ObjectiveTo describe the location of the dorsal root ganglion in relation to the intervertebral disc, including the “triangular” safety zone for minimally invasive surgery in the lumbar spine.MethodsEight adult cadavers were dissected bilaterally in the lumbar region, using a posterolateral approach, so as to expose the L3L4 and L4L5 spaces, thereby obtaining measurements relating to the space between the intervertebral disc, pedicles cranial and caudal to the disc, path of the nerve root, dorsal ganglion and safety triangle.ResultsThe measurements obtained were constant, without significant differences between levels or any laterality. The dorsal ganglion occupied the lateral border of the triangular safety zone in all the specimens analyzed.ConclusionPrecise localization of the ganglion shows that the safety margin for minimally invasive procedures is less than what is presented in studies that only involve measurements of the nerve root, thus perhaps explaining the presence of neuropathic pain after some of these procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life, using the SF-36, in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who un-derwent surgery for deformity correction, comparing the results in the pre-and post-operative period. METHODS: We evaluated 29 patients, 24 female, mean age 14.5 years, all patients had measurement of Cobb angle greater than 50º, and responded to the SF-36 questionnaire preope-ratively and on average two years after surgery. RESULTS: There was improvement in all eight domains studied by the SF-36 after surgical treatment, with statistically significant improvement of the domains functional capacity physical aspects, pain and general state. Vitality and mental heal-th were those with the lowest percentage of improvement postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of defor-mity in all AIS improved the functional aspects assessed by the SF-36, representing, in practice, better quality of life for these patients. Evidence Level II, Prospective Study.

ObjectiveTo correlate spinopelvic balance with the development of degenerative spondylolisthesis and disk herniation.MethodsThis was a descriptive retrospective study that evaluated 60 patients in this hospital, 30 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis at the L4–L5 level and 30 with herniated disk at the L4–L5 level, all of whom underwent Surgical treatment.ResultsPatients with lumbar disk herniation at L4–L5 level had a mean tilt of 8.06, mean slope of 36.93, and mean PI of 45. In patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis at the L4–L5 level, a mean tilt of 22.1, mean slope of 38.3, and mean PI of 61.4 were observed.ConclusionThis article reinforces the finding that the high mean tilt and PI are related to the onset of degenerative spondylolisthesis, and also concluded that the same angles, when low, increase the risk for disk herniation.

Objectives To adapt the adult spinal deformity frailty index (ASD-FI), which was presented as an instrument for stratification of risk of surgical complications, for application in the Brazilian population. Methods This is a consensus-building study, following the Delphi method, in which a team of six Brazilian spine surgery specialists worked alongside the International Spine Study Group (ISSG), the group responsible for preparing the original version of the ASD-FI, in order to adapt the index for the Brazilian population. The variables to be included in the new version, as well as the translation of the terminology into Portuguese, were evaluated and a consensus was considered to have been reached when all (100%) of the Brazilian experts were in agreement. Results A version of the ASD-FI was created, composed of 42 variables, with the inclusion of two new variables that were not included in the original version. The new version was then back translated into English and approved by the ISSG members, resulting in the adapted version of the ASD-FI for the Brazilian population. Conclusion This study presents an adapted version of the adult spinal deformity frailty index for the Brazilian population, for the purpose of risk stratification in the surgical treatment of these complex deformities. Level of evidence II; Study of adaptation of a valid score.