Periapical Wires Result in Less Curve Correction Than Pedicle Screw Constructs in Idiopathic Scoliosis

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare percent correction between apical and periapical pedicle screw (PS) and sublaminar wire constructs for Cobb correction and coronal balance correction.OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The current gold standard for deformity correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are PS constructs. Sublaminar wires provide an alternative means of fixation when PS fixation cannot be safely performed. Two previous studies have compared percent curve correction between sublaminar wires and PSs, with conflicting conclusions.METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of Lenke type 1 curves with minimum follow-up of at least 1 year. Cases were divided into two groups: constructs using apical/periapical sublaminar wires (SL group) versus PS only constructs (PS group). Percent Cobb correction and coronal balance were compared between the two groups at 1 year. A multivariable regression model was used to determine the impact of apical/periapical wires on percent Cobb correction and coronal balance at 1 year when accounting for additional variables.RESULTS: The cohort included 71 patients who were predominantly female (80.2%), with average age of 14.2 years. Only 21 (29.5%) of constructs utilized apical/periapical sublaminar wires. There was a significant difference in percent Cobb correction at 1 year for the PS and SL groups (70.26% vs. 60.09%, p=0.05). No difference was observed in overall coronal balance. A multivariable model revealed that apical/periapical wires were negatively associated with percent Cobb correction at 1 year (coefficient=−8.49, p=0.023), while total implant density of the construct was positively associated with correction (coefficient=24.2, p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Use of PSs in the apical and periapical zones resulted in improved percent Cobb correction at 1 year in patients with AIS Lenke type 1 curves. Sublaminar wires remain a useful surgical option and result in equivalent coronal balance compared to PSs.

Posterior Sublaminar Wiring and/or Transarticular Screw Fixation for Reducible Atlantoaxial Instability Secondary to Symptomatic Os Odontoideum: A Neglected Technique?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case analysis. PURPOSE: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior sublaminar wiring (PSLW) and/or transarticular screw fixation (TASF) for reducible atlantoaxial instability (AAI) secondary to os odontoideum. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Limited information is available about the surgical outcomes of symptomatic os odontoideum with AAI. METHODS: We examined 23 patients (12 women and 11 men) with os odontoideum and reducible AAI. The average age of the patients at the time of the operation was 44.2 years. The average follow-up duration was 4.5 years. Thirteen patients with anterior AAI underwent PSLW alone, while 10 patients with combined (anterior+posterior) AAI underwent PSLW and TASF. An autogenous iliac bone graft was used for all patients. Nine patients complained of neck or suboccipital pain, and 14 complained of myelopathy. RESULTS: Angulational instability (preoperative 18.7°±8.9° vs. postoperative 2.1°±4.6°, p<0.001), translational instability (16.3±4.9 mm vs. 1.8±2.2 mm, p<0.001), and segmental angle of the C1–C2 joint (23.7°±7.2° vs. 28.4°±3.8°, p<0.05) showed significant improvement postoperatively. Neck Visual Analog Scale score (6.2±2.4 vs. 2.5±1.8, p<0.05) and the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (9.1±3.1 vs. 13.2±2.6, p<0.05) score also improved, with a recovery rate of 51.8%. Among the three patients who developed nonunion and/or wire breakage, one underwent revision surgery with repeat PSLW and was finally able to achieve fusion. The final fusion rate was 91.3%. CONCLUSIONS: PSLW and/or TASF provided satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes in reducible AAI secondary to os odontoideum without significant neurological complications. Our results suggest that PSLW and/or TASF can be considered a viable surgical option over segmental fixation in highly selected cases of os odontoideum with reducible AAI.

Old and New Fashion: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Adjacent Segmental Spinal Stenosis after Luque Sublaminar Wiring and Posterolateral Fusion: Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of minimally invasive spine surgery after sublaminar wiring fixation with Luque rods. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: In the past, sublaminar wiring fixation with Luque rods was believed to be an effective fixation method; however, the development of transpedicular fixation resulted in the discontinuation of this method. Currently, instead of classical surgery using a broad incision, minimally invasive spine surgery is performed, which has a multitude of advantages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, the patient underwent Luque sublaminar wiring and posterolateral fusion. After 25 years, minimally invasive TLIF and percutaneous transpedicular fixation were performed for the adjacent segmental spinal stenosis. RESULTS: A good bone union is developing with an excellent clinical outcome, 14 months after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We report a very rare case of a patient who underwent Luque sublaminar wiring and then, 25 years later, had spine surgery with minimally invasive techniques.

Minimal Invasive Unilateral Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion by Sublaminar Decompression: Comparison to Bilateral Approach / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This is a comparison of the unilateral and bilateral approaches for minimal invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), and we did so by measuring the clinical and radiological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined a consecutive series of 47 patients who underwent one-level TLIF (26 cases of the unilateral approach and 21 cases of the bilateral approach to the lumbar spine) and the follow-up data was compared with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Sublaminar decompression and contralateral foraminectomy were done in all the case of using the unilateral approach. The age of each patient, the amount of intraoperative blood loss, the postoperative drainage, the transfusion requirement and the surgery time were investigated. The clinical outcomes were analyzed using the visual analogue scale, the SF-36 Physical Composite Score (PCS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). The preoperative, postoperative & last follow-up changes in the height and angles of the disc in the fused segments and the lumbar lordotic angles were radiologically analyzed. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the clinical and radiographic results at the last follow-up. But the unilateral approach-group was found to have a less blood loss, less postoperative drainage, a lesser requirement for transfusion and a shorter surgery time. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the unilateral approach can be the better way if the technical problems are solved.

The Posterior Fixation of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture using Pedicle Screws and Caudal Offset Sublaminar Hooks / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the clinical results of thoracolumbar burst fractures, managed by posterior fixation of 2 segments above and 1 segment below, using an offset sublaminar hook. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Mono-segment fixation above and below the injured vertebra, using posterior pedicle screw fixation, has the benefit of saving the uninjured mobile lumbar segment in thoracolumbar junction burst fracture patients. However, in a severely comminuted vertebral body, mono-segment fixation may not prevent loss of correction and metal failure. Options for such cases are additional anterior column support or long segment fixation, including 2 segments above and 1 below the injured vertebra. Instead of fixing 2 segments below the fracture level, fixation of one segment below, using the offset sublaminar hook, can save the uninjured segment, especially in the upper lumbar segment, with greater fixation strength than mono-segmental screws only. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included eleven patients with a thoracolumbar junction burst fracture, which underwent posterior fixation using pedicle screws in 2 segments above and 1 segment below, aided by an offset sublaminar hook. The mean follow-up period was 30.7 months (range, 24 to 58 months). Radiographs taken at follow-up were evaluated for implant loosening, correction loss, change in pedicle screw angle, and loss of vertebral height, adjacent segment instability and junctional degenerative change. The clinical results were collected in out-patient department. RESULTS: No implant loosening was noted. No case showed adjacent instability, acceleration of junctional degenerative change at the lower end of lumbar segment or hook dislodgement. Also, there were no junctional area related symptoms. CONCLUSION: For posterior surgery of thoracolumbar burst fractures, this construct, fixing 2 segments above and 1 segment below injured vertebra, aided by an offset sublaminar hook, was satisfactory in maintaining fracture reduction, and showed no instability or acceleration of degeneration on adjacent segnents.

Harrington Instrumentation with Sublaminar Wiring for the Fracutures and Dislocations of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine / 대한정형외과학회잡지

For the evaluation of the clinical and radiologicaI result in the surgical reduction and internal stabilization of the fracture-dislocations in the thoracic and lumbar area, the authors analysed the 39 patients who were treated with Harrington instrumentation supplemented by segmental sublaminar wiring and were follow up 24 months in average. l. Indications for the operation were: compression type with more than 50% of body wedging, bursting type with less than 30% of canal involvement without cord injury, fracture-dislocation type with instability and any type with complete cord injury. 2. Amount of fusion were 6 segments in 25 cases, 7 segments in 11 cases, 5, 8 and 10 segments in 1 case each. 3. Among 31 cases whose lumbar segment were involved in fusion, numbers of movable lumbar motion segments were three or less in 26 and two or less in 8. 4. Angular deformity were changed from 27 preoperatively to 8 postoperatively and to 12 at the end of follow up. Wedging amount of anterior vertebral height were 53% preoperatively, 23% postoperatively and 27% at the end of follow up. 5. External support were applied for 4 months in 35 cases; Taylor brace in 22, TLSO in 10 and body cast in 3. Ambulation was started within a week according to the general status. 6. Solid bony union were observed in 38 cases within 4 months period. Dislodgement of instrumentation and deep infection in one each patient were observed as operative complications. 7. Among 21 cases with cord injury symptoms, 18 cases with complete type showed no neurological recovery, but 3 cases with incomplete type showed complete recovery. It is concluded that the Harrington instrumentation with sublaminar wiring is an effective method of reduction and stabilization for the fracture and dislocations of the thoracic and lumbar spine. On the other hand, the operation is an extensive procedure with significant involvement of lumbar motion segments.

Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of Cervical Spine Treated by Contoured Loop Fixation and Sublaminar Wiring / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Rigid posterior fixation of the atlas to the third and fourth cervical spine was achieved in a patient in whom axis pedicle fracture and dislocation of axis on the third cervical spine. Althouth there was no evidence of neurologic disorder, marked instability of axis on the third cervical spine should inevitably be fused in any procedures. An anatomically contoured loop was secured to the posterior arch of the atlas and the laminae of the third and the fourth cervical spine by sublaminar wirings. The technique has the advantage over bone graft, either alone or with cement, in that it affords rigid stabilization, allows early mobilization and some flexion movement of atlanto-occipital joint.

Technique of Safe Removal for Sublaminar Wiring / 대한정형외과학회잡지

With the expending use of sublaminar segmental instrumentation, various complication, including paraplegia, paresis, dysesthesia and dural tears, have been reported. These findings suggest that the displacement of sublaminar wires toward the spinal eord during extraction followed by spinal cord damage. The cut surface of Luque sublaminar wire is sharp and has a barb and it may cause damage to the spinal cord. The cut end of Luque wire was inserted into the Intracath (a kind of angiocatheter) 16 gauge and pulled parallel to the lamina. And we found the Intracath followed by Lugue wire in the operating field. Lateral view of spine roentgenogram revealed that the radioopaque Intracath was passed under the lamina in 3 mm in depth. When the Luque wire is removed with inserting into the Intracath 16 gauge and pulled parallel to the lamina, the dura can be protected by the cut end of Luque wire.