Factors influencing the selection criteria of Saudi board orthopedic surgery applicants: a national survey of program directors.

BACKGROUND: Annually, medical students vie to secure a seat with an orthopedic residency program. This rigorous competition places orthopedic surgery as one of the most competitive specialties in the medical field. Although several international studies have been published regarding the factors that influence program directors when choosing their ideal applicant, the data for Saudi Arabia in that regard is absent. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to survey all orthopedic program directors regarding the factors that influence them when choosing their ideal orthopedic surgery applicant. A survey was sent to all program directors via email during the month of August 2022. A reminder was sent 2 weeks later to maximize the response rate. The survey was completed by 22 out of 36 orthopedic program directors, which gave us a response rate of 61.11%. RESULTS: In this study, 22 orthopedic surgery program directors responded to our survey. When program directors were asked to rank the factors of residency selection criteria, the top ranked factors were good impression on interviews; prior experience in orthopedic surgery with, for example, electives; and performance on ethical questions during interviews, with means of 9.18, 8.95, and 8.82 out of 10, respectively. Furthermore, program directors preferred letters of recommendation from recommenders that they personally know, clinical experience such as electives taken at the program director's institution, and the quality of publications as the most important aspects of research. Most program directors (90.9%) relied on their residents' and fellows' opinions when selecting candidates, and 77.3% did not think gender has an influence on selection of applicants. CONCLUSION: By providing comprehensive data regarding the factors that influence and attract program directors of orthopedic surgery when choosing residency candidates. With the data provided by this study, applicants for orthopedic surgery have the advantage of early planning to build a strong application that may help persuade program directors to choose them.

Domino connector for thoracic pedicle subtraction osteotomy reduction: surgical technique and patient series.

PURPOSE: Different techniques have been previously described to close the pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) site for correction of sagittal malalignment; the use of a side-to-side domino connector as a correction tool in the thoracic spine has not been specifically studied. METHODS: Twenty adult patients who underwent single-level thoracic PSO from T1 to T12 were included and retrospectively reviewed (two centers). Preoperative and postoperative full-body X-rays, perioperative data, clinical data and complications were recorded with a minimum 2 years of follow-up. Surgical technique and the nuances in using the domino connector were described in detail. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 40y; 40% were female. Two different techniques involving the domino were applied for closure of the PSO site depending on the type of kyphosis (smooth vs. angular deformity). Both techniques provided significant correction of the local kyphosis (from 48° to 18°) with reciprocal reduction of compensatory cervical lordosis (from 37.6° to 18.6°, p < 0.01) in upper thoracic PSO or lumbar lordosis (from 74.5° to 46.6°, p < 0.01) in lower thoracic PSO. Four patients presented postoperative complications that resolved (hemothorax, GI bleeding), and two patients presented transient neurological deficit. Oswestry Disability Index score improved in the majority of the patients (from 32.7 to 22.5, p < 0.05). There were no pseudarthroses, symptomatic instrumentation breakage, or surgical site infection. CONCLUSION: Use of a side-to-side domino connector in combination with two different rod cantilever techniques is effective for the reduction of thoracic pedicle subtraction osteotomy achieving satisfactory radiological and clinical outcome.

SPINE20 A global advocacy group promoting evidence-based spine care of value.

PURPOSE: The Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Studies have estimated that low back pain is one of the costliest ailments worldwide. Subsequent to GBD publications, leadership of the four largest global spine societies agreed to form SPINE20. This article introduces the concept of SPINE20, the recommendations, and the future of this global advocacy group linked to G20 annual summits. METHODS: The founders of SPINE20 advocacy group coordinated with G20 Saudi Arabia to conduct the SPINE20 summit in 2020. The summit was intended to promote evidence-based recommendations to use the most reliable information from high-level research. Eight areas of importance to mitigate spine disorders were identified through a voting process of the participating societies. Twelve recommendations were discussed and vetted. RESULTS: The areas of immediate concern were "Aging spine," "Future of spine care," "Spinal cord injuries," "Children and adolescent spine," "Spine-related disability," "Spine Educational Standards," "Patient safety," and "Burden on economy." Twelve recommendations were created and endorsed by 31/33 spine societies and 2 journals globally during a vetted process through the SPINE20.org website and during the virtual inaugural meeting November 10-11, 2020 held from the G20 platform. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that international spine societies have joined to support actions to mitigate the burden of spine disorders across the globe. SPINE20 seeks to change awareness and treatment of spine pain by supporting local projects that implement value-based practices with healthcare policies that are culturally sensitive based on scientific evidence.

Returning to Work After Traumatic Spine Fractures: Current Status in a Military Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The consequences of traumatic spine fracture (TSF) are complex and have a major burden on patients' social life and financial status. In this study, we aimed to investigate the return to work (RTW) after surgically treated TSFs, develop eventual predictors of delayed or failure to RTW, and assess narcotics use following such injuries. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study that was performed in a tertiary care center. TSF patients who required surgical intervention from 2016 to 2021 were enrolled. Demographic, operative, and complication data, as well as narcotics use, were recorded. RTW was modeled using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Within the 173 patients with TSF, male patients accounted for 82.7%, and motor vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism of injury (80.2%). Neurologically intact patients represented 59%. Only 38.15% returned to work after their injury. Majority of the patients didn't use narcotics more than 1 week after discharge (93.1%). High surgical blood loss, operation time, and hospital length of stay were significantly associated with not returning to work. In multivariant regression analysis, every increase of 100 ml of surgical blood loss was found to decrease the chance of RTW by 25% (P = 0.04). Furthermore, every increase of one hour in operation time decreases the chance of RTW by 31% (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: RTW is an important aspect that needs to be taken into consideration by health care providers. We found that age and high surgery time, blood loss, and hospital stay are significantly impacting patients' RTW after operated TSF.

Iatrogenic contralateral foraminal stenosis following lumbar spine fusion surgery: illustrative cases.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spine fusion is the mainstay treatment for degenerative spine disease. Multiple potential complications of spinal fusion have been found. Acute contralateral radiculopathy postoperatively has been reported in previous literature, with unclear underlying pathology. Few articles reported the incidence of contralateral iatrogenic foraminal stenosis after lumbar fusion surgery. The aim of current article is to explore the possible causes and prevention of this complication. OBSERVATIONS: The authors present 4 cases in which patients developed acute postoperative contralateral radiculopathy requiring revision surgery. In addition, we present a fourth case in which preventive measures have been applied. The aim of this article was to explore the possible causes and prevention to this complication. LESSONS: Iatrogenic foraminal stenosis of the lumbar spine is a common complication; preoperative evaluation and middle intervertebral cage positioning are needed to prevent this complication.

Delayed atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation in a child with Crohn's disease: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation (AARD) in children may be caused by neck trauma or an upper respiratory tract infection. Here the authors describe the very rare association between inflammatory bowel disease and AARD in a child. OBSERVATIONS: A 7-year-old girl presented with an 11-month history of torticollis that occurred spontaneously without a trauma context. Her history revealed a recent diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Physical exam of the cervical spine revealed a "cock-robin" posture. Neck radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction established the diagnosis of AARD. Given the duration of the symptoms and failure of previous conservative treatments, the patient was taken to the operating room and underwent open reduction through posterior approach with a C1-2 fusion according to the Harms technique. The torticollis resolved with no recurrence at the last follow-up and minimal restriction of rotation. LESSONS: This is the third report to describe the very rare association between inflammatory bowel disease and AARD but at a very early age, the youngest in the literature. One should be aware of such association as early diagnosis may prevent aggressive surgical management.

Delayed Sub-axial Fracture Dislocation Surgical Management: Technical Notes and Review of the Literature.

The surgical treatment of delayed, unstable sub-axial cervical spine injuries is challenging. Multiple treatment regimens have been described in the literature, although there is no consensus regarding the best treatment approach. This report presents a 35-year-old obese woman who experienced a delayed sub-axial fracture-dislocation following a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and was successfully managed after three weeks via pre-operative traction followed by a novel single-surgery, single-approach technique with pedicle screws and tension-band wiring as a reduction method. A 35-year-old obese woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.1 sustained a frontal impact MVA and suffered from complete quadriplegia below C5 (American Spinal Cord Association Injury A) three weeks prior to presentation. She was intubated and presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 11/15. Trauma computed tomography (CT) showed an isolated spine injury. Moreover, whole-spine CT showed an isolated cervical spine injury involving a basin tip fracture, a comminuted C1 arch fracture, a C2 fracture, and a C6-C7 fracture-dislocation. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging revealed cord contusion at the same level, with C1-C2 left atlantoaxial joint instability. Neck magnetic resonance angiograms and carotid CT angiograms showed left vertebral artery attenuation. She was admitted to the intensive care unit and taken for C6-C7 reduction and instrumentation using only a posterior approach after medical optimization and the application of sufficient traction. Delayed cervical spine fracture-dislocation imposes a challenge for surgical reduction. However, a proper reduction can be achieved through a sufficient duration of pre-operative traction and an isolated anterior or posterior approach.

Consequences of neglected traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Objectives: Spinal cord injuries cause major disabilities and are devastating events for both patients and healthcare providers. Most traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCIs) are due to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Neglected injuries result in complications and poor outcomes. Here, we investigated the causes, consequences, and outcomes of neglected TSCIs. Methods: This case series study was performed at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, KSA. Of the 750 patients treated between February 2016 and February 2021, 18 patients met our inclusion criterion of neglected high-energy TSCI with neurological deficit, necessitating surgical intervention more than 14 days after the index trauma. Results: Of the 18 patients with neglected TSCIs, 72.2% were men. The patients' mean age at the time of injury was 36.8 years, 77.8% were from outside Riyadh, and all patients had MVA-induced TSCIs, 88.9% of which were attributable to delayed referral to a tertiary center. The mean duration of neglect was 43 days, and the longest duration was 125 days. The most common site of injury was the thoracolumbar region (55.5%). The American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale score improved in two patients. Bed sores occurred in 55.5%, and deep vein thrombosis occurred in 27.8% of patients. Postoperatively, 77% of patients required intensive care unit admission. Most patients (12) did not receive specialized spinal cord injury rehabilitation postoperatively. Conclusion: Early referral of patients with TSCIs is crucial to prevent short- and long-term complications.

Surgical management of a recurrent hydatid cyst in the thoracic spine of a postpartum patient with paraplegia: a rare case report and literature review.

Background: Hydatid disease is a health problem caused by Echinococcus granulosis. Spinal hydatidosis is relatively uncommon when compared to hydatid disease of visceral organs, such as the liver. Case Description: This report details the case of a 26-year-old female who presented acutely with incomplete paraplegia following delivery via cesarean section. She was previously treated for visceral and thoracic spine hydatid cyst disease. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a cystic lesion suggestive of hydatid cyst disease was identified as causing severe cord compression, mainly at T7, raising suspicions of recurrence. Emergency decompression of the thoracic spinal cord via costotransversectomy was performed, as well as the removal of a hydatid cyst and instrumentation from T3-T10. Histopathology findings were consistent with a parasitic infection, specifically Echinococcus granulosis. The patient was administered albendazole for treatment and subsequently had full neurological recovery at the final follow-up. Conclusions: Diagnosis and treatment of spinal hydatid disease is challenging. Surgical excision of the cyst for neural decompression and pathological identification of the cyst is the initial treatment of choice, alongside albendazole chemotherapy. In this review, we have analyzed spine cases reported in the literature and present the surgical approach applied to our case, which was the first reported case of spine hydatid cyst disease following delivery and recurrence. Uneventful surgery, avoiding cyst rupture, and treatment with antiparasitic medication are the mainstays of spine hydatid cyst management and avoidance of recurrence.

Epidemiology of postoperative spinal wound infection in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Background: Despite the extensive literature on postoperative spinal wound infection, yet to our knowledge, there is no previous study containing combined data from several sites in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) following spine surgeries, its associated factors, and management. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, medical records of all patients ≥18 years of age who underwent spine surgery at 6 tertiary referral centers in the MENA region between January 2014 to December 2019 (n=5,872) were examined to collect data on the following: (1) Patient's characteristics, (2) Disease characteristics, (3) Spine surgery approach, and (4) Characteristics of Postoperative SSI. The determinants of postoperative SSI were identified using logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to identify the cut-off of the length of stay in the hospital postoperatively till the infection is likely to occur. Significance was set at p<.05. Results: The overall incidence of SSI was 4.2% (95% CI: 3.72-4.77), in the form of deep (46.4%), superficial (43.1%), dehiscence (9.3%), and organ space (1.2%) infections. After adjusting for all possible confounders, significant predictors of postoperative SSI were; diabetes (OR=2.12, p<.001), smoking (OR=1.66, p=.002), revision surgery (OR=2.20, p<.001), open surgery (OR=2.73, p<.001), perioperative blood transfusion (OR=1.45, p=.033), ASA class III(OR=2.08, p=.002), and ≥4 days length of stay "LOS" (OR= 1.71, p=.001). A cut-off of 4 days was the optimum LOS above which postoperative SSI is more likely to occur, with 0.70 sensitivity, 0.47 specificity, and 0.61 area under the curve. Conclusions: This is the first study that highlighted the incidence of postoperative SSI in spine surgery in the MENA region. Incidence figures are comparable to figures in different areas of the world. Identifying predictors of SSI might help high­risk patients benefit from more intensive wound management.

Traumatic spinopelvic dissociation: A case series.

Introduction: Spinopelvic dissociation was described first in 1969. It is an injury characterized by the separation of the lumbar spine, with parts of the sacrum, from the rest of the sacrum and pelvis with the appendicular skeleton through the sacral ala. Spinopelvic dissociation has an incidence of approximately 2.9% of all pelvic disruptions and corresponds with high-energy trauma. The objective of this study was to review and analyze a case series of spinopelvic dissociations that were treated in our institution from May 2016 to December 2020. Methods: This was a retrospective study reviewing medical records of a series of cases with spinopelvic dissociating. A total of nine patients were encountered. Demographic data including gender and age were analyzed with the mechanism of injury, fracture characteristics, and classifications in addition to neurological deficits. Fractures were classified by the AO Spine Sacral Classification System. Moreover, neurological deficits were classified using the Gibbon's classification score. Finally, the Majeed score was utilized for the assessment of the functional outcome after the injury. Results: A total of nine patients with spinopelvic dissociation were encountered, seven males and two females. Seven patients were due to motor vehicle accidents, one patient was due to a suicidal attempt, and one patient was due to seizure. Four patients suffered from neurological deficits. One patient needed an intensive care unit admission. Spinopelvic fixation was done for all patients. One patient had surgical wound infection with wound dehiscence, one had infected instruments with confirmed spine osteomyelitis, and one had a focal neurological deficit. Six patients went on to heal and showed complete neurological improvements. Conclusion: Spinopelvic dissociation injuries represent a variety of injuries that are commonly associated with high-energy trauma. The triangular fixation method has proven to be a stable construct in dealing with such injuries.

Neurological Impairment Recovery in Surgically Treated Patients With Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) is reported to be higher than that of traumatic spinal cord injury in many countries, making it an area of growing significance. OBJECTIVES: With the aging of the global population in coming decades, it is anticipated that the incidence of NTSCIs will increase dramatically. Our aim was to identify and report the causes, patterns, and outcomes of NTSCI in a tertiary care center. METHODS: We have reviewed all adult patients who had a NTSCI and were surgically treated with a minimum follow-up of 12 months postoperatively. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Preoperative and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scales and past follow-up outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Of 164 patients, 95 (58%) had full recovery and reached ASIA E score at their last follow-up while 69 (42%) were not able to achieve full recovery till ASIA E score. Urinary incontinence and/or bowel incontinence on admission, degenerative pathologies, and thoracic injury level were all notable indicators of limited ASIA score improvement at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgically treated NTSCI could result in good neurological recovery with a low complication rate.

Unusual presentation of aneurysmal bone cyst with scoliosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign bone tumors that not uncommonly involves the spine. However, this involvement can cause scoliosis, albeit rarely. This report focuses on the importance of proper management for complete tumor resection to prevent recurrence and spinal deformity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-year-old Middle Eastern boy, with a history of T11 aneurysmal bone cyst resection and bone grafting carried out at another hospital, presented with spine deformity of 4 months' duration. The deformity was not associated with pain or neurological deficit. A whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging with contrast confirmed the recurrence of the aneurysmal bone cyst. Posterior spinal instrumentation with corpectomy of T11 was then performed, and confirmed with histopathology the recurrence of aneurysmal bone cyst. Two years post-corpectomy, deformity correction was done from T5-L4. CONCLUSION: Management of aneurysmal bone cysts requires meticulous planning and full excision to prevent recurrence, especially in the growing spine. If neglected, it can cause major spinal deformities and cord compression, which places a medical burden on the patient and family. To avoid such complications, treating aneurysmal bone cysts along with scoliosis correction can prevent deformity progression.

Prevalence and Predictors of Scoliosis and Back Pain in 591 Adolescents: A Randomized, Stratified, Cross-Sectional Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose Owing to the difficulty of establishing a screening program for scoliosis and back pain, along with their disabling consequences and the lack of local prevalence rates, we sought to study the prevalence of scoliosis and back pain in adolescents in Saudi Arabia and the burden reported by the affected age group on the health system. Materials and methods A school-based, cross-sectional pilot study covering all school districts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was conducted. Students between 12 and 18 years of age were included. Students with any spinal or neurological disorders were excluded. Physical examinations to screen for scoliosis and student-filled questionnaires to assess back pain and health-related quality of life were performed. Results Of the 700 students, 591 met the inclusion criteria. High suspicion of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was considered in 174 students (29.44%). In addition, 45.42% of the students had a history of back pain. The Oswestry Disability Index showed that 87 students had disabilities. The average Scoliosis Research Society-22 score was 3 out of 5. A significant difference was found in the self-image and mental health domains for AIS (p = 0.04, p = 0.02, respectively). Age showed a significant increase in the odds ratio of a positive physical exam for every increase of one year in age (p < 0.01). Conclusion Identifying the prevalence rates and early associated factors during adolescence would help lower the burden on the health system and benefit public health in general. A nationwide study is required to identify the relationship between scoliosis and back pain.

Sequestrated Lumbar Disc Herniation Mimicking Spinal Neoplasm.

Sequestered disc fragments do not have indistinctive features and often share the clinical and radiological presentation as spinal neoplasms making their diagnosis and treatment a clinical challenge. We report a rare case of sequestered lumbar disc fragment at the level of L2-L3 in a 70-year-old male who presented to the ER complaining of six years' history of low back pain with acute onset lower extremities weakness for six days, associated with right foot drop. He was admitted for tumor workup as the MRI showed diffuse bone high signal intensity throughout the spine with a soft tissue epidural mass at L2/3, causing severe compression on the cauda equina nerve roots. The patient underwent L2-L3 decompression and fixation, mass excision, multiple open biopsies. Soft tissue biopsy of the mass revealed fibrocartilaginous tissue consistent with the intervertebral disc, while the bone biopsy was diagnostic of acute leukemia. The patient was observed postoperatively with unremarkable complications. He did well with physiotherapy, and there was a remarkable improvement of his right lower extremity power reaching 4/5. Our case presented a rare phenomenon in which sequestered disc fragments manifested clinically and radiologically as a spinal neoplasm. Vigilant history taking and physical examination are paramount; a physician should be watchful for any red flags that may warrant further investigation such as in our case.

Aggressive L3 vertebral hemangioma coexisting with adult thoracolumbar scoliosis: Case report.

Vertebral hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that are commonly asymptomatic. A low percentage might become aggressive; however, they are not known to be associated with scoliosis. We present a case of a third lumbar vertebral lesion coexisting with a moderate thoracolumbar scoliosis. The patient's initial presentation was back pain with bilateral lower limb radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication. Diagnosis was established using CT and MRI, which showed classical findings of an aggressive vertebral hemangioma. The patient underwent Partial hemangioma excision and scoliosis correction, with satisfactory outcome at 1 year follow up.

Surgical management of spinal tuberculosis with a two-stage posterior instrumentation with bridging: a case report.

Tuberculosis (TB) affects millions of people every year. Spinal TB is a common extrapulmonary manifestation of the disease. Spinal TB can be devastating and carries an unfortunate outcome. Herein, we present an atypical spinal TB that was treated initially based on intraoperative cultures with posterior decompression and instrumentation of T11-L3 with directed antibiotic therapy. Recurrence of the lesion and failure of instrumentation necessitated further investigation and intervention 1 year later. Using a two-stage surgical procedure leaving the infected spine to heal first with directed anti-TB medications. The patient was managed using posterior instrumentation with bridging from T5 to the pelvis, spanning the destructed area and utilizing a bridging technique with multiple rod constructs across the infected spine. Here, we present the benefit of using the bridging technique to promote bone healing and achieve a solid fixation.

Hemangioma of the Lumbar Spine Involving the Spinous Process: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Hemangiomas of the spine are usually benign and asymptomatic. They can cause devastating complications such as pathological fractures of the spine and neurological disability. This report documents an atypical location of a hemangioma in a lumbar spinous process, in combination with a spondylolisthesis at the same level, which makes it even more uncommon. Surgery can be effective and safe and can significantly improve patient outcomes. Moreover, prior embolization can prevent acute hemorrhage in addition to providing careful diagnosis and evaluation.

On the pedicle subtraction osteotomy technique and its modifications during the past two decades: a complementary classification to the Schwab's spinal osteotomy classification.

PURPOSE: To propose a complementary classification to the Schwab's osteotomy classification that would regroup together under a common umbrella different published pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) variations that are commonly used, to have a common language and complete the spine surgeon's armamentarium when dealing with rigid spinal deformities. METHODS: The 2 general types corresponding to the grades 3 and 4 of the Schwab classification were separated into 6 gradual subtypes (grades 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C). The classification is based on the amount of resected pedicle, the inclusion or not of the disc above, and the location of the axis of rotation. Based on the proposed classification, a reliability study was performed using 18 cases that were classified by 8 readers with expertise in the management of adult deformities with the use of osteotomies. RESULTS: Clinical cases were classified according to the 6 grades proposed in the classification. The intra-rater reliability for the classification was "almost perfect agreement" with a Fleiss kappa coefficient average of 0.92 (range 0.85-1.00). The inter-rater reliability was "almost perfect agreement" with a coefficient average of 0.90 for the 2 readings that were done at an interval of 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: The developed classification proved to be reliable and intuitive. It is an original way to display a catalog of different available PSO modifications including the original technique, in a logical and gradual order to help the surgeons in their decisions and show them that between a grade 2 osteotomy and a grade 5 osteotomy, many intermediate options are available. Further work with a treatment algorithm for clinical practice based on the current classification may be developed in the future.

Management of thoracic spine dislocation by total vertebrectomy and spine shortening: case report.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of thoracic spine fracture-dislocations is now well established with the recent progress in spine surgery. Although most affected individuals have a degree of spinal cord injury (SCI), early surgical reduction, and stabilization of the unstable deformity allow an immediate program of rehabilitation. Vertebrectomy is considered as the last surgical technique reserved for the most persistent spinal deformities that cannot be brought to an acceptable correction with less invasive methods. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 19-year-old male with a sub-acute thoracic spine fracture-dislocation at the level of T7-T8 who underwent a posterior T8 vertebrectomy with reduction and instrumentation from T4 down to T1. The individual had excellent results during follow-ups regarding alignment, fusion, and rehab program. DISCUSSION: In this case, we present the good outcome of vertebrectomy and spine shortening in an individual with thoracic spine fracture-dislocation, and the advantages of posterior approach.