How to determine the optimal proximal fusion level for Scheuermann kyphosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine optimal proximal fusion levels for instrumented spinal fusion for Scheuermann kyphosis. METHODS: We reviewed 86 patients (33 women) who underwent corrective instrumented spinal fusion for Scheuermann kyphosis. All patients had long-cassette upright lateral radiographs taken preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 2 years and the last follow-up. Demographic, radiographic, and surgical parameters were compared between patients with and without PJK. RESULTS: PJK occurred in 28 patients (32%). The mean maximum Cobb angle was 85.8° ± 11.7° preoperatively, 54.8° ± 14.2° postoperatively, and 59.7° ± 16.8° at the last follow-up. Age and sex did not differ between the PJK and non-PJK groups (P > 0.05). The preoperative curve characteristics, fusion levels, and corrective ratio were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). The maximal Cobb angle at 2 years and the last follow-up significantly differed between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with the uppermost instrumented vertebra (UIV) at or above the proximal end vertebra (PEV) was similar in both groups (P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with UIV at or above T2 was significantly greater in the non-PJK group (P < 0.05). PJK was significantly associated with a C7 plumb line (C7PL)-sacrum distance ≥ 50 mm (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PJK is the main cause of postoperative correction loss. Proper fusion-level selection can reduce PJK occurrence. We recommend having the UIV at T2 or above, especially when the C7PL-sacrum distance ≥ 50 mm.

The prevalence of abnormal preoperative neurological examination in Scheuermann kyphosis: correlation with X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical outcome.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of abnormal neurological findings detected by physical examination in Scheuermann kyphosis and to correlate it to radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and results of operative treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There have been sporadic reports about abnormal neurological findings in patients with Scheuermann kyphosis. METHODS: Among 82 patients with Scheuermann kyphosis who underwent corrective surgery, 69 primary cases were selected. Patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively in terms of pre and postoperative neurological examinations. Sensory or motor change was defined as an abnormal neurological examination. Their duration, associated problems, and various parameters on preoperative radiographs and MRI examinations were also measured to search for any atypical findings associated with an abnormal neurological examination. RESULTS: There were 6 cases (9%) (group AbN), with an abnormal neurological examination ranging from severe myelopathy to a subtle change (e.g., sensory paresthesias on trunk). Five patients recovered to a normal neurological examination after corrective surgery. The remaining 1 patient with severe myelopathy also showed marked improvement and was ambulatory unassisted by 2-year follow-up. In patients with a normal neurological examination (group N, n = 63), only 1 patient had neurological sequelae because of anterior spinal artery syndrome after combined anterior-posterior correction. No preoperative radiographical parameters were significantly different between groups. Average age was 21.3 (AbN) and 18.6 (N) years (P = 0.55). Average preoperative T5-12 kyphosis was 69.0° (AbN) and 72.5° (N) (P = 0.61). Forty-two magnetic resonance images were obtained and all showed typical findings of Scheuermann kyphosis. Five patients in the AbN group (1 patient underwent computed tomography/myelography) and 37 patients in the N group underwent an MRI. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of abnormal neurological findings in Scheuermann kyphosis was 9%, emphasizing the importance of performing a detailed preoperative neurological examination. If congenital stenosis or a herniated thoracic disc is present, myelopathy can occur. No radiographical findings correlated with the abnormal preoperative neurological examinations. A normal MRI can exist in the face of an abnormal neurological examination, and conversely, a normal neurological examination can be seen with an abnormal MRI. Surgery was successful in alleviating abnormal neurological issues. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Hemostatic techniques reduce hospital stay following multilevel posterior cervical spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite meticulous hemostasis, persistent postoperative drain output following posterior cervical spine procedures often necessitates a prolonged length of hospital stay. We sought to determine if thrombin-soaked absorbable gelatin compressed sponge can decrease postoperative drain output and the length of hospital stay after multilevel posterior cervical spine surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of forty-three pairs of patients who had undergone either posterior cervical decompression and/or fusion of three or more levels by the same surgeon. The patients were matched according to intraoperative blood loss, age, sex, and number of involved levels. Control patients were managed between 2004 and 2007, whereas study patients were managed between 2008 and 2011. The only variable between the study and control groups was that, in the study group, absorbable gelatin compressed sponge was soaked in thrombin and applied over the exposed spine before wound closure. A subfascial drain was used in all patients. Total drain output, time for the drainage to decrease to <30 mL per eight-hour shift (at which point the drain was discontinued), the length of stay, the number of readmissions, and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Total drain output averaged 93 mL in the study group and 204 mL in the control group (p < 0.0001). The average time for the drainage to decrease to <30 mL per eight-hour shift was 2.5 shifts in the study group and 4.4 shifts in the control group (p < 0.0001). Length of stay averaged 1.3 days (cumulative total, fifty-seven days) in the study group and 2.2 days (cumulative total, ninety-five days) in the control group (p < 0.0001). Persistent drain output was the primary reason preventing discharge on the first postoperative day. There were no infections, epidural hematomas, or readmissions within thirty days of discharge in either group. No patient developed adverse reactions attributable to the thrombin-soaked absorbable gelatin compressed sponge. CONCLUSIONS: Application of thrombin-soaked absorbable gelatin compressed sponge at the end of multilevel posterior cervical spinal surgery significantly decreased postoperative drain output and consequent hospital stay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.