Correction of kyphotic deformity due to neglected fracture dislocation thoracolumbar spine with posterior vertebral column resection

Kyphotic deformity is serious problem for sagittal spinal balance and resulting back pain, neurologic impairment, and also cosmetic problem. Post traumatic kyphotic deformity most common occur following unstable spine. A circumferential approach with anterior release via discectomies and corpectomies, followed by posterior instrumentation and fusion has been the standard of care. This is a case of progressive post traumatic kyphotic deformity due to fracture dislocation which was performed laminectomy without posterior instrumentation and succesfully corrected with single step posterior vertebral column resection.

Modified posterior unilateral subtotal corpectomy osteotomy correction for old thoracolumbar vertebral fractures combined with kyphosis / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of modified posterior unilateral subtotal corpectomy osteotomy correction for old thoracolumbar vertebral fractures combined with kyphosis. Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze 18 patients with old thoracolumbar vertebral fractures combined with kyphosis admitted to the Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2012 to October 2016. There were 10 males and eight females, aged 25-70 years, with an average age of 38. 2 years. The injured segments and osteotomy segments included T11 in one patient, T12 in four, L1 in six, and L2 in seven. Five patients had neurological impairment symptoms classified as grade D according to Frankel's classification. All patients underwent the modified posterior unilateral subtotal corpectomy osteotomy correction. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) and kyphosis Cobb angle were compared before operation, half a year after operation and at the last follow-up. The osteotomy fusion was evaluated by Suk criterion and Frankel grading was used to evaluate the recovery of nerve function. The complications were also recorded. Results All patients were followed up for 12-24 months, with an average of 17. 6 months. The operation time was 160-285 minutes [(190. 0 ± 42. 6) minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 500-800 ml [(610. 0 ± 134. 3) ml]. The difference of kyphosis Cobb angle between preoperative [(40.5±9.8)°] and [(5.5 ±1.6)°] at 6 months postoperatively had statistical significance (P <0. 05). Compared with the kyphosis Cobb angle of 6 months postoperatively [(5. 5 ± 1. 6)°], the Cobb angle at the final follow-up [(6. 2 ± 1. 5)°] did not change significantly (P>0. 05). The VAS score and ODI at 6 months after operation and at the final follow-up [(3. 1 ± 1. 3)points,(2. 7 ± 0. 7)points and 7. 5 ± 5. 1, 6. 4 ± 2. 5] were significantly different compared with those before operation [(7. 6 ± 2. 4)points, 68. 7 ± 10. 4] (P<0. 05). Bone cutting surface was healed osseously in all patients. The five patients with preoperative neurological impairment of grade D were assigned with grade E at the last follow up. There were two patients with dural rupture and one with pleural effusion during the operation. No complications such as nerve damage, infection or thrombosis occurred. No loosening, fracture or heterotopic ossification occurred during follow-up. Conclusion For old thoracolumbar vertebral fracture combined with kyphosis, the modified posterior unilateral vertebral column resection through unilateral approach can not only achieve the bone fusion between the injured vertebra and the adjacent vertebral body, but also avoid the shortening of the spine, correcting kyphosis and relieving pain, with low incidence of complications.

Severe Rigid Scoliosis: Review of Management Strategies and Role of Spinal Osteotomies

Severe rigid curves pose a considerable challenge to the treating spine surgeon. In our practice, approximately 30%–40% of patients with scoliosis present late with severe rigid scoliosis (>90° and <30% correction on bending films). Controversy still exists with regard to the ideal surgical strategy for correcting these rigid curves. Rigid scoliosis often presents in the form of either sharp angular or rounded deformities. Rounded deformities can be effectively managed with an anterior release to loosen the apex and posterior instrumentation (with osteotomies, if required). In contrast, severe rigid scoliosis, which is a sharp angular deformity, is not very amenable to anterior release and is best managed by posterior-only vertebral column resection and posterior instrumentation.

Vertebral column resection via posterior approach for kyphotic deformity in children: A retrospective study of 10 cases / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To summarize the experience, technique and curative effect of vertebral column resection via posterior approach for kyphotic deformity in children. Methods The clinical data of 10 children (3 males and 7 females; aged 6-15 years with average of 11 years) who suffered from kyphotic deformity and undergone one-stage posterior vertebral column resection and reconstruction from Jul. 2010 to Aug. 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The pre-operative Cobb angle of kyphosis was 76°-112° with an mean of 97.8°. Nervous system symptoms were found in 2 children, of them one was of Frankel C class and another one was of Frankel D. All the children underwent one-stage posterior vertebral column resection, pedicle fixation combined with bone graft. Results The operation was successfully in all the patients. The average surgery time was 373min (240-560min), the intraoperative blood loss was 1115ml (550-2200ml), the average post-operative Cobb angle of kyphosis was 29.3°(10°-43°), and the correction rate was 70.0%. The torso and shoulder imbalance in all the 10 children was significantly improved, and dorsolumbar pain was markedly relieved. The Frankel classification of 2 children having preoperative nervous system symptoms were both ameliorated to class E after operation. Conclusions Posterior vertebral column resection with pedicle screw-rod fixation is an effective and safe surgical method for the treatment of kyphotic deformity in children. Satisfactory stability of short segment fixation and bone graft fusion can be accomplished.

Efficacy of posterior vertebral column resection for the treatment of chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis with secondary paraplegia / 中国综合临床

Objective To observe the therapeutical effect of posterior vertebral column resection on chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis with secondary paraplegia and to provide a safe and effective method for the treatment of chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis with secondary paraplegia.MethodsFrom Aug.2007 to Mar.2010,12 cases with chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis and secondary paraplegia were surgically treated by posterior vertebral column resection and Titanium net support for bone graft and internal fixation operation treatment.Cobb angle was measured,and conditions of internal fixation were observed before and after the operation by X-ray films.Neurological status were evaluated by Frankel grades.ResultsThe follow-up periods was 6- 18 months( on average 11 months).Operations eased all patients' back and chest pain.Frankel grade increased from C preoperatively to grade D or E postoperatively in 6 cases,from grade D to E in 4 cases and from grade B to C in 1 case.No obvious improvement of Frankel grade was observed in the other patient of grade B.The average Cobb angles were(76.0 ± 23.4) ° before surgery,( 15.5 ± 6.3 ) ° at one week after surgery and ( 16.0 ± 8.2) °at the last follow-up.The difference in the Cobb angle before and at one week after treatment was significant( t =3.41,P ＜ 0.01 ).No difference was found in the Cobb angle between at one week after treatment and at the last follow-up (t =1.58,P ＞ 0.05 ).All patients got bony fusion with Titanium net.No complications occurred with internal fixation.Conclusion Posterior vertebral column resection is a feasible method for the treatment of chronic thoracolumbar tuberculosis with secondary paraplegia.It achieves neurological decompression with high correction rate and minor injury,and no anterior surgery is needed.

Complications of Posterior Vertebral Resection for Spinal Deformity

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of complications following posterior vertebral resection (PVR) for spinal deformity. METHODS: A review of 233 patients treated with PVR at one institution over a nine-year period (1997 to 2005) was performed. The average age was 33.5 years. Complications were assessed in terms of surgical techniques (posterior vertebral column resection [PVCR] and decancellation osteotomy) and etiologies of deformity. RESULTS: Local kyphosis was corrected from 51.4degrees to 2.7degrees, thoracic scoliosis 63.9degrees to 24.5degrees (62.6% correction), and thoracolumbar or lumbar scoliosis 50.1degrees to 17.1degrees (67.6%). The overall incidence of complications was 40.3%. There was no significant difference between PVCR and decancellation osteotomy in the incidence of complications. There were more complications in the older patients (>35 years) than the younger (p 0.05). There was 1 mortality case by heart failure. Revision surgery was performed in 15 patients for metal failure or progressing curve. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of complications of PVR was 40.3%. Older age, abundant blood loss, preoperative kyphosis, and long fusion were risk factors for complications.

Posterior Vertebral Column Resection (PVCR) in Fixed Lumbosacpal Deformity / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To report the results and techniques of posterior vertebral column resections for fixed lumbosacral deformity. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Fixed lumbosacral deformity results in gross imbalance and progressive compensatory thora-columbar deformity due to the absence of a mobile spine caudally. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive fixed lumbosacral deformity patients subjected to PVCR were reviewed after a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The offending vertebra was below the L4 in all cases. The etiological diagnoses were congenital scoliosis, congenital kyphoscoliosis, post-traumatic kyphosis and post-infectious kyphosis in 6, 3, 2 and 14 patients, respectively. The average age at the time of operation was 38 years, with a male:female ratio of 7:18. The indication for PVCR was fixed lumbosacral deformities that could not be brought to a reasonable balance on traction or forced side bending. RESULTS: On average 2.1, ranging from 1 to 5, vertebrae were removed, with 52 removed in all. The average fusion extent was 4.5 vertebrae, ranging from 2 to 8. An anterior column reconstruction was carried out with an autogenous bone graft in all patients, with the additional insertion of titanium mesh in 12. The distal anchor went down to the L5, S1 and S2 in 4, 12 and 9 patients, respectively. A preoperative scoliosis of 3812 was corrected to 158 (60% correction), and a preoperative kyphosis of 3525 was corrected to -511 (40% correction). A preoperative coronal imbalance of 2.0cm was improved to 0.9cm, and a preoperative sagittal imbalance of 9.3 cm was improved to 4.6 cm. The mean operation time and blood loss were 280 minutes and 2810ml, respectively. Following complications were encountered in 5 patients: 2 transient neurologies, 2 compression fractures at proximal adjacent vertebra and 1 pseudoarthrosis. CONCLUSIONS: A posterior vertebral column resection is an effective procedure for the management of a fixed lumbosacral deformity. It provides satisfactory correction and improved functional outcomes. However, it is a technically demanding and exhausting procedure, with possible risks for complications

Posterior Vertebral Column Resection for Severe Spinal Deformities / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To report a technique of vertebral column resection using a single posterior approach and its results in the treatment of severe spinal deformities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy spinal deformity patients treated by posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) were retrospectively reviewed with minimum follow up of 2 years (2-3.3 years). There were 34 males and 36 females with a mean age of 27.4 years. Etiologic diagnoses were; adult scoliosis in 7, congenital kyphoscoliosis in 38, and post-infectious kyphosis in 25. The surgery consisted of temporary stabilization of the vertebral column with segmental pedicle screw fixation, resection of the vertebral column at the apex of the deformity via the posterior route followed by gradual deformity correction and fusion. Radiological and clinical data were reviewed for deformity correction and clinical results. RESULTS: The total number of resected vertebrae were 143: 76 thoracic and 67 lumbar. Mean operation time was 4 hours 31 minutes with an average blood loss of 2, 333 mL. The deformity correction was 62.9% in the coronal plane and 45.2 degrees in the sagittal plane. Complications were encountered in 24 patients: 2 complete cord injuries in severe adult scoliosis and a single thoracic kyphosis patient who had significant preoperative cord compromise, 6 hematomas, 4 root injuries (all incomplete), 5 fixation failures, 2 infections and 5 hemopneumothoraxes. CONCLUSION: PVCR is an effective alternative for severe fixed spinal deformities. However, extreme caution must be taken in patients with preoperative cord compromise who have a high risk of neurological complications.

Vertebral Column Resection through Posterior Approach in Rigid Adult Scoliosis / 대한척추외과학회지

OBJECTIVES: To report the surgical technique and effectiveness in treating rigid adult scoliosis with one stage vertebral column resection and pedicle screw fixation through a single posterior approach(PVCR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with low flexibility(less than 20~30%) subjected to PVCR were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 18.5 months(12~29 months). There were 10 males and 11 females. The mean age at the time of the operation was 32.1 years(19~61 years). Etiological diagnoses were idiopathic in 7, congenital in 12, neuromuscular in 2. Preoperatively, all the patients showed moderate to severe derangement of pulmonary function with reduced vital capacity(30%~57%). RESULTS: An average of 1.3 vertebrae(1~3 vertebrae) were removed. The resection of body was in thoracic in 12 and lumbar in 15. Posterior fusion was carried out in 6.8(3~12) levels. Following the surgery, preoperative thoracic scoliosis of 86degree(55~130degree) and lumbar scoliosis of 64degree( 35~110degree) were corrected to 38degree(15~65degree) and 25degree(14~61degree), showing a correction of 56.2%(39~78%) and 61.1% (44~82%) respectively. Preoperative kyphosis of 59degree(16~104degree) was corrected to 24degree(2~58degree), showing a correction of 60.2%(41~74%). Preoperative coronal imbalance and shoulder height difference was corrected to 0.6 cm and 1.0 cm respectively. The average operation time and transfusion were 253 minutes and 2835 ml. The complications comprised two transient neurological deficits, one aggravated neurological deficits, one monoparesis, one infection, and one pneumothorax. CONCLUSIONS: One stage posterior vertebral column resection is a promising new technique for rigid scoliosis, significantly reducing the operative time and morbidity of combined anterior-posterior resection.