Coagulative function assessed preoperatively via the clot formation and lysis assay as a prognostic factor for blood loss in adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a complex surgery often associated with clinically significant blood loss leading to perioperative blood transfusion. Knowledge of risk factors for blood loss and transfusion stems mostly from retrospective studies. AIM: We sought to prospectively investigate putative prognostic factors for intraoperative blood loss and perioperative blood transfusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spine fusion, including clinical characteristics, surgical factors, and preoperative assessment of overall coagulative and fibrinolytic functions in plasma using the clot formation and lysis (CloFAL) assay. METHODS: Following Internal Review Board approval, adolescents 10 to <21 years old with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spine fusion were enrolled preoperatively in a single-institutional prospective cohort and biobanking study. Clinical data were collected on patient characteristics, surgical approach, perioperative management, intraoperative estimated blood loss, and blood transfusion through hospital discharge. Coagulative and fibrinolytic functions in plasma were measured on preoperative samples by CloFAL assay (Coagulation Index and modified Fibrinolytic Index). Univariate linear regression and multivariable linear regression were performed to identify predictors of weight-indexed intraoperative estimated blood loss EBL (EBL/kg). RESULTS: The final study population included 74 patients. Median age was 14.8 years (SD = 2.2). After adjustment for other putative prognostic factors via multivariable linear regression, coagulative function as determined preoperatively by CloFAL Coagulation Index was an independent predictor of intraoperative (EBL)/kg. Specifically, each 10% increase in CloFAL CI was associated with 3% decrease in the geometric mean of EBL/kg (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.94-0.99, P = .01). CONCLUSION: In adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis, increased coagulative function measured preoperatively using the CloFAL assay is independently associated with decreased intraoperative blood loss. Future studies should expand upon these investigations of plasma coagulative and fibrinolytic capacities in combination with clinical factors, to guide precise preventive strategies against blood loss and blood transfusion in this patient population.

Rib head dislocation causing spinal canal stenosis in a child with neurofibromatosis, type 1.

A 10-year-old female with neurofibromatosis type 1 and severe dystrophic scoliosis presented with a two-month history of difficulty ambulating due to low back pain. The patient did not have any neurological symptoms. MRI of the thoracolumbar spine demonstrated subluxation of the right posterior tenth and eleventh ribs through their respective neural foramina, with mild mass effect on the thecal sac without abnormal cord signal or cord compression. Groups of neurofibromas were present along the right ribs and paravertebral soft tissues around these levels. CT evaluation was completed for greater osseous definition. Cases of rib head dislocation into the central canal in the setting of dystrophic scoliosis were documented in only a limited sample of case reports. The angulated short-segment curvature in dystrophic scoliosis causes vertebral body rotation, foraminal enlargement, spindling of transverse processes, and penciling of the apical ribs. These changes can alter the articulation of the rib along the transverse process. The enlarged foramina can also create a larger space into which a rib may displace. As a result, in most reported cases, the subluxed ribs were on the convex apex of the curve in the mid-to-lower thoracic region. The risk of cord injury from rib head dislocation makes the complete depiction of the anatomy essential for proper surgical management.

The management and outcome of spinal implant-related infections in pediatric patients: a retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Infection after implantation of spinal rods is a significant complication of this procedure. Optimal treatment of surgical implants often involves device removal. This approach is problematic when treating spinal implant-related infections, because device removal may cause significant morbidity. Medical management of these infections is therefore necessary, but treatment regimens are not standardized. We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients with spinal implant-related infections at a regional spinal center for a 6-year period. We describe clinical course, duration of treatment and outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed records of patients with spinal implant-related infections from 2005 to 2010. Data collection included demographics, underlying diagnosis, surgical hardware, timing to infection after implantation, signs and symptoms of infection, duration of antimicrobials, adverse drug events and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: We enrolled 23 patients with spinal implant infections, aged 8-20 years. Wound drainage was the most common presenting symptom (82.6%). Median time from surgery to first infection was 16 days (range: 8-1052 days). Median length of antimicrobial therapy was 131 days (range: 42-597 days). Seventy eight percent were cured with antibiotics alone with implanted devices retained. Four patients failed medical therapy and required device removal. A wide range of antibiotic duration was used (42 to >597 days). Seven patients (30.4%) experienced at least 1 adverse drug event. CONCLUSIONS: Infection related to spinal instrumentation procedures can be managed medically with long-term antibiotic therapy. Careful monitoring for not only efficacy but also adverse drug events is advised. Further research is needed to determine the optimal duration of antibiotics for spinal implant-related infections.