Objective To investigate short-term effectiveness of spinal navigation with the intra-operative three-dimensional (3D)-imaging modality in pedicle screw fixation for congenital scoliosis (CS). Methods Between July 2010 and December 2011, 26 patients with CS were treated. Of 26 patients, 13 patients underwent pedicle screw fixation using the spinal navigation with the intra-operative 3D-imaging modality (navigation group), while 13 patients underwent the conventional technique with C-arm X-ray machine (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, hemivertebra number and location, major curve Cobb angle, and Risser grade between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Operation time, operative blood loss, frequency of the screw re-insertion, and postoperative complication were observed. The pedicle screw position was assessed by CT postoperatively with the Richter’s standard and the correction of Cobb angle was assessed by X-ray films. Results All patients underwent the surgery successfully without major neurovascular complication. There was no significant difference in operation time, operative blood loss, and pedicle screw location between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). A total of 58 screws were inserted in navigation group, and 3 screws (5.2%) were re-inserted. A total of 60 screws were inserted in control group, and 10 screws (16.7%) were re-inserted. There was significant difference in the rate of pedicle screw re-insertion between 2 groups (χ2=3.975, P=0.046). Patients of navigation group were followed up 6-24 months, and 6-23 months in control group. According to Richter’s standard, the results were excellent in 52 screws and good in 6 screws in navigation group; the results were excellent in 51 screws, good in 5 screws, and poor in 4 screws in control group. Significant difference was found in the pedicle screw position between 2 groups (Z= — 1.992, P=0.046). The major curve Cobb angle of 2 groups at 1 week and last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative value (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between 1 week and last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). No significant difference in correction rate of the major curve Cobb angle was found between 2 groups at last follow-up (t=0.055, P=0.957). Conclusion Spinal navigation with the intra-operative 3D-imaging modality can improve the accuracy of pedicle screw implantation in patients with CS, and effectually reduce the rate of screw re-insertion, and the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective To explore the failure cause of posterior approach orthopaedic operation of thoracolumbar hemivertebra, and to summary strategies of revision. Methods The cl inical data from 9 cases undergoing posterior approach orthopaedic operation failure of thoracolumbar hemivertebra between June 2003 and June 2008, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 4 females with a median age of 12 years (range, 1 year and 10 months to 24 years). All malformations were identified as fully segmented hemivertebra from the original medical records and X-ray films, including 2 cases in thoracic vertebra, 5 cases in thoracolumbar vertebra, and 2 cases in lumbar vertebra. The preoperative scol iotic Cobb angle was (45.4 ± 17.4)°, and kyphotic Cobb angle was (29.8 ± 22.0)°. The reason of primary surgical failure were analyzed and spinal deformity was corrected again with posterior revision. Results All surgeries were finished successfully. The operation time was 3.0-6.5 hours (mean, 4.5 hours), and the perioperative bleeding was 400-2 500 mL (mean, 950 mL). All incisions healed by first intention; no infection or deep venous thrombosis occurred. Numbness occurred in unilateral lower extremity of 1 case postoperatively, and the symptom was rel ieved completely after treatment of detumescence and neural nutrition. All cases were followed up 12-30 months (mean, 18 months). No pseudoarthrosis and implant failure occurred. The X-ray films showed that the bone grafts completely fused within 8-14 months (mean, 11 months) after operation. The Cobb angles of scol iosis and kyphosis at 1 week after operation and the last follow-up were obviously improved when compared with preoperative ones, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). No obvious correction loss was observed either in coronal or sagittal plane. Conclusion The failure causes of posterior approach orthopaedic operation are hemivertebra processing, selection of fixation and fusion range, and selection of internal fixation. If the strategies of revision are made after the above-mentioned failure causes are considered, the cl inical results will be satisfactory.
Congenital scoliosis is the presence of a sideways curvature of the spine caused by the failure of normal vertebral development. Congenital scoliosis is usually progressive, and surgical treatment is crucial for the treatment of congenital scoliosis. Surgical treatments of congenital scoliosis mainly include simple fusion surgery, hemivertebrae excision, growing rods technique, and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib. However, there is no uniform standard for the selection of surgical techniques and surgical timing. This article reviews the progress of different surgical treatments for congenital scoliosis, introduces the classification of congenital scoliosis, and clarifies the timing, pros and cons of different surgical techniques, aiming to provide a reference for the development of individualized optimal surgical plans for patients with congenital scoliosis.