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Variations in the position of the aorta and vertebral safe zones in supine, prone, and lateral decubitus for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

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Abstract

Purpose

Analyze the modifications in the “safe zones” of T4–L4 vertebral bodies relative to aorta according to patient positioning, as well as in the relationship between the aorta and the vertebrae.

Methods

Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent surgical treatment during 2017 were included. Preoperative whole spine MRI in supine, prone, and LD positions was performed. The safe zone right (SZR) was defined as the angle formed between X-axis (0º) and a line connecting the origin and the edge of the aorta, and the safe zone left (SZL) was the angle between the edge of the aorta to 180º (X-axis).

Results

A total of 21 patients were studied, median age was 15.2 years, and 71.4% were female. The mean SZR lied from 0°–86.1º at T4 to 0°–76.9º at L4 in supine, from 0°–84.05º at T4 to 0º–78.5º at L4 in prone, and from 0° to 91.75º at T4 to 0°–80.4º at L4 in LD. While the mean SZL was located from 155.4º–180º at T4 to 107.9º–180º at L4 in supine, from 134°–180° at T4 to 103.9°–180° at L4 in prone, and from 143.8º–180º at T4 to 106º–180º at L4 in LD. Statistically significant differences were found almost at all levels when comparing supine versus prone and LD.

Conclusions

Patient positioning during spinal surgery significantly modifies T4–L4 vertebral safe zones relative to aorta. These variations should be taken into account when analyzing an MRI performed in supine if the patient is undergoing surgery in a different position, to avoid vascular-related injuries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Surgery, Spinal Unit, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, C/ Menéndez Pelayo 65, 28009, Madrid, Spain

    Rosa M. Egea-Gámez, Teresa Rodríguez del Real, Alfonso González-Menocal & Rafael González-Díaz

  2. Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Clínico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain

    María Galán-Olleros

Authors
  1. Rosa M. Egea-Gámez
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  2. María Galán-Olleros
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  3. Teresa Rodríguez del Real
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  4. Alfonso González-Menocal
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  5. Rafael González-Díaz
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Correspondence to Rosa M. Egea-Gámez.

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I and the other authors have NO financial relationship(s) with a commercial interest producing healthcare goods or services.

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This study was carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (JBJS 79A:1089-98, 1997).

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Patients confidentiality was protected according to the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

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Egea-Gámez, R.M., Galán-Olleros, M., Rodríguez del Real, T. et al. Variations in the position of the aorta and vertebral safe zones in supine, prone, and lateral decubitus for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Eur Spine J 30, 1950–1958 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-021-06813-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-021-06813-4

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