.

Delayed neuromonitoring alarm after scoliosis correction in Lenke type 4 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

A 12-year-old girl underwent surgery for Lenke type 4 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. After scoliosis correction, the transcranial motor-evoked potential (Tc-MEP) showed no alarm. However, the Tc-MEP amplitude had declined ~10 min after correction, with a normal blood pressure (BP) and body temperature and without any technical monitoring errors. Therefore, we suspected indirect spinal cord ischaemia because of the delayed true-positive Tc-MEP alarm. All the strong corrections made loss of Tc-MEP and all the correction releases made recovers of waveform. Finally, a weak correction was performed, and the Tc-MEP amplitude was recovered. Because transient spinal cord ischaemia due to correction of triple curves may cause a delayed monitoring alarm, the monitoring team should frequently check Tc-MEP after these manoeuvres. This patient had no neurological deficits and was considered to be a rescue case.