Search Results (7)

Background: Severe spinal deformity manifests as a pronounced deviation from the normal curvature of the spine in the frontal, sagittal, and horizontal planes, where the coronal plane curvature exceeds 90 degrees and may coincide with hyperkyphotic deformity. The most severe deformities exhibit rigidity, with flexibility below 30%. If left untreated or improperly treated, these deformities can result in serious complications associated with progression of the curvature. A combination of surgical techniques is frequently employed to attain optimal outcomes and minimize the risk of complications. The overall medical condition of the patient, their capacity to endure extensive procedures, the expertise of the surgeon, and the resources available all play significant roles in determining the course of management. A systematic and thorough review of the relevant literature was conducted utilizing a variety of electronic databases. The primary objective of this study was to scrutinize the surgical techniques commonly employed in complex spine surgeries for the management of severe scoliosis without resection vertebral body techniques, with higher potential risk of major complications, including permanent neurological deficit. Conclusions: Halo-gravity traction, halo femoral traction, and all techniques for releases of the spine (anterior, posterior, or combine), as well as thoracoplasty, have demonstrated significant effectiveness in managing severe and rigid idiopathic scoliosis. The combination of several of these methods can lead to optimal alignment correction without the need to perform high-risk techniques involving three-column osteotomies. Surgeons must customize the indications based on factors such as available resources, characteristics of the deformity, and the patient’s individual profile. Surgical correction of severe scoliosis without vertebral body resection surgeries decreases the potential risks related to neurological and pulmonary complications while providing significant clinical improvement outcomes. The powerful Ponte osteotomy is indicated for severe scoliosis, curves with poor flexibility, for better restoration of hypokyphosis, and decrease of hyperkyphosis. These corrective techniques combined with HGT or temporary internal distraction rods are recommended as viable options for managing individuals with severe rigid spine deformity characteristics. Therefore, they also should be considered and performed by a proficient surgical team. The presence of neuromonitoring is crucial throughout these procedures. Full article

Background: Costello syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic syndrome in which, due to the occurrence of a mutation in the HRAS gene on chromosome 11 that causes the manifestation, a set of features such as a characteristic appearance, many congenital defects, intellectual disability and a genetic predisposition to cancer, friendly personality, and others can be identified. CS is very rare, with an incidence of ~1/300,000, but it belongs to one of the largest groups of congenital syndromes, called RASopathies, occurring with an incidence of 1/1000 people. Scoliosis and kyphosis, as well as other spinal defects, are common, in 63% and 58% of patients, respectively, and a study conducted among adult patients showed the presence of scoliosis in 75% of patients; there may be excessive lordosis of the lumbar section and inverted curvatures of the spine (lordosis in the thoracic section and kyphosis in the lumbar section). The aim of our study is to present a case report of treatment of severe scoliosis of 130 degrees in a 14-year-old patient with Costello syndrome, with coexisting Chiari II syndrome and syrinx in the absence of skeletal maturity. This patient underwent foramen magnum decompression 3 months before planned surgical correction for severe scoliosis. The patient was qualified for surgical treatment using magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR). After spine surgery using MCGR, we gradually performed MCGR distraction over the next 2 years; we performed the final surgery, conversion to posterior spinal fusion (PSF) with simultaneous multi-level Ponte osteotomy, which gave a very good and satisfactory surgical result. In the perioperative period, two serious complications occurred: pneumothorax caused by central catheter and gastrointestinal bleeding due to previously undiagnosed gastrointestinal varices. This case shows that the treatment of severe and neglected scoliosis is complicated and requires special preparation and a surgical plan with other cooperating specialists. The scoliosis was corrected from 130 degrees to approximately 48 degrees, sagittal balance was significantly improved, and the surgical outcome was very pleasing, significantly improving quality of life and function for the patient. Full article

Background: Severe and rigid scoliosis represents a type of spinal deformity characterized by a Cobb angle exceeding 90° and a flexibility of less than 30%. Halo spinal traction remains the established standard for managing severe scoliosis, although alternative approaches such as temporary internal distraction rods and staged surgical correction exist. The primary objective of this investigation was to compare two cohorts of patients treated using these distinct methods to ascertain any divergences in terms of surgical and radiological outcomes, pulmonary function (PF), and quality of life (QoL). Methods: This study encompassed a total of 62 pediatric patients meeting the specified criteria, which included severe idiopathic scoliosis (major Cobb curve >90) and flexibility <30%. Group 1 (G1) underwent surgical intervention involving preoperative Halo gravity traction (HGT) succeeded by posterior spinal fusion (PSF). On the other hand, Group 2 (G2) underwent a two-stage procedure starting with a less invasive temporary internal distraction technique (LITID) prior to PSF. The radiological outcomes, PF, and QoL were documented and assessed over a monitoring period ranging from 2 to 5 years. Results: The average preoperative major curves (MCs) measured 124° and 122° in G1 and G2, respectively (p < 0.426). Initial flexibility, as observed in preoperative bending films, ranged from 18% in G1 to 21% in G2 (p < 0.001). Following the ultimate surgical intervention, the MCs were corrected to 45° and 37.4° in G1 and G2, respectively (p < 0.001). The percentage correction of the MCs was higher in G2 (63% vs. 70% in G1 and G2, respectively), with significant between-group disparities (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative thoracic kyphoses (TKs) were 96.5° in G1 and 92° in G2 (p = 0.782), which were rectified to 45.8° in G1 and 36.2° in G2 (p < 0.001), equating to correction rates of 55% and 60% in the respective groups. Initially, G2 exhibited lower values for the percentage of predicted lung volume (FVC) and predicted FEV1 compared with G1 (49% and 58% vs. 54.5% and 60.8%; N.S.). Nonetheless, both groups demonstrated enhancements in their FVC and FEV1 values over the follow-up period. Conclusions: The surgical management of severe and untreated spinal curvatures in the pediatric and adolescent population can be considered safe, with a tolerable incidence of minor complications. LITID emerges as a method offering improved QoL and pulmonary function, achieving notably substantial average corrections in deformity by 70% in the coronal plane and 60% in the sagittal plane, alongside a mean increase in trunk height of 10.8 cm. Furthermore, a typical reduction of 76% in rib humps and enhancements in respiratory function, as indicated by improvements in 1 s predicted forced expiratory volume (by 25–56%) and forced vital capacity (by 35–65%), were achieved, leading to a clinically and statistically significant enhancement in QoL when evaluated using SRS-22r, without resorting to more radical, high-risk procedures. Full article

Background: Severe spinal curvatures (SSCs) in children and adolescents have long been treated with preoperative Halo traction, in its various variations. There are also several radical techniques available for the management of neglected SSCs, such as osteotomies; however, these can be risky. Comparing the treatment outcomes when using preoperative Halo Gravity Traction (HGT) against the use of a Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod (MCGR) as a temporary internal distraction (TID) device, we evaluated the differences in surgical and radiological outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 30 patients with SSCs, treated with HGT followed by posterior spinal fusion (PSF; Group 1, n = 18) or treated using a temporary MCGR as a TID followed by PSF (Group 2, n = 12). All patients underwent surgical treatment between 2016 and 2022. The inclusion criteria were SSC > 90°, flexibility < 30%, and the use of preoperative HGT followed by PSF or the two-stage surgical procedure with initial TID rod placement (Stage 1) followed by PSF (Stage 2). The evaluated parameters were as follows: rib hump, trunk height, and radiographic outcomes. All parameters were collected preoperatively, after the initial surgery, after final correction and fusion, and during the final follow-up. Results: In Group 1, we evaluated 18 patients with a mean age of 15.5 years; in Group 2, we evaluated 12 patients with a mean age of 14.2 years. The interval between the staged procedures averaged 32.7 days. The mean preoperative main curves (MC) were 118° and 112° in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. After definitive surgery, the MC was corrected to 42° and 44° in G1 and G2, respectively. The mean percentage correction of the MC was similar in both groups (65% vs. 61% in G1 and G2, respectively). The mean preoperative thoracic kyphosis was 92.5° in G1 and 98° in G2, corrected to 43.8° in G1 and 38.8° in G2. Trunk height increased by 9 cm on average. Conclusions: There are no benefits in using a MCGR as a temporary internal distraction device in the management of neglected scoliosis in adolescents. Surgical treatment of severe scoliosis may be safe, with a reduced risk of potential complications, when using preoperative HGT. A specific intraoperative complication when using a MCGR as a temporary internal distraction device was a 50% risk of transient neuromonitoring changes, due to significant force applied to the spine and radical distraction of the spine. We achieved similar clinical, radiographic, and pulmonary function outcomes for both techniques. The use of HGT causes less blood loss with a shorter overall time under anesthesia. Partial correction significantly aids the subsequent operation by facilitating a gradual reduction in the curvature, thereby reducing the difficulty of surgical treatment and the risk of neurological deficits. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of severe idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and hypothesized that surgical treatment would have a superior impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), pulmonary function (PF), back pain, and sexual function. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 195 consecutive patients with IS classified into severe (SG) and moderate groups (MG) with a minimum follow-up of two years. Results: The mean preoperative curve was 131° and 60° in the SG and MG, respectively. The mean preoperative flexibility in the bending films averaged between 22% in the SG and 41% in the MG. After definitive surgery, the main curve was corrected to 61° and 18° in the SG and MG, respectively. The mean preoperative thoracic kyphosis was 83° in the SG and 25° in the MG, which was corrected to 35° in the SG and 25° in the MG. At baseline, the percentage of predicted lung volume (FVC) was significantly lower in the SG than that in the MG (51.2% vs. 83%). The baseline percentage of the predicted FEV1 values was also significantly lower in the SG than in the MG (60.8% vs. 77%). During the two-year follow-up, the percentage of predicted FVC showed significant improvement in the SG (69.9%) (p < 0.001), and the percentage of predicted FEV1 values during the follow-up improved significantly in the SG (76.9%) (p < 0.001) compared with the MG (81%), with no statistical difference observed during the two-year follow-up. The SRS-22r showed a clinically and statistically significant improvement in the preoperative results to those of the final follow-up (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Surgical treatment of severe scoliosis can be safe. It provided a mean correction of the deformity for 59% of patients and significantly improved respiratory function, with the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s improving by 60% and the forced vital capacity improving by 50%, resulting in clinically and statistically significant improvements in the SRS-22r, HRQoL outcome scores, and back pain (reduced from 36% to 8%), as well as improved sexual function. The planned surgical treatment can achieve a very significant deformity correction with a minimal risk of complications. The surgical treatment has a superior impact on the quality of life patients with severe spinal deformities and significantly improves function in every sphere of life. Full article

Background: A single-stage correction for congenital scoliosis through a posterior-only approach is a commonly used surgical technique. However, there are few studies on the surgical treatment effect of posterior single-stage correction in patients with neglected congenital scoliosis. Methods: Patients who underwent a single-stage posterior correction for congenital scoliosis with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were divided into three groups based on age: Group A (7–11 years), B (12–18 years) and C (>18 years). A comparison of surgical, radiological, and clinical outcomes was performed for three groups. Results: The Cobb angle changed form 75 ± 18° to 37 ± 18° with a correction rate of 53%. Group A showed a significantly higher correction rate than Group B and C (all p < 0.001). The amount of blood loss in Groups B and C was significantly larger than that of Group A (p = 0.015). Pulmonary complications were significantly higher in Group C (p = 0.007). Conclusions: A single-stage correction with pedicle screws through a posterior-only approach achieved a significant correction with improved outcomes, even in neglected cases. However, the early correction for younger patients was still more beneficial in terms of bleeding loss, complications, and flexible curve correction. Full article

Early onset scoliosis (EOS) is emerging as a serious threat to children’s health and is the third largest threat to their health after myopia and obesity. At present, the growing rod technique (GRT), which allows patients to regain a well-balanced sagittal profile, is commonly considered as an invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of EOS. However, the risk of postoperative complications and instrumentation breakage remains high, which is mainly related to the choice of fixed mode. Several authors have studied primary stability and instrumentation loads, neglecting the mechanical transmission of the spinal long-segment model in different growth phases, which is fundamental to building a complete biomechanical environment. The present study aimed to investigate the kinematic and biomechanical properties that occur after GRT, across the long spinal structure and the posterior instrumentation, which are affected by unilateral or bilateral fixation. Accordingly, spinal segments (C6-S1) were loaded under flexion (Flex), extension (Ext), left lateral bending (LB), right lateral bending (RB), left torsion (LT), and right torsion (RT) using 11 established spinal models, which were from three growth phases. The stress distribution, spinal and intervertebral range of motion (ROM), counter torque of the vertebra, and bracing force on the rods were measured. The results showed that bilateral posterior fixation (BPF) is more stable than unilateral posterior fixation (UPF), at the expense of more compensations for the superior adjacent segment (SAS), especially when the superior fixed segment is closer to the head. Additionally, the bracing force of the instrumentation on the spine increases as the Cobb angle decreases. Accordingly, this biomechanical analysis provides theoretical suggestions for the selection of BPF or UPF and fixed segments in different growing phases. Full article