Less correction with minimally invasive surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis compared to open surgical correction.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the results of thoracic curve correction using minimally invasive surgeries in 35 patients and open surgical correction in 47 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The correlations between the Cobb's angle of the primary and postoperative curves, angle of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, correction percentage, derotation values, estimated blood loss, duration of surgery, and period of hospitalization after surgery were assessed by calculating the mean and standard deviation. Calculation and comparison were performed using Pearson correlation. Results: The Cobb's angle correction ranged from 53.4° ± 11.8° to 6.7° ± 5.2° (p < 0.001) in the open surgical correction group and from 51.2° ± 11.4° to 11.7° ± 5.8° (p < 0.001) in the minimally invasive surgery group before and after surgery, respectively. The percentage of curvature correction was 88.2% ± 8.0% and 77.7% ± 10.7% (p < 0.001) in the open surgical correction and minimally invasive surgery groups, respectively. The estimated blood loss was higher in the open surgical correction group than in the minimally invasive surgery group (208.7 ± 113.4 vs 564.3 ± 242.7 mL). Axial rotation was changed from 29.1°± 7.5 to 17.1°± 6.8 (p < 0.001) in the open surgical correction group and from 28.9°± 7.8 to 19.4°± 6.4 (p < 0.001) in the minimally invasive surgery group. The duration of surgery was shorter in the open surgical correction group than in the minimally invasive surgery group (266.6 ± 64.3 vs 346.2 ± 70.5 min). A positive correlation between time of operation and Cobb's angle correction (in °) in open surgical correction (r = 0.37) and minimally invasive surgery (r = 0.43) was found. Conclusion: The open surgical correction procedures were more effective than minimally invasive surgery in correcting the spinal curve. The increase in the duration of open surgical correction increases the estimated blood loss, but it also more significantly improves the correction of Cobb's angle. Level of evidence: III.

The presence of polymorphisms in genes controlling neurotransmitter metabolism and disease prognosis in patients with prostate cancer: a possible link with schizophrenia.

Polymorphisms of neurotransmitter metabolism genes were studied in patients with prostate cancer (PC) characterized by either reduced or extended serum prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) corresponding to unfavorable and favorable disease prognosis respectively. The 'unfavorable prognosis' group (40 cases) was defined by PSADT ≤ 2 months, whereas patients in the 'favorable prognosis' group (67 cases) had PSADT ≥ 30 months. The following gene polymorphisms known to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders were investigated: a) the STin2 VNTR in the serotonin transporter SLC6A4 gene; b) the 30-bp VNTR in the monoamine oxidase A MAOA gene; c) the Val158Met polymorphism in the catechol-ortho-methyltransferase COMT gene; d) the promoter region C-521T polymorphism and the 48 VNTR in the third exon of the dopamine receptor DRD4 gene. The STin2 12R/10R variant of the SLC6A4 gene (OR = 2.278; 95% CI = 0.953-5.444) and the -521T/T homozygosity of the DRD4 gene (OR = 1.579; 95% CI = 0.663-3.761) tended to be overrepresented in PC patients with unfavorable disease prognosis. These gene variants are regarded as protective against schizophrenia, and the observed trend may be directly related to a reduced PC risk described for schizophrenia patients. These results warrant further investigation of the potential role of neurotransmitter metabolism gene polymorphisms in PC pathogenesis.

Surgical Correction of Spinopelvic Instability in Children With Caudal Regression Syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcome of surgical correction of children with caudal regression syndrome. METHODS: The study included 12 patients aged 1.5 to 9 years with caudal regression syndrome. In order determine the type of caudal regression, the Renshaw Classification was used. The surgery included correction and stabilization of the kyphotic deformity at the unstable lumbosacral region, with reconstruction of the sagittal balance using a bony block constructed from allograft. Short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated. The study was approved by the local institutional review board. RESULTS: Children with types III and IV caudal regression syndrome underwent spinal-pelvic fusion, with 100% fusion rate, which allows sufficient stabilization of the lumbopelvic segment permitting patient mobilization and standing in type III patients. There were 5 complications needing additional care. CONCLUSION: Multilevel pedicular screw fixation in combination with spinopelvic fusion with cortical allografts allows reconstruction of the sagittal alignment with solid bony fusion improving the quality of life for these patients.

The Utility of 3-Dimensional-Navigation in the Surgical Treatment of Children With Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Ambispective study of patients undergoing surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of screw placement using preoperative 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT)-based navigation with intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance compared with freehand placement. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Pedicle screws placed in deformed vertebrae have a high malposition rate. The use of navigation-based systems has increased placement accuracy. METHODS: Intraoperative registration of patient anatomy to preoperative 3D-CT was performed using anatomic landmarks. When registration accuracy was high (mean square error, <1.0 mm), screw tracts were drilled under navigation guidance; when the error was >1.0 mm, re-registration was performed. The researchers documented times for registration, navigation, and screw placement, and the number of passes. Results were compared with outcomes in cases operated on with freehand screw placement. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included (54 females and 8 males; mean age was 15.1 years [range, 12-18 years]). Mean deformity was 67° (range, 52° to 80°). Mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 42-19 months). In the navigation group, 710 pedicle screws were placed. Mean times were 55 seconds for tracker placement, 94.5 seconds per vertebra for patient registration, 131.1 seconds for screw tract formation on the concave side of the deformity, and 129.5 seconds on the convex side. Average total procedure time was 3.5 hours (range, 2-7 hours). Mean overall registration accuracy was 0.7 mm. Pedicle integrity was breached in 1.6% trajectories. In the freehand group, 470 pedicle screws were placed. Average time for screw placement was 135.2 seconds (p < .001 vs. navigation). Pedicle integrity was breached in 5.1% of trajectories (p < .0001 vs. navigation). No patient developed neurological or other complications. There was no destabilization of the instrumented spine during short- or long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative optic fluoroscopic navigation based on anatomic landmark registration to preoperative 3D-CT spine images enables precise pedicle screw placement with only a minor increase in pedicle preparation time in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.