Time to development, clinical and radiographic characteristics, and management of proximal junctional kyphosis following adult thoracolumbar instrumented fusion for spinal deformity.

Abstract

Study design

A retrospective review.

Objective

To study time to development, clinical and radiographic characteristics, and management of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) following thoracolumbar instrumented fusion for adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Summary of background data

PJK continues to be a common mode of failure following ASD surgery. Although literature exists on possible risk factors, data on management remain limited.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records of 289 consecutive ASD patients who underwent posterior segmental instrumentation incorporating at least 5 segments was conducted. PJK was defined as proximal kyphotic angle >10 degrees.

Results

PJK occurred in 32 patients (11%) at a mean follow-up of 34 months (range, 1.3-61.9±19 mo). Sixteen (50%) patients were revised (mean, 1.7 revisions; range, 1-3) at a mean follow-up of 9.6 months (range, 0.7-40 mo); primary indications for revision were pain (n=16), myelopathy (n=6), instability (n=4), and instrumentation protrusion (n=2). Comparison of preindex and postindex surgery radiographic parameters demonstrated significant improvement in mean lumbar lordosis (24 vs. 42 degrees, P<0.001), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch (30 vs. 11 degrees, P<0.001), and pelvic tilt (29 vs. 23 degrees, P<0.011). The mean T5-T12 kyphosis worsened (30 vs. 53 degrees, P<0.001) and the mean global sagittal spinal alignment failed to improve (9.6 vs. 8.0 cm, P=0.76). There was no apparent relationship between the absolute PJK angle and revision surgery (P>0.05).

Conclusions

The patients in this series who developed PJK had substantial preoperative positive sagittal malalignment that remained inadequately corrected following surgery, likely resulting from a combination of inadequate surgical correction and a significant compensatory increase in thoracic kyphosis. In the absence of direct relationship between a greater PJK angle and worse clinical outcome, clinical symptoms and neurological status rather than absolute reliance on radiographic parameters should drive the decision to pursue revision surgery.

Department

Description

Provenance

Citation

Published Version (Please cite this version)

10.1097/bsd.0000000000000158

Publication Info

Reames, Davis L, Manish K Kasliwal, Justin S Smith, D Kojo Hamilton, Vincent Arlet and Christopher I Shaffrey (2015). Time to development, clinical and radiographic characteristics, and management of proximal junctional kyphosis following adult thoracolumbar instrumented fusion for spinal deformity. Journal of spinal disorders & techniques, 28(2). pp. E106–E114. 10.1097/bsd.0000000000000158 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/28511.

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Scholars@Duke

Shaffrey

Christopher Ignatius Shaffrey

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

I have more than 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages with spinal disorders. I have had an interest in the management of spinal disorders since starting my medical education. I performed residencies in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire range of spinal disorders. My goal has been to find innovative ways to manage the range of spinal conditions, straightforward to complex. I have a focus on managing patients with complex spinal disorders. My patient evaluation and management philosophy is to provide engaged, compassionate care that focuses on providing the simplest and least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition. In many cases, non-operative treatment options exist to improve a patient’s symptoms. I have been actively engaged in clinical research to find the best ways to manage spinal disorders in order to achieve better results with fewer complications.


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