Spinal Shortening in Scoliosis Surgery

Abstract

This procedure appears to be more dangerous than traditional surgery. Partial vertebrectomy as a closing wedge osteotomy of the convexity may be a less risky procedure. The practice of not using bone graft in the intervertebral spaces does not seem to contribute to spinal shortening and increases the pseudoartosis risk.

Influence of Acute Shortening on the Spinal Cord: An Experimental Study

“…1,4,9,[12][13][14] During the procedure, the spinal column is shortened and the spinal cord may become redundant in relation to the spine. 13,14 It was reported that dural buckling may occur over approximately 35°in correction at any one level in closing-wedge osteotomy. 13 Gertzbein and Harris 9 reported their procedure was best suited for corrections of approximately 30°to 40°.…”

Three-stage surgery in the management of severe rigid angular kyphosis

“…The average length of hospitalization was 14 days (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22).…”

“…Rigid, severely angulated kyphotic deformities cannot be corrected without bone resection [12]. Posterior osteotomies have been widely used for this purpose.…”