Treatment Of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Research Articles

Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises performed immediately after spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

BackgroundSpinal manipulative therapy is commonly used in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Some therapists also rely on physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise (PSSE). Combining these two modalities seems reasonable, but the effectiveness of this combination has never been rigorously tested. Here, a protocol for a pilot study is proposed to determine the feasibility of conducting a larger randomized trial. The pilot study was designed to test the hypothesis that spinal manipulative therapy followed by PSSE is more effective than PSSE alone in improving the Cobb angle, sensorimotor integration, the angle of trunk rotation (ATR), body symmetry, and quality of life.MethodsThe protocol describes a randomized controlled pilot trial with 40 subjects divided into study and control groups. Both groups will receive 8 weeks of PSSE, but the study group will also receive spinal manipulative therapy during the first 2 weeks before PSSE. The primary outcome will be an estimate of the feasibility of conducting a full-scale experiment. The influencing factors will be the time to complete enrollment, the recruitment rate, subject retention, and adherence to the treatment allocations. The secondary outcomes that will be used to assess the efficacy of treatment will include the Cobb angle, somatosensory evoked potentials, ATR, three-dimensional postural parameters, and scores on the 22-item Scoliosis Research Society outcomes questionnaire. The Cobb angle will be measured at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks of training. The somatosensory evoked potentials will be measured at baseline and at the end of 2 weeks of training. The ATR, three-dimensional postural parameters, and scores on the 22-item Scoliosis Research Society outcomes questionnaire will be measured at baseline and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of treatment.DiscussionThis study will inform the design of a future full-scale trial. The outcomes will provide preliminary data about the efficacy of the combination of spinal manipulative therapy and exercise in treating scoliosis.Trial registrationProspectively registered at Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR1900027037. Registered on 29 October 2019.http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=44954&htm=4

Treatment of Patients with Scoliosis Using a Unique Anterior Scoliosis Correction Technique

Treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is dependent upon multiple factors, including curve type and magnitude, curve progression, skeletal maturity, and clinical trunk deformity. While fusion is effective at achieving curve correction, it is associated with disadvantages including prominent implants beneath the skin, back muscle scarring and atrophy, decreased spine range of motion, and decreased functional spinal mobility. Additional concerns include the potential for longer term development of premature adjacent level disc and facet joint degeneration above and below the fusion. Due to these issues with spinal fusion, surgeons have explored alternative surgical approaches to correct spinal deformity and halt curve progression using either growth modulation or remodeling of the spine while preserving motion. This paper provides an overview of a non-fusion scoliosis correction technique called Anterior Scoliosis Correction (ASC).

Evaluation of night-time bracing efficacy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review.

Systematic review of the literature. To systematically review the literature to assess the efficacy of night-time bracing in controlling curve progression with respect to traditional full-time thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthoses (TLSOs) in patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Reviews and Google Scholar were all accessed and a combination of terms and keywords pertaining to the core concept was used in the research. Case reports, technical notes, instructional courses, literature reviews, biomechanical and/or in vitro studies were all excluded, as well as case series (level IV studies). The methodological quality of the selected articles was assessed using the MINORS methodology score. Given the overall level and quality of the available evidence, conclusions were drawn based on a summary of the evidence. Seven studies were included. Five papers reported no differences in curve progression between traditional TLSOs and night-time braces and the remaining two studies reported TLSO to be superior. The current available literature does not permit us to draw conclusions about night-time braces. The low methodological quality of the studies examined makes it impossible to compare the effectiveness of the night-time braces with that of traditional TLSOs. Prospective well-designed clinical trials applying SRS inclusion and evaluation criteria are mandatory to better define the role of night-time orthosis in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Mindset correlates with health-related quality of life assessment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Mindset theory describes two different belief systems regarding ability: "fixed", in which a particular personal characteristic is seen as unchangeable, and "growth", in which the characteristic is viewed as malleable and subject to improvement. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how that mindset toward one's health correlates with health-related quality of life assessments (HRQoL) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Patients undergoing brace treatment for AIS were prospectively recruited for this study and completed both an SRS-30 andHealth Mindset Scale questionnaire. Inclusion criteria for patients are based on Scoliosis Research Society standardized criteria for bracing studies: diagnosis of AIS, a prescribed TLSO brace for full-time wear, skeletal immaturity at brace initiation (Risser 0-2), Cobb angles 25-50 degrees, no prior treatment, and, if female, no more than 1year post-menarchal at the time of brace initiation. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing Mann-Whitney U tests for skewed data and two-sample t tests for normally distributed data.Multivariable models were also used to evaluate the relationships of SRS-30 subscores with health mindset, adjusting for age, gender, and pre-treatment curve magnitudes. Among the 110 enrolled patients, a stronger growth mindset was associated with significantly higher SRS-30 scores overall (p = 0.001), as well as in the appearance (p = 0.003), and mental (p = 0.001) subscores. We demonstrate that health mindset affects an AIS patients' HRQoL. Prior studies have demonstrated that mindset is malleable and can be altered. Further studies are required to determine whether changing health mindset from a fixed to a growth mindset can also improve HRQoL in patients with scoliosis.

Genomic characterization of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis-associated transcriptome and regulome.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a sideways curvature of the spine, is the most common pediatric musculoskeletal disorder, affecting ~3% of the population worldwide. However, its genetic bases and tissues of origin remain largely unknown. Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated nucleotide variants in non-coding sequences that control genes with important roles in cartilage, muscle, bone, connective tissue and intervertebral disks (IVDs) as drivers of AIS susceptibility. Here, we set out to define the expression of AIS-associated genes and active regulatory elements by performing RNA-seq and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing against H3 lysine 27 acetylation in these tissues in mouse and human. Our study highlights genetic pathways involving AIS-associated loci that regulate chondrogenesis, IVD development and connective tissue maintenance and homeostasis. In addition, we identify thousands of putative AIS-associated regulatory elements which may orchestrate tissue-specific expression in musculoskeletal tissues of the spine. Quantification of enhancer activity of several candidate regulatory elements from our study identifies three functional enhancers carrying AIS-associated GWAS SNPs at the ADGRG6 and BNC2 loci. Our findings provide a novel genome-wide catalog of AIS-relevant genes and regulatory elements and aid in the identification of novel targets for AIS causality and treatment.

Patient compliance during conservative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – literature review and the experience of a tertiary Institution multidisciplinary team

Conservative treatment of scoliosis includes orthotics and physical therapy. Efficacy of orthotic treatment has been validated over time through a great number of scientific papers, and today it represents the golden standard in the conservative treatment of scoliosis. Patient compliance is key in this type of treatment, as it is only effective during growth. Scoliosis is most often seen in adolescents, which is a turbulent period in every young life, and as such poses a number of aggravating factors for this type of treatment. It is of the utmost importance to understand the psychosocial aspects of this illness and treatment, as well as the dynamics of the patient and his/her family. Improving compliance is important for the course and outcome of treatment, and requires structured psychological support. Patients who receive psychological support during treatment are better equipped to go through the treatment and score higher on the quality of life questionnaires than the ones without the stated support.

3D-printed brace in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a study protocol of a prospective randomised controlled trial

IntroductionAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. Brace treatment is effective for eligible patients with AIS and the effectiveness is significantly correlated with the average brace-wear...

What are parents willing to accept? A prospective study of risk tolerance in AIS surgery.

Surgical treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) involves healthy individuals with spinal deformity. Parents are responsible for surgical consent on behalf of their children, a burden which causes trepidation and concern. Therefore, explanation of operative risk is a critical component of informed consent and parent decision-making. We set out to quantify parental risk aversion (RA). RA questionnaires were administered preoperatively to parents of 58 AIS patients undergoing spinal fusion (SF). RA is the likelihood of a parent to consent to their child's SF (1- least likely, 10- most) with increasing allotments of data about potential complications at each stage (S1-complication named, S2-explained, S3-incidence given, S4-all information). A statistically significant mean difference in answers for each stage was assessed using paired sample t test or Wilcoxon rank t test. Normality was assessed by performing Shapiro-Wilk test. AIS patients (age 14.2 years, 85% female, major curve 61°) were included. Mean scores for each of the stages were 4.4 ± 3.1, 4.9 ± 3.1, 6.5 ± 3.0, 6.6 ± 3.0, respectively. Highest and lowest RA were reported for death and infection, respectively. The greatest increase in likelihood to proceed with surgery was seen after education on malposition of implants and on death, 2.6 and 2.5, respectively (p < 0.001). The lowest increase in likelihood to proceed with surgery was seen after education on infection, 1.5 (p < 0.001). For all complications, there was an increase in parent willingness to proceed after providing descriptions and occurrence rate with a mean increase from S1 to S4 of 2.1 (95% CI 1.4-2.4), p < 0.001. As more detailed information was made available regarding potential complications with SF for AIS, parental RA toward surgery decreased and their willingness to proceed with surgery for their child improved.

Expert consensus on surgical treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Japan

BackgroundSurgical treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has changed significantly with the advent of new medical devices and surgical procedures. Today, pre- and postoperative management differs widely between institutions. The purpose of this study is to establish consensus regarding the surgical management of AIS in Japan through the use of a questionnaire survey of experienced spine deformity surgeons. MethodsFrom February to March 2020, experienced spine deformity surgeons who perform more than 25 cases of AIS surgery annually were asked to respond to a questionnaire request regarding AIS surgical management formulated by the International Affairs Committee of the Japanese Scoliosis Society. For each of the questions, consensus was achieved upon a 70% agreement among respondents. ResultsResponses were received from 25 of the 32 (78%) experienced spine deformity surgeons. The average age of the responding surgeons was 52 years with an average practice experience of 28 year. Consensus was achieved on 74 (76%) of the 97 aspects of care presented in the questionnaire and is broken down as follows: 12 of 17 items for preoperative management, all 5 items for perioperative management, 11 of 14 items for surgical technique, 9 of 15 items for implant selection, 6 of 8 items for bone grafting, 7 of 10 items for blood conservation, 5 of 7 items for postoperative management, all 17 items for postoperative evaluation, and 2 of 4 items for aftercare. ConclusionsExpert consensus was achieved on 74 aspects of the surgical management of AIS in Japan. In implant selection and aftercare, consensus was obtained in less than 70% of the aspects, revealing differences in AIS management between institutions. These findings on AIS surgery in Japan, informed by expert opinion, will conceivably help spine deformity surgeons determine appropriate surgical management of AIS.

Neurophysiologic Detection of Spinal Cord Ischemia During Anterior Vertebral Tethering

Case report. The aim of this study was to present how computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) detect spinal cord ischemia during anterior spine surgery. These data directed expedient surgical and anesthetic interventions that restored IONM signals and prevented neurologic sequalæ. Anterior vertebral tethering (AVT) is a fusionless surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). AVT was performed on a skeletally immature patient with AIS. Preoperative CTA detailed location of the dominant radicular artery (DRA). Transcranial motor (tcMEP) and somatosensory (SEP) evoked potentials were monitored during operation. There was significant decline in tcMEP, but not SEP, after compression of the DRA during cable tensioning of AVT. There was complete tcMEP recovery following release of instrumentation. This article identifies a rare but potentially catastrophic vascular hazard associated with anterior spine operation, including AVT. Sacrifice of multiple unilateral segmental vessels may overwhelm the capacity of collateral spinal cord perfusion to compensate for DRA blood supply. This vascular risk may be eliminated by identifying the DRA in order that it may be preserved during the procedure. 5.

Perforation Rate of Pedicle Screws Using Hybrid Operating Room Combined With Intraoperative Computed Tomography Navigation for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Impact of Distance From the Reference Frame and Other Risk Factors.

Retrospective observational cohort study. Evaluate the perforation rate of pedicle screw (PS) insertion using a hybrid OR combined with intraoperative computed tomography (CT) navigation (hybrid navigation) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and determine the predictors of misplacement specific to hybrid navigation. Hybrid navigation provides intraoperative three-dimensional fluoroscopic imaging of a quality similar to that of CT. Hybrid navigation is now being used in AIS treatment. However, few reports exist on the perforation rate and predictors of PS perforation using hybrid navigation for AIS. Thirty-eight consecutive patients (34 female and 4 male; mean age: 16.2 years) with AIS who had undergone PS fixation using hybrid navigation were analyzed. PS perforation was evaluated using intraoperative CT after PS insertion. The perforation rate for each level from the anchor reference frame (RF) was measured and compared. We examined for predictors of screw misplacement using baseline patient parameters, instrumented vertebral level, PS insertion order, and vertebral body distance from the RF. Eighteen major perforations (Grade 2 or Grade 3) were recorded among 531 screw insertions (3.4%). The major perforation rate did not increase remarkably until the distance from the RF was 5 vertebral bodies, after which it increased significantly (2.2% vs. 18.4%, P = 0.03). Thirteen patients experienced at least 1 perforation. The subjects with perforations were all female and significantly shorter than those without. Multivariate analysis revealed distance from the RF (+1 vertebra; odds ratio 1.44, P = 0.003) as a predictor of major perforation. The rate of major perforation after PS insertion using hybrid navigation for AIS was relatively low. However, no more than 7 vertebral bodies should be instrumented in a single CT scan to reduce the risk of major perforations. Special attention is also needed for female patients of shorter stature. 3.

Restoration of Thoracic Kyphosis in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Over a Twenty-year Period: Are We Getting Better?

A multicenter, prospectively collected database of 20 years of operatively treated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was utilized to retrospectively examine pre- and postoperative thoracic kyphosis at 2-year follow-up. To determine if the adoption of advanced three-dimensional correction techniques has led to improved thoracic kyphosis correction in AIS. Over the past 20 years, there has been an evolution of operative treatment for AIS, with more emphasis on sagittal and axial planes. Thoracic hypokyphosis was well treated with an anterior approach, but this was not addressed sufficiently in early posterior approaches. We hypothesized that patients with preoperative thoracic hypokyphosis prior to 2000 would have superior thoracic kyphosis restoration, but the learning curve with pedicle screws would reflect initially inferior restoration and eventual improvement. From 1995 to 2015, 1063 patients with preoperative thoracic hypokyphosis (<10°) were identified. A validated formula for assessing three-dimensional sagittal alignment using two-dimensional kyphosis and thoracic Cobb angle was applied. Patients were divided into 1995-2000 (Period 1, primarily anterior), 2001-2009 (Period 2, early thoracic pedicle screws), and 2010-2015 (Period 3, modern posterior) cohorts. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and post-hoc Bonferroni corrections were utilized with P < 0.05 considered significant. Significant differences were demonstrated. Period 1 had excellent restoration of thoracic kyphosis, which worsened in Period 2 and improved to near Period 1 levels during Period 3. Period 3 had superior thoracic kyphosis restoration compared with Period 2. Although the shift from anterior to posterior approaches in AIS was initially associated with worse thoracic kyphosis restoration, this improved with time. The proportion of patients restored to >20° kyphosis with a contemporary posterior approach has steadily improved to that of the era when anterior approaches were more common. 3.

Three-dimensional analysis of spinal deformity correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: comparison of two distinct techniques

To compare 3D postoperative deformity correction using two distinct commonly utilized techniques for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). AIS patients with major thoracic (Lenke 1-2) curves at two sites who underwent deformity correction via posterior spinal instrumented fusion using one of two distinct techniques were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were matched 1:1 between sites for Lenke type (95% Lenke 1) and follow-up time. The "band site" performed posteromedial translation using thoracic sublaminar bands and 5.5-mm rods. The "screw site" performed spine derotation using differential rod contouring with pedicle screws and 5.5-mm rods. 3D measures of deformity from spinal reconstructions were compared between sites. Preoperatively, the groups had similar thoracic curve magnitudes (band, 55 ± 12° vs. screw, 52 ± 10°; p > 0.05); the "screw site" had less T5-T12 kyphosis (2 ± 14° vs. 7 ± 12°, p = 0.05) and greater thoracic apical rotation (- 19 ± 7° vs. - 14 ± 8°, p = 0.007). Postoperatively, the "screw site" had greater percent correction (61% vs. 76%, p < 0.001) and kyphosis restoration (p = 0.002). The groups achieved a similar amount of apical derotation (p = 0.9). The "band site" used cobalt chromium rods exclusively; the "screw site" used cobalt chromium (3%) and stainless steel (97%; p < 0.001). The "band site" performed significantly longer fusions. Significant variations were found between two commonly utilized techniques in AIS surgery, including rod material, correction mechanisms, and fusion levels. Significantly, a greater 3D deformity correction of the coronal and sagittal planes was observed at the "screw site" compared to the "band site", but with no difference in axial plane correction.

Learning curve for vertebral body tethering: analysis on 90 consecutive patients.

Retrospective study. Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is raising interest for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but many scoliosis surgeons have not been trained in anterior surgical approaches. We analyzed data of our first patients to define the learning curve for VBT. VBT has shown encouraging results in the treatment of growing AIS patients, but there is a paucity of data and long-term results are not yet available. To our best knowledge, there is no published data regarding the learning curve for VBT. A retrospective analysis was performed, of all consecutive patients who underwent VBT at our Institution. Outcomes of interest were intubation time, surgical duration and estimated blood loss per screw and hospitalization length. For the statistical analysis, we referred to a linear model regression diagnostic and we used the Pearson product-moment correlation (r) for pairwise correlation. The final effect ranked between + 1 and -1. Data of 90 patients were analyzed, age 14.6 ± 1.8years. On average, 9.4 ± 2.6 levels were instrumented. Per screw, mean intubation time was 33.1 ± 7.6min (r = -0.57; p > 0.0001), mean surgical duration 21.3 ± 5.7min (r = -0.55; p > 0.0001), mean estimated blood loss 21.3 ± 18.2ml (r = -0.66; p > 0.0001). Mean hospitalization length was 8.3 ± 3.1days (r = -0.32; p = 0.002). No intraoperative complications were reported. VBT has a rapid learning curve: the estimated blood loss per screw is expected to decrease by 60%, intubation time and surgical duration by over 50%, and hospitalization length by 32% for each treated patient. III.

Postoperative Dexamethasone Following Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Surgeons have hesitated to use steroids in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion because of the risk of wound complications. The literature has supported the use of postoperative steroids in other areas of orthopaedics on the basis of more rapid recovery and improved postoperative pain control. We hypothesized that a short course of postoperative dexamethasone following posterior spinal fusion for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) would decrease opioid usage without increasing wound-healing problems. Consecutive patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for the treatment of AIS from 2015 to 2018 at a single hospital were included. A review of demographic characteristics, curve characteristics, surgical data, and postoperative clinic notes was performed. Opioid usage was determined by converting all postoperative opioids given into morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Sixty-five patients underwent posterior spinal fusion for the treatment of AIS without postoperative steroids (the NS group), and 48 patients were managed with 3 doses of postoperative steroids (the WS group) (median, 8.0 mg/dose). There was no difference between the groups in terms of curve magnitude, number of vertebrae fused, or estimated blood loss. There was a 39.6% decrease in total MME used and a 29.5% decrease in weight-based MME used in the group receiving postoperative steroids (82.0 mg [1.29 mg/kg] in the NS group versus 49.5 mg [0.91 mg/kg] in the WS group]; p < 0.001). This difference persisted after accounting for gabapentin, ketorolac, and diazepam usage; surgical time; curve size; levels fused; and number of osteotomies (median decrease, 0.756 mg/kg [95% CI, 0.307 to 1.205 mg/kg]; p = 0.001). Three patients in the NS group (4.6%) and 4 patients in the WS group (8.3%) developed wound dehiscence requiring wound care (p = 0.53). One patient in the NS group required surgical debridement for the treatment of an infection. Patients in the WS group were more likely to walk at the time of the initial physical therapy evaluation (60.4% versus 35.4%; p = 0.013). A short course of postoperative steroids after posterior spinal fusion was associated with a 40% decrease in the use of opioids, with no increase in wound complications. Surgeons may consider the use of perioperative steroids in an effort to decrease the use of postoperative opioids following posterior spinal fusion for the treatment of AIS. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

From genetics to epigenetics to unravel the etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Scoliosis is defined as the three-dimensional (3D) structural deformity of the spine with a radiological lateral Cobb angle (a measure of spinal curvature) of ≥10° that can be caused by congenital, developmental or degenerative problems. However, those cases whose etiology is still unknown, and affect healthy children and adolescents during growth, are the commonest form of spinal deformity, known as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In AIS management, early diagnosis and the accurate prediction of curve progression are most important because they can decrease negative long-term effects of AIS treatment, such as unnecessary bracing, frequent exposure to radiation, as well as saving the high costs of AIS treatment. Despite efforts made to identify a method or technique capable of predicting AIS progression, this challenge still remains unresolved. Genetics and epigenetics, and the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, open up new avenues to not only clarify AIS etiology, but to also identify potential biomarkers that can substantially improve the clinical management of these patients. This review presents the most relevant biomarkers to help explain the etiopathogenesis of AIS and provide new potential biomarkers to be validated in large clinical trials so they can be finally implemented into clinical settings.

Diagnostic accuracy of perioperative electromyography in the positioning of pedicle screws in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatment: a cross-sectional diagnostic study

BackgroundTo investigate in the conventional techniques of the pedicle screws using triggered screw electromyography (t-EMG), considering different threshold cutoffs: 10, 15, 20 25 mA, for predicting pedicle screw positioning during surgery of the adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).MethodsSixteen patients (4 males, 12 females, average age 16.6 years) were included, with an average curve magnitude of 50 degrees and placement of 226 pedicle screws. Each screw was classified as “at risk for nerve injury” (ARNI) or “no risk for nerve injury” (NRNI) using CT and the diagnostic accuracy of EMG considering different threshold cutoffs (10,15, 20 and 25 mA) in the axial and Sagittal planes for predicting screw positions ARNI was investigated.ResultsThe EMG exam accuracy, in the axial plane, 90.3% screws were considered NRNI. In the sagittal plane, 81% pedicle screws were considered NRNI. A 1-mA decrease in the EMG threshold was associated with a 12% increase in the odds of the screw position ARNI. In the axial and sagittal planes, the ORs were 1.09 and 1.12, respectively. At every threshold cutoff evaluated, the PPV of EMG for predicting screws ARNI was very low in the different threshold cutoff (10 and 15); the highest PPV was 18% with a threshold cutoff of 25 mA. The PPV was always slightly higher for predicting screws ARNI in the sagittal plane than in the axial plane. In contrast, there was a moderate to high NPV (78–93%) for every cutoff analyzed.ConclusionsEMG had a moderate to high accuracy for positive predicting value screws ARNI with increase threshold cutoffs of 20 and 25 mA. In addition, showed to be effective for minimizing false-negative screws ARNI in the different threshold cutoffs of the EMG in adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Safety and Efficacy of Spinecall Spinal Fixation System for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study design: Retrospective case series including patient outcome assessment. Objective: To study the safety and the efficacy of the Spine call spinal fixation system in comparison with similar series. Background: The purpose was to determine the safety and the efficacy of a system which has been widely used in Brazil for over 15 years. Methods: A total of 76 consecutive patients were treated by posterior instrumentation and arthrodesis from 2011 through 2017. Safety was evaluated by complications, reoperation type and occurrence. Efficacy was studied by the incidence of deformity corrections. Results: There were no deaths, spinal cord or nerve root problems, or acute posterior wound infections. Proven pseudo-arthrosis occurred in one patient (1.3%) and in two cases was necessary debridement to remove infected tissue (2.6%). The implant-related reoperation rate was 1.3%, where an increased curvature was observed. The break of one screw (0.07% per screw) was reported, which did not lead to the need for reoperation. The largest Cobb angle averaged 57° pre-operative and 20.7° at latest follow-up, which means a 63.3% correction (p<0.001). Conclusions: Spinecall spinal fixation system seems to be at least as safe and effective as other instrumentations as used for the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Incidence of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis With Pedicle Screws at Upper Instrumented Vertebrae in Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design:Longitudinal cohort.Objectives:Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) using all-pedicle screw constructs has become the standard procedure in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, there have been several reports that all-pedicle screw constructs or the use of pedicle screws at the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) increases the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). We aimed to evaluate the impact of instrumentation type on the incidence of PJK following PSF for AIS.Methods:We performed a stratified random sampling from 3654 patients enrolled in a multicenter database of surgically treated AIS to obtain a representative sample from all Lenke types. Patients were then allocated into 3 groups based on the instrumentation type: all-pedicle screw (PS), hook at UIV with pedicle screws distally (HT), and hybrid constructs (HB). We measured proximal junctional angle (PJA) and defined PJK as PJA ≥ 10° and PJA progression of >10° at the final follow-up.Results:Fifteen (4.3%) of 345 cases had PJK. PJK was significantly more common in PS (11%) compared with HB (1%) and HT (0%) (P < .001). PJK patients were similar to non-PJK patients regarding age, sex, curve type, UIV, and preoperative coronal Cobb angle. Thoracic kyphosis was significantly higher in the PJK group before surgery. Patients who developed PJK had a statistically significantly larger negative sagittal balance compared with the non-PJK group.Conclusion:The incidence of PJK was 4.3% and was more common in all-pedicle screw constructs. Using hooks at UIV might be a treatment strategy to limit PJK.

Extreme long-term outcome of operatively versus conservatively treated patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

We report on outcomes of surgically versus (vs) non-surgically treated patients with moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after minimum of 29years. AIS patients with a follow-up of ≥ 41years in the surgical group and ≥ 29years in the non-surgical group were included. Patients were treated surgically for primary curves ≥ 45° vsnon-surgically for curves < 45° or refusal of surgery. Groups were matched for age, gender, comorbidities and primary curve severity. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to measure clinical outcomes and standard radiography to quantify curve severity at final follow-up. In total, 16 patients (8 within each group, 75% females) with a median age of 14 (interquartile range (IQR) 2) years could be included and werefollowed up after 46 (IQR 12) years. All matched variables were similar for both groups, including the primary curve Cobb angles of 48° (IQR 17°) (surgical) vs 40° (IQR 19°) (non-surgical); p = 0.17). At final follow-up after a median of 47 (IQR 5) years for the surgical and 39 (IQR 19) years for the non-surgical group (p = 0.43), the ODI was similar for both groups (15 (IQR 13) points (surgical)vs 7 (IQR 15) points(non-surgical); p = 0.17) with, however, a primary curve magnitude lower in the surgical compared to the non-surgical group (38° (IQR 3°) vs 61° (IQR 33°); p = 0.01), respectively. After around 47 and 39years, respectively, surgical and non-surgical treatment of moderate AIS showed similar subjective outcomes, but with a relevant smaller curve magnitude with surgical treatment. III.