Posterior Instrumented Stabilization Research Articles

Clinical Outcome of Posterior Instrumented Stabilization and Transpedicular Decompression in Patients Presenting with Thoracic or Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Posterior instrumented stabilization is a commonly done surgery in spinal tuberculosis. This study aims to evaluate the clinical, radiological, and neurological outcomes of posterior instrumented stabilization and transpedicular decompression in thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for one and a half years with at least six months of follow-up in a tertiary care center. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 119 (6-11-5) 2/075-076). Total sampling was done and the study included patients over 18 years of age with spinal tuberculosis of the thoracic or lumbar regions. These patients underwent posterior instrumented stabilization and transpedicular decompression at the tertiary care center. The age, site of involvement, Visual Analog Scale score for back pain, neurological status as per Frankel Neurology grading, and local kyphotic angle in X-ray were recorded. The median, interquartile range and percentage were calculated. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel 2016 and analysis was done using Epi Info software version 7.2. Thoracic level was most commonly involved in 14 (46.68%) cases. The median back pain as assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale score improved from 8 to 2 at the 6-month follow-up. There was improvement in the neurological grading of all cases and there was no loss of correction in the local kyphotic angle till the final follow-up. The median age of cases was 48 years (interquartile range: 28-62.50). Posterior instrumented stabilization and transpedicular decompression in adult patients with thoracic or lumbar spinal tuberculosis achieves improvements in clinical, radiological, and neurological outcomes.

Kummell’s disease treated with posterior instrumented stabilization and transpedicular biopsy: A case series

Kummell’s disease treated with posterior instrumented stabilization and transpedicular biopsy: A case series

Efficacy of Non-Fusion Surgeries in the Management of AO Type C Injuries of the Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Spine: A Retrospective Study.

The initial descriptions of successful management of non-fusion surgeries in the management of unstable burst injuries of the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine (TTLS) were published by Osti in 1987 and Sanderson in 1999. These were further supported by prospective studies and meta-analyses establishing comparable results between fusion and non-fusion surgeries. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the efficacy of non-fusion surgeries in the management of AO type C injuries. The study aims to determine the efficacy of open posterior instrumented stabilization without fusion in AO type C injuries of the TTLS. Patients with AO type C injuries of the TTLS (T4-L2 levels) with normal neurology who underwent open, posterior, long segment instrumented stabilization without fusion between January 2015 and June 2018 were included. The regional kyphotic angle, local kyphotic angle, AP (anterior and posterior wall) ratio, and cumulative loss of disc space angle were assessed on radiographs. Functional outcome was assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the AO Spine patient-reported outcome spine trauma (PROST) instrument. The study included 35 patients with AO type C injury of the TTLS and a normal neurology who underwent open posterior instrumented stabilization and had a mean follow-up of 43.2 months (range 24-60 months). The mean preoperative regional kyphotic angle decreased from 19.8 ± 13.7° to 6.6 ± 11.3° after surgery but showed an increase to 9.21 ± 10.5° at final follow-up (P = 0.003). The cumulative loss of disc space angle was significant at final follow-up (2.4 ± 5° [P = 0.002]). Twenty-eight out of 35 patients had minimal while seven had moderate disability on the ODI score. The AO Spine PROST revealed that patients regained 95.7 ± 4.2% of their pre-injury functional status at final follow-up. Posterior instrumented stabilization without fusion in the management of AO type C injuries of the TTLS gives satisfactory results with acceptable functional and radiological outcomes.

Posterior instrumented stabilization in the management of unstable thoracolumbar spine fractures with minimum 2 years follow-up

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar region (T11–L2) involvement is most common among the spinal injuries often associated with catastrophic neurodeficits. There are many classification systems to describe thoracolumbar fractures, but few have been useful in recommending surgical decision. The treatment of thoracolumbar fracture has been debated extensively. Optimal surgical approach to be used to treat thoracolumbar fractures remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score ≥5, who underwent posterior instrumentation, were studied prospectively between August 2018 and July 2021. Follow-up assessment was done using x-ray, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, Denis pain and work scale, and Oswestry disability index. RESULTS: Most of the patients were belonged to age group 31–40 years (44.1%, n = 15); L1 was the most common vertebra injured (61.8%, n = 21). Average kyphosis correction obtained by surgery was 10.53°, and the average loss of kyphosis correction at 2 years was 2.94°. Surgery duration and blood loss when compared between short-segment fixation (SSF) and long-segment fixation (LSF) showed a statistical significance (P < 0.0001). Associated injuries were seen in 11.76% (n = 4) of patients. At final follow-up, 85.71% (n = 24) of patients showed improvement to one higher ASIA grade; 82.4% (n = 28) of patients reported to have no pain or occasional minimal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior pedicle screw-rod fixation is relatively safe, more familiar, and associated with less morbidity. Most of the fractures can be treated by SSF, but in patients with severe vertebral body comminution (AOtype A3) and AO type C fractures, LSF can be done.

Dorsal Epidural Artery Pseudoaneurysm – An Unusual Complication after Posterior Instrumented Stabilisation

Vascular complications during lumbar disc surgeries are a rare but fatal complication. Most commonly injured vessels during spinal surgeries include the aorta, common iliac vessels, and very rarely the lumbar arteries. The damage to a major vessel such as aorta and iliac artery present with acute symptoms requiring immediate surgical intervention, whereas small vessels such as lumbar segmental artery and its branches when injured may form arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm presenting at a later stage. We report a rare case of dorsal epidural artery pseudoaneurysm following lumbar discectomy and posterior instrumented stabilization presenting with progressive signs of neurological deficit due to dural sac compression and also emphasize the importance of its early diagnosis thus preventing fatal complications.

Paraplegia Secondary to Plasmacytoma of the Lumbar Spine.

Solitary plasmacytoma of bone has a predilection for the axial skeleton, most commonly affecting the thoracic spine. We report the case of a patient who presented with acute on chronic back pain and developed severe neurologic deficits within several hours of admission secondary to a pathologic fracture of L1. The patient underwent an urgent magnetic resonance imaging scan followed by T12 to L2 posterior decompression and T11 to L3 posterior instrumented stabilization. Subsequent histopathologic examination of specimens taken at the time of surgery found this to be secondary to a plasmacytoma affecting the lumbar spine. At follow-up, recovery has been rapid and extensive, with the patient remaining under hematologic review because of the risk for developing multiple myeloma. The unique features of this case relate to the location of the plasmacytoma and the neurologic signs; to our knowledge this is the first reported case in the literature of paraplegia secondary to a lumbar spine plasmacytoma.

Instrumented Spinal Stabilization without Fusion for Spinal Metastatic Disease.

Spinal stabilization surgery is an integral part of the treatment of spinal metastatic disease. Bony fusion is the hallmark of spinal stabilization in non-oncology patients. Spinal oncology patients are unlikely to achieve bony fusion because of their overall prognosis and concurrent therapies. Stabilization surgery without fusion may be a reasonable approach for these patients. Literature evaluating the effectiveness of this approach is limited. The object of this study was to investigate the rate of instrumentation failure in patients undergoing posterior spinal instrumented stabilization without fusion for spinal metastatic disease. Data from consecutive cases of spinal surgery at our institution during an 81-month period were reviewed. Demographics, clinical notes, and computed tomography findings were recorded and used to evaluate instrumentation failures. Patients who underwent separation surgery that included laminectomy and posterior spinal instrumentation without fusion for spinal metastatic disease and had follow-up computed tomography scans >3 months postoperatively were selected for the study. Twenty-seven patients were included in the study. Mean age was 64.85 ± 6.53 years. Nine patients were women. A mean of 1.61 ± 0.96 laminectomy levels was performed. A mean of 8.26 ± 1.48 screws was inserted. The mean postoperative discharge date was 5.07 ± 1.47 days. Mean follow-up duration was 12.17 ± 11.73 months. None of the patients had a change in instrumentation position, pedicle screw pullout, change in spinal alignment, or progressive deformity. No patient required reoperation or instrumentation revision or replacement. Our experience suggests that instrumented spinal stabilization without fusion is an acceptable approach for patients with spinal metastatic disease.

Lateral lumbar retroperitoneal transpsoas approach in the setting of spondylodiscitis: A technical note

Thoracolumbar spondylodiscitis is a morbid disease entity, impacting a sick patient population with multiple comorbidities. Wherever possible, surgical measures in this population should limit the extent of soft tissue disruption and overall morbidity that is often associated with anteroposterior thoracolumbar decompression and fusion. The authors describe the rationale, technique, and use of the lateral lumbar transpsoas retroperitoneal approach in tandem with posterior decompression and instrumented fusion in the treatment of circumferential thoracolumbar spondylodiscitis with or without epidural abscesses. The authors have routinely implemented the lateral lumbar transpsoas retroperitoneal approaches to address all pyogenic vertebral abscesses, spondylodiscitis, and ventral epidural abscesses with anterior column debridement and reconstruction with iliac crest autograft, posterior decompression, and pedicle screw instrumentation. In five consecutive patients, the mean blood loss and operative duration was 275mL and 259min, respectively. There were no instances of major vascular injury as this corridor obviates the need for retraction of inflamed retroperitoneal structures. The use of the lumbar lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach to the lumbar spine for the treatment of destructive and pyogenic spondylodiscitis is a potential alternative to the traditional anterior lumbar retroperitoneal approach in tandem with posterior spinal decompression and instrumented stabilization.

Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Posterior-Only Approach for Lumbar Circumferential Decompression and Stabilization to Treat Spine Metastasis—Technical Report

Palliative tumor resection and subsequent stabilization are important for maximizing function and quality of life for patients suffering from spinal metastases. However, traditional operative techniques for spinal metastases with vertebral body destruction involve extensive soft tissue dissection. In the lumbar spine, open 2-staged spine procedures are routinely required with an anterior retroperitoneal approach for corpectomy and cage insertion and posterior decompression and stabilization with pedicle screws and rods. Both stages require extensive soft tissue dissection that results in significant surgical morbidity, long recovery time, and subsequent delay in initiating postoperative chemoradiotherapy, as well as initially hampering patients' overall quality of life. A minimally invasive approach is desirable for achieving spinal stability, pain control, functional recovery, rapid initiation of adjuvant therapies, and overall patient satisfaction, especially in patients whose medical and surgical therapies are aimed at palliation rather than cure. A 59-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma and a known L1 vertebral body metastasis presented with severe progressive low back pain and was found to have a pathologic L1 vertebral body fracture with focal kyphosis. Here, we describe a minimally invasive muscle-sparing, posterior-only approach for L1 transpedicular hemicorpectomy and expandable cage placement, L1 laminectomy, and T11-L3 posterior instrumented stabilization. The surgical corridor was achieved through the Wiltse muscle plane between the multifidus and longissimus muscles so that minimal muscle detachment was required to achieve transpedicular access to the anterior and middle spinal columns. The L1 nerve root was completely skeletonized to allow adequate lumbar hemicorpectomy, tumor resection, and expandable titanium cage insertion. Lastly, percutaneous pedicle screws and rods were inserted from T11 to L3 for stabilization. The patient tolerated the procedure well with no complications and less than 200 mL estimated blood loss. Postoperative computed tomography revealed restoration of intervertebral height and adequate tumor resection with excellent placement of the expandable cage and posterior construct. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 and had nearly no back pain 3 weeks after surgery. Adjuvant therapies were started soon after. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient required minimal narcotic pain medication. Computed tomography scan demonstrated stable hardware with no evidence of failure. A minimally invasive muscle-sparing, posterior-only approach is a promising surgical strategy for 360-degree decompression and stabilization for the treatment of lumbar spinal metastases with minimized blood loss, muscle detachment and postoperative pain, and fast postoperative recovery and initiation of adjuvant therapy.

Isolated posterior instrumentation for selected cases of thoraco-lumbar spinal tuberculosis without anterior instrumentation and without anterior or posterior bone grafting.

The aim of this prospective study is the analysis of the clinical and radiological outcomes of active thoraco-lumbar spinal tuberculosis treated with isolated posterior instrumentation without any posterior bone grafting or anterior inter-body bone grafting or anterior instrumentation. The study was a prospective follow-up of 25 patients with active thoraco-lumbar spinal tuberculosis who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation with pedicle screws and rods. These patients had posterior stabilization of the involved segment of the spine without anterior or posterior bone grafting. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.3 years and the minimum duration of follow-up was 2 years. The mean kyphotic angle improved from 32.4° pre-operatively to 7.2° in the early follow-up period. Following a minor loss of correction during follow-up, the mean kyphotic angle settled at 11.5° at the time of final follow-up. Inter-body bony fusion was noticed at the final follow-up in all patients despite the absence of anterior bone grafting or cages. Posterior instrumented stabilization followed by chemotherapy seems to be adequate for obtaining satisfactory healing of the lesions. Anterior inter-body bony arthrodesis occurs despite the absence of anterior bone grafts or cages. Careful patient selection is critical for successful outcome with this technique.

Spinal tuberculosis in children: Retrospective analysis of 124 patients

Background:There is a paucity of report on spinal tuberculosis in children. We report a retrospective analysis of 124 children with TB spine treated over 30 years.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 124 children; of cervical (n=36), cervicothoracic (n=4), thoracic (n=53), and lumbar and lumbosacral tuberculosis (n=31) with no skip or multifocal lesions treated between 1971-2004. The age ranged from 2 to 15 years of age with 28 children less than 5 years of age, 58 were between 6 and 10 years, and 38 were over 10 years, 18 had paraplegia of various degrees. Ninety-one children were treated conservatively, while 33 children were subjected to surgery for focal debridement (n=23), posterior interspinous wiring and cementation (n=4), and posterior instrumentation with rods and segmental wiring (n=14). Triple chemotherapy (isoniazid, streptomycin, and PAS) was given for 18 months (3HSPa, 15Hpa) between 1971 and 1975, and triple or quadruple chemotherapy (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, or pyrazinamide) after 1976 to 2004 for 12 months (12RHZ or 12 RHZE). Some of the children in the current series belonged to the British MRC conservative study patients. The average duration of followup was 5 years and 8 months (range 1.6-20 years).Results:All children attained healed status and showed neural recovery (n=18). The patients attained healed status at 18 months in the first series and at 12 months in the second series after chemotherapy. Spontaneous intercorporal fusion occurred only in 10 (8.06%) of 124 children. Sagittal curve during growth showed three different patterns: Unchanged, decreased, and increased curves. The residual kyphosis was unavoidable in cases with growth plate damage. Kyphosis increased in cases with wedged monovertebra and fused wedged block vertebra, though it was different at different level.Conclusion:The vertebral reformation and curve correction were possible only through the growth plates. The posterior instrumented stabilization alone could correct and/or prevent progress of the kyphosis. However, for active tuberculosis, posterior instrumented stabilization combined with anterior radical surgery should be reserved only for the advanced tuberculosis with instability, rapid progress of kyphosis, and/or unacceptable pre-existing kyphosis, though there is a new trend of prophylactic posterior instrumentation even for the early tuberculosis.

Endoscopic Image-Guided Transcervical Odontoidectomy

Ventral decompression with posterior stabilization is the preferred treatment for symptomatic irreducible basilar invagination. Endoscopic image-guided transcervical odontoidectomy (ETO) may allow for decompression with limited morbidity. To describe the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing anterior decompression of basilar invagination with the use of ETO. Fifteen patients who had a follow-up of at least 16 months were retrospectively reviewed. Intraoperatively, the vertebral body of C2 was removed and the odontoid was resected in a "top-down" manner using endoscopic visualization and frameless stereotactic navigation. Posterior instrumented stabilization was subsequently performed. The average (± standard deviation) age of the patients was 42.6 ± 24.5 (range, 11-72) years. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients, including a urinary tract infection (n = 2), upper airway swelling (n = 2), dysphagia (n = 2), gastrostomy tube placement (n = 1), and an asymptomatic pseudomeningocele (n = 1). No patients required a tracheostomy, had bacterial meningitis, or developed a venous thromboembolic event; only 1 patient was intubated for more than 48 hours postoperatively. With a mean follow-up of 41.9 ± 14.4 (range, 16-59) months, myelopathy improved in all patients and no patient experienced late neurological deterioration. The mean modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score increased from 11.2 ± 4.2 to 15.9 ± 1.4 (P = .002). Patients with a diagnosis other than rheumatoid arthritis or who had a higher preoperative JOA score had a significantly better postoperative neurological recovery (P = .005). ETO may be a valid treatment for patients with symptomatic irreducible basilar invagination that avoids some of the morbidity of transoral surgery and leads to long-term improvement in myelopathy.

Management of Traumatic Cervical Spondyloptosis in a Neurologically Intact Patient

Case report. To review the management of a neurologically intact patient with complete cervical spondyloptosis with particular attention to the role and timing of closed preoperative cervical traction and subsequent stabilization. Traumatic cervical spondyloptosis is typically associated with complete and irreversible spinal cord injury. In these patients, cervical traction can be implemented to restore anatomic alignment in preparation for stabilization with minimal consequence. When a patient presents neurologically intact, the management becomes more complicated. Preservation of function and restoration of anatomic alignment collectively represent the goals of therapy. The current literature does not clearly define the role of cervical traction in such cases. A patient with traumatic cervical spondyloptosis at the C7-T1 level presented to our institution and was found to be neurologically intact. Computed tomography demonstrated complete spondyloptosis with multiple fractures through the posterior elements. The spondyloptosis was reduced with closed cervical traction and underwent anterior and posterior instrumented stabilization. No new deficit occurred in the patient after reduction. Fractures of the posterior elements functionally decompress the spinal canal and thereby allow for cervical traction to be safely implemented in patients with spondyloptosis. Safe restoration of anatomic alignment in the neurologically intact spondyloptotic patient is crucial to minimize the extent of surgical stabilization and create a long-term stable construct of the fracture dislocation.

Computerized tomography monitoring of the position of pedicle screws in scoliosis surgery

With the increasing use of pedicle screws in instrumented spine surgery the neurological risk must be evaluated critically. Studies, which evaluated the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in scoliosis surgery, have not been published up to date to our knowledge. In 25 consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis, who underwent posterior instrumented curve correction and stabilization, the accuracy of pedicle screw placement was evaluated using axial computed tomography. There was a total of 178 screws between T5 and L4. The preoperative Cobb angle of the curve averaged 60.7 degrees, the mean rotation of the instrumented vertebrae was 19.1 degrees according to Perdriolle. 145 pedicle screws (81.5%) were placed correctly within the pedicles, of which 4 screws (4.5%) penetrated the anterior aspect of the vertebral body with a mean of 0.9 mm. 22 screws (12.4%) showed lateral penetration of the pedicle with a mean of 1.9 mm, of which one screw was placed completely lateral of the pedicle. 8 screws (4.5%) penetrated the medial wall of the pedicle by 1.3 mm on average. One screw each penetrated the cranial and caudal border of the pedicle. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant relationships between pedicle screw misplacement and grade of vertebral rotation or site of instrumentation. Neurological complications were not noted in any of the cases. In our mind the risk of pedicle screw threaded curve correction and fusion in scoliosis surgery in the hands of an experienced spine surgeon is calculated acceptably low.

Tuberculosis of the spine. Controversies and a new challenge.

Tuberculosis is a deadly disease affecting many people in the world. The prevalence of spinal tuberculosis is likely to rise as the numbers of those infected with human immunodeficiency virus rises. This presentation summarizes present knowledge of spinal tuberculosis and its management. It describes and updates material the author has previously published on this subject. The scientific basis for the clinical management of spinal tuberculosis has been well established by the British Medical Research Council group and Hong Kong surgeons. It is believed, however, that well-controlled basic and clinical studies are required if the incidence of the three unwanted complications of spinal tuberculosis is to be reduced further. Antituberculosis agents are the mainstay of management, with chemotherapy for 12 months preferred to shorter courses. The standard is a combination of isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide, with or without ethambutol. Anterior surgery consisting of radical focal debridement without fusion does not prevent vertebral collapse. The major advantage of anterior arthrodesis is the decreased tendency for progression of the deformity. Patients who present late with deformity are candidates for anterior debridement and stabilization with corrective instrumentation. Posterior stabilization with instrumentation has been found to help arrest the disease and to bring about early fusion. Posterior instrumented stabilization to prevent kyphosis in early spinal tuberculosis is indicated, however, only when anterior and posterior elements of the spine are involved, particularly in children. With early detection, institution of chemotherapy, and improved surgical techniques, patients with kyphosis rarely are seen today, particularly in urban centers that have an effective medical system. For these same reasons, patients with spinal tuberculosis who present with paraplegia and no deformity usually respond well to treatment. It is concluded that spinal tuberculosis without unsightly kyphosis and neurologic symptoms is a medical, rather than a surgical, condition. Surgery should be reserved for those patients who have advanced tuberculosis with unacceptable complications such as paraplegia and/or deformity.