Pankaj Kandwal

Anterior versus posterior procedure for surgical treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Approach for surgical treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis has been controversial. The aim of present study is to compare the clinical, radiological and functional outcome of anterior versus posterior debridement and spinal fixation for the surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: 70 patients with spinal tuberculosis treated surgically between Jan 2001 and Dec 2006 were included in the study. Thirty four patients (group I) with mean age 34.9 years underwent anterior debridement, decompression and instrumentation by anterior transthoracic, transpleural and/or retroperitoneal diaphragm cutting approach. Thirty six patients (group II) with mean age of 33.6 years were operated by posterolateral (extracavitary) decompression and posterior instrumentation. Various parameters like blood loss, surgical time, levels of instrumentation, neurological recovery, and kyphosis improvement were compared. Fusion assessment was done as per Bridwell criteria. Functional outcome was assessed using Prolo scale. Mean followup was 26 months. Results: Mean surgical time in group I was 5 h 10 min versus 4 h 50 min in group II (P>0.05). Average blood loss in group I was 900 ml compared to 1100 ml in group II (P>0.05). In group I, the percentage immediate correction in kyphosis was 52.27% versus 72.80% in group II. Satisfactory bony fusion (grades I and II) was seen in 100% patients in group I versus 97.22% in group II. Three patients in group I needed prolonged immediate postoperative ICU support compared to one in group II. Injury to lung parenchyma was seen in one patient in group I while the anterior procedure had to be abandoned in one case due to pleural adhesions. Functional outcome (Prolo scale) in group II was good in 94.4% patients compared to 88.23% patients in group I. Conclusion: Though the anterior approach is an equally good method for debridement and stabilization, kyphus correction is better with posterior instrumentation and the posterior approach is associated with less morbidity and complications.

Pedicle morphometry in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: The key to the safe and effective use of thoracic pedicle screws in the deformed spine is to thoroughly understand pedicle anatomy. There are a few studies related to pedicle anatomy in the Indian population and no pedicle morphometric studies in scoliosis patients. The present study aims to highlight the differential features of pedicle morphometry, including pedicle width, transverse pedicle angle and the depth to anterior cortex on the concave and convex side, in a group of Indian patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and compare this to that of a western population. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 24 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The average age is 14.6 years (12.3-18.3 years) of which 14 were females and 10 were males. All the patients underwent CT scan using Siemens 4th generation scanner. The scans were analyzed by measuring the transverse pedicle width, transverse pedicle angle and the chord length; all the measurements being made both on the convex as well as the concave pedicle. Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired ‘t’ test. Results: A total of 1295 measurements were performed from 24 patients and an average of 215 pedicles were assessed for each set of the measurements made. The transverse pedicle width was consistently found to be smaller on concave side in comparison with the convex side at all levels except at T1. The transverse pedicle angle was greater on the concave side at all levels as compared to the convex side, though there was wide individual variation. The depth to anterior cortex was lesser on convex side in comparison to the concave side except at T1. Conclusions: The concave pedicle is much thinner and directed more medially than the convex side, especially at the apical region of the scoliotic curve. The pedicle anatomy in scoliosis patients shows very high individual variations and a careful study of pre-operative CT scans is essential for planning proper pedicle screw placement. Slightly longer screws can be accommodated on the concave side as compared to the convex side, though the difference in the chord length is not statistically significant at most levels.

Management of Tuberculous Infection of the Spine

Spinal tuberculosis accounts for nearly half of all cases of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. It is primarily a medical disease and treatment consists of a multidrug regimen for 9–12 months. Surgery is reserved for select cases of progressive deformity or where neurological deficit is not improved by anti-tubercular treatment. Technology refinements and improved surgical expertise have improved the operative treatment of spinal tuberculosis. The infected spine can be approached anteriorly or posteriorly, in a minimally invasive way. We review the various surgical techniques used in the management of spinal tuberculosis with focus on their indications and contraindications.

Staged Anterior Release and Posterior Instrumentation in Correction of Severe Rigid Scoliosis (Cobb Angle >100 Degrees)

PURPOSE Severe rigid curves present a big challenge to the treating spine surgeon. We evaluated the outcome of staged anterior release and posterior instrumentation for rigid scoliosis. METHODS Twenty-one patients with an average age of 14.4 years (range 11-17) having a rounded severe rigid scoliosis (Cobb angle >100 degrees) underwent surgical correction. Six patients had congenital scoliosis, 13 idiopathic scoliosis, and 2 syndromic. All patients underwent anterior release in Stage I with one or more Ponte osteotomies and in Stage II with all pedicle screw instrumentation, and 13 of the patients underwent an asymmetric pedicle subtraction osteotomy at the apex. Patients were assessed for deformity correction, operative time, blood loss, and any complications. RESULTS The preoperative Cobb angle of 116.6 degrees (range 101-124 degrees) improved to 74.0 degrees (range 54-86 degrees) after anterior release: 29.4% correction and the final postoperation Cobb angle after posterior instrumentation was 26.5 degrees (range 22-32 degrees), with final 76% correction. The average blood loss in anterior release was 585.95 mL (range 400-980 mL; % estimated blood volume = 19.5%), whereas the mean operative time was 223 minutes (165-315 minutes). One patient had prolonged chest drain and two, basal atelectasis following anterior release. The mean operative time for the posterior procedure was 340 minutes (range 280-420 minutes) and average blood loss was 2,066 mL (range 1,200-3,200 mL). The mean apical axial rotation of 56 degrees (range 26-79 degrees) improved to 28 degrees (range 9-42 degrees) (p < .05). There was loss of motor evoked potential signal in one and hook pullout, superficial infection, and local skin necrosis one case each. CONCLUSION The staged approach to the management of severe, rigid scoliosis helps get an excellent correction. Anterior release loosens up the rigid apex and provides with nearly 30% correction so that the extent of the osteotomies in the second stage from the back is substantially reduced, allowing for a final good correction.

Subacute post-traumatic ascending myelopathy (SPAM): Two cases of SPAM following surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures

To report two cases of traumatic paraplegia who developed Sub-acute Post-Traumatic Ascending Myelopathy (SPAM) following surgical decompression.We hereby report two cases (both 35yr old male) with traumatic paraplegia that developed ascending weakness at 3rd and 5th Post-Op day respectively following surgical decompression. Both the patients experienced remarkable improvement in Neurology after treatment with steroids. The authors conclude by emphasizing on minimum cord handling during surgical decompression of the spinal cord to avoid this potentially life threatening complication.

Back Pain in Children- How Sinister?

Incidence of back pain among children and adolescents is gradually increasing. Children undergo extensive diagnostic workup that ultimately results in a nonconfirmative diagnosis. A good history and clinical examination can, to a large extent help differentiate non-specific from organic causes of backache. Diagnostic workup may be initiated if symptoms are severe and/or persistant. The authors review some of the common causes of back pain in pediatric population, clinical presentations, and the relevant investigations along with their management.

Severe Rigid Scoliosis: Review of Management Strategies and Role of Spinal Osteotomies

Severe rigid curves pose a considerable challenge to the treating spine surgeon. In our practice, approximately 30%–40% of patients with scoliosis present late with severe rigid scoliosis (>90° and <30% correction on bending films). Controversy still exists with regard to the ideal surgical strategy for correcting these rigid curves. Rigid scoliosis often presents in the form of either sharp angular or rounded deformities. Rounded deformities can be effectively managed with an anterior release to loosen the apex and posterior instrumentation (with osteotomies, if required). In contrast, severe rigid scoliosis, which is a sharp angular deformity, is not very amenable to anterior release and is best managed by posterior-only vertebral column resection and posterior instrumentation.

5-year minimum follow-up study of Surgical & Radiological outcomes of Thoracoscopic assisted Anterior Instrumented fusion compared to posterior hook and pedicle screw instrumentation in the treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Group 2 &3 Posterior Instrumentation (PI): 91 patients, average age 14.2 yrs. The posterior group was divided into all Hook/ hybrid (Group 2, n=45) and all Pedicle screw construct (Group 3, n=46), for evaluation of radiological outcomes. The groups were compared for various surgical and radiological outcomes at immediate post-op, 2 and 5 year intervals. Average follow-up 6.6 years (5-12 yrs). Results The groups were similar with regards to age, Risser grade, and Cobb angle of Main Thoracic curve.

Comment on Butt et al.: Management of unstable thoracolumbar spinal injuries by posterior short segment spinal fixation

Dear Editor, We have read the article [1] with great interest, and we want to applaud the authors’ efforts to simplify a rather controversial topic. We differ from the authors regarding the management of unstable thoracolumbar spinal injuries and would like to add a few salient points. Short segment fixation has been shown to have higher rates of pedicle screw failure, which is thought to result from cyclic loading combined with poor anterior column support [3]. In our opinion this may be the cause of the high rates of hardware failure in the authors’ series. As also rightly mentioned by the authors in their Discussion, posterior instrumentation alone cannot reconstitute anterior column support and is therefore somewhat weaker in compression than anterior instrumentation [2]. Some surgeons suggest using fixation two levels above and below the injured segment in severely comminuted vertebrae, particularly if bone quality is poor or in areas of higher stress concentration such as the thoracolumbar junction, taking care of mobile lumbar segments [4]. This has been clearly mentioned by the authors too, but not taken care of. Transpedicular bone grafting has been suggested as a means of improving the anterior column support, though the results are not encouraging [3]. In the case of vertebral body height loss >50% or extensive comminution, pedicle screws are placed two levels above and below the fractured vertebrae. If there is <50% height loss, an attempt at short segment stabilisation is undertaken, with the recommendation that short transpedicular screws should be inserted at the level of the fracture [5]. Finally, we would like to draw the authors’ attention to the “load-sharing classification” of McCormack et al., where a score is assigned to the degree of vertebral body comminution, fracture fragment apposition and kyphosis. Patients with a score >6 would be better treated with addition of anterior column reconstruction [6].