We present the results of correcting a double or triple curve
adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using a convex segmental pedicle
screw technique. We reviewed 191 patients with a mean age at surgery of 15 years
(11 to 23.3). Pedicle screws were placed at the convexity of each
curve. Concave screws were inserted at one or two cephalad levels
and two caudal levels. The mean operating time was 183 minutes (132
to 276) and the mean blood loss 0.22% of the total blood volume
(0.08% to 0.4%). Multimodal monitoring remained stable throughout
the operation. The mean hospital stay was 6.8 days (5 to 15).Aims
Patients and Methods
The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of the elbow joint in patients with heterotopic ossification of the elbow joint who underwent surgical excision of pathologic bone. From 5/1994 to 12/2006, 24 patients (33 joints) with heterotopic ossification of the elbow joint were evaluated. All patients were attended in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The patient\’s age ranged from 19–48 years (mean; 32 years) The median ICU hospitalization was 3 weeks. In nine patients both elbows were affected. Unilateral involvement was equally noticed to the right (seven cases) and the left elbow (eight cases). The DASH SCORE and the range of motion were used for the evaluation of the results. All patients underwent surgical treatment in order to extract heterotopic bone and to improve the range of motion of the affected elbow joint. Postoperatively 18 out of 33 operated elbow joints (54.54%) demonstrated improvement of the range of motion, whereas no improvement was observed in the remaining 15 elbow joints (45.45%). Higher DASH SCORE was obtained in 19 out of 24 patients (79.17%). Surgical excision of the ectopic bone around the affected elbow significantly improves the range of motion of the joint providing better use of the upper extremity and therefore a superior quality of life in these patients.
