Impact of the covid-19 pandemic on spine surgery in a tertiary health care institution / Impacto da pandemia de covid-19 nas cirurgias de coluna em uma instituição terciária de saúde

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess postoperative complications, including COVID-19 infection, among patients undergoing surgeries at a tertiary institution during the pandemic, and to develop a local epidemiological profile of spine surgery patients. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of all patients who underwent spine surgery between March 2020 and 14 January 2021 in a tertiary institution in Latin America. All patients who underwent spine surgery were included, without age restrictions. The main outcomes were postoperative complications, including COVID-19 infection. Results: 74 patients were included in the study, 43 males and 31 females. The average age was 49.6 years. The mean duration of hospitalization was 11.5 days. Urgent surgeries were performed in 60.81% of cases. During hospitalization, only 5 of 74 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19, and only 1 patient had pulmonary involvement estimated to be greater than 50%. On average, 1.9 surgical debridements were required after postoperative surgical site infection. Conclusions: During the hospitalization period, only 6.7% of patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 infection death rate was 1 in 5 cases. The postoperative surgical site infection rate was 10.8%, similar to the level before the pandemic. Level of Evidence IV; Observational retrospective descriptive study .

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar complicações pós-cirúrgicas, incluindo infecções por COVID-19, entre pacientes cirúrgicos numa instituição terciária de saúde durante a pandemia, e desenvolver um perfil epidemiológico local de pacientes de cirurgias da coluna. Métodos: estudo descritivo e retrospectivo de todos os pacientes que passaram por cirurgias da coluna entre março de 2020 e 14 de janeiro de 2021, numa instituição terciária na América Latina. Todos os pacientes que passaram por cirurgias na coluna foram incluídos, sem restrição de idade. Os principais resultados foram complicações pós-cirúrgicas, incluindo a infecção por COVID-19. Resultados: 74 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo, 43 do sexo masculino e 31 do feminino. A média de idade foi de 49.6 anos. A duração média da hospitalização foi de 11.5 dias. Cirurgias urgentes foram realizadas em 60.81% dos casos. Durante a hospitalização, apenas 5 dos 74 pacientes foram diagnosticados com COVID-19, e apenas 1 deles teve envolvimento pulmonar estimado em mais que 50%. Em média, 1,9 desbridamentos cirúrgicos foram necessários após infecção do sítio cirúrgico. Conclusões: Durante o período de hospitalização, apenas 6,37% dos pacientes foram diagnosticados com infeção por COVID-19. A taxa de mortes devido à infecção por COVID-19 foi de 1 em 5. Infecções do sítio cirúrgico atingiram uma taxa de 10.8%, nível similar àquele prévio à pandemia. Nível de evidência IV ; Estudo observacional retrospectivo descritivo .

Complications after partial, total or extended sacrectomy: a case series / Complicações depois de sacrectomia parcial, total ou estendida: série de casos / Complicaciones después de sacrectomía parcial, total o extendida: serie de casos

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of the different complications of partial, total or extended sacrectomy for the treatment of spinal tumors. Method This study is a descriptive analysis of medical records from a series of 18 patients who underwent sacrectomy between 2010 and 2019 at a tertiary center specializing in spinal tumor surgeries. The variables analyzed were sex, age, hospitalization time, oncologic diagnosis, posterior fixation pattern, rate of complications, and Frankel, ASA and ECOG scales. Results Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.5%) were male and 8 (44.5%) were female, and the mean age was 48 years. The mean hospitalization time was 23 days. Of the 18 patients, 8 (44.5%) contracted postoperative infections requiring surgery. Perioperative complications included liquoric fistula (22.25%), hemodynamic instability requiring vasoactive drugs in the immediate postoperative period (22.25%), wound dehiscence (11.1%), acute obstructive abdomen (11.1%), occlusion of the left external iliac artery (11.1%), immediate postoperative death due to acute myocardial infarction (11.1%), and intraoperative death due to hemodynamic instability (11.1%). Conclusions Partial, total or extended sacrectomy is a complex procedure with high morbidity and mortality, even in centers specializing in the treatment of spinal tumors. Level of evidence IV; case series study.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é fazer um levantamento das diferentes complicações da sacrectomia parcial, total ou estendida para tratamento de tumores da coluna vertebral. Métodos O estudo é uma análise descritiva de prontuários de uma série de 18 pacientes submetidos à sacrectomia entre 2010 e 2019 em um centro terciário especializado em cirurgias de neoplasia na coluna. As variáveis analisadas foram sexo, idade, tempo de internação, diagnóstico oncológico, padrão de fixação posterior, taxa de complicações e escalas de Frankel, ASA e ECOG. Resultados Dos 18 pacientes, 10 (55,5%) eram homens e 8 (44,5%) mulheres com média de idade de 48 anos. O tempo médio de internação foi de 23 dias. Dos 18 pacientes, 8 (44,5%) contraíram infecções pós-operatórias com necessidade de cirurgia. As complicações perioperatórias incluíram fistula liquórica (22,25%), instabilidade hemodinâmica com necessidade de medicação vasoativa no pós-operatório imediato (22,25%), deiscência da ferida operatória (11,1%), abdome obstrutivo agudo (11,1%), oclusão da artéria ilíaca externa esquerda (11,1%), óbito pós-operatório imediato por infarto agudo do miocárdio (11,1%) e óbito intraoperatório por instabilidade hemodinâmica (11,1%). Conclusões A sacrectomia parcial, total ou estendida é um procedimento complexo com alta taxa de mortalidade e morbidade, mesmo em centros especializados no tratamento de tumores na coluna. Nível de evidência IV; Série de casos.

RESUMEN Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar las diferentes complicaciones de la sacrectomía parcial, total o extendida para el tratamiento de tumores vertebrales. Métodos El estudio es un análisis descriptivo de las historias clínicas de 18 pacientes sometidos a sacrectomía entre 2010 y 2019 en un centro terciario especializado en cirugías de neoplasia de columna. Las variables analizadas fueron sexo, edad, estancia hospitalaria, diagnóstico de cáncer, patrón de fijación posterior, tasa de complicaciones, escalas de Frankel, ASA y ECOG. Resultados De los 18 pacientes, 10 (55,5%) eran hombres y 8 (44,5%) mujeres con una edad promedio de 48 años. La estancia hospitalaria promedio fue de 23 días. De los 18 pacientes, 8 (44,5%) contrajeron infecciones posoperatorias que requirieron cirugía. Las complicaciones perioperatorias incluyeron fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo (22,25%), inestabilidad hemodinámica que requirió medicación vasoactiva en el posoperatorio inmediato (22,25%), dehiscencia de la herida quirúrgica (11,1%), abdomen obstructivo agudo (11,1%), oclusión de la arteria ilíaca externa izquierda (11,1%), muerte posoperatoria inmediata por infarto agudo de miocardio (11,1%) y muerte intraoperatoria por inestabilidad hemodinámica (11,1%). Conclusiones La sacrectomía parcial, total o extendida es un procedimiento complejo con una alta tasa de mortalidad y morbilidad, incluso en centros especializados en el tratamiento de tumores de la columna. Nivel de evidencia IV; Series de casos

Tomographic analysis of c7, t1 and t2 vertebrae anatomy in children / Estudo tomográfico das vértebras c7, t1 e t2 em crianças

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and compare anatomical measurements of C7, T1 and T2 vertebrae in children from 3 to 12 years of age to provide useful epidemiological data for determining the safe anatomical margin for transpedicular and translaminar fixation with screws in this population. Methods: This observational retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 76 computed tomography scans obtained over 6 months, analyzing the following parameters: the angle of attack, length, thickness and diameter of the pedicle; and the angle of attack, length and thickness of the lamina. Results: The lamina length and thickness, as well as pedicle length varied in size according to age. Although the angle of attack was similar across different ages, age-dependent variation occurred in the T1 vertebra. Conclusion: Screws with a 3.5 mm diameter are safe to use in the C7 and T2 pedicles, while the T1 pedicle allows the introduction of larger screws ranging from 3.5-4.5 mm in diameter. In the lamina, 3.5 mm screws are safe for use only in children older than 7 years. However, each case should be analyzed individually, with the present study not aiming to replace the preoperative use of CT. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar as medidas anatômicas das vértebras C7, T1 e T2 em crianças de 3 a 12 anos de modo a determinar margens seguras para fixação transpedicular e translaminar com parafusos nessa população. Métodos: Estudo transversal retrospectivo observacional. Um total de 76 tomografias computadorizadas foram analisadas em um período de 6 meses. Os seguintes parâmetros foram analisados: ângulo de ataque, comprimento, espessura e diâmetro do pedículo, comprimento e espessura da lâmina. Resultados: O comprimento e espessura da lâmina bem como o comprimento do pedículo aumenta em tamanho conforme a idade. Enquanto o ângulo de ataque permanece estável conforme variação de idade; variação dependente da idade ocorre somente na vértebra T1. Conclusão: Parafusos com diâmetro de 3.5mm podem ser inseridos de maneira segura nos pedículos de C7 e T2. Já no pedículo de T1 pode-se inserir parafusos com medidas de 3.5 a 4.5mm de diâmetro de maneira segura. Na lâmina, parafusos de 3.5mm podem ser usados de maneira segura somente em crianças maiores de 7 anos. No entanto, cada caso deve ser analisado de maneira individualizada, e o presente estudo não objetivo substituir o uso de tomografia computadorizada no pré-operatório. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Comparativo Retrospectivo.

Comparative tomographic study of the iliac screw and the S2-alar-iliac screw in children

OBJECTIVES: The recent advancements in spine fixation aid in the treatment of complex spinal pathologies. Both the iliac screw (IS) and the S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screw provide adequate stability in the fixation of complex lumbosacral spine pathologies, leading to a significant increased rate of using these techniques in the daily practice of the spine surgeons. This study aims to analyze, describe, and compare the insertion and positioning parameters of the S2AI screw and IS techniques in children without spinal deformities. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted at a university hospital in 2018, with 25 computed tomography (CT) images selected continuously. Mann-Whitney-Shapiro-Wilk tests were performed. The reliability of the data was assessed using the intraclass correlation. The data were stratified by age group only for Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 11.7 years (4.5 SD). The mean IS length was 106.63 mm (4.59 SD). The mean length of the S2AI screw was 104.13 mm (4.22 SD). The mean skin distance from the IS entry point was 28.13 mm (4.27 SD) and that for the S2AI screw was 39.96 mm (4.54 SD). CONCLUSIONS: Through CT, the S2AI screw trajectory was observed to have a greater bone thickness and skin distance than the IS. There was a linear correlation between age and screw length for both techniques. A similar relationship was observed between skin distance and age for the S2AI screw technique. In children, the S2AI screw technique presents advantages such as greater cutaneous coverage and implant thickness than the IS technique.

Evaluation of alternative halo ring positions in children using tomography

OBJECTIVES: The halo ring can be applied in children, through skeletal traction or a halo vest device, to treat many cervical spine pathologies, including traumatic injuries and pathologies related to deformities. However, the procedure is associated with various complications, such as infection, pin loosening, and respiratory and neurological problems. Although widely studied in adults, the best pin insertion site in children and the correlations of pin insertion sites with outcomes and complications have not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to determine alternative pin placement sites based on a morphological analysis of the infant skull by computerized tomography (CT). METHODS: An analytical-descriptive study was performed using 50 CT scans from children. The Wilcoxon and Friedman tests were used. RESULTS: A linear and directly proportional relation was found between cranial thickness and patient age. The average thicknesses of the anterior points across all ages analyzed ranged from 4.16 mm to 4.98 mm. The thicknesses of the posterior points varied from 3.94 mm to 4.27 mm. Within each age range, points 1 cm above the standard insertion sites had thicknesses similar to those of the standard sites, and points 2 cm above the standard insertion sites had thicknesses greater than those of the standard sites. CONCLUSIONS: The cranial thickness at all points increases linearly with age. Points 1 and 2 cm above the standard insertion sites are viable alternatives for the placement of halo pins. Preoperative CT can aid in choosing the best positioning sites for pins in the skull.

Anatomical and radiological characteristics in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with surgical indication / Características anatomorradiológicas na escoliose idiopática do adolescente com indicação cirúrgica

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the anatomical and radiological characteristics of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with surgical indication. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of 100 medical records pertaining to patients included in the group of scoliosis with surgical indication from the years 2008 to 2015. Descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 28 patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were selected for the study. The average age was 15.4 (SD ± 1.2 years); in the selected sample, the female/male ratio was 6:1; the kyphosis measured in degrees by Cobb angle between T5-T12 had an average 32.10 (SD ± 13.37); according to the Lenke classification, the most prevalent type was type 2, representing 28.6% of cases. CONCLUSION: The mean patient age in the present study was 15.4 (SD ± 1.2 years); the most prevalent type was type 2 in the Lenke classification. There is a need for new anatomical and radiological studies to elucidate the morphological characteristics common in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características anatomorradiológicas em pacientes com escoliose idiopática do adolescente com indicação cirúrgica. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo retrospectivo de 100 prontuários de pacientes do grupo de escoliose com indicação cirúrgica de 2008 a 2015. A análise usada foi a estatística descritiva. RESULTADOS: Preencheram os critérios de inclusão e exclusão 28 pacientes e foram selecionados para o estudo. A média foi de 15,4 ± 1,2 anos DP; na amostra selecionada, a proporção menina:menino foi de 6:1; a cifose foi medida em graus pelo ângulo de Cobb entre T5-T12 e teve como média 32,10° ± 13,37° DP; segundo a classificação de Lenke, o mais prevalente foi o tipo 2, observado em 28,6% dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: A idade média dos pacientes no presente estudo foi de 15,4 anos; o mais prevalente foi o tipo 2 da classificação de Lenke. Novos trabalhos anatomorradiológicos são necessários para elucidar características morfológicas comuns nos pacientes com escoliose idiopática do adolescente.