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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We evaluated the outcome of spinal fusion with a single Harrington distraction rod in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. At follow-up visits a minimum of 20 years post-surgery, we studied 24 patients who had been operated on by the same surgeon. The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Instrument and an additional questionnaire of our own, along with an invitation for a follow-up visit, were originally mailed to 28 consecutive patients of the surgeon. ⋯ When we compared the study and control groups, no significant differences in the single SRS domain scores were observed. The mean Cobb angle and rib cage deformity before surgery were 70.46 degrees (40-120) and 36.4 mm (20-60 mm), respectively, whereas on follow-up they were 41.23 degrees (16-75) and 22.3 mm (5-50 mm), respectively. These long-term results lead us to consider Harrington fusion a procedure that produces a long-lasting high degree of self-reported post-operative satisfaction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A prospective, randomised controlled trial of femoral ring allograft versus a titanium cage in circumferential lumbar spinal fusion with minimum 2-year clinical results.
The literature reports on the safety and efficacy of titanium cages (TCs) with additional posterior fixation for anterior lumbar interbody fusion. However, these papers are limited to prospective cohort studies. The introduction of TCs for spinal fusion has resulted in increased costs, without evidence of superiority over the established practice. ⋯ Revision procedures and complications were similar in both groups. In conclusion, this prospective, randomised controlled clinical trial shows the use of FRA in circumferential lumbar fusion to be associated with superior clinical outcomes when compared to those observed following the use of TCs. The use of TCs for circumferential lumbar spinal fusion is not justified on the basis of inferior clinical outcome and the tenfold increase in cost.
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Thoracoplasty in combination with spine fusion is an established method to address the rib cage deformity in idiopathic scoliosis. Most reports about thoracoplasty and scoliosis correction focused on Harrington or CD instrumentation. We report a retrospective analysis of 21 consecutive patients, who were treated with pedicle screw instrumentation for idiopathic thoracic scoliosis and concomitant thoracoplasty. ⋯ A matched control group (n=21) operated by the same surgeon with the same operation technique but without concomitant thoracoplasty was chosen for comparison. The scoliosis correction in the two groups was comparable. The patients without thoracoplasty had 37% spontaneous improvement of the clinical rib hump.
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This is a retrospective study of 76 children who had had malignant tumours treated with laminectomy or laminoplasty and/or radiation therapy affecting the spine. Spinal tumours in children are extremely rare. However, their treatment can result in progressive spinal deformity. ⋯ Furthermore, in the case of pure bony compression of the spinal cord due to the apical vertebra of the deformity, treatment with the distraction plaster can result in recovery from the neurological impairment. The prevention of post-laminectomy/post-radiation spine deformities is emphasised. Rigid external immobilisation for a period of 4 months in the cervical spine and of 6 months in the thoracic spine is recommended after both laminoplasty and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion.
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Proximal screw pullout is a well-recognized problem in anterior scoliosis surgery, with a rate of pseudarthrosis or screw pullout ranging from 15 to 30%. To prevent screw pullout at the top of the construct, the authors have devised the concept of a claw for the top instrumented vertebra. The claw consists of a classic anterior vertebral body screw inserted parallel to the inferior end-plate and in the posterior portion of the vertebral body 8 mm in front of the spine canal. ⋯ This concept can also be extended in the case of early revision for a proximal screw pullout, where it is possible to revise the instrumentation with an offset connector linking the rod to the superior portion of the pedicle where the suprapedicule hook has been inserted. We report two cases where a suprapedicle claw was successfully used in anterior scoliosis correction of a right thoracic curve. Such a concept may represent the solution to proximal screw pullout in anterior scoliosis correction.