The utility of superficial abdominal reflex in the initial diagnosis of scoliosis: a retrospective review of clinical characteristics of scoliosis with syringomyelia

Background

The incidence of spinal deformity in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is high, with 86% of these patients found to have a significant structural scoliosis; however, there are very few case reports describing surgical treatment for this deformity.

Methods

The authors reviewed a case series consisting of 6 patients who underwent spine surgery for scoliosis. Children's mean age at index surgery was 12 years and 10 months (range, 10 to 15 yrs). Clinical evaluation revealed the typical phenotypic features of the PWS in all of the patients; 4 subjects had a karyotype confirmation of PWS. Major structural curves showed preoperative mean Cobb angles of 80.8° (range, 65° to 96°). Hybrid instrumentation with sublaminar wires, hooks and screws was used in the first 2 patients, while the remaining 4 were treated with titanium pedicle screw constructs.

Results

The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 3 years and 10 months (range, 2 years to 9 years). Major complication rate was 50%. One patient who developed a major intraoperative complication (paraparesis) prevented spinal fusion to be obtained: the neurologic deficit resolved completely after instrumentation removal. Solid arthrodesis and deformity correction in both coronal and sagittal plane was, however, achieved in the other 5 cases and no significant curve progression was observed at follow-up. Another major short-term complication was encountered 3 months after surgery in a patient who experienced the detachment of a distally located rod and required correction through revision surgery and caudal extension by one level. Cervico-thoracic kyphosis was seen in 1 patient who did not require revision surgery.

Conclusions

Spine reconstructive surgery in patients with PWS is rare and highly demanding. The best method of reconstruction is posterior multilevel pedicle screw fixation. Moreover, even with modern techniques, the risk of complications is still high. These new techniques, however, have shown to improve the postoperative course by allowing for immediate mobilization without any brace or cast. The use of the growing rod techniques, requiring repeated surgeries, should be carefully evaluated in each single case.     

CT and radiographic analysis of sagittal profile changes following thoracoscopic anterior scoliosis surgery

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Previous studies report an increase in thoracic kyphosis after anterior approaches and a flattening of sagittal contours following posterior approaches. Difficulties with measuring sagittal parameters on radiographs are avoided with reformatted sagittal CT reconstructions due to the superior endplate clarity afforded by this imaging modality. METHODS: A prospective study of 30 Lenke 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients receiving selective thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion (TASF) was performed. Participants had ethically approved low dose CT scans at minimum 24 months after surgery in addition to their standard care following surgery. The change in sagittal contours on supine CT was compared to standing radiographic measurements of the same patients and with previous studies. Inter-observer variability was assessed as well as whether hypokyphotic and normokyphotic patient groups responded differently to the thoracoscopic anterior approach. RESULTS: Mean T5-12 kyphosis Cobb angle increased by 11.8 degrees and lumbar lordosis increased by 5.9 degrees on standing radiographs two years after surgery. By comparison, CT measurements of kyphosis and lordosis increased by 12.3 degrees and 7.0 degrees respectively. 95% confidence intervals for inter-observer variability of sagittal contour measurements on supine CT ranged between 5-8 degrees. TASF had a slightly greater corrective effect on patients who were hypokyphotic before surgery compared with those who were normokyphotic. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of sagittal profile is an important goal of scoliosis surgery, but reliable measurement with radiographs suffers from poor endplate clarity. TASF significantly improves thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis while preserving proximal and distal junctional alignment in thoracic AIS patients. Supine CT allows greater endplate clarity for sagittal Cobb measurements and linear relationships were found between supine CT and standing radiographic measurements. In this study, improvements in sagittal kyphosis and lordosis following surgery were in agreement with prior anterior surgery studies, and add to the current evidence suggesting that anterior correction is more capable than posterior approaches of addressing the sagittal component of both the instrumented and adjacent non instrumented segments following surgical correction of progressive Lenke 1 idiopathic scoliosis.     

Segmental correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by all-screw fixation method in adolescents and young adults. minimum 5 years follow-up with SF-36 questionnaire

Background

In our institution, the fixation technique in treating idiopathic scoliosis was shifted from hybrid fixation to the all-screw method beginning in 2000. We conducted this study to assess the intermediate -term outcome of all-screw method in treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

Forty-nine consecutive patients were retrospectively included with minimum of 5-year follow-up (mean, 6.1; range, 5.1-7.3 years). The average age of surgery was 18.5 ± 5.0 years. We assessed radiographic measurements at preoperative (Preop), postoperative (PO) and final follow-up (FFU) period. Curve correction rate, correction loss rate, complications, accuracy of pedicle screws and SF-36 scores were analyzed.

Results

The average major curve was corrected from 58.0 ± 13.0° Preop to 16.0 ± 9.0° PO(p < 0.0001), and increased to 18.4 ± 8.6°(p = 0.12) FFU. This revealed a 72.7% correction rate and a correction loss of 2.4° (3.92%). The thoracic kyphosis decreased little at FFU (22 ± 12° to 20 ± 6°, (p = 0.25)). Apical vertebral rotation decreased from 2.1 ± 0.8 PreOP to 0.8 ± 0.8 at FFU (Nash-Moe grading, p < 0.01). Among total 831 pedicle screws, 56 (6.7%) were found to be malpositioned. Compared with 2069 age-matched Taiwanese, SF-36 scores showed inferior result in 2 variables: physical function and role physical.

Conclusion

Follow-up more than 5 years, the authors suggest that all-screw method is an efficient and safe method.     

Acute pancreatitis after major spine surgery: a case report and literature review

Background

Acute pancreatitis has been described as potential complication of both abdominal and non-abdominal surgeries. The pathogenetic mechanism underlying acute pancreatitis in spine surgery may include intraoperative hemodynamic instability causing prolonged splanchnic hypoperfusion, as well as mechanical compression of the pancreas due to scoliosis correction, with a higher risk in cases of more extended fusions, especially in young adults with lower body mass index (BMI).

Case presentation

We report here a case of postoperative acute pancreatitis with benign evolution in a young female patient after the first and second surgery of a two-stage correction of right thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.In December 2017, the patient underwent first-stage T4-L3 posterior arthrodesis with T7-T12 osteotomies and temporary magnetic bar. Intraoperative blood loss required massive transfusion. In the immediate postoperative period, the patient started reporting nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain at pressure, moderate meteorism, abdominal distension, hypoactive bowel sounds, and fever. Laboratory tests indicated a progressive increase in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, serum amylase, lipase, phospho-creatine kinase, and reactive C-protein. A CT scan showed free abundant abdominal fluid in the hepatic, renal, pancreatic, and pelvic regions. After the diagnosis, a hypolipidic diet was initiated, and good hydration per os was maintained. After gastroenterologic consultation, somatostatin, rifaximin, and ursodehoxycholic acid were initiated and maintained for 8 days. In the following days, laboratory tests showed a slow but consistent decrease in liver and pancreatic enzymes until normalization. In January 2018, the patient underwent second-stage surgery with removal of magnetic bar, definitive posterior fusion, and instrumentation T4-L3. Laboratory tests showed a second, even more significant, increase in the amylase and lipase level and a moderate increase in the reactive C-protein. Therapy was maintained until complete normalization of amylase and lipase levels.

Conclusions

Early recognition of symptoms plays a key role in preventing severe morbidity after scoliosis surgery. When symptoms suggest abdominal complication, pancreatic and liver enzymes are to be evaluated for posing prompt diagnosis. Gastroenterologic consultation and eventual imaging are further steps in differential diagnosis and treatment of this rare complication.

     

Real time noninvasive assessment of external trunk geometry during surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Study design

Retrospective study.

Objective

To evaluate the radiological results of fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation in juvenile idiopathic scoliosis with a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Summary of background data

Progression of spinal deformity after posterior instrumentation and fusion in immature patients has been reported by several authors. Segmental pedicle screw fixation has been shown to be effective in controlling both coronal and sagittal plane deformities. However, there is no long term study of fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation in these group of patients.

Methods

Seven patients with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis treated by segmental pedicle screw fixation and fusion were analyzed. The average age of the patients was 7.4 years (range 5–9 years) at the time of the operation. All the patients were followed up 5 years or more (range 5–8 years) and were all Risser V at the most recent follow up. Three dimensional reconstruction of the radiographs was obtained and 3DStudio Max software was used for combining, evaluating and modifying the technical data derived from both 2d and 3d scan data.

Results

The preoperative thoracic curve of 56 ± 15° was corrected to 24 ± 17° (57% correction) at the latest follow-up. The lumbar curve of 43 ± 14° was corrected to 23 ± 6° (46% correction) at the latest follow-up. The preoperative thoracic kyphosis of 37 ± 13° and the lumbar lordosis of 33 ± 13° were changed to 27 ± 13° and 42 ± 21°, respectively at the latest follow-up. None of the patients showed coronal decompensation at the latest follow-up. Four patients had no evidence of crankshaft phenomenon. In two patients slight increase in Cobb angle at the instrumented segments with a significant increase in AVR suggesting crankshaft phenomenon was seen. One patient had a curve increase in both instrumented and non instrumented segments due to incorrect strategy.

Conclusion

In juvenile idiopathic curves of Risser 0 patients with open triradiate cartilages, routine combined anterior fusion to prevent crankshaft may not be warranted by posterior segmental pedicle screw instrumentation.     

Reversal of childhood idiopathic scoliosis in an adult, without surgery: a case report and literature review

Background

There are no reports describing complications with posterior spinal fusion (PSF) with segmental spinal instrumentation (SSI) using pedicle screw fixation in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis.

Methods

Fifty neuromuscular patients (18 cerebral palsy, 18 Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 8 spinal muscular atrophy and 6 others) were divided in two groups according to severity of curves; group I (< 90°) and group II (> 90°). All underwent PSF and SSI with pedicle screw fixation. There were no anterior procedures. Perioperative (within three months of surgery) and postoperative (after three months of surgery) complications were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

There were fifty (37 perioperative, 13 postoperative) complications. Hemo/pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema requiring ICU care, complete spinal cord injury, deep wound infection and death were major complications; while atelectesis, pneumonia, mild pleural effusion, UTI, ileus, vomiting, gastritis, tingling sensation or radiating pain in lower limb, superficial infection and wound dehiscence were minor complications. Regarding perioperative complications, 34(68%) patients had at least one major or one minor complication. There were 16 patients with pulmonary, 14 with abdominal, 3 with wound related, 2 with neurological and 1 cardiovascular complications, respectively. There were two deaths, one due to cardiac arrest and other due to hypovolemic shock. Regarding postoperative complications 7 patients had coccygodynia, 3 had screw head prominence, 2 had bed sore and 1 had implant loosening, respectively. There was a significant relationship between age and increased intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.024). However it did not increased complications or need for ICU care. Similarly intraoperative blood loss > 3500 ml, severity of curve or need of pelvic fixation did not increase the complication rate or need for ICU. DMD patients had higher chances of coccygodynia postoperatively.

Conclusion

Although posterior-only approach using pedicle screw fixation had good correction rate, complications were similar to previous reports. There were few unusual complications like coccygodynia.     

先天性脊柱侧弯采用后路半椎体切除短节段融合疗效分析

目的:探讨先天性脊柱侧弯采用后路半椎体切除短节段融合治疗的临床疗效。方法:选取2011年1月~2014年1月经我院治疗的120份先天性脊柱侧弯患者,采用后路半椎体切除短节段融合治疗法进行治疗,比较手术前后、最后一次随访的脊柱全长正侧位X线片,测量并记录治疗前后及随访期间脊柱侧弯程度及后凸的Cobb's角。结果:通过治疗患者脊柱侧弯得到明显改善,半椎体节段侧弯Cobb's角术前平均44.2°,术后平均15.1°,平均矫正率为65.8%,末次随访平均14.3°,矫正率64.2%;全主弯Cobb's角术后平均矫正率60.7%,末次随访平均矫正率65.6%;半椎体节段后凸Cobb's角术前平均15.3°,术后为正常范围值;术后和末次随访的头侧、尾侧代偿弯改善明显,5项指标手术前后对比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:先天性脊柱侧弯采用后路半椎体切除短节段融合治疗可以达到显著矫正先天性脊柱侧弯的效果。     

Kyphectomy for severe kyphosis with pyogenic spondylitis associated with myelomeningocele: a case report

A 32-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a refractory ulcer on her back. She had a history of myelomeningocele with spina bifida that was treated surgically at birth. The ulcer was located at the apex of the kyphosis. An X-ray film revealed a kyphosis of 154° between L1 and 3 and a scoliosis of 60° between T11 and L5. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory data indicated the presence of a pyogenic spondylitis at L2/3. To correct the kyphosis and remove the infected vertebrae together with the skin ulcer, kyphectomy was performed. Pedicle screws were inserted from T8 to T12 and from L4 to S1. The dural sac was transected and ligated at L2, followed by total kyphectomy of the L1-L3 vertebrae. The spinal column was reconstructed by approximating the ventral wall of the T12 vertebral body and the cranial endplate of the L4 vertebra. Postoperatively, the kyphosis was corrected to 61° and the scoliosis was corrected to 22°. In the present case, we treated the skin ulcer and pyogenic spondylitis successfully by kyphectomy, thereby, preventing recurrence of the ulcer and infection, and simultaneously obtaining sufficient correction of the spinal deformity.     

后路减压内固定融合矫形治疗退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄的临床研究

目的:探讨后路减压内固定融合矫形治疗退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄的临床疗效。方法:将我院2009年1月~2015年1月收治的退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄患者按照手术方法分为两组,实验组进行后路减压内固定融合矫形术治疗,对照组进行单纯后路减压固定矫形术治疗,对比两组患者术前、术后6个月和18个月的Cobb角、腰椎前凸角、日本骨科学会(JOA)评分、疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)情况,SRS-22国际标准量表评分情况以及出血量情况。结果:实验组术后18个月的Cobb角、腰椎前凸角分别为(16.8±5.16)°和(36.8±5.82)°,均分别低于对照组的(20.2±6.61)°和(41.2±5.67)°,且均低于术前(P0.05),而术前及术后6个月时两组比较无差异(P0.05);两组患者术后6个月和18个月的JOA评分、VAS评分比较均较术前明显改善(P0.05),且组间比较显示,术后18月两组比较均存在显著差异(P0.05);SRS-22国际标准评估量表显示,术后18个月两组患者的自理能力、自我评价、精神状态方面无显著差异(P0.05),而疼痛情况存在显著差异(P0.05)。两组术中出血量比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:后路减压内固定融合矫形术治疗退变性腰椎侧凸伴椎管狭窄疗效显著,且后路减压内固定融合矫形术在改善患者的腰椎侧凸程度、功能障碍及疼痛程度方面优于单纯后路减压矫形内固定术,值得临床推广。     

Instrumented forceps for measuring tensile forces in the rod of the VDS implant during correction of scoliosis.

Ventral derotation spondylodesis (VDS) is the standard in ventral scoliosis surgery. Especially in the thoracic spine, there are no alternatives to VDS with compression and derotation as its correction forces. However, pull-out of the end-vertebra screw during correction of scoliosis with the VDS implant is a common complication involving particularly the cranial end-vertebra screw in the thoracic region. This complication requires an extension of the fusion length or reduces at least the outcome of the correction. There are no in vivo data on correction forces in ventral scoliosis surgery. Thus the correction depends on the skill and experience of the surgeon. An instrumented forceps developed and built to measure forces in the longitudinal rod allows axial tensile forces to be determined in the longitudinal rod during surgery. The instrumented forceps has the advantage of reducing the risk of screw pull-out. Furthermore, viscoelastic behavior of the spine can be measured during ventral correction. In addition, knowledge of the correction forces improves our biomechanical understanding of the spine, especially during correction of scoliosis. Intraoperative force measurement is in no way detrimental to the patient.     

Sagittal plane assessment of spino-pelvic complex in a Central European population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case control study

Background

Scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional deformity. While the frontal profile is well understood, increasing attention has turned to balance in the sagittal plane. The present study evaluated changes in sagittal spino-pelvic parameters in a large Hungarian population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods

EOS 2D/3D images of 458 scoliotic and 69 control cases were analyzed. After performing 3D reconstructions, the sagittal parameters were assessed as a whole and by curve type using independent sample t test and linear regression analysis.

Results

Patients with scoliosis had significantly decreased thoracic kyphosis (p <?0.001) with values T1–T12, 34.1?±?17.1^o vs. 43.4?±?12.7^o in control; T4–T12, 27.1?±?18.8^o vs. 37.7?±?15.1^o in control; and T5–T12, 24.9?±?15.8^o vs. 32.9?±?15.0^o in control. Changes in thoracic kyphosis correlated with magnitude of the Cobb angle (p <?0.001). No significant change was found in lumbar lordosis and the pelvic parameters. After substratification according to the Lenke classification and individually evaluating subgroups, results were similar with a significant decrease in only the thoracic kyphosis. A strong correlation was seen between sacral slope, pelvic incidence, and lumbar lordosis, and between pelvic version and thoracic kyphosis in control and scoliotic groups, whereas pelvic incidence was also seen to be correlated with thoracic kyphosis in scoliosis patients.

Conclusion

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients showed a significant decrease in thoracic kyphosis, and the magnitude of the decrease was directly related to the Cobb angle. Changes in pelvic incidence were minimal but were also significantly correlated with thoracic changes. Changes were similar though not identical to those seen in other Caucasian studies and differed from those in other ethnicities. Scoliotic curves and their effect on pelvic balance must still be regarded as individual to each patient, necessitating individual assessment, although changes perhaps can be predicted by patient ethnicity.

     

Historical overview of spinal deformities in ancient Greece

Little is known about the history of spinal deformities in ancient Greece. The present study summarizes what we know today for diagnosis and management of spinal deformities in ancient Greece, mainly from the medical treatises of Hippocrates and Galen. Hippocrates, through accurate observation and logical reasoning was led to accurate conclusions firstly for the structure of the spine and secondly for its diseases. He introduced the terms kyphosis and scoliosis and wrote in depth about diagnosis and treatment of kyphosis and less about scoliosis. The innovation of the board, the application of axial traction and even the principle of trans-abdominal correction for correction of spinal deformities have their origin in Hippocrates. Galen, who lived nearly five centuries later impressively described scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis, provided aetiologic implications and used the same principles with Hippocrates for their management, while his studies influenced medical practice on spinal deformities for more than 1500 years.     

椎弓根螺钉用于植骨融合术治疗胸腰椎结核的临床研究

目的:探讨椎弓根内固定联合植骨融合术治疗胸腰椎结核的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析2013年5月至2014年5月在我院接受治疗的50例胸腰椎结核患者的临床资料,结合影像资料评价患者手术前后的红细胞沉降率、后凸畸形矫正情况、Frankel分级及术后并发症的发生情况等。结果:所有患者术后病理均证实为脊柱结核,术中27例植入大块自体髂骨,23例植入自体肋骨捆绑植骨。24例采用椎体侧前方钉棒内固定,26例采用后路椎弓根螺钉系统内固定。术中未出现脊髓、神经、血管损伤及血气胸等并发症。患者术后红细胞沉降率获得改善,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后Cobb角明显获得矫正,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。患者术后脊柱损伤程度明显改善,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:椎弓根内固定联合椎体间植骨融合术治疗胸腰椎结核具有良好的临床效果,不仅可以改善红细胞沉降率,而且可以矫正患者脊柱后凸畸形,值得临床推广应用。     

The use of irradiated allograft in a paediatric population: an Indian experience

Lyophilised, irradiated bone allografts available for the first time in the country from the Tata Memorial Hospital Tissue Bank were used in 30 paediatric patients from January 2001 to August 2004. They included 20 patients of scoliosis of various origin and ten with assorted orthopaedic conditions including one congenital kyphosis, two Pott’s spine, one Perthes disease, one developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), one infective non-union, one fibrous dysplasia and three with bone defects either due to trauma, a cyst or removal of hardware. Morsellised allograft was used in 28 patients. In those␣cases of scoliosis in which ribs were resected out during costectomy, the morsellised allograft was␣mixed with morsellised rib autograft. Non-morsellised femoral head grafts were used in two patients, one a case of varus open derotation osteotomy in Perthes disease and the other an acetabuloplasty in DDH. Patients were followed at intervals of 8–12 weeks and radiological evaluation was done periodically. The follow up period ranged from 1 to 4 years post surgery. All patients with scoliosis showed excellent union at the grafting site with non-progression of curve and no signs of loosening at implant site. The two patients, in whom non-morsellised femoral head grafts were used, both showed incorporation of the graft with good fusion within a 4 month period. None of the patient had infection, non-union, pseudoarthrosis, fracture at the graft site, or any other complication.     

Surgical and conservative treatment of patients with congenital scoliosis: α search for long-term results

Background

In view of the limited data available on the conservative treatment of patients with congenital scoliosis (CS), early surgery is suggested in mild cases with formation failures. Patients with segmentation failures will not benefit from conservative treatment. The purpose of this review is to identify the mid- or long-term results of spinal fusion surgery in patients with congenital scoliosis.

Methods

Retrospective and prospective studies were included, reporting on the outcome of surgery in patients with congenital scoliosis. Studies concerning a small numbers of cases treated conservatively were included too. We analyzed mid-term (5 to 7 years) and long-term results (7 years or more), both as regards the maintenance of the correction of scoliosis and the safety of instrumentation, the early and late complications of surgery and their effect on quality of life.

Results

A small number of studies of surgically treated patients were found, contained follow-up periods of 4-6 years that in the most cases, skeletal maturity was not yet reached, and few with follow-up of 36-44 years. The results of bracing in children with congenital scoliosis, mainly in cases with failure of formation, were also studied.

Discussion

Spinal surgery in patients with congenital scoliosis is regarded in short as a safe procedure and should be performed. On the other hand, early and late complications are also described, concerning not only intraoperative and immediate postoperative problems, but also the safety and efficacy of the spinal instrumentation and the possibility of developing neurological disorders and the long-term effect these may have on both lung function and the quality of life of children.

Conclusions

Few cases indicate the long-term results of surgical techniques, in the natural progression of scoliosis. Similarly, few cases have been reported on the influence of conservative treatment. In conclusion, patients with segmentation failures should be treated surgically early, according to the rate of deformity formation and certainly before the pubertal growth spurt to try to avoid cor- pulmonale, even though there is lack of evidence for that in the long-term. Furthermore, in patients with formation failures, further investigation is needed to document where a conservative approach would be necessary.     

Intrathecal Morphine Use in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery is Associated with Decreased Opioid Use and Decreased Length of Stay

BackgroundLength of stay (LOS) in the hospital following posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has decreased over the past decade due to well-defined postoperative clinical pathways, earlier mobilization, and improved pain control methods. Historically, liberal use of parenteral and oral opioids for pain control caused side effects, resulting in delayed discharge. Intraoperative intrathecal morphine (ITM) has been posited to reduce the need for postoperative opioids and to expedite the discharge process. This study examines the relationship between the use of ITM with average required postoperative opioid usage and with average LOS.MethodsThis IRB-approved retrospective cohort study examined 105 patients with AIS who received PSF with instrumentation split into two cohorts. One cohort underwent PSF via standard surgical protocol (n=40) while the other cohort received intraoperative ITM with the standard surgical protocol (n=65). Power analysis demonstrated a study power of 0.8. LOS and total postoperative opioid analgesic medication (morphine milligram equivalent, MME) data were collected. Age at surgery, gender, number of spinal levels fused, estimated intraoperative blood loss (EBL), preoperative Cobb angle, and any complications related to the use of ITM were also recorded. Continuous variables were analyzed with Student’s t-test and categorical variables were analyzed with chi-square independent-sample tests using SAS 9.4 (α = 0.05).ResultsPatients who were treated with ITM displayed shorter LOS (p<0.0001) and reduced postoperative analgesic requirement (p<0.0001). Patients who received ITM spent an average of 1.8 fewer midnights in the hospital and received an average of 221.2 MME less than patients who received standard protocol (57% decrease). There were no significant differences between the two groups for any other variable.ConclusionIntraoperative ITM is a simple and effective treatment for scoliosis surgeons to better control postoperative pain in patients, reduce the risk of dependency, and achieve earlier discharge from the hospital. Shortened LOS reduces the overall cost of care, benefitting patients, hospitals, and insurance companies. Based on the results of this study and several earlier studies, the authors recommended that scoliosis surgeons consider incorporating use of ITM into their standard operative protocols. Level of Evidence: IV     

Vertebral rotation measurement: a summary and comparison of common radiographic and CT methods

Background

The conservative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has traditionally been divided into two phases–correction and stabilisation–and casts, even if less used today, can be considered the best standard in the correction phase. Till the present, however, no comparison between cast and brace efficacy has been proposed.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study with a retrospective control group. The aim was to verify if it is possible to obtain with a specifically developed rigid brace results comparable to a cast. We considered fifty AIS patients who had refused surgery, aged 14.1 ± 1.5 years, with 46.7 ± 7.8° Cobb scoliosis. Thirty-two consecutive patients (with no drop-outs) were prospectively followed up with the Sforzesco brace (SBG), and compared against a retrospective group of eighteen patients treated with the Risser cast (RCG). The treatment time (the total correction phase) was 19 ± 3 months. Out-of-brace x-rays were compared, as well as clinical results.

Results

Compliance and hours of treatment were higher in the RCG while all the other parameters were not different. We observed a reduction of 6° Cobb and an important aesthetic gain in both groups (P<0.05). Three patients (6%) worsened, while 56% improved (36% at least 10°, and 14% 15° or more). The SBG did show results comparable to the RCG, with only minor differences in terms of scoliosis correction. On the contrary, straightening of the spine (decrease of the sagittal physiological curves) was much higher in the RCG but was not clinically significant in the SBG.

Conclusion

In the corrective phase of AIS treatment it is possible with a specific rigid brace (Sforzesco – SPoRT concept) to obtain scoliosis correction similar to cast. Due to the human and social costs of casting, and worst sagittal profile results, Sforzesco brace should be the preferred method wherever possible.     

Postoperative pain management in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a narrative review

Posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is one of the most invasive surgical procedures performed in children and adolescents. Because of the extensive surgical incision and massive tissue trauma, posterior spinal fusion causes severe postoperative pain. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with opioids has been the mainstay of postoperative pain management in these patients. However, the use of systemic opioids is sometimes limited by opioid-related side effects, resulting in poor analgesia. To improve pain management while reducing opioid consumption and opioid-related complications, concurrent use of analgesics and analgesic modalities with different mechanisms of action seems to be rational. The efficacy of intrathecal opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as components of multimodal analgesia in scoliosis surgery has been well established. However, there is either controversy or insufficient evidence regarding the use of other analgesic methods, such as continuous ketamine infusion, perioperative oral gabapentin, acetaminophen, continuous wound infiltration of local anesthetics, a single dose of systemic dexamethasone, and lidocaine infusion in this patient population. Moreover, appropriate combinations of analgesics have not been established. The aim of this literature review is to provide detailed information of each analgesic technique so that clinicians can make appropriate choices regarding pain management in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion.     

The use of Irradiated Allografts in Posterior Spinal Fusion for Healed Tubercular Kyphosis in Children

Post-tubercular spinal kyphosis in children is not only cosmetically unacceptable but functionally disabling as well, as with the progression of the deformity there is a very significant risk of late onset paraplegia. We present our preliminary results in a prospective study of 12 cases of healed post-tubercular kyphosis in children treated with isolated posterior spinal fusion using irradiated allografts and autogenous cancellous grafts.The study included 12 patients of healed post-tubercular kyphosis documented by clinical, radiological and haematological criteria, with >2 spine at risk signs radiologically. The mean age was 7 years. In situ posterior spinal fusion with irradiated allografts and autogenous cancellous bone graft without any instrumentation was done for all the patients. The total follow-up is 5 years (mean 2.8 years).Eight patients (66%) showed a correction of the kyphosis, 3 patients (25%) were static and only 1 patient showed worsening of the deformity. Eleven patients had sound fusion and 1 patient had good fusion but a pseudoarthrosis at the lower vertebral level.Good posterior fusion was achieved because of the judicious use of morcellised, irradiated cancellous allografts with autogenous cancellous grafts. The proposed mechanism of correction is selective anterior column growth vis-à-vis posterior fused mass leading to gradual self-correction and remodelling.Conclusion. In situ posterior spinal fusion with irradiated allografts is a simple, safe, easily reproducible, less morbid surgical procedure with good results which may alter the long term disability of the patients.