Role of Critical Shoulder Angle in Degenerative Type Rotator Cuff Tears: A Turkish Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND This retrospective study investigated the association between the critical shoulder angle (CSA) and the development of full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCTs) in the Turkish population. The CSA is an imaging parameter that quantifies the relationship between the inclination of the glenoid and the lateral extension of the acromion in the coronal plane. The CSA is an anatomical measurement, and higher CSA values have been associated with an increased incidence of FTRCTs. However, there is a lack of data on CSA regarding the Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, CSA measurements were recorded in 2 groups: 50 patients with FTRCT who had arthroscopic repair (group 1) and 50 age- and sex-matched individuals with no FTRCT detected by magnetic resonance imaging (group 2). Sex, age, affected side, dominant side, and smoking status were recorded for each patient. The CSA measurements of the affected sides were performed on true anterior-posterior view radiographs. RESULTS The results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean CSA values of group 1 (37.48°) and group 2 (33.53°), P<0.001. CSA values of 36 and above had a sensitivity of 73.58%, specificity of 74.47%, positive predictive value of 75%, and negative predictive value of 74.47% for detecting FTRCT. CONCLUSIONS CSA measurement on radiographs is a useful diagnostic tool in the Turkish population, and an above-average CSA value is associated with a significantly increased incidence of degenerative-type FTRCT.

Incidental detection of accessory mitral valve in adolescent with atrial septal defect: Diagnosis with 3D transesophageal echocardiography and excision with transaortic method.

BACKGROUND: Accessory mitral valve tissue (AMVT) is an extremely rare causes left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and is usually incidentally detected in childhood. It is often associated with other cardiac and vascular congenital malformations. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, we present a 15-year-old girl was diagnosed with AMVT by transesophageal echocardiography, resulting in LVOT obstruction during systole. Interestingly enough, the patient's accessory mitral valve remained undetected for years until he became symptomatic for wide ASD. Successful closure of the ASD with resection of the AMVT was performed with a transaortic approach. The patient was hemodynamically stable postoperatively. There were no abnormalities in the mitral valves and LVOT. CONCLUSION: It was also unusual to see AMVT with ASD instead of other frequently associated other congenital anomalies. Accessory mitral valve should be considered a rare but important cause of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in childhood.

Tetralogy of Fallot with double aortic arch and aortopulmonary window: a very rare trifecta.

Tetralogy of Fallot with an aortopulmonary window and double aortic arch is very rare. This complex coexistence may be over a wide clinical spectrum. Herein, we present an asymptomatic 8-day-old infant who was diagnosed as having tetralogy of Fallot, double aortic arch, and an aortopulmonary window using transthoracic echocardiography while being examined for microcephaly.

Management of congenital cardiac surgery during COVID-19 pandemic.

The new coronavirus infection, which was first seen in China in late December, 2019 and eventually became a worldwide pandemic, poses a serious threat to public health. After a high spike in the number of new COVID-19 infection cases following the increase in overall daily death toll in Turkey, Turkish Ministry of Health has taken immediate precautions to postpone elective surgeries in order to reduce the burden to the healthcare system which might be challenged. Whereas different areas of medicine were able to suspend their operative procedures during this period, this was not completely possible in paediatric cardiovascular surgery due to the severity and urgency of congenital heart disease patients requiring operation. Based on the guideline that was published by the Turkish Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Association, in which the patients requiring surgical intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic period are ranked according to the priority, directions were given regarding the operations that hereby, be delayed, we report our experience in 29 cases retrospectively, regarding the pre-operative evaluation of these patients, makings of an emergency operation decision, and strategies taken about intra-operative and post-operative management and arrangements during the pandemic period. In this article, we present crucial precautions that were applied in paediatric cardiovascular surgery and extensive list of cases in order to deliver highest level of the patient safety and protection for the surgical team.

Relations between mood characteristics, circadian preferences, and functionality in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disorder that results in demyelinization of the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. We aimed to determine chronobiological and mood features in patients with MS. METHODS: The sample comprised 75 patients with MS (54 women and 21 men) and 50 healthy individuals (38 women and 12 men). Sixty-three patients were relapsing-remitting MS and twelve patients had secondary progressive-type MS. Mood characteristics were assessed using subscales of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Chronotypical characteristics were determined by the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Univariate and structural equation modeling was applied to untangle the possible connections between variables. RESULTS: Both relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive patients scored higher on the depression-dejection and fatigue-inertia scales of the POMS than healthy individuals. Circadian preferences did not differ significantly between these groups. Patients using glatiramer acetate and other types of drugs had greater severity of functional impairment measured relative to interferon-beta treatment group. Glatiramer acetate had more negative effects on mood than interferon-beta therapy. This finding may be the result of significantly higher duration of disease and higher symptom severity scores in glatiramer acetate group. CONCLUSIONS: In the structural equation model, gender was found to be predictive for characteristics of mood.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the first 100 days on orthopedic trauma surgery practice, the experience of a university hospital in Istanbul.

BACKGROUND: With the rapid and effective change created by the COVID-19 pandemic in all medical practice, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the first 100 days of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations performed in a reference university hospital in the field of orthopedics and traumatology. Compare the results with the same period of the previous year and aim to evaluate importance of restrictions. METHODS: The operations performed in orthopedics and traumatology clinic between March 18, 2020 (the day we stopped the elective surgeries), and July 1, 2020 (when the normalization process began), were collected from the electronic archive to compare with the same period of 2019. RESULTS: Comparing the same periods of the year, it was seen that 102 surgeries were performed in the 2020 COVID-19 period compared to 380 operations performed in 2019. Although most of the operations performed during the COVID-19 period were traumas, the comparison revealed that trauma cases decreased by 25% from 73 to 58 (p<0.001). Among trauma patients operated in the restraint period, decrease in the pediatric group and the increase in patients over 65 years of age had seen statistically significant. Compared to the same period of the previous year, 50% increase seen in amputation cases related to diabetic foot (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The postponement of elective cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic enabled us to manage trauma cases despite decreasing capacity utilization. In addition, it was observed that the transition of schools to online education and the implementation of curfews significantly reduced the number of trauma in the pediatric group. Separation of operating rooms and wards had a huge effect on protection of non-COVID patients. We hope that, in light of this study, we can guide health policies and help other colleagues to manage the possible new waves of the pandemic process or similar processes that may occur in the future.

Maternal Stress and Neonatal Nutrition during the COVID-19 Era.

Objective: COVID-19 pandemic has put a tremendous amount of stress on people, which can negatively affect nursing. Previous studies showed that perceived stress and cortisol levels in the postpartum period correlate with the LATCH scores, which is a simple tool to assess the pattern of nursing. Likewise, greater prenatal anxiety was associated with a shorter breastfeeding duration. We aimed to evaluate whether pregnant women were under extra stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and if this stress affected their breastfeeding patterns and anthropometric measures of the neonates. Methods: Pregnant women giving birth to healthy neonates were included. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to assess the anxiety levels of the mothers, and LATCH breastfeeding assessment tool was used to assess the nursing. The results of these scales and anthropometric measures of the neonates were recorded. Results: Only one mother showed coronavirus-specific anxiety. Therefore, further analysis was done based on the Beck Anxiety (BA) levels of the mothers. CAS and BA scores were positively correlated (p<0.001, r=0.444), indicating that coronavirus-specific anxiety increased with increasing general anxiety. None of the variables changed depending on the anxiety levels of the mothers, except for the % weight gain at day five (p=0.020, r=-0.248). Even though anxiety seemed to show a small effect on weight loss during the first neonatal days, percent weight gain results did not seem to correlate with the anxiety levels in later stages (first month of life). Furthermore, LATCH scores of the infants on day one were positively correlated with BA scores of the mothers (p=0.045, r=0.175). Conclusion: COVID-19 seemed to have no additional effect on the stress levels of the mothers. The more the mothers have anxiety, the more they may stress about the well-being of their infants, which can improve their nursing pattern.

The effect of an intramedullary implant with a static magnetic field on the healing of the osteotomised rabbit femur.

Static magnetic fields are a type of electromagnetic fields used in clinical practice. To ascertain what effect a static magnetic intramedullary device implanted in the rabbit femur had on fracture healing, 20 male New Zealand white rabbits with magnetic/nonmagnetic intramedullary implants were examined histologically, radiologically and for bone mineral density. Three groups were constituted according to the poles of the magnets. During surgery the intramedullary device was driven into the medulla. A femoral osteotomy was created with a mini Gigli wire at the centre point of the rod. Radiographs were obtained at the second and fourth weeks. Histological examination and bone mineral density were evaluated at the fourth week. The results of this study verified that an intramedullary implant with a static magnetic field improves bone healing in the first two weeks radiologically and that the configuration difference in magnetic poles has an effect on bone quality. Static magnetic fields have minor effects on bone mineral density values.

Gene expression profiling of primary fibrochondrocyte cultures in traumatic and degenerative meniscus lesions.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate how fibroblastic and chondrocytic properties of human meniscal fibrochondrocytes are affected in culture conditions according to the type of meniscal pathology and localization, and to provide basic information for tissue-engineering studies. METHODS: Primary fibrochondrocyte cultures were prepared from meniscus samples of patients who had either traumatic tear or degeneration due to osteoarthritis. Cultures were compared in terms of mRNA expression levels of COL1A1, COL2A1, COMP1, HIF1A, HIF2A, and SOX9 and secreted total collagen and sulfated sGAG levels according to the type of meniscal pathology, anatomical localization, and the number of subcultures. RESULTS: mRNA expression levels of COL1A1, COMP1, HIF1A, HIF2A, and SOX9 were found to be increased in subsequent subcultures in all specimens. COL1A1 mRNA expression levels of both lateral and medial menisci of patients with traumatic tear were significantly higher than in patients with degenerative pathology, indicating a more fibroblastic character. P1 subculture of lateral and P3 or further subculture of medial meniscus showed more fibroblastic characteristics in patients with degenerative pathology. Furthermore, in patients with degenerative pathology, the subcultures of the lateral meniscus (especially on the inner part) presented more chondrocytic characteristics than did those of medial meniscus. CONCLUSIONS: The mRNA expression levels of the cultures showed significant differences according to the anatomical localization and pathology of the meniscus, indicating distinct chondrocytic and fibroblastic features. This fundamental knowledge would help researchers to choose more efficient cell sources for cell-seeding of a meniscus scaffold, and to generate a construct resembling the original meniscus tissue.

Current concepts in anterior glenohumeral instability: diagnosis and treatment.

The glenohumeral joint is the most dislocated articulation, accounting for more than 50% of all joint dislocations. The reason behind shoulder instability should be investigated in detail for successful management, and the treatment plan should be individualized for all patients. Several classification systems have been proposed for glenohumeral instability. A physical exam is mandatory no matter what classification system is used. When treating patients with anterior shoulder instability, surgeons need to be aware of the critical size of the bone loss, which is commonly seen. The glenoid track concept was clinically adopted, and the measurement of the glenoid track for surgical decision-making is recommended. Detailed assessment of existing soft tissue injury to the labrum, capsule, glenohumeral ligaments, and rotator cuff is also mandatory as their presence influences the surgical outcome. Rehabilitation, arthroscopic repair techniques, open Bankart procedure, capsular plication, remplissage, Latarjet technique, iliac crest, and other bone grafts offer the surgeon different treatment options according to the type of patient and the lesions to be treated. Three-dimensional (3D) technologies can help to evaluate glenoid and humeral defects. Patient-specific guides are low-cost surgical instruments and can be used in shoulder instability surgery. 3D printing will undoubtedly become an essential tool to achieve the best results in glenohumeral instability surgery.

Single-row versus double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in small- to medium-sized tears.

HYPOTHESIS: Double-row rotator cuff repair leads to superior cuff integrity and clinical results compared with single-row repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 68 patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear who were divided into 2 groups of 34 patients according to repair technique. The patients were followed-up for at least 2 years. The results were evaluated by Constant score. DISCUSSION: Despite the biomechanical studies and cadaver studies that proved the superiority of double-row fixation over single-row fixation, our clinical results show no difference in functional outcome between the two methods. It is evident that double-row repair is more technically demanding, expensive, and time-consuming than single-row repair, without providing a significant improvement in clinical results. RESULTS: Comparison between groups did not show significant differences. At the final follow-up, the Constant score was 82.2 in the single-row group and 78.8 in the double-row group. Functional outcome was improved in both groups after surgery, but the difference between the 2 groups was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: At long-term follow-up, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the double-row technique showed no significant difference in clinical outcome compared with single-row repair in small to medium tears.

Pectoralis major tendon transfer for subscapularis deficiency following multiple failed instability surgeries: A case report.

Here, we report a case of a 30-year-old man with a diagnosis of complex shoulder instability, who was treated successfully by pectoralis major transfer following a series of failed instability correction surgeries. The patient was admitted to our outpatient clinic with an approximately 6-year history of chronic shoulder instability following several failed operations, including open Bankart repair, open capsular plication and Bankart repair, open capsule repair, arthroscopic Bankart repair, and Bristow-¬Latarjet procedure. Physical examination revealed persistent shoulder pain, weakness, and a limited range of motion. Imaging studies demonstrated complete subscapularis muscle atrophy with Goutallier grade 4 fatty infiltration. The decision for revision surgery was made owing to his shoulder findings and clinical symptoms. The intra-operative assessment revealed the subscapularis muscle to be fully atrophic and irreparable. The pectoralis major muscle was transferred from the intertubercular groove of the humerus to the lesser tuberosity. Postoperatively, the patient had 4 weeks of shoulder immobilization. Physical examination demonstrated an improved shoulder range of motion without evidence of recurrent shoulder instability. The authors encountered no sign of dislocation for 2.5 years of follow-up after the surgery. In conclusion, subscapularis muscle atrophy or insufficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with failed shoulder instability surgeries. Pectoralis major tendon transfer may be successfully performed for the surgical treatment of such patients.

The use of screw at the fracture level in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective randomized study, the results of treating unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures by pedicle instrumentation with and without fracture level screw combination were given. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of fracture level screw combination in achieving and maintaining correction in the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Most authors reported that intraoperative correction of sagittal deformity is important for the maintenance of fracture reduction and is one of the most consistent predictor of satisfactory functional outcome. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures were randomized into 4 groups with equal number of patients. In group 1, patients were treated by segmental posterior instrumentation with 2 levels above and 2 levels below the fracture level fixation, in group 2 they were treated as in group 1 with fracture level screw incorporation. In group 3, patients were treated by short-segment posterior instrumentation with 1 level above and 1 level below, in group 4 they were treated by short-segment posterior instrumentation with fracture level screw incorporation. Clinical and radiologic parameters were evaluated before surgery, after surgery, and at follow-up. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 50 months. Fracture level screw combination provided better intraoperative correction and maintenance in the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures, which was more prevalent in short-segment fixation group. CONCLUSIONS: Reinforcement with fracture level screw combination can help to provide better kyphosis correction and offers immediate spinal stability in patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture.

No difference between knotless sutures and suture anchors in arthroscopic repair of Bankart lesions in collision athletes.

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of knotless and knot-tying suture anchors in arthroscopic Bankart repair of collision athletes. Thirty-eight athletes underwent arthroscopic Bankart repairs. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 23 years. Bio-Knot-tying anchors were used in 18 patients, and Bio-Knotless suture anchors were used in 20 patients. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations were performed by Rowe scores. At the end of 40 months follow-up, both the knot-tying and the knotless suture anchor groups had similar postoperative results. There were no differences between Knot-Tying and Knotless repair about late disengagement and re-dislocation in this patient group. Knotless repair provided secure and low-profile repair without introducing complexities to the procedure of arthroscopic knot tying one.

Quantification of acromioclavicular reduction parameters after the Weaver-Dunn procedure.

BACKGROUND: The combination of the reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments with the resection arthroplasty of the distal end of the clavicle is a commonly used technique in acromioclavicular separations. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of the current study was to quantify the reduction parameters using 3-D CT and to analyze their effects on clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: The patients with chronic symptoms after acromioclavicular dislocation (type III) were treated with reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments. The average follow-up was 69.5 months. The patient group consisted of 21 men and 8 women. The initial treatment at the time of injury was nonoperative in 26 of 29 patients. CT was used to document anteroposterior (APD), craniocaudal (CCD) and mediolateral (MLD) acromioclavicular reduction parameters. Constant Shoulder scoring system was used. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Constant score was 56.62 +/- 18.63 points while the postoperative score was 89.93 +/- 10.79 points. The mean APD was 9.2 mm, the mean CCD was 1.1 mm and the mean MLD was 8.4 mm. There was no correlation between the APD, MLD and the Constant Scores. However, an inverse correlation between the CCD and the postoperative Constant Scores was found. CONCLUSIONS: CCD plays an important role on the postoperative function. If the CCD is larger, the Constant score is lower. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The reduction loss is a distinctive parameter of the functional outcome, even when the reconstructed coracoclavicular ligament is intact. Secure fixation may be achieved with techniques preserving CCD.

[Unusual migration of K-wire following fixation of clavicle fracture: a case report]. / Klavikula kirigi internal fiksasyonu sonrasinda K-telinin atipik migrasyonu: Olgu sunumu.

The migration of various internal fixation devices, especially Kirshner (K) wires, is well established. The wires usually follow a retrograde path, protruding near the entry point. When they migrate in the other direction, serious problems may occur. Migration of K-wires to the lung, heart, spleen, subclavian artery, pulmonary artery and aorta have been reported in a few cases. A 26-year-old male with chest pain was seen in our clinic. The patient had been operated for left distal clavicle fracture two years before. No abnormality was noted on the physical examination. Radiographs showed migration of the wire outside the clavicle across the sternum to the opposite hemithorax. The pin was removed through the incision over the sternum under direct vision with thoracoscope. The pin was extrapleurally located. There was no additional morbidity attributed to thoracoscopy or chest tube. In conclusion, K-wires can easily migrate, resulting in serious complications. Close follow-up should be done after internal fixation.

Treatment options for locked posterior shoulder dislocations and clinical outcomes.

Posterior dislocations are rare and diagnostically difficult injuries. Diagnosis is often delayed and this leads to a locked posteriorly dislocated humeral head.Treatment options include conservative methods and surgical anatomic reconstruction options as well as non-anatomic surgical procedures such as subscapularis tendon transfer, hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty.Decision-making for treatment as well as prognosis depend on the extent of the articular defect size of the humeral head, duration of the dislocation and patient-specific conditions such as age and activity levels. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:194-200. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180043.

Can capsular plication compensate the lack of one suture anchor in an arthroscopic three suture anchor Bankart repair? A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the complication rates and clinical results of labral repair with two suture anchors and capsular plication, and labral repair with three suture anchor fixation in artroscopic Bankart surgery. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients (60 males, 9 females; mean age: 28.2 ± 7.8 years (range: 16-50)) who had undergone arthroscopic repair of a labral Bankart lesion were evaluated. Group A underwent an arthroscopic Bankart repair with three knotless suture anchors, while group B underwent a modified arthroscopic Bankart repair with two knotless suture anchors and an additional capsular plication procedure. The mean follow-up was 52.5 months. Constant Shoulder Score (CSS), Rowe Score (RS), modified UCLA Shoulder Score (mUSS) and range of motion (ROM) were used as outcome measures. RESULTS: In both groups, a significant improvement was detected in functional outcomes at postoperative last follow-up compared to the preoperative period. No statistically significant difference was found (p > 0.05) in clinical scores (CSS; Group A: 89.7, Group B: 80.2) (RS; Group A: 88.2, Group B: 80.2) (mUSS; Group A: 26.3, Group B: 25.7) external rotation loss (At neutral; Group A: 4.5°, Group B: 5.2°. At abduction; Group A: 4.3°, Group B: 5.7°) and recurrence rates (Group A: 13.3%, Group B: 20.8%). Although the difference was not statistically significant, the recurrence rate was higher in group B (20.8%), compared to group A (13.3%), despite the shorter average follow-up time of group B (p = 0.417). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of labral Bankart lesions with both techniques showed good functional outcomes and stability at the latest follow-up. Higher recurrence rate despite the shorter average follow-up of group B suggests that two anchor usage might not be sufficient for Bankart repair in terms of better stability and less recurrence risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Study.

[Partial removal of nail matrix in the treatment of ingrowing toe nail]. / Tirnak batmasi tedavisinde kismi matriks eksizyonu.

OBJECTIVES: Ingrowing toe nail is a frequent disorder of the foot. In this study, we evaluated the results of surgical treatment of ingrowing toe nail. METHODS: Sixty-two patients (31 males, 31 females; mean age 38 years; range 11 to 72 years) with ingrowing toe nail underwent partial removal of the nail matrix according to the Winograd technique. The presenting complaints were pain, foul-smelling drainage, deformity, and difficulty in walking. According to the Heifetz's staging system, 18 patients had stage I, 23 patients had stage II, and 21 patients had stage III disease. Forty-four patients had active drainage due to an infectious process. The infected cases were operated on after improvement of inflammation by antibiotic treatment. One patient underwent excision of subungual exocytosis causing severe deformity of the toe. Time to return to work, time to recurrence, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 26 months (range 24 to 42 months). RESULTS: Recurrence was seen in four patients (6.5%) within a mean of 4.2 months (range 3 to 7 months). The remaining patients returned to normal daily activities after a mean of 12 days (range 10 to 16 days). The mean time to work was five days (range 3 to 16 days). All but two patients who developed recurrences expressed satisfaction with surgery. None of the patients had deep infection or neurovascular complications. CONCLUSION: Partial removal of the nail matrix is associated with a very low recurrence rate and a higher rate of patient satisfaction.

[Treatment strategy in tuberculous spondylitis: long-term follow-up results of 55 patients]. / Tüberküloz spondilitinde tedavi stratejisi: 55 hastanin uzun dönem takip sonuçlari.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated our treatment algorithm used in adult patients with tuberculous spondylitis together with long-term treatment results. METHODS: The study included 55 adult patients (26 males, 29 females; mean age 50 years; range 23 to 71 years) with tuberculous spondylitis. The patients underwent four different treatment methods including non-operative treatment (NO, 6 patients), posterior debridement, fusion and instrumentation (PDFI, 21 patients), anterior debridement, instrumentation and fusion (ADIF, 21 patients), and finally, urgent radical debridement (RD, 11 patients) due to financial limitations of the patients. All the patients received antituberculous therapy for 12 months. On presentation, 17 patients (30.9%) had neurologic deficits (ADIF, 6 patients; RD, 11 patients). Neurologic assessment was made according to the Frankel grading system. The results were evaluated with respect to kyphosis, sagittal balance, neurologic recovery, and patient satisfaction. The mean follow-up period was 95.3 months (range 66 to 114 months). RESULTS: Radiographically, successful bone fusion was achieved in all the patients. Following treatment, all surgically treated groups exhibited decreases in the kyphotic angle. The mean correction was significantly greater in ADIF (17.5 degrees ) and PDFI (12.1 degrees ) groups compared to the RD group (4.9 degrees ) (p<0.05). Final increases in the kyphotic angle were 0.7 degrees , 1.2 degrees , 1.4 degrees , and 1.6 degrees in NO, PDFI, ADIF, and RD groups, respectively. The mean sagittal deviations in the first postoperative month were +2 mm, +11 mm, +12 mm, and +14 mm in NO, PDFI, ADIF, and RD groups, respectively, which remained unchanged till the end of follow-up. Complete neurologic recovery was obtained in all but one patient. All the patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment. No recurrences or reactivation of disease were observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed that, with appropriate patient selection, the results of NO, PDFI, and ADIF were satisfactory and comparable.