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Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the value of 3-dimensional printing (3DP) spine model in the surgical treatment of severe spinal deformity since the prosperous development of 3DP technology. Methods: Severe scoliosis or hyper-kyphosis patients underwent posterior fixation and fusion surgery using the 3DP spine models were reviewed (3DP group). Spinal deformity surgeries operated by free-hand screw implantation during the same period were selected as the control group after propensity score matching (PSM). The correction rate, pedicle screw accuracy, and complications were analyzed. Class A and B screws were defined as accurate according to Gertzbein and Robbins criteria. Results: 35 patients were enrolled in the 3DP group and 35 matched cases were included in the control group. The perioperative baseline data and deformity correction rate were similar between both groups ( P > .05). However, the operation time and blood loss were significantly less in the 3DP group (296.14 ± 66.18 min vs. 329.43 ± 67.16 min, 711.43 ± 552.28 mL vs. 1322.29 ± 828.23 mL, P < .05). More three-column osteotomies (Grade 3-6) were performed in the 3DP group (30/35, 85.7% vs. 21/35, 60.0%. P = .016). The screw placement accuracy was significantly higher in the 3DP group (422/582, 72.51% vs. 397/575, 69.04%. P = .024). The screw misplacement related complication rate was significantly higher in the free-hand group (6/35 vs. 1/35, P = .046). Conclusions: The study provided solid evidence that 3DP spine models can enhance surgeons’ confidence in performing higher grade osteotomies and improve the safety and efficiency in severe spine deformity correction surgery. 3D printing technology has a good prospect in spinal deformity surgery.

Background: Children with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) living in high-altitude areas have serious deformities and poor nutritional status. There are no reports on the treatment of EOS with traditional growing rods (TGRs)in children in high-altitude areas. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of patients in high-altitude areas treated with TGRs and compare their results according to whether altitude had an effect on therapy.Methods: Between September 2007 and December 2017, 59 consecutive patients with EOS underwent systematic surgical correction using TGRs. Patients were divided into the high-altitude group(H-A group) and low-altitude group(L-A group), and differences in surgical efficacy and complications between the groups were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Radiographic measurements included the Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis, T1–S1range,T1–T12 range, sagittal balance, coronal balance, distance between the C7PL and sagittal vertical axis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt, assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Paired or independent Student’s t-tests were used to analyze continuous data. The χ2 test was used to analyze enumeration data. Repeated measurement analysis of variance was used to compare continuous data preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up.Results: Mean age of all patients at the initial surgery was 8.9±2.4(5–14) years; mean duration of follow-up was 51.91±25.23months.The number of surgical procedures for all patients was 234.The average interval between operations was 11.4±3.0months.The average Cobb angle was similar in both groups preoperatively and at the last follow-up(P>0.05),although it was significantly different postoperatively (P<0.05). TK was significantly different preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up(P<0.05).T1-S1and T1-T12lengths were significantly different preoperatively (P<0.05) but not postoperatively and at the last follow-up(P>0.05). The overall rates of complications and implant-related complications did not differ significantly between the groups(P>0.05).Conclusion: Deformity in patients with EOS in high-altitude areas was more serious, and treatment using TGRs yielded a satisfactory therapeutic effect.

Background Obtaining and maintaining final shoulder balance after the entire treatment course is essential for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) patients. The relatively small number of growing-rod (GR) graduates who complete final fusion has resulted in an overall paucity of research on the GR treatment of EOS and a lack of research on the shoulder balance of EOS patients during GR treatment. Methods Twenty-four consecutive patients who underwent GR treatment until final fusion were included. Radiographic shoulder balance parameters, including the radiographic shoulder height (RSH), clavicle angle (CA), and T1 tilt angle (T1T), before and after each step of the entire treatment were measured. Shoulder balance changes from GR implantation to the last follow-up after final fusion were depicted and analysed. Demographic data, surgical-related factors, and radiographic parameters were analysed to identify risk factors for final shoulder imbalance. The shoulder balance of patients at different time points was further analysed to explore the potential effect of the series of GR treatment steps on shoulder balance. Results The RSH showed substantial improvement after GR implantation (P = 0.036), during the follow-up period after final fusion (P = 0.021) and throughout the entire treatment (P = 0.011). The trend of change in the CA was similar to that of the RSH, and the T1T improved immediately after GR implantation (P = 0.037). Further analysis indicated that patients with shoulder imbalance before final fusion showed significantly improved shoulder balance after fusion (P = 0.045), and their RSH values at early postfusion and the final follow-up did not show statistically significant differences from those in the prefusion shoulder balance group (P > 0.05). Early postfusion shoulder imbalance (odds ratio (OR): 19.500; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.777–213.949; P = 0.015) was identified as an independent risk factor for final shoulder imbalance. Conclusions Shoulder balance could be improved by GR implantation but often changes during the multistep lengthening process, and the final result is relatively unpredictable. Final fusion could further adjust the prefusion shoulder imbalance. Focusing on the prefusion shoulder balance of GR graduates and providing patients with early shoulder balance after fusion might be necessary.

Objective. We aimed to evaluate the value of 3-dimensional printing (3DP) spine model in the surgical treatment of severe spinal deformity since the prosperous development of 3DP technology.Materials and Methods. Severe scoliosis or hyper-kyphosis patients underwent posterior fixation and fusion surgery using the 3DP spine models were reviewed (3DP group). Spinal deformity surgeries operated by free-hand screw implantation during the same period were selected as the control group after propensity score matching (PSM). The correction rate, pedicle screw accuracy, and complications were analyzed. Class A and B screws were defined as accurate according to Gertzbein and Robbins criteria.Results. 35 patients were enrolled in the 3DP group and 35 matched cases were included in the control group. The perioperative baseline data and deformity correction rate were similar between both groups (P>0.05). However, the operation time and blood loss were significantly less in the 3DP group (296.14±66.18 min vs. 329.43±67.16 min, 711.43±552.28 mL vs. 1322.29±828.23 mL, P<0.05). More three-column osteotomies (Grade 3-6) were performed in the 3DP group (30/35, 85.7% vs. 21/35, 60.0%. P=0.016). The screw placement accuracy was significantly higher in the 3DP group (422/582, 72.51% vs. 397/575, 69.04%. P=0.024). The screw misplacement related complication rate was significantly higher in the free-hand group (6/35 vs. 1/35, P=0.046).Conclusion. The study provided solid evidence that 3DP spine models can enhance surgeons' confidence in performing higher grade osteotomies and improve the safety and efficiency in severe spine deformity correction surgery. 3D printing technology has a good prospect in spinal deformity surgery.