Browsing by Subject "Preoperative Care"
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Item Open Access A model for predicting the risk of de novo stress urinary incontinence in women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery.(Obstetrics and gynecology, 2014-02) Jelovsek, J Eric; Chagin, Kevin; Brubaker, Linda; Rogers, Rebecca G; Richter, Holly E; Arya, Lily; Barber, Matthew D; Shepherd, Jonathan P; Nolen, Tracy L; Norton, Peggy; Sung, Vivian; Menefee, Shawn; Siddiqui, Nazema; Meikle, Susan F; Kattan, Michael W; Pelvic Floor Disorders NetworkTo construct and validate a prediction model for estimating the risk of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after vaginal pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery and compare it with predictions using preoperative urinary stress testing and expert surgeons' predictions.Using the data set (n=457) from the Outcomes Following Vaginal Prolapse Repair and Midurethral Sling trial, a model using 12 clinical preoperative predictors of de novo SUI was constructed. De novo SUI was determined by Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory responses through 12 months postoperatively. After fitting the multivariable logistic regression model using the best predictors, the model was internally validated with 1,000 bootstrap samples to obtain bias-corrected accuracy using a concordance index. The model's predictions were also externally validated by comparing findings against actual outcomes using Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Efforts trial patients (n=316). The final model's performance was compared with experts using a test data set of 32 randomly chosen Outcomes Following Vaginal Prolapse Repair and Midurethral Sling trial patients through comparison of the model's area under the curve against: 1) 22 experts' predictions; and 2) preoperative prolapse reduction stress testing.A model containing seven predictors discriminated between de novo SUI status (concordance index 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.80) in Outcomes Following Vaginal Prolapse Repair and Midurethral Sling participants and outperformed expert clinicians (area under the curve 0.72 compared with 0.62, P<.001) and preoperative urinary stress testing (area under the curve 0.72 compared with 0.54, P<.001). The concordance index for Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Efforts trial participants was 0.62 (95% CI 0.56-0.69).This individualized prediction model for de novo SUI after vaginal POP surgery is valid and outperforms preoperative stress testing, prediction by experts, and preoperative reduction cough stress testing. An online calculator is provided for clinical use.III.Item Open Access A Multicenter Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Following High-grade Spondylolisthesis Reduction and Fusion.(Clinical spine surgery, 2017-05) Gandhoke, Gurpreet S; Kasliwal, Manish K; Smith, Justin S; Nieto, JoAnne; Ibrahimi, David; Park, Paul; Lamarca, Frank; Shaffrey, Christopher; Okonkwo, David O; Kanter, Adam SObjective
A retrospective review of the clinical and radiographic outcomes from a multicenter study of surgical treatment for high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) in adults. The objective was to assess the safety of surgical reduction, its ability to correct regional deformity, and its clinical effectiveness.Methods
Retrospective, multicenter review of adults (age above 18 y) with lumbosacral HGS (Meyerding grade 3-5) treated surgically with open decompression, attempted reduction, posterior instrumentation, and interbody fusion. Preoperative and postoperative assessment of the Meyerding grade, slip angle, and sacral inclination were performed based on standing radiographs. Preoperative visual analog scale scores were compared with those at the mean follow-up period. Prolo and Oswestry Disability Index scores at most recent follow-up were assessed.Results
A total of 25 patients, aged 19-72 years, met inclusion criteria. Seventeen interbody cages were placed, including 15 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions, 1 posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and 1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Five patients required sacral dome osteotomies. The average follow-up was 21.3 months.At most recent follow-up there was a statistically significant improvement in both the Meyerding grade and the slip angle (P<0.05). There was 1 intraoperative complication resulting in a neurological deficit (4%) and 1 intraoperative vertebral body fracture (4%). No additional surgery was required for any of these patients. There were no cases of nonunion or device failure except for 1 patient who suffered an unrelated traumatic injury 1 year after surgery. The mean Oswestry Disability Index and Prolo scores at mean follow-up of 21.3 months were 20% (minimum disability) and 8.2 (grade 1), respectively.Conclusions
The present study suggests that reduction, when accomplished in conjunction with wide neural element decompression and instrumented arthrodesis, is safe, effective, and durable with low rates of neurological injury, favorable clinical results, and high-fusion rates.Item Open Access Alcohol skin preparation causes surgical fires.(Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2012-03) Rocos, B; Donaldson, LJIntroduction
Surgical fires are a rare but serious preventable safety risk in modern hospitals. Data from the US show that up to 650 surgical fires occur each year, with up to 5% causing death or serious harm. This study used the National Reporting and Learning Service (NRLS) database at the National Patient Safety Agency to explore whether spirit-based surgical skin preparation fluid contributes to the cause of surgical fires.Methods
The NRLS database was interrogated for all incidents of surgical fires reported between 1 March 2004 and 1 March 2011. Each report was scrutinised manually to discover the cause of the fire.Results
Thirteen surgical fires were reported during the study period. Of these, 11 were found to be directly related to spirit-based surgical skin preparation or preparation soaked swabs and drapes.Conclusions
Despite manufacturer's instructions and warnings, surgical fires continue to occur. Guidance published in the UK and US states that spirit-based skin preparation solutions should continue to be used but sets out some precautions. It may be that fire risk should be included in pre-surgical World Health Organization checklists or in the surgical training curriculum. Surgical staff should be aware of the risk that spirit-based skin preparation fluids pose and should take action to minimise the chance of fire occurring.Item Open Access An international consensus on the appropriate evaluation and treatment for adults with spinal deformity.(European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2018-03) Berven, Sigurd H; Kamper, Steven J; Germscheid, Niccole M; Dahl, Benny; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Lenke, Lawrence G; Lewis, Stephen J; Cheung, Kenneth M; Alanay, Ahmet; Ito, Manabu; Polly, David W; Qiu, Yong; de Kleuver, Marinus; AOSpine Knowledge Forum DeformityPurpose
Evaluation and surgical management for adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients varies between health care providers. The purpose of this study is to identify appropriateness of specific approaches and management strategies for the treatment of ASD.Methods
From January to July 2015, the AOSpine Knowledge Deformity Forum performed a modified Delphi survey where 53 experienced deformity surgeons from 24 countries, rated the appropriateness of management strategies for multiple ASD clinical scenarios. Four rounds were performed: three surveys and a face-to-face meeting. Consensus was achieved with ≥70% agreement.Results
Appropriate surgical goals are improvement of function, pain, and neural symptoms. Appropriate preoperative patient evaluation includes recording information on history and comorbidities, and radiographic workup, including long standing films and MRI for all patients. Preoperative pulmonary and cardiac testing and DEXA scan is appropriate for at-risk patients. Intraoperatively, appropriate surgical strategies include long fusions with deformity correction for patients with large deformity and sagittal imbalance, and pelvic fixation for multilevel fusions with large curves, sagittal imbalance, and osteoporosis. Decompression alone is inappropriate in patients with large curves, sagittal imbalance, and progressive deformity. It is inappropriate to fuse to L5 in patients with symptomatic disk degeneration at L5-S1.Conclusions
These results provide guidance for informed decision-making in the evaluation and management of ASD. Appropriate care for ASD, a very diverse spectrum of disease, must be responsive to patient preference and values, and considerations of the care provider, and the healthcare system. A monolithic approach to care should be avoided.Item Open Access Assessment of a Novel Adult Cervical Deformity Frailty Index as a Component of Preoperative Risk Stratification.(World neurosurgery, 2018-01) Miller, Emily K; Ailon, Tamir; Neuman, Brian J; Klineberg, Eric O; Mundis, Gregory M; Sciubba, Daniel M; Kebaish, Khaled M; Lafage, Virginie; Scheer, Justin K; Smith, Justin S; Hamilton, D Kojo; Bess, Shay; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Ames, Christopher P; International Spine Study GroupTo determine the value of a novel adult cervical deformity frailty index (CD-FI) in preoperative risk stratification.We reviewed a prospective, multicenter database of adults with cervical spine deformity. We selected 40 variables to construct the CD-FI using a validated method. Patients were categorized as not frail (NF) (<0.2), frail (0.2-0.4), or severely frail (SF) (>0.4) according to CD-FI score. We performed multivariate logistic regression to determine the relationships between CD-FI score and incidence of complications, length of hospital stay, and discharge disposition.Of 61 patients enrolled from 2009 to 2015 with at least 1 year of follow-up, the mean CD-FI score was 0.26 (range 0.25-0.59). Seventeen patients were categorized as NF, 34 as frail, and 10 as SF. The incidence of major complications increased with greater frailty, with a gamma correlation coefficient of 0.25 (asymptotic standard error, 0.22). The odds of having a major complication were greater for frail patients (odds ratio 4.4; 95% confidence interval 0.6-32) and SF patients (odds ratio 43; 95% confidence interval 2.7-684) compared with NF patients. Greater frailty was associated with a greater incidence of medical complications and had a gamma correlation coefficient of 0.30 (asymptotic standard error, 0.26). Surgical complications, discharge disposition, and length of hospital stay did not correlate significantly with frailty.Greater frailty was associated with greater risk of major complications for patients undergoing cervical spine deformity surgery. The CD-FI may be used to improve the accuracy of preoperative risk stratification and allow for adequate patient counseling.Item Open Access Development of a validated computer-based preoperative predictive model for pseudarthrosis with 91% accuracy in 336 adult spinal deformity patients.(Neurosurgical focus, 2018-11) Scheer, Justin K; Oh, Taemin; Smith, Justin S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Daniels, Alan H; Sciubba, Daniel M; Hamilton, D Kojo; Protopsaltis, Themistocles S; Passias, Peter G; Hart, Robert A; Burton, Douglas C; Bess, Shay; Lafage, Renaud; Lafage, Virginie; Schwab, Frank; Klineberg, Eric O; Ames, Christopher P; International Spine Study GroupOBJECTIVEPseudarthrosis can occur following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery and can lead to instrumentation failure, recurrent pain, and ultimately revision surgery. In addition, it is one of the most expensive complications of ASD surgery. Risk factors contributing to pseudarthrosis in ASD have been described; however, a preoperative model predicting the development of pseudarthrosis does not exist. The goal of this study was to create a preoperative predictive model for pseudarthrosis based on demographic, radiographic, and surgical factors.METHODSA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained, multicenter ASD database was conducted. Study inclusion criteria consisted of adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with spinal deformity and surgery for the ASD. From among 82 variables assessed, 21 were used for model building after applying collinearity testing, redundancy, and univariable predictor importance ≥ 0.90. Variables included demographic data along with comorbidities, modifiable surgical variables, baseline coronal and sagittal radiographic parameters, and baseline scores for health-related quality of life measures. Patients groups were determined according to their Lenke radiographic fusion type at the 2-year follow-up: bilateral or unilateral fusion (union) or pseudarthrosis (nonunion). A decision tree was constructed, and internal validation was accomplished via bootstrapped training and testing data sets. Accuracy and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate the model.RESULTSA total of 336 patients were included in the study (nonunion: 105, union: 231). The model was 91.3% accurate with an AUC of 0.94. From 82 initial variables, the top 21 covered a wide range of areas including preoperative alignment, comorbidities, patient demographics, and surgical use of graft material.CONCLUSIONSA model for predicting the development of pseudarthrosis at the 2-year follow-up was successfully created. This model is the first of its kind for complex predictive analytics in the development of pseudarthrosis for patients with ASD undergoing surgical correction and can aid in clinical decision-making for potential preventative strategies.Item Open Access Development of predictive models for all individual questions of SRS-22R after adult spinal deformity surgery: a step toward individualized medicine.(European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2019-09) Ames, Christopher P; Smith, Justin S; Pellisé, Ferran; Kelly, Michael; Gum, Jeffrey L; Alanay, Ahmet; Acaroğlu, Emre; Pérez-Grueso, Francisco Javier Sánchez; Kleinstück, Frank S; Obeid, Ibrahim; Vila-Casademunt, Alba; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Burton, Douglas C; Lafage, Virginie; Schwab, Frank J; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Bess, Shay; Serra-Burriel, Miquel; European Spine Study Group; International Spine Study GroupPurpose
Health-related quality of life (HRQL) instruments are essential in value-driven health care, but patients often have more specific, personal priorities when seeking surgical care. The Scoliosis Research Society-22R (SRS-22R), an HRQL instrument for spinal deformity, provides summary scores spanning several health domains, but these may be difficult for patients to utilize in planning their specific care goals. Our objective was to create preoperative predictive models for responses to individual SRS-22R questions at 1 and 2 years after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery to facilitate precision surgical care.Methods
Two prospective observational cohorts were queried for ASD patients with SRS-22R data at baseline and 1 and 2 years after surgery. In total, 150 covariates were used in training machine learning models, including demographics, surgical data and perioperative complications. Validation was accomplished via an 80%/20% data split for training and testing, respectively. Goodness of fit was measured using area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves.Results
In total, 561 patients met inclusion criteria. The AUROC ranged from 56.5 to 86.9%, reflecting successful fits for most questions. SRS-22R questions regarding pain, disability and social and labor function were the most accurately predicted. Models were less sensitive to questions regarding general satisfaction, depression/anxiety and appearance.Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explicitly model the prediction of individual answers to the SRS-22R questionnaire at 1 and 2 years after deformity surgery. The ability to predict individual question responses may prove useful in preoperative counseling in the age of individualized medicine. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.Item Open Access Dynamic changes of the pelvis and spine are key to predicting postoperative sagittal alignment after pedicle subtraction osteotomy: a critical analysis of preoperative planning techniques.(Spine, 2012-05) Smith, Justin S; Bess, Shay; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Burton, Douglas C; Hart, Robert A; Hostin, Richard; Klineberg, Eric; International Spine Study GroupStudy design
Retrospective, radiographical analysis of mathe-matical formulas used to predict sagittal vertical axis (SVA) after pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO).Objective
Evaluate the ability of different formulas to predict SVA after PSO.Summary of background data
Failure to achieve optimal spinal alignment after spinal fusion correlates with poor outcomes. Numerous mathematical models have been proposed to aid preoperative PSO planning and predict postoperative SVA. Pelvic parameters have been shown to impact spinal alignment; however, many preoperative planning models fail to evaluate these. Compensatory changes within unfused spinal segments have also been shown to impact SVA. Predictive formulas that do not evaluate pelvic parameters and unfused spinal segments may erroneously guide PSO surgery. A formula that integrates pelvic tilt (PT) and spinal compensatory changes to predict optimal SVA has been previously proposed.Methods
Comparative analysis of 5 mathematical models used to predict optimal postoperative SVA (<5 cm) after PSO was performed using a multicenter PSO database.Results
Radiographs of 147 patients, mean age 52 years (SD = 15 yr), who received 147 PSOs (42 thoracic and 105 lumbar) were evaluated. Mean preoperative and postoperative SVA was 108 mm (SD = 95 mm) and 30 mm (SD = 60 mm; P < 0.001), respectively. Each mathematical formula provided unique prediction for postoperative SA (Pearson R < 0.15). Formulas that neglected pelvic alignment poorly predicted final SVA and poorly correlated with optimal SVA. Formulas that evaluated pelvic morphology (pelvic incidence) had improved SVA prediction. The Lafage formulas, which incorporate PT and spinal compensatory changes, had the best SVA prediction (P < 0.05) and best correlation with optimal SVA (R = 0.75).Conclusion
Preoperative planning for PSO is essential to optimize postoperative spinal alignment. Mathematical models that do not consider pelvic parameters and changes in unfused spinal segments poorly predict optimal postoperative alignment and may predispose to poor clinical outcomes. The Lafage formulas, which incorporated PT and spinal compensatory changes, best predicted optimal SVA.Item Open Access Effectiveness of preoperative autologous blood donation for protection against allogeneic blood exposure in adult spinal deformity surgeries: a propensity-matched cohort analysis.(Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2016-01) Kelly, Michael P; Zebala, Lukas P; Kim, Han Jo; Sciubba, Daniel M; Smith, Justin S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Bess, Shay; Klineberg, Eric; Mundis, Gregory; Burton, Douglas; Hart, Robert; Soroceanu, Alex; Schwab, Frank; Lafage, Virginie; International Spine Study GroupObjective
The goal of this study was to examine the effectiveness of preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.Methods
Patients undergoing single-stay ASD reconstructions were identified in a multicenter database. Patients were divided into groups according to PABD (either PABD or NoPABD). Propensity weighting was used to create matched cohorts of PABD and NoPABD patients. Allogeneic (ALLO) exposure, autologous (AUTO) wastage (unused AUTO), and complication rates were compared between groups.Results
Four hundred twenty-eight patients were identified as meeting eligibility criteria. Sixty patients were treated with PABD, of whom 50 were matched to 50 patients who were not treated with PABD (NoPABD). Nearly one-third of patients in the PABD group (18/60, 30%) did not receive any autologous transfusion and donated blood was wasted. In 6 of these cases (6/60, 10%), patients received ALLO blood transfusions without AUTO. In 9 cases (9/60, 15%), patients received ALLO and AUTO blood transfusions. Overall rates of transfusion of any type were similar between groups (PABD 70% [42/60], NoPABD 75% [275/368], p = 0.438). Major and minor in-hospital complications were similar between groups (Major PABD 10% [6/60], NoPABD 12% [43/368], p = 0.537; Minor PABD 30% [18/60], NoPABD 24% [87/368], p = 0.499). When controlling for potential confounders, PABD patients were more likely to receive some transfusion (OR 15.1, 95% CI 2.1-106.7). No relationship between PABD and ALLO blood exposure was observed, however, refuting the concept that PABD is protective against ALLO blood exposure. In the matched cohorts, PABD patients were more likely to sustain a major perioperative cardiac complication (PABD 8/50 [16%], NoPABD 1/50 [2%], p = 0.046). No differences in rates of infection or wound-healing complications were observed between cohorts.Conclusions
Preoperative autologous blood donation was associated with a higher probability of perioperative transfusions of any type in patients with ASD. No protective effect of PABD against ALLO blood exposure was observed, and no risk of perioperative infectious complications was observed in patients exposed to ALLO blood only. The benefit of PABD in patients with ASD remains undefined.Item Open Access Faced joint locking.(Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2011-01) Shaffrey, Christopher IItem Open Access Optimal surgical care for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: an international consensus.(European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2014-12) de Kleuver, Marinus; Lewis, Stephen J; Germscheid, Niccole M; Kamper, Steven J; Alanay, Ahmet; Berven, Sigurd H; Cheung, Kenneth M; Ito, Manabu; Lenke, Lawrence G; Polly, David W; Qiu, Yong; van Tulder, Maurits; Shaffrey, ChristopherPurpose
The surgical management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has seen many developments in the last two decades. Little high-level evidence is available to support these changes and guide treatment. This study aimed to identify optimal operative care for adolescents with AIS curves between 40° and 90° Cobb angle.Methods
From July 2012 to April 2013, the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Deformity performed a modified Delphi survey where current expert opinion from 48 experienced deformity surgeons, representing 29 diverse countries, was gathered. Four rounds were performed: three web-based surveys and a final face-to-face meeting. Consensus was achieved with ≥ 70% agreement. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.Results
Consensus of what constitutes optimal care was reached on greater than 60 aspects including: preoperative radiographs; posterior as opposed to anterior (endoscopic) surgical approaches; use of intraoperative spinal cord monitoring; use of local autologous bone (not iliac crest) for grafts; use of thoracic and lumbar pedicle screws; use of titanium anchor points; implant density of <80% for 40°-70° curves; and aspects of postoperative care. Variability in practice patterns was found where there was no consensus. In addition, there was consensus on what does not constitute optimal care, including: routine pre- and intraoperative traction; routine anterior release; use of bone morphogenetic proteins; and routine postoperative CT scanning.Conclusions
International consensus was found on many aspects of what does and does not constitute optimal operative care for adolescents with AIS. In the absence of current high-level evidence, at present, these expert opinion findings will aid health care providers worldwide define appropriate care in their regions. Areas with no consensus provide excellent insight and priorities for future research.Item Open Access Perioperative fluid and hemodynamic management within an enhanced recovery pathway.(Journal of surgical oncology, 2017-10) Manning, Michael W; Dunkman, William Jonathan; Miller, Timothy EGoal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) seeks to improve outcomes through individualized optimization of oxygen delivery using IV fluid and vasoactive infusions. Trials of GDFT show clinical benefits over traditional liberal fluid administration, but fail to demonstrate benefits when compared to a restrictive strategy within an optimized enhanced recovery protocol. The ideal monitors, hemodynamic goals, and fluid administration strategy are not well established but may be less important than rational application of thoughtful fluid management strategies.Item Open Access Preoperative CYP2D6 metabolism-dependent β-blocker use and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.(J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2014-04) Kertai, Miklos D; Esper, Stephen A; Akushevich, Igor; Voora, Deepak; Ginsburg, Geoffrey S; Stafford-Smith, Mark; Grichnik, Katherine; Newman, Mark F; Fontes, Manuel L; Smith, Peter; Podgoreanu, Mihai V; Mathew, Joseph P; Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Research Endeavors (CARE) GroupOBJECTIVE: Recently, the role of β-blockers (BBs) in reducing perioperative mortality has been challenged. The conflicting results might have resulted from the extent of BB metabolism by the cytochrome P-450 (CYP2D6) isoenzyme. The purpose of the present study was to assess the association between the preoperative use of BBs dependent on metabolism of the CYP2D6 isoenzyme with operative mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 5248 patients who had undergone coronary bypass grafting surgery from January 1, 2001 to November 30, 2009 at Duke University Medical Center. The cohorts were defined by the preoperative use of BBs and BB type (non-CYP2D6_BBs, CYP2D6_BBs, or no BBs). Operative mortality was analyzed using inverse probability-weighted estimators with propensity score adjustment. RESULTS: Of the 5248 patients, 14% received non-CYP2D6_BBs, 43%, CYP2D6_BBs, and 43%, no BBs. The incidence of operative mortality was 0.8%, 2.1%, and 3.7% in the non-CYP2D6_BB, CYP2D6_BB, and no BB groups, respectively. Multivariable inverse probability-weighted-adjusted analyses showed that non-CYP2D6_BBs were associated with a lower incidence of operative mortality (odds ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.83; P = .02) compared with no BB use and a trend toward lower operative mortality (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-1.07; P = .06) compared with CYP2D6_BBs. No significant decrease occurred in the risk of operative mortality between the CYP2D6_BB and no BB groups (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-1.34; P = .48). CONCLUSIONS: Among these patients, preoperative non-CYP2D6_BB use, but not CYP2D6_BB use, was associated with a decreased risk of operative mortality.Item Open Access Surgical management of complex spinal deformity.(The Orthopedic clinics of North America, 2012-01) Erickson, Melissa M; Currier, Bradford LSurgical treatment of complex cervical spinal deformities can be challenging operations. Patients often present with debilitating conditions ranging from generalized decreased quality of life to quadriplegia. Surgical treatment can be divided into anterior, posterior, or combined procedures. A thorough understanding of anatomy, pathology, and treatment options is necessary. This article focuses on the surgical treatment of complex spinal deformity.Item Open Access The Use of Halo Gravity Traction in Severe, Stiff Scoliosis.(Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2021-07) Rocos, Brett; Reda, Luke; Lebel, David E; Dodds, Michael K; Zeller, ReinhardPurpose
The correction of severe, stiff scoliosis in children is challenging. One method used to reduce the risk is preoperative halo gravity traction (HGT). In this study, the authors sought to define the efficiency and safety of HGT and characterize the chronology of the correction seen.Method
A consecutive group of pediatric patients with severe spinal deformities was treated with HGT before definitive correction. A standard protocol with the daily addition of weight to 50% of body weight at 3 weeks was used. Traction remained in place until signs of impending neurological complication or 6 weeks, whichever was sooner.Results
Twenty-four patients were included with a mean age of 11.8 years. The mean coronal deformity was 123 degrees, with a T1-L5 height of 234 mm. The mean duration of traction was 42 days with a mean improvement in height of 72 mm with 82% occurring over the first 3 weeks. Hundred percent of the angular and 98% of T1-L5 height correction was reached by 6 weeks.One patient showed early signs of a cranial nerve palsy prompting early surgery and 8 patients showed pin loosening, 1 of which required revision of their halo. One patient underwent a slower progression of traction because of transitory urinary disturbance. Following fusion, angular correction of the major curve was 49%.Conclusion
HGT is a safe treatment for severe, stiff scoliosis because it can respond to early signs of impending neurological impairment. The first 3 weeks of treatment, reaching 50% of body weight as a traction force accounts for 80% of correction, with the remaining 20% in the following 2 weeks. At least 4 weeks of traction is recommended when following this protocol.