Correction Of Rigid Spinal Deformities Research Articles

Posterior vertebral column resection for pediatric rigid spinal deformity

IntroductionSurgery for pediatric spinal deformity may involve vertebral osteotomies in complex cases. Vertebral column resection (VCR) is the most technically demanding procedure, with the severest morbidity. It can use a double anterior and posterior approach (APVCR), though a single posterior approach (PVCR) is gaining in popularity. HypothesisPVCR provides effective correction with acceptable morbidity in children. MethodA single-center retrospective series included spinal deformities treated by PVCR. Surgical data and global pelvic-spinal balance parameters were analyzed. ResultsSixteen PVCRs were performed in 13 patients, with a mean age of 14.1±2.8 years. Mean operative time was 411±54minutes. Mean preoperative rigid principal Cobb angle was 74.3°. Mean correction was 64.3% postoperatively, without significant correction loss at last follow-up. Mean blood loss was 941±221ml. The cell-saver enabled 92.3% autologous transfusions, with 53.4% homologous transfusions. Transient monoplegia and permanent psoas deficit were observed during the postoperative period. Radiologic follow-up found 4 non-unions requiring revision. ConclusionPVCR provided major correction of rigid spinal deformity in children. Complications mainly comprised mechanical or neurological incidents. Level of evidenceIV, non-comparative cohort study.

A Review of Complications and Outcomes following Vertebral Column Resection in Adults

The correction of rigid spinal deformities in adult patients can require a three-column osteotomy (pedicle subtraction osteotomy [PSO] or vertebral column resection [VCR]) to obtain spinal balance. Unfortunately, the existing adult deformity literature frequently reports the outcomes and complications of these procedures together even though VCR is a more extensive procedure with potentially higher rates of complications. We sought to address this shortcoming and provide clinicians with an overview of the existing literature regarding VCR in adult patients. The goals of this review are: to determine the rate of overall and neurologic complications following VCR, the rate of complications with VCR compared to PSO, and the impact of VCR on clinical and radiographic outcomes. An electronic literature search was used to identify studies reporting outcomes or complications following VCR in adult patients. Raw data on patient demographics, case information, radiographic outcomes, complications and clinical outcomes were extracted. Data were pooled to report a rate of overall complications and neurologic complications. A pooled relative risk of complications following PSO vs. VCR was also calculated. Eleven retrospective studies (Level IV) met our inclusion criteria. The overall rate of complications was 69.2%. The reoperation rate was 9.6%. The rate of neurologic complications was 13.3% (range, 6.3% to 15.8%) with most cases being transient. The rate of permanent neurologic deficits was 2.0%. We found a significantly higher rate of all complications with VCR compared to PSO (relative risk, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.49; p<0.001). All studies reporting clinical outcomes showed significant improvements in functional outcome postoperatively.

VERTEBRAL COLUMN RESECTION FOR RIGID SPINAL DEFORMITY

Vertebral column resection (VCR) is a surgical technique that may be applied for correction of moderate to severe spinal deformities, including those with large rigid curves, fixed trunk translation, or asymmetry between the length of the convex and concave column of the deformity. This article reviews the VCR technique as it relates to correction of rigid spinal deformity, including case examples to illustrate its application. The literature was reviewed in reference to the use of VCR for correction of rigid spinal deformity. VCR involves complete resection of one or more vertebral segments using either combined anterior and posterior approaches or a posterior-only approach and enables significant deformity correction in all three dimensions. Herein, we provide description of the indications, preoperative planning, surgical techniques, complication avoidance, postoperative management, and case examples for VCR. VCR enables significant correction of rigid spinal deformities in cases in which less aggressive approaches are not adequate.