Correction of a severe coronal malalignment in adult spinal deformity using the "kickstand rod" technique as primary surgery.

Objective: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a growing healthcare issue due to the aging population. A satisfying spine balance in both sagittal and coronal planes is achieved through surgery. Only few studies about the coronal alignment correction with the kickstand rod were reported in the literature, until now. The aim of the present study was to describe clinical and radiological outcomes of the Kickstand rod (KR) technique in a series of ASD patients with severe coronal malalignment after 1 year of follow-up.

Material And Methods: Six patients affected by ASD with severe CM who underwent surgery between 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow up was 14 months. All patients had posterior-only approach with long pelvic-thoracic fixation according to the Kickstand rod technique.

Results: Postoperative alignment and pain numerical rating scale scores significantly improved. No instrumentation complications occurred. A coronal alignment improvement from a mean of 163 mm preoperatively to a mean of 32 mm postoperatively was observed.

Conclusion: KR technique appears to be a safe and efficient way for coronal and sagittal imbalance correction in ASD patients. Although technically demanding, by using this technique good and stable radiological and functional outcomes are achieved especially in selected patients.