Aims

To describe the clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes in patients with isolated congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis who were treated with three-column osteotomy by posterior-only approach.

Aims. The aim of this study is to introduce and investigate the efficacy and feasibility of a new vertebral osteotomy technique, vertebral column decancellation (VCD), for rigid thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity (TLKD) secondary to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). . Patients and Methods. We took 39 patients from between January 2009 and January 2013 (26 male, 13 female, mean age 37.4 years, 28 to 54) with AS and a TLKD who underwent VCD (VCD group) and compared their outcome with 45 patients (31 male, 14 female, mean age 34.8 years, 23 to 47) with AS and TLKD, who underwent pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO group), according to the same selection criteria. The technique of VCD was performed at single vertebral level in the thoracolumbar region of AS patients according to classification of AS kyphotic deformity. Pre- and post-operative chin-brow vertical angle (CBVA), sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and sagittal Cobb angle in the thoracolumbar region were reviewed in the VCD and PSO groups. Intra- , post-operative and general complications were analysed in both group. Results. lf patients could lie on their backs and walk with horizontal vision and sagittal profile, radiographic parameters improved significantly post-operatively in both groups. No major acute complications such as death or complete paralysis occurred in either group. In the VCD group, five patients (12.8%) experienced complications such as severe CSF leak (n = 4), deep wound infection (n = 1) and in one patient a transient neurological deficit occurred. In the PSO group, eight patients (17.8%) suffered conditions such as severe CSF leak (n = 5), infections (n = 2) and sagittal translation at osteotomy site (n = 1). Scoliosis Research Society outcomes instrument (SRS-22) improved significantly in both groups. All patients achieved solid fusion at latest follow-up and no implant failures were noted in either group. Take home message: The VCD technique is a new, safe and effective strategy for correction of rigid TLKD in AS patients. The main advantage of the new correction mechanism is that it achieved a satisfactory correction by controlled anterior column opening and posterior column closing, avoiding the occurrence of sagittal translation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:672–8

Introduction. Orthopaedic rehabilitation of adolescences and young adults with high dislocation of the femur is rather challenging. The role of palliative salvage procedures is controversial enough in the cohort of patients. Materials and Methods. Treatment outcomes of 10 patients with congenital hip dislocation were analyzed. Mean age at intervention was 17,8 years (15–22). The grade of dislocation were assessed according to Eftekhar: type C − 2, type D − 8. The mean baseline shortening was 4.7±0.36 cm. All subjects underwent PSO with the Ilizarov method. Another osteotomy for lengthening and realignment was produced at the boundary of the upper and middle third of the femur. The mean time in the Ilizarov frame was 5.3 months. Results. The mean follow-up was 2.6±.1 years (range, 15 to 32 years). Limb shortening of 1 cm to 1. 1. /. 2. cm was observed in four cases. Functional outcomes according to d'Aubigne-Postel were: Pain 4,4±0,15 points. ROM − 4,1±0,3 points. Walking ability − 4,5±0,2 points. Two cases had good results (15–17 points), and seven patients had fair outcomes (12–14 points). A poor result (7 points) was recorded in one female patient 28 years after PSO followed by THA. Conclusions. Hip reconstruction with the Ilizarov method can be used in specific clinical situations as an alternative salvage procedure to delay THR in young patients with high dislocation of the femur

Introduction: Correction of lumbar spine deformity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be achieved by pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), polysegmental osteotomy (PO) or Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO). We report our results with these three techniques. Methods: 26 males and 5 females with AS and average age of 54.7 years (range 40–74 years) underwent surgery for loss of sagittal balance, horizontal gaze and back pain. 12 patients underwent PSO, 10 SPO, and 9 PO. Osteotomy was carried out at L3 in PSO and SPO with pedicle fixation from T11 to S1. 9 patients with PO had osteotomy from L2–5 and fixation from T10-S1. Sagittal translation during corrective manoeuvre was controlled in 21 patients by application of temporary malleable rods, which were substituted with permanent rods. TLSO was used post-operatively for average period of three months. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years (range 1–9 years). Radiographic and clinical outcomes (ODI, VAS, SRS-22) were analysed. Results: Mean kyphotic correction in PSO was 380 (range 250–490), in PO was 300 (range 280–400) and in SPO was 280 (range 240–380). The sacrohorizontal angle improved by 190(range 50–300) in PSO, 210 (range 80–280) in PO and 150 (range 50–180) in SPO. Outcome scores were better in PSO and PO as compared to SPO. Blood loss and transient nerve root palsy was slightly higher in PSO group. One patient with SPO had fatal bleeding as a result of aortic injury. Conclusions: Regular use of temporary malleable rods is recommended to prevent sagittal translation during correction reducing the risk of neurological injury. Better correction of deformity was achieved with PSO and PO at the expense of increased blood loss. SPO can increase the risk of vascular injury, therefore we recommend PSO and PO for correction of deformity in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Purpose. compare the radiological results in sagittal balance correction obtained with pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) versus anterior-posterior osteotomy (APO) by double approach in adults. Material and Methods. between January of 2001 and July of 2009, fifty-eight vertebral osteotomies were carried out in fifty-six patients: 9 Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO), one vertebral resection osteotomy (VRO), 30 anterior-posterior osteotomies (APO) and 18 pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSO), being the lasts two groups the sample studied (48 osteotomies). The mean age of the patients was 56.3 years (17–72). Initial diagnose was: 28 posttraumathic kyphosis, 7 postsurgical kyphosis, 7 adult degenerative disease, 4 ankylosing spondylitis and 2 congenital kyphoscoliosis. We evaluated the preoperative standing radiographs, the postoperative and at final follow-up by digital measurements with iPACS system viewer (© Real Time Image, USA, 2001). The mean follow-up was 54 months (6–98), and complications were analized. Results. The group APO had a mean preoperative thoracic kyphosis of 67 °, a mean lumbar lordosis of −42° and a mean sagital balance of 8.6°. The group PSO had a mean preoperative thoracic kyphosis of 41°, a mean lumbar lordosis of −22° and a mean sagital balance of 12.3°. The mean correction in the APO group was 29° in its thoracic kyphosis, 8° of lumbar lordosis and 6.5° in its sagital balance. The mean correction in the PSO group was 12° of the thoracic kyphosis, 25 in the lumbar lordosis and 8.4 cm in the sagital balance. The local correction obtained at the osteotomy level was 28° in the APO group and 25.3° in the PSO group. There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of correction between both groups (p>0.05). In terms of complications, PSO group had lower complication rate (26.6%) comparing to ODV group (44.5%). Conclusions. APO and PSO are useful techniques to correct the global sagital balance in patients with a disturbance of the sagittal profile. The correction obtained with the PSO is similar to obtained with the APO. Patients undergoing an OSP had a lower complication rate than patients undergoing APO

In posterior fixation for deformity correction and spinal fusion, there is increasing discussion around auxiliary rods secured to the pedicle screws, sharing the loads, and reducing stresses in the primary rods. Dual-rod, multiaxial screws (DRMAS) provide two rod mounting points on a single screw shaft to allow unique constructs and load-sharing at specific vertebrae. These implants provide surgical flexibility to add auxiliary rods across a pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) or over multiple vertebral levels where higher bending loads are anticipated in primary rods. Other options include fixed-angle devices as multiple rod connectors (MRC) and variable-angle dominoes (VAD) with a single-axis rotation in the connection. The objective in this simulation study was to assess rod bending in adult spinal instrumentation across an osteotomy using constructs with DRMAS, MRC, or VAD multi-rod connections. The study was performed using computer biomechanical models of two adult patients having undergone posterior instrumented spinal fusion for deformity. The models were patient-specific, incorporating the biomechanics of the spine, have been calibrated to assess deformity correction and intra- and postoperative loads across the instrumented spine. One traditional bilateral-rod construct was used as a control for six multi-rod configurations. Spinal fixation scenarios from T10 through S1 with the PSO at L4 were simulated on each patient-specific model. The multi-rod configurations were bilateral and unilateral DRMAS at L2 through S1 (B-DRMAS and U-DRMAS), bilateral DRMAS at L3 and L5 (Hybrid), bilateral MRC over L3-L5, bilateral and unilateral VAD over L3-L5 (B-VAD and U-VAD). Postoperative gravity plus 8-Nm flexion and extension loads were simulated and bending moments in the rods were computed and compared. In the simulated control for each case (#1 & #2), average rod bending moments (of the right and left rods) at the PSO level were 6.7Nm & 5.5Nm, respectively, in upright position, 8.8Nm & 7.3Nm in 8-Nm flexion, and 4.6Nm & 3.7Nm in 8-Nm extension. When the primary rods of the multi-rod constructs were normalized to this control, the bending moments in the primary rods of Case #1 & #2 were respectively 57% & 58% (B-DRMAS), 54% & 62% (B-VAD), 60% & 61% (MRC), 72% & 69% (Hybrid), 81% & 70% (U-DRMAS), and 81% & 73% (U-VAD). Overall, the reduction in primary rod bending moments ranged from 19–46% for standing loads. Under simulated 8-Nm functional moments, the primary rod moments were reduced by 18–46% in flexion and 17–48% in extension. More rods and stiffer connections produced the largest reductions for the primary rods, but auxiliary rods had bending moments that varied from 49% lower to 13% higher than the primary ones. Additional rods through DRMAS, MRC, and VAD connections noticeably reduced the bending loads in the primary rods compared with a standard bilateral-rod construct. Yet, bending loads in the auxiliary rods were higher or lower than those in the primary rods depending on the 3D spinal deformity and stiffness of the auxiliary rod connections. Additional studies and patient-specific analyses are needed to optimize instrumentation parameters that may improve load-sharing in these constructs

Cardiac disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has previously been studied but not in patients with a kyphosis or in those who have undergone an operation to correct it. . The aim of this study was to measure the post-operative changes in cardiac function of patients with an AS kyphosis after pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). The original cohort consisted of 39 patients (33 men, six women). Of these, four patients (two men, two women) were lost to follow-up leaving 35 patients (31 men, four women) to study. The mean age of the remaining patients was 37.4 years (22.3 to 47.8) and their mean duration of AS was 17.0 years (4.6 to 26.4). Echocardiographic measurements, resting heart rate (RHR), physical function score (PFS), and full-length standing spinal radiographs were obtained before surgery and at the two-year follow-up. The mean pre-operative RHR was 80.2 bpm (60.6 to 112.3) which dropped to a mean of 73.7 bpm (60.7 to 90.6) at the two-year follow-up (p = 0.0000). Of 15 patients with normal ventricular function pre-operatively, two developed mild left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) at the two-year follow-up. Of 20 patients with mild LVDD pre-operatively only five had this post-operatively. Overall, 15 patients had normal LV diastolic function before their operation and 28 patients had normal LV function at the two-year follow-up. The clinical improvement was 15 out of 20 (75.0%): cardiac function in patients with AS whose kyphosis was treated by PSO was significantly improved. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1405–10

Although acetabular centre positioning has a profound effect on hip joint function, there are very few studies describing accurate methods of defining the acetabular centre position in 3D space. Clinical and plain radiographic methods are inaccurate and unreliable. We hypothesize that a 3D CT-based system would provide a gender-specific scaled frame of reference defining the hip centre coordinates in relation to easily identifiable pelvic anatomic landmarks. CT scans of thirty-seven normal hips (19 female and 18 male) were analysed. The ratios of the hip centre coordinates to their corresponding pelvic dimensions represented its horizontal (x), vertical (y), and posterior (z) scaled offsets (HSO, VSO, and PSO). The mean HSO for females was 0.08 ± 0.018, mean VSO was 0.35 ± 0.018, and mean PSO was 0.36 ± 0.017. For males HSO averaged 0.10 ± 0.014, VSO was 0.32 ± 0.015, and PSO was 0.38 ± 0.013. There was a statistically significant gender difference in all three scaled offsets (p=0.04, 0.002, and 0.03 for HSO, VSO, and PSO respectively). Inter-observer agreement tests showed a mean intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.95. We conclude that this frame of reference is gender-specific giving a unique scale to the patient and allowing reliable derivation of the position of the hip centre from the pelvic dimensions alone. The gender differences should be borne in mind when positioning the centre of a reconstructed hip joint. Using this method, malpositioning, particularly in the antero-posterior (or z) axis, can be identified and addressed in a malfunctioning hip replacement. Pathological states, such as dysplasia and protrusio, can also be accurately described and surgery addressing them can be precisely planned

Purpose: To determine the results and safety of patients undergoing|spinal cord level (SCL) pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for thetreatment of thoracic kyphosis. Methods: Retrospective chart and radiographic review of 25 patients with severe thoracic kyphosis. Results: The underlying diagnoses were: tumour (8), Scheuermann’s Kyphosis (4), degenerative/osteoporosis (3), fracture (3), inflammatory|(2), neurofibromatosis (2), congenital kyphosis (1), tuberculosis (1), and infected tumour (1). The osteotomy was combined with a lumbar PSO in|five patients. Three patients were treated with double thoracic|osteotomies. Two PSOs were extended transdiscally to debride the|infected disc. The mean focal PSO correction was 33.6° (range 9°–73°). The overall thoracic kyphosis measured from T5 to T12 improved from a|mean of 58.3° preoperatively to 37.1° postoperatively. Estimated blood|loss ranged from 400cc to 12500cc. All patients presenting with spinal|cord dysfunction neurologically improved postoperatively. There were 2 major neurological complications. One patient developed postoperative | progressive paraplegia following a prolonged period of intra- and | postoperative severe hypotension and coagulopathy. The other developed a| pseudoarthrosis five months postoperatively and suffered an incomplete|spinal cord injury during the subsequent revision. Other complications included: T3 radicular pain (1) -resolved; dural tears (2); respiratory failure -prolonged ICU admission(1); fractures proximal to the thoracic (2) and distal to lumbar (1) instrumentation; incomplete corrections of the sagittal alignment despite double osteotomies (2); wound breakdown associated with preoperative radiation (1).|. Conclusions: SCL-PSO is a feasible option for severe thoracic kyphosis. This procedure eliminates the need for anterior surgery; however, it does not reduce the potential for significant morbidity

Object. Our purpose is to evaluate early benefits and complications of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for patients with fixed thoracolumbar kyphotic deformities. Background. The fixed sagittal imbalance is a syndrome in which the patient is only able to stand with the weight-bearing line in front of the sacrum [. 1. ]. Its etiology could be very different, but usually it is due to idiopathic scoliosis or degenerative sagittal imbalance [. 2. ]. Different techniques are reported in the literature for its correction [. 3. ]. In particular, in the last few years, the PSO is affirming as a good technique in correcting the fixed thoracolumbar sagittal deformity, with its three column osteotomy [. 1. –. 3. ]. Materials and Methods. From December 2005 to July 2006 the first 10 PSOs for patients with fixed symptomatic thoracolumbar sagittal deformity were performed in our Spine Center. All 10 were female (100%). Mean age was 63.8±5.3 (55–71). The diagnosis was idiopathic scoliosis in 7 cases (70%), degenerative sagittal imbalance in 3 (30%). Patients had undergone a mean of 1.5±0.97 (0–3) operative procedures prior to the PSO. Results. A pedicle subtraction was always performed between the level L1 and L4. An average of 10±2.9 (7–16) vertebral levels were included in the spinal fusion. Intraoperative estimated blood loss was 1300±305 (800–1800) mL, operative time was 298.5±37.5 (250–360) minutes. An average increase in lumbar lordosis of 28.3±12.1 (8–51) degree was established with this technique: the transpedicular wedge resection contributed 73.5%±25.4% (19.4±6.1 degree) of this correction; the remaining correction came from multilevel facetectomy. The average improvement in the sagittal plumb line was 4.3±5.1 (from −5 to +15) cm. There were 8 (80%) perioperative complications: 4 major (1 subdural hematoma; 1 pulmonary embolism; 1 fracture of the upper end vertebrae; 1 pemanent neurologic deficit); 4 minor (1 transient neurologic deficit; 3 wound dehiscences). Most patients reported improvement in terms of pain and self image as well as overall satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusions. Pedicle subtraction osteotomy is a useful procedure in correcting fixed sagittal thoracolumbar imbalance. Often it is well-tolerated, but certainly this is a technically demanding procedure with high perioperative complication rates

The Pelvic Support Osteotomy (PSO) or Ilizarov Hip Reconstruction(IHR) is well described for the treatment of septic sequelae of infancy. The purpose of this study was to clinically, functionally and radiographically assess our short-term results of this procedure. 25 patients (16 boys, 9 girls) who had undergone a IHR using the Ilizarov/TSF construct over a period of 10 years for a variety of pathologies were reviewed. The mean age at surgery was 15 years 4 months. The pre-operative diagnoses were SCFE(10), hip sepsis (6), DDH (6) and Perthes (3). All had significant leg length discrepancies, 16 had a painful stiff hip, 6 had a painful mobile hip and 3 had a painless unstable hip. At surgery, a mean measured proximal valgus angle of 51° and a mean extension angle of 15° was achieved. Distal femoral lengthening averaged 4.2 cm and distal varus correction was a mean of 8°. The mean fixator time was 173 days. At a mean of 2 years and 7 months follow-up the lower-extremity length discrepancy had improved from a mean of 5.6 cm apparent shortening to 2.3 cm. Trendelenberg sign was eliminated in 18/25 cases. Improvements in range of hip movements and gait parameters were observed. Stance time asymmetry, step length asymmetry, pelvic dip and trunk lurch improved significantly. One patient had conversion to a total hip replacement after 7 years, 4 patients required re-do PSO due to remodelling of the proximal osteotomies, two had heterotopic ossification and two had significant knee stiffness due to lack of compliance. The early results of IHR are encouraging to equalise limb lengths, negate trendelenburg gait, provide a mobile hip with a reasonable axis and the possibility of conversion to THR in the future if needed. Complications need to be anticipated and the effects of remodelling and maintaining adequate knee range of motion must be emphasised

Aim. The Pelvic Support Osteotomy (PSO) or Ilizarov Hip Reconstruction(IHR) is well described for the treatment of septic sequelae of infancy. The purpose of this study was to clinically, functionally and radiographically assess our short-term results of this procedure. Method. 25 patients (16 boys, 9 girls) who had undergone an IHR using the Ilizarov/TSF construct over a period of 10 years for a variety of pathologies were reviewed. Results. The mean age at surgery was 15 years 4 months. The pre-operative diagnoses were SCFE(10), hip sepsis (6), DDH (6) and Perthes (3). All had significant leg length discrepancies, 16 had a painful stiff hip, 6 had a painful mobile hip and 3 had a painless unstable hip. At surgery, a mean measured proximal valgus angle of 51? and a mean extension angle of 15? was achieved. Distal femoral lengthening averaged 4.2cm and distal varus correction was a mean of 8?. The mean fixator time was 173 days. At a mean of 2 years and 7 months follow-up the lower-extremity length discrepancy had improved from a mean of 5.6cm apparent shortening to 2.3cm. Trendelenberg sign was eliminated in 18/25 cases. Improvements in hip movements and gait parameters were observed. Stance time asymmetry, step length asymmetry, pelvic dip and trunk lurch improved significantly. One patient had conversion to a total hip replacement after 7 years, 4 patients required re-do PSO due to remodelling of the proximal osteotomies, two had heterotopic ossification and two had significant knee stiffness due to lack of compliance. Conclusion. The early results of IHR are encouraging to equalise limb lengths, negate Trendelenburg gait, provide a mobile hip with a reasonable axis and the possibility of conversion to THR in the future if needed. Potential complications need to be anticipated, the effects of remodelling and maintaining adequate knee range of motion must be emphasised

Aims

There is a paucity of information on the pre-operative coronal imbalance in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and its influence on surgical outcomes.

Our aim was to determine whether abnormalities noted on MRI immediately after reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip could predict the persistance of dysplasia and aid surgical planning. Scans of 13 hips in which acetabular dysplasia had resolved by the age of four years were compared with those of five which had required pelvic osteotomy for persisting dysplasia. The scans were analysed by two consultant musculoskeletal radiologists who were blinded to the outcome in each child.

The postreduction scans highlighted a number of anatomical abnormalities secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip, but statistical analysis showed that none were predictive of persisting acetabular dysplasia in the older child, suggesting that the factors which determine the long-term outcome were not visible on these images.