Posterior Spinal Stabilization Research Articles

Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures Treated With Open Versus Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Posterior Spinal Stabilization: A Retrospective Study at a Rural Teaching Hospital in South India.

Background Thoracolumbar spine fractures are the most prevalent type of axial skeleton fractures, with approximately two-thirds occurring between T11 and L2. Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation has been reported to be an effective treatment for thoracolumbar fractures. Minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation yields outcomes comparable to those of the standard open procedure and has the advantages of less stress, bleeding, and pain, as well as rapid postoperative recovery. The main objective of this research was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of two surgical approaches (open and percutaneous posterior spinal stabilization), concentrating on nonosteoporotic AO Spine Type A3 thoracolumbar burst fractures between T11 and L2. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective study in our hospital, where cases of thoracolumbar burst fractures meeting the inclusion criteria were chosen retrospectively from April 2022 to March2023. A total of 54 patients (aged 18-60 years) who underwent spinal stabilization were included in this investigation. The population was divided into two cohorts, with 27 patients in each: Group A underwent open posterior spinal stabilization, and Group B underwent percutaneous posterior spinal stabilization. Data retrieved from medical records were analyzed with at least a six-month follow-up, mainly assessing the demographic data, intraoperative parameters, duration of hospitalization, clinical outcomes (Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and McGill Pain Questionnaire scores), and radiological outcomes (vertebral wedge angle and correction loss). Results Both groups had a male preponderance. There were statistically meaningful distinctions between both groups regarding intraoperative parameters (blood loss and surgical duration) and primary clinical outcome parameters (Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and McGill Pain Questionnaire scores) in the early phase of the study. However, there were no statistically significant differences concerning radiological parameters (vertebral wedge angle and correction loss) or primary clinical outcome parameters at the last follow-up. Conclusion The treatment modalities (open and percutaneous posterior spinal stabilization surgery) were equally safe and effective. However, the percutaneous group demonstrated significant reductions in the length of the surgical procedure, blood loss during surgery, duration of hospital stay, and immediate postoperative pain scores, all of which could potentially benefit patients.

Outcome of Long Segment Posterior Spinal Stabilization Incorporating the Fractured Vertebra for Unstable Thoraco-Lumbar Junctional Brust Fracture

Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of long segment posterior spinal stabilization incorporating the fractured vertebra with posterolateral fusion for unstable thoraco-lumbar junctional brust fracture. Background: Thoracolumbar junction is the commonest site of traumatic spinal injury. Now a days, it is managed surgically most of the time because it is often associated with the spinal cord injury. Its mode of surgical management is a field of controversy. Huge debate is still going on between the superiority of long & short segment stabilization. In this study, we evaluated the outcome of long segment posterior spinal stabilization incorporating the fractured vertebra Materials & Method: This prospective interventonal study included 30 case of thoraco-lumbar junctional unstable brust fractures was carried out in the Spine unit of Orthopaedic surgery department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka and other private hospital in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, from January 2016 to July 2022. All the patients with positive clinical findings, X-ray, MRI & CT scan findings and underwent long segment posterior spinal stabilization incorporating the fractured vertevra with posterolateral fusion. Average follow-up period was 12 months. Pre & Post-operatively, neurological assessment was done by the ASIA Impairment Score, improvement of pain control by VAS score, fusion rate by Bridwell’s criteria, Kyphotic angle was measured by Cobb’s angle measurement method & Overall functional assessment by modified Odom’s score. Results: Total number of patients was 30. Average age was 34 years (range 21- 47). ASIA score improved from B to C in 5 patients, B to D in 5 patients, C to D in 8 patients , C to E in 3 patients, patients, D to E in 7 patients. 2 patient did not improved following surgery. Fusion was achieved in 29 patients & 1 patient developed pseudoarthrosis. Pre & Post- operative VAS score was 7.30±1.9 & 3.3±1.8 respectively. The average kyphotic correction was 15 ∞. In our series, we have no bedridden patients after surgery. There was no radiographic progression after surgery. Conclusion: Early treatment within 21 days of injury with long segment posterior spinal stabilization incorporating the fractured vertevra with posterolateral fusion is a very effective surgical procedure with preservation of the motion segment to treat unstable thoracolumbar junctional brust fracture.

CHRONIC RECURRENT MULTIFOCAL OSTEOMYELITIS IN CHILDREN: A NATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT A TERTIARY REFERRAL CENTRE OVER 20 YEARS

IntroductionChronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare condition characterised by bony pain and swelling which may be initially mistaken for bacterial osteomyelitis. The episodic course of the disease may confound the diagnosis and potentially be mistaken for a partial response to antimicrobial therapy. It is an orphan disease and consequently results in many unclear aspects of diagnosis, treatment and follow up for patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate a national tertiary centre's experience with the clinical condition and present one of the largest cohorts to date, emphasizing the vast array of clinical spectrum, course and response to treatment.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated all children identified with CRMO from the period 2000–2022 within Wales. Demographic data and clinical parameters were selectively identified through the utilisation of a national clinical platform (Welsh Clinical Portal). The diagnosis was based on clinical findings, radiological images, histopathological and microbiological studiesResultsA total of 21 patients were identified as suitable for inclusion. The mean age of diagnosis was 9.4 ±2 years. The age range of children being diagnosed was 6–14 years. Of the 21 patients, only 2 reported feeling unwell prior to their first presentation with generalized coryzal illness reported. The most common presenting site for CRMO was knee (33%) followed by back pain (28%). 19% of the included cases at initial presentation had localised warmth and had nocturnal pain. 4 of the patients went on to have dermatological conditions of which psoriasis was the most common (14%). Bilateral symptoms developed in 38% of the included patients. Biochemical investigations revealed only 19% of patients had a raised C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate whilst 9/21 patients went on to have a bone biopsy to aid diagnosis. 100% of patients had MRI whilst whole body MRI was utilised in 8/21 patients. NSAID's were utilised for 81%, Pamidronate for 33% and methotrexate for 14%. Biologics were utilised for a further 24% of the total population in failed medical therapy. Surgical intervention was utilised for a single individual in this cohort of patients in the form of posterior spinal stabilisation. The most common referring speciality for these patients was Rheumatology (71%) followed by Orthopaedics (33%).DiscussionCRMO represents a challenging diagnosis to make with such varied clinical and biochemical presentations for this condition. The absence of diagnostic Radiological features on X-ray could argue over early MRI imaging. The utilisation of whole body-MRI can now identify multifocal disease burden which may facilitate a timely diagnosis and ensure that effective medical treatment is started promptly without delay. This study is the largest cohort of CRMO patients conducted in this country. Future work will serve to build upon a framework and national referral pathway so that these patients can be seen by the appropriate specialist in a timely manner.

A Case of Eccrine Tumour Metastasis to Spine Managed with Posterior Spinal Stabilization with Recovering Paraparesis

A Case of Eccrine Tumour Metastasis to Spine Managed with Posterior Spinal Stabilization with Recovering Paraparesis

Applications of Carbon Fiber Instrumentation in Spinal Oncology: Recent Innovations in Spinal Instrumentation and 2-Dimensional Illustrative Operative Video.

The management of spinal oncology necessitates a multimodal approach, with surgical intervention, radiation-based therapy, and postoperative advanced imaging. These systems must work well together to provide optimal patient outcomes. Traditional metallic spinal implants produce image artifacts and lead to radiation dose attenuation, which inhibit both disease monitoring and disease treatment, respectively. To demonstrate the feasibility of an improved biomaterial implant that provides structural stability, while also allowing for disease monitoring and treatment in spinal oncology patients. From February 2021 to September 2021, 3 patients with spinal oncologic deformity requiring resection and posterior spinal stabilization underwent fixation with polyether ether ketone-carbon fiber implants at a single academic institution. Patient ages ranged from 23 to 74 years (mean: 44.7 years). All patients underwent posterior spinal fixation using standard approaches. They each received polyether ether ketone-carbon fiber pedicle screw and rod implants, placed in standard fashion. There were no dural tears, postoperative wound infections, or other complications related to their treatment. Postoperative surveillance revealed gross total resection of the targeted tumor on postoperative radiographic imaging. Polyether ether ketone-carbon fiber implants are a safe and effective option for the treatment of thoracolumbar posterior spinal pathology. The utilization of this novel type of instrumentation in posterior spinal approaches may provide benefit to patients with spinal tumors over existing forms of posterior spinal instrumentation.

Is Tattoo in the Operative Field a Disadvantage in Posterior Thoracolumbar Surgery?

Objective: Tattooing has become more popular, especially in Western culture. We aimed to analyze the impacts of the presence of tattoos in the operative field for posterior thoracolumbar surgery. Methodology: This study was performed using data extracted from the medical files of 15 patients who underwent posterior thoracolumbar surgery between April 2013 and May 2020 in the neurosurgery department of our tertiary care center. Therapeutic, clinical, and cosmetic outcomes after surgery necessitating incision on the tattoo are presented together with a brief discussion of the current literature. Results: Our series consisted of nine women and six men with an average age of 31.03 (range, 17–45) years. The duration of follow-up was 52 (range, 6–90) months. Ten patients underwent posterior spinal stabilization, and a simple discectomy was performed on five patients. The therapeutic outcomes and clinical improvement were satisfactory in all patients. No complications attributed to the presence of tattoos were detected in any patients. Conclusion: Posterior thoracolumbar surgery usually necessitates a midline incision that may unavoidably result in the deformation of a tattoo. Our results yielded that therapeutic and cosmetic results in patients with tattoos in the operative field were acceptable in the vast majority of cases after posterior thoracolumbar surgery.

Posterolateral approach to the thoracic spine for spinal tuberculosis: A Technical Note and an Analysis of Results

Surgical pathologies in the thoracic spine are principally located anteriorly within the vertebral body resulting in vertebral body destruction, kyphotic deformity, and anterior or anterolateral compression of the spinal cord. Adequate decompression of the neural elements and vertebral body reconstruction requires access to the anterior spinal column. The posterolateral approach through a posterior midline incision allows circumferential spinal cord decompression, anterior column reconstruction, correction of thoracic kyphosis, and posterior spinal stabilization to be safely performed through a single incision, at a single sitting with excellent outcomes.

Paraplegia Caused by Multifocal Osteosarcoma With Spinal Lesions.

Multifocal osteosarcoma is a rare condition that may be either synchronous or metachronous. Spine involvement of multifocal osteosarcoma is very rare. Synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma is typically described as the occurrence of tumors at two or more sites in the absence of pulmonary metastases. A 55-year-old man initially presented with low back pain. Multiple osteosclerotic lesions were observed, primarily in the spine and pelvis, as well as in soft tissues. Lung lesions were observed, but they were relatively small at reference. Laboratory tests showed a markedly elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level of 36,416 U/L (normal range, 115-359 U/L). Based upon a diagnosis of osteosarcoma on biopsy, chemotherapy was administered, resulting in a decrease in ALP to 17,833 U/L. Decompression of the symptomatic compressed spinal cord and posterior spinal stabilization of T8-12 were performed. However, progressive extensions of multiple lesions to the spinal canal led to paraplegia with urinary dysfunction. Eleven months after the first visit to our hospital, the patient died due to multiple organ failure. Multifocal osteosarcoma accompanied by spinal lesions may lead to paraplegia, a clinical problem that negatively affects the quality of activities of daily living. 4. Multifocal osteosarcoma accompanied by spinal lesions may lead to paraplegia, a clinical problem that negatively affects the quality of life and activities of daily living.

Posterior spinal stabilization: A biomechanical comparison of Laminar Hook Fusion to a Pedicle Screw System

BackgroundSeveral spine instrumentation techniques have been introduced to correct inter-segmental alignment, or provide long-term stability. Whilst pedicle screws are considered the intervention of reference, we hypothesize that the week hold of osteoporotic bone, might be a clinical indicator for an alternative surgical approach. MethodsTo put this to the test, a non-linear Finite Element model, of a ligamentous lumbosacral spine, was employed to examine a stabilization spanning over L3-L5. Two different immobilization techniques (a Pedicle Screw System and Laminar Hook Fusion) are compared as to their biomechanical response during 7.5 Nm flexion, lateral flexion and torsion, while considering a 280 N follower load. Fifteen analyses performed in total, simulating patients of healthy and osteoporotic Bone Mineral Density. FindingsRange of Motion was significantly reduced after instrumentation for both implant systems. This trend was more pronounced in the Pedicle Screw models, which were stressed to a higher degree. To evaluate implant loosening risk, we introduce the consideration of strain energy patterns around the screw tract. The notably higher intensity of these, for the osteoporotic model, taken into consideration with the weaker strength of the tissue and inconsistencies in the stress allocation between implant and bone, affirmed an increased risk for loosening of the Pedicle Screws in osteoporotic patients. InterpretationThe analysis provided refined insight as to the treatment of osteoporotic patients as well as to their postoperative care, as restriction of specific movements (e.g. through bracing), could significantly restrict the stress values in the bone-implant interface and thus, reduce implant failure.

Intravertebral insertion of interbody fusion cage via transpedicular approach for the treatment of stage III Kümmell disease: a technical note and case presentation

Background Kümmell disease usually occurs in the elderly osteoporosis population and develops gradually into symptomatic, progressive kyphosis of the spine. However, current surgical methods to deal with stage III Kümmell disease are less satisfying. The objective of this study was to describe a less invasive technique for treating stage III Kümmell disease. Technique A less invasive technique of intravertebral insertion of interbody fusion cage via transpedicular approach with posterior spine stabilization was applied to treat stage III Kümmell disease. Results This study details a modified technique applied in a patient with stage III Kümmell disease, showing significant improvement in pain relief, anterior column height recovery, and kyphotic angle correction. And no complications were reported during our follow-up. Conclusions Intravertebral insertion of interbody fusion cage via transpedicular approach provides advantages of acceptable correction of kyphosis, bony fusion, minimal invasion. Thus, our method was a good alternative choice for stage III Kümmell disease.

Postoperative Blood Loss Including Hidden Blood Loss in Early and Late Surgery Using Percutaneous Pedicle Screws for Traumatic Thoracolumbar Fracture.

Introduction Some reports revealed that hidden blood loss (HBL) during surgery for traumatic thoracolumbar fracture cannot be ignored, even when using a percutaneous approach. Using percutaneous pedicle screws (PPS) for traumatic thoracolumbar fracture, this study aimed to compare estimate blood loss (EBL), including HBL, between early and late fixation. Methods This investigation was a retrospective study. In the present study, data from 39 patients who underwent posterior spinal stabilization using PPS for single-level thoracolumbar fracture have been included. We divided the patients into an early group (group E) (n=20) in whom surgery was conducted within 3 days of fracture and a late group (group L) (n=19) in whom surgery was conducted more than 3 days after fracture. We evaluated hemoglobin (Hb) on the day of injury, and 1, 3 or 4, and 7 days after surgery, EBL, HBL, and transfusion requirement. Results Hb on day 1 (group E: 12.2±1.7 g/dL, group L: 12.3±1.6 g/dL) was significantly less than that on the injured day (group E: 14.2±1.7 g/dL, group L: 13.9±1.7 g/dL) in both groups. The values of Hb and EBL were not significantly different at any time between the two groups. HBL (group E: 487±266 mL, group L: 386±305 mL) was not significantly different between the two groups. No patients required transfusion in either group. Conclusions EBL in early fixation using PPS for traumatic thoracolumbar fracture is not significantly different compared with that in late surgery from days 1 to 7 postoperatively. Early fixation using PPS for traumatic thoracolumbar fracture does not result in negative outcomes any more than those in late surgery in terms of blood loss.

Vertebral body cemented stents combined with posterior stabilization in the surgical treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression of the thoracolumbar spine.

Background: Extensile interventions to provide anterior spinal column support in metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) surgery incur added morbidity in this surgically frail group of patients. We present our preliminary results of posterior spinal decompression and stabilization coupled with vertebral body cemented stents for anterior column support in MSCC.Methods: Fourteen patients underwent posterior spinal decompression and pedicle screw construct along with vertebral body stenting (VBS) technique for reconstruction and augmentation of the vertebral body. The primary in all except one was solid organ malignancy and 10 patients (71%) were treatment naïve. The mean revised Tokuhashi score was 10.7 ± 2.7 and the mean spinal instability neoplastic score was 9.6 ± 1.9. All vertebral body lesions were purely lytic and were associated with a cortical defect in the posterior wall.Results: A mean 5.3 ± 2.7 ml low-viscosity polymethyl methacrylate bone cement was injected within the stent at each compression level. No cement extrusion posteriorly was noted in any case from intraoperative fluoroscopy or postoperative radiographs. Five patients died at a mean 6.8 months (range 1–15 months), while the remaining patients have a mean survival of 18 months. Neither further revision surgical intervention nor any neurological deterioration was noted in any patient, who all continued to be ambulatory. The mean postoperative Core Outcome Measures Index score for 11 patients was 4.03 (standard deviation 3.11, 95% confidence interval (1.93–6.12).Conclusion: In lytic vertebral body lesions with posterior wall erosions, cemented VBS technique adds to the surgical armamentarium in MSCC surgery showing promising early results without added complications.

Polyaxial pedicle screw dislocation during screw tightening for posterior spinal lumbar stabilization

Polyaxial pedicle screw dislocation during screw tightening for posterior spinal lumbar stabilization

Percutaneous Cortical Screw Fixation as a Method for Posterior Spinal Stabilization

Percutaneous Cortical Screw Fixation as a Method for Posterior Spinal Stabilization

Medium-term outcome of posterior surgery in the treatment of non-tuberculous bacterial spinal infection

Objectiveto evaluate the outcome of posterior spinal stabilization surgery for the management of bacterial spinal infection. Methods21 patients with bacterial infection were managed surgically with posterior stabilization. Outcome measures included neurological status. Follow-up data collected using Spine Tango COMI questionnaires and Euro Qol EQ-5D. ResultsThe mean improvement in neurological deficits was 0.91 Frankel grade. Residual symptoms of pain had no or minor effect on the work or usual activities in 52% of subjects, with 88% reported having either no or mid problems with mobility. ConclusionPosterior surgery can improve neurological outcome in approximately half of the patients.

P.128 Percutaneous cortical screws: a novel approach to posterior spinal stabilization

Background: Pedicle screw (PS) fixation is considered the gold-standard for spine stabilization. However, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and cortical screw (CS) fixation have become commonplace. The biomechanical and safety profiles of CS compared to PS have yet to be determined. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe a novel percutaneous CS approach and compare its safety and accuracy to PS fixation. Methods: Standard percutaneous PS fixation was performed using fluoroscopy from L1-L5 on one-side with percutaneous CS being placed on the other-side (10-instrumented PS and CS levels each). Anatomical confirmation and comparison of pedicle breach incidence was performed afterward via open dissection. Results: Dissection revealed no breaches of either construct. As such, no statistical comparison was possible. At one-level however, a CS was seen breaching the posterior-third lateral vertebral body under the superior end-plate. A couple of exposed screw threads were visualized well away from any entering and/or exiting foraminal or extra-spinal neurovascular structures. Conclusions: MIS and CS-based constructs are relatively new fixation techniques. We describe a novel percutaneous CS technique incorporating advantages of both MIS and CS-constructs. Although no difference was found in pedicle breach incidence, further study comparing these techniques and rigorous patient selection for application are necessary.

Clinical outcomes and risk factors in patients with cervical metastatic spinal cord compression after posterior decompressive and spinal stabilization surgery.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical results of surgery for cervical spine metastasis and identify clinical risk factors affecting postoperative survival and neurological outcome.Patients and methodsA retrospective analysis of medical records was performed on 19 patients who had undergone decompressive surgery and spine stabilization due to metastatic spinal cord compression in the cervical spine. All patients had severe pain before surgery. Worst pain, average pain, and pain interference were evaluated using the visual analog scale (range, 0–10) for each patient at baseline and following surgery. Neurological recovery was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score (JOAS). In addition, associations between ten characteristics and postoperative survival and neurological outcomes were analyzed in the study.ResultsThe mean worst pain score in a 24-hour period was 8.6 before the operation. At 1 day, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation, the mean worst pain scores decreased to 5.6, 4.5, 3.8, 2.6, and 2.4 (all P<0.001 vs baseline), respectively. Similar decreases in average pain and pain interference were also observed. The median JOAS in a 24-hour period was 11.0 before the operation. At 1 day, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation, the median JOAS increased to 12.0 (P=0.469), 13.0 (P=0.010), 14.0 (P<0.001), 15.0 (P<0.001), and 14.0 (P<0.001), respectively. According to the multivariate analysis, postoperative survival was significantly associated with the type of primary tumor (P=0.033), preoperative ambulatory status (P=0.004), extra-spinal bone metastasis (P=0.021), 125I seed brachytherapy (P=0.014), and complication status (P=0.009). Better neurological outcome was found to be correlated with higher JOAS (P=0.013). Surgery-related complications occurred in 26.3% of patients.ConclusionPosterior decompression and spine stabilization for painful cervical spine metastasis resulting from spinal cord compression were found to be effective for neurological recovery and pain control with a tolerable rate of complications.

Monostotic Paget Disease of the Lumbar Vertebrae: A Pathological Mimicker.

Paget disease is a metabolic disorder involving abnormal bone turnover that consists of 3 phases: the initial lytic phase, the intermediate mixed phase, and the chronic sclerotic phase. Paget disease mostly presents as polyostotic or monostotic lesions of the spine, and is rare on the Indian subcontinent. We present a case of isolated Paget disease of the lumbar third vertebra, which was confirmed only at biopsy. The patient presented with chronic low backache with a developing neurological deficit. We managed the patient with posterior spinal stabilisation, using pedicular screws and vertebroplasty of the collapsed vertebrae to regain the height. Upon the diagnosis of Paget disease, the patient was treated with calcitonin and bisphosphonates for 3 months, along with regular monitoring of alkaline phosphatase levels. Through this case, we hope to emphasize that Paget disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lytic lesions. Additionally, the alkaline phosphatase level in this patient was high-normal, which was an aspect of the role of Paget disease as a mimicker. Confirmatory biopsy is mandatory in all lesions.

Clinical results of multidisciplinary therapy including palliative posterior spinal stabilization surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy for metastatic spinal tumor

BackgroundSurgeries performed for metastatic spinal tumor are mostly palliative and are controversial for patients with short life expectancy. We investigated whether palliative posterior spinal stabilization surgery with postoperative multidisciplinary therapy results in improvement of life prognosis and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with metastatic spinal tumor.MethodsThe subjects were 55 patients who underwent palliative posterior-only instrumentation surgery for metastatic spinal tumor at our hospital between 2012 and 2015. Postoperative survival, early paralysis improvement, ADL improvement, and rate of discharge to home were examined.ResultsThe patients included 37 males and 18 females, and the mean age at the time of surgery was 66.8 years old. The mean Tokuhashi score was 7.1, the mean spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) was 9.4, and the epidural spinal cord compression scale (ESCCS) was grade 3 in 20 patients (36.3%). The mean Barthel index for ADL was 48.7. The median postoperative survival time determined using the Kaplan-Meier method was 12.0 months (95% confidence interval 2.4–21.5). Regarding improvement of paralysis, the modified Frankel scale was improved by one grade or more or grade E was maintained in 35 patients (63.6%), whereas paralysis aggravated in 2 (3.6%). In surgery, conventional posterior decompression and fixation were applied in 31 patients (56.3%), and minimally invasive spine stabilization was applied in 24 (43.6%). Postoperative chemotherapy was performed in 31 patients (56.3%), radiotherapy was used in 38 (69.0%), and a bone-modifying agent was administered in 39 (70.2%). Regarding ADL, the mean Barthel index improved from 48.5 before surgery to 74.5 after surgery. Thirty-seven patients (67.2%) were discharged to home.ConclusionsADL improved and allowed discharge to home, and postoperative adjuvant therapy could be administered at a high rate in patients who received palliative posterior spinal stabilization surgery. Survival time extended beyond the preoperative life expectancy in many patients. Patients with a metastatic spinal tumor have short life expectancy and paralysis caused by spinal instability and spinal cord compression. However, multidisciplinary therapy including palliative posterior spinal stabilization surgery with reduced invasiveness and postoperative adjuvant therapy are effective in these patients.

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.