European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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A retrospective study of 21 patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent endoscopic thoracoplasty was done. The objective of the study was to report and assess the morbidity and mid term outcomes of video-assisted thoracoplasty in idiopathic scoliosis. Patients with idiopathic scoliosis often present cosmetic complaints due to their rib deformity. ⋯ No complications related to endoscopic anterior release and rib hump resection occurred in the series. Endoscopic thoracoplasty is a safe and reliable technique in idiopathic scoliosis. If indicated, the anterior release can be performed with video-assistance and the thoracoplasty can be performed on the same stage.
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A closing wedge osteotomy of the lumbar spine may be considered to correct posture and spinal balance in progressive thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity caused by ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Adequate deformity planning is essential for reliable prediction of the effect of surgical correction of the spine on the sagittal balance and horizontal gaze of the patient. The effect of a spinal osteotomy on the horizontal gaze is equal to the osteotomy angle. ⋯ The steps taken during an ASKyphoplan run are outlined, and the clinical application is discussed. The application of the program is illustrated by the analysis of the data from a patient recently treated by a lumbar osteotomy in AS. The software can be used free of charge on the internet at http://www.stega.nl under the heading "research" in the menu.
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Clinical Trial
Modified transcorporeal anterior cervical microforaminotomy for cervical radiculopathy: a technical note and early results.
A prospective analysis of the first twenty patients operated for cervical radiculopathy by a new modification of transcorporeal anterior cervical foraminotomy technique. To evaluate early results of a functional disc surgery in which decompression for the cervical radiculopathy is done by drilling a hole in the upper vertebral body and most of the disc tissue is preserved. Earlier approaches to cervical disc surgery either advocated simple discectomy or discectomy with fusion, ultimately leading to loss of motion segment. ⋯ It avoids unnecessary violation of the disc space and much of the bony stabilizers of the cervical spine. Short-term results of this technique are quite encouraging. Longer-term analysis can help in outlining the true benefits of this technique.
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With the advent of segmental pedicle screw fixation that enables more powerful corrective forces, it is postulated that an additional anterior procedure may be unnecessary even in severe deformities. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results of a posterior procedure alone using segmental pedicle screw fixation in severe scoliotic curves over 70 degrees. Thirty-five scoliosis patients treated by pedicle screw fixation and rod derotation were retrospectively analyzed after a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range 2-10.4). ⋯ Pre-operative thoracic kyphosis of 27 degrees (range 0-82) improved postoperatively to 31 degrees (range 14-53). In conclusion, posterior segmental pedicle screw fixation without anterior release in severe scoliosis had satisfactory deformity correction without significant loss of curve correction. In this series a posterior procedure alone obviated the need for the anterior release and avoided complications related anterior surgery.