Bahadir Gokcen

Osteotomies/spinal column resection in paediatric deformity

Abstract The spinal deformities in paediatric population differ from those in the adult population. Vertebral osteotomies are indicated when the deformity is too rigid to be corrected either with instrumentation alone or with the addition of soft tissue releases. When surgical intervention is to be carried out, correcting the deformity and ceasing progression should be aimed at as well as allowing further growth and improving pulmonary function. Osteotomies in the spine surgery should aim to achieve an appropriate balance in both sagittal and coronal planes. Varied clinical and radiological scenarios necessitate different osteotomy types. The purpose of this article is to introduce each osteotomy type and discuss their indications, prerequisites and complications. Osteotomy options for correcting spinal deformities are Ponte osteotomy, Smith-Petersen osteotomy, pedicle subtraction osteotomy, bone-disc-bone osteotomy and vertebral column resection. All the osteotomy types are technically demanding. Appropriate selection of the type of the osteotomy depends on the surgeons’ experience, type of the deformity, magnitude of the curve, remaining growth potential and operative goals. Neuromonitoring should be an indispensible part of the procedure. Spine osteotomies are effective procedures for the treatment of paediatric spine deformities if experienced surgical team performs them.

The Results of Hemivertebra Resection by the Posterior Approach in Children with a Mean Follow-Up of Five Years

Aim To evaluate the radiologic and clinical results of patients who underwent deformity correction and stabilization for congenital spinal deformities using pedicle screws after hemivertebra resection. Material and Method Nine patients, mean age 9.2, who underwent posterior hemivertebrectomy and transpedicular fixation for congenital spinal deformity and had longer than five years of follow-up were evaluated retrospectively. The hemivertebrae were located in the thoracic region in 4 patients and thoracolumbar transition region in 5 patients. The patients were evaluated radiologically and clinically in the postoperative period. Results Mean length of follow-up was 64.2 months. The mean operating time was 292 minutes. The mean blood loss was 236 mL. The average hospitalization time was 7 days. The amount of correction on the coronal planes was measured as 31%. The mean segmental kyphosis angle was 45.7 degrees preoperatively and it was measured 2.7 degrees in the follow-up period. There were no statistically significant differences between the early postoperative period and final follow-up X-rays with respect to coronal and sagittal plane deformities. Conclusion The ability to obtain a sufficient and balanced correction in the cases accompanied by long compensator curvatures that have a structural character in hemivertebra may require longer fusion levels.

Selective Thoracic Fusion Provides Similar Health-Related Quality of Life but Can Cause More Lumbar Disc and Facet Joint Degeneration: A Comparison of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients With Normal Population 10 Years After Surgery

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the long-term behavior of the lumbar curve in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with selective thoracic fusion and to assess the clinical and radiologic outcomes in this fusion group compared with an age- and gender-matched group. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Selective thoracic fusion for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) preserves lumbar motion segments but leaves a residual deformity. By avoiding fusion of the lumbar spine, a greater mobility may be preserved, which may be an advantage in long-term follow-up in terms of degenerative changes in unfused segments. METHODS Group A included 25 AIS patients with mean a age of 23.8 years and a mean 11.4 years of follow-up. Group B included 30 age- and gender-matched subjects without any deformity. Preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up radiographs were reviewed. All patients had MRIs taken at the final follow-up in order to evaluate disc degeneration (DD) and facet joint degeneration (FJD) at the unfused lumbar spine. Clinical evaluation was done by using Scoliosis Research Society-22R, Oswestry Disability Index, and numerical rating scale. RESULTS Sagittal and coronal balance and lowest instrumented vertebra disc angulation were stable over time. Mean grading of lumbar DD was 2.16 (2-4) in Group A and 1.86 (1-3) in Group B. Lumbar FJDs were 2.05 (1-4) in Group A and 1.60 (1-3) in Group B. There was significant difference between the two groups for DD except for the L4-L5 level (p = .26). FJD was significantly higher in the L1-L2 and L2-L3 levels (L1-L2, p = .002, L2-L3, p = .002) but not for the other levels. Outcome scores were similar without significant differences between the two groups (p > .05). CONCLUSION Selective thoracic fusion provides satisfactory outcomes at more than 10 years of follow-up. Our study demonstrated a moderate increase in the rate of disc degeneration in the unfused segments. Facet joint degeneration was significant at the upper two levels adjacent to the lowest instrumented vertebra.

Does It Make a Difference to Stop Fusion at L3 Versus L4 in Terms of Disc and Facet Joint Degeneration: An MRI Study With Minimum 5 Years Follow-up.

OBJECTIVES To compare the functional outcomes of patients with idiopathic scoliosis who had surgical correction and fusion with all pedicle screw construct down to L3 or L4 and to evaluate whether saving a mobile lumbar motion segment distally would demonstrate any difference in terms of disc degeneration (DD) and facet joint degeneration (FJD) after minimum 5 years follow-up. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Selection of lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) is often difficult when lumbar curve was included into the fusion (L3 vs L4). Saving L4 is believed to be beneficial for preserving motion and preventing degeneration of unfused lumbar spine. METHODS The L3 group included 21 patients (mean age of 21.4) and L4 group included 16 patients (mean age 22.9). Control group included 30 healthy individuals with no spinal deformities (mean age of 23.8). Follow-up lumbar magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were evaluated for each patient in terms of DD and FJD. Clinical evaluation was done by using the Scoliosis Research Society-22r, Oswestry Disability Index, and Numeric Rating Scale. RESULTS Mean follow-up period was 7.4 (5-10) years in the L3 group and 9 (5-17) years in L4 group. Average correction rates for lumbar curve magnitudes were 78% in the L3 group and 79% in the L4 group, with no significant correction loss at the final follow-up. There was no statistical difference for DD in all groups (p > .05). FJD was significantly greater in both L3 and L4 groups compared to the control group (p < .001). Clinical outcome scores were similar among all three groups (p > .05). CONCLUSION Spinal balance and corrections remained stable, without showing any decompensation over time. This midterm MRI study demonstrated similar disc and facet degeneration rates for L3 and L4 groups. FJD at the upper two levels adjacent to the LIV was significant for both surgically treated groups. Clinical outcome scores were similar for all groups at minimum 5 years follow-up.

A New Entry Point and Trajectory for Iliac Bolt Fixation in Patients Undergoing Long Fusion to the Sacrum

Introduction Osteotomy of the posterior superior iliac spine for preparation of traditional iliac screw entry point exposes the cancellous bone of the inner ilium and causes loss of circumferential cortical starting point which may compromise biomechanical stability. For this reason, traditional iliac screws may not provide the desired primary stability especially in osteopenic and osteoporotic patients. We describe a new free-hand technique with a starting point located at the posterior inferior iliac spine (PIIS), which does not require any decortication for entry and courses very close to the rigid subcortical bone over sciatic notch while providing a low profile fixation and easier connection with S1 screw. The aim of this study is to evaluate the result of this new iliac bolt fixation technique. Patients and Methods A total of 26 patients (21 F and 5 M) having lumbopelvic fixation with the new technique were reviewed. The new entry point is located at the midpoint of PIIS. Lateral cortex of distal iliac wing is exposed subperiosteally and sciatic notch was palpated for safe trajectory. Screw trajectory is intended to be parallel to the outer cortex of ilium, passing 1 to 1.5 cm above the sciatic notch. PIIS provides a rigid circumferential cortical starting point for entrance and trajectory through thick cortical iliac bone over sciatic notch which provides very strong screw purchase even in osteopenic and osteoporotic spine. New entry point also enables easier connection to S1 screw. Free-hand technique eliminates radiation exposure. Pre-op, post-op, and follow-up X-rays were reviewed for the radiological data. Results Mean age was 63.6 years (range, 19–84 years) and mean follow-up was 14 months (range, 12–18 months). Mean screw length was 93.46 mm (range, 80–110 mm). Screw diameters were 8.5 mm in 22 patients and 7.5 mm in 4 patients. Lumbosacral fusion was achieved in all the cases. There were no neurovascular injuries related to the sciatic nerve and gluteal artery during screw placement. There were no implant failures or screw breakage at end of final follow-up. Conclusion This new technique seems to be a viable option in patients undergoing fusion to the sacrum for iliac bolt fixation. PIIS provides a circumferential cortical starting point and low profile fixation with stronger screw purchase especially in osteoporotic patients.

Modified Posterior Vertebral Column Resection for the Treatment of Vertebral Infections in Elderly Patients

Introduction Modified posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) technique described in this study enables resection of infected material, decompression of the spinal canal, restoration of the anterior column, and posterior stabilization at the same time. Multilevel resections (two or more) can be performed with low-complication rates. Patients and Methods A total of 24 elderly patients (16 females and 8 males average age of 73.8 years [range, 68–83 years]) with pulmonary comorbidity were included. Etiologic diagnoses were spinal tuberculosis in 10 patients and nonspecific spondylodiscitis in 14 patients. Surgical technique included placement of fenestrated titanium pedicle screws, followed by hemilaminectomy, unilateral pediculectomy, decompression of the spinal canal by subtotal vertebrectomy, and anterior column support by expandable cage. One level above and one level below prophylactic vertebroplasty were performed. Results There were 6 single level, 17 two level, and 1 four level resections. The mean operation time was 2.5 hours and the average blood loss was 670 mL. Average follow-up was 47 months (range, 14–80 months). Average resected level was 1.9 (range, 1–4). The mean preoperative local kyphosis angle 32.7∞ was decreased by 67.8%. Overall, 14 patients with partial neurologic deficit (10 patients ASIA grade D and 4 patients ASIA grade C) had significant improvement. The major complications were post-op deep infection in three patients (12.5%) and death because of the cardiac failure in one (4%) patient. The minor complication rate was 29.1% with three hematomas and four dural tears. None of the remaining patients required revision surgery for recurrence of infection or implant failure or pseudoarthrosis. Conclusion Modified PVCR seems to be good alternative to anterior or combined A + P approaches in treatment of vertebral infections in elderly patients with pulmonary comorbidity, as technique enables multilevel resections (two or more) with low-recurrence and low-complication rates.

Paper #3: Sliding-Growing Rod Technique for Management of Early-Onset Scoliosis

Introduction: The main goal of treatment in early-onset scoliosis is to obtain and maintain curve correction while simultaneously preserving spinal, trunk, and lung growth. This study introduces a new surgical strategy, called the sliding-growing rod technique, developed to treat spinal deformities without necessity of repeated operative lengthenings. The results of patients treated with this technique for early onset spinal deformities with > 1 year follow-up was evaluated.