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Posterior hemivertebra resection with bisegmental fusion for congenital scoliosis: more than 3 year outcomes and analysis of unanticipated surgeries

European Spine Journal volume 22, pages 387–393 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Until now there have been many reports on hemivertebra resection. But there were no large series on the posterior hemivertebra resection with bisegmental fusion. This is a retrospective study to evaluate the surgical outcomes of posterior hemivertebra resection only with bisegmental fusion for congenital scoliosis caused by fully segmented non-incarcerated hemivertebra.

Methods

In our study, 36 consecutive cases (19 males, 17 females) diagnosed with congenital scoliosis, resulting from fully segmented non-incarcerated hemivertebra, treated by posterior hemivertebra resection with bisegmental fusion were investigated retrospectively, with at least a 3 year follow-up period (36–106 months).

Results

The total number of resected hemivertebra was 36. Mean operation time was 188.6 min with average blood loss of 364.2 ml. The segmental scoliosis was corrected from 36.6° to 5.1° with a correction rate of 86.1 %, and segmental kyphosis(difference to normal segmental alignment) from 21.2° to 5.8° at the latest follow-up. The correction rate of the compensatory cranial and caudal curve is 76.4 and 75.1 %. Unanticipated surgeries were performed on eight patients, including one delayed wound healing, two pedicle fractures, one progressive deformity and four implants removals.

Conclusions

Posterior hemivertebra resection with bisegmental fusion allows for early intervention in very young children. Excellent correction can be obtained while the growth potential of the unaffected spine could be preserved well. However, it is not indicated for the hemivertebra between L5 and S1. The most common complication of this procedure is implant failure. Furthermore, in the very young children we noted that although solid fusion could be observed in the fusion level, implants migration may still happen during the time of adolescence, when the height of the body developed rapidly. So a close follow-up is necessary.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuai Fu Yuan, Beijing, 100730, People’s Republic of China

    Shengru Wang, Jianguo Zhang, Guixing Qiu, Shugang Li, Bin Yu & Xisheng Weng

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  1. Shengru Wang
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  2. Jianguo Zhang
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  3. Guixing Qiu
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  5. Bin Yu
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Correspondence to Jianguo Zhang.

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Wang, S., Zhang, J., Qiu, G. et al. Posterior hemivertebra resection with bisegmental fusion for congenital scoliosis: more than 3 year outcomes and analysis of unanticipated surgeries. Eur Spine J 22, 387–393 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2577-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2577-4

Keywords

  • Posterior instrumentation
  • Bisegmetal fusion
  • Hemivertebra