Study Design Retrospective study Objectives The combination of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) with grade 2 posterior column osteotomy (PCO) is an effective treatment for adult spinal deformity. However, grade 2 PCO may lead to pseudoarthrosis because it involves complete removal of the bilateral posterior facet joints. The main study objective was to determine the achievement rate of anterior and posterolateral fusion resulting in circumferential fusion in patients who underwent combined OLIF and grade 2 PCO. Methods This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent OLIF and grade 2 PCO. The group comprised a long fusion group, with fusion from the thoracic level to the ilium, and a short fusion group, with fusion within the lumbar region. The OLIF with percutaneous pedicle screw insertion group was also used for reference. The Brantigan–Steffee–Fraser classification was used to assess interbody fusion and Lenke classification for assessment of posterolateral fusion. Results Sixty-six patients with 109 lumbar levels were included in the study. We observed 100% anterior fusion in all 3 groups. The fusion rate for posterolateral fusion between the OLIF-grade 2 PCO group was 97%, with very low (3%) non-circumferential fusion (pseudoarthrosis only at the osteotomy site). In most cases, solid posterolateral fusions (Lenke A) occurred within 24 months. Conclusions The combination of OLIF and grade 2 PCO resulted in circumferential fusion for most (97%) of the cases within 24 months. OLIF and grade 2 PCO are considered a good combination treatment to achieve sufficient lumbar lordosis and solid bone fusion.

Neck manipulation is associated with spinal cord injury. However, occurrence of such cases is infrequent. This article presents a 33-year-old gentleman who sustained acute tetraplegia after neck manipulation. The aim of this case report is to create awareness that vigorous neck manipulation could cause injury to the spinal cord.

An anterior surgical approach for severe infectious spondylodiscitis in the lumbar region is optimal but not always atraumatic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a minimal anterior-lateral retroperitoneal approach, also known as a surgical approach for oblique lumbar interbody fusion, for cases with severe infectious spondylodiscitis with osseous defects. Methods: Twenty-four consecutive patients who underwent anterior debridement and spinal fusion with an autologous strut bone graft for infectious spondylodiscitis with osseous defects were reviewed retrospectively. Eleven patients underwent the minimal retroperitoneal approach (Group M), and 13 underwent the conventional open approach (Group C). Periand postoperative clinical outcomes, that is, estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time (OT), creatine kinase (CK) level, visual analog scale (VAS), and rates of bone union and additional posterior instrumentation, were evaluated, and the differences between both groups were assessed statistically. Results: Mean EBL, serum CK on the 1 st postoperative day, and VAS on the 14 th postoperative day were 202.1 mL, 390.9 IU/L, and 9.5 mm in Group M and 648.3 mL, 925.5 IU/L, and 22.3 mm in Group C, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the groups. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in OT and rates of bone union and additional posterior instrumentation. Conclusions: Anterior debridement and spinal fusion using the minimal retroperitoneal approach is a useful and safe surgical technique. Although a preponderance of the minimal approach regarding early bone union is not validated, this technique has the advantages of conventional open surgery, but reduces blood loss, muscle injury, and pain postoperatively.