Adult spine deformity.

Adult spinal deformity may occur as the result of a number of conditions and patients may present with a heterogeneous group of symptoms. Multiple etiologies may cause spinal deformity; however, symptoms are associated with progressive and asymmetric degeneration of the spinal elements potentially leading to neural element compression. Symptoms and clinical presentation vary and may be related to progressive deformity, axial back pain, and/or neurologic symptoms.

Convex hemiepiphysiodesis: the limits of vertebral stapling.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with nonadolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent open vertebral stapling for treatment of spinal deformity.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of vertebral stapling in patients with scoliosis. Measurements included initial deformity correction and maintenance of correction.

Cervical disc arthroplasty.

This technology overview addressed four questions that compared the difference in outcomes between patients undergoing cervical disc arthroplasty with patients undergoing anterior cervical diskectomy fusion. Most studies did not either report or conduct the appropriate statistical analyses to examine predictive characteristics in patients with successful clinical outcomes. Most studies were inconclusive or unreliable regarding clinical outcomes and revision and/or complication rates in patients who present with neck and/or arm pain.

Can posterior-only surgery provide similar radiographic and clinical results as combined anterior (thoracotomy/thoracoabdominal)/posterior approaches for adult scoliosis?

Study Design: Retrospective matched cohort analysis.

Objective: To determine if posterior-only (post-only) surgical techniques consisting of pedicle screws, osteotomies, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, and bone morphogenetic protein-2 may provide similar results as compared anterior (thoracotomy/thoracoabdominal)/posterior surgical approaches for the treatment of adult spinal deformity with respect to correction, fusion rates, or outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: Combined anterior/posterior (A/P) fusion has traditionally been used to treat many adult scoliosis deformities.

Revision rates following primary adult spinal deformity surgery: six hundred forty-three consecutive patients followed-up to twenty-two years postoperative.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of and reasons for unanticipated revision surgery in an adult spinal deformity population treated at one institution.

Summary Of Background Data: No recent studies exist that analyze the rate or reason for unanticipated revision surgery for adult spinal deformity patients over a long period.

Posterior vertebral column resection for severe pediatric deformity: minimum two-year follow-up of thirty-five consecutive patients.

Study Design: Retrospective review of a prospectively accrued patient cohort.

Objective: The ability to treat severe pediatric spinal deformity through an all-posterior vertebral column resection (VCR) has obviated the need for a circumferential approach in both primary and revision settings. We examined indications, correction rates, and complications of this challenging procedure in the pediatric population.

Risk factors and outcomes for catastrophic failures at the top of long pedicle screw constructs: a matched cohort analysis performed at a single center.

Study Design: Retrospective review with matched-cohort analysis performed at a single institution.

Objective: To determine risk factors and outcomes for acute fractures at the proximal aspect of long pedicle screw constructs.

Summary Of Background Data: Acute fractures at the top of long segmental pedicle screw constructs (FPSC) can be catastrophic.