spine

Thoracic spine approaches

Thoracic spine approaches

Since the end of the nineteenth century, the wide dissemination of Pott’s disease has ignited debates about which should be the ideal route to perform ventrolateral decompression of the dorsal rachis in case of paraplegia due to spinal cord compression in tuberculosis spondylitis. It was immediately clear that the optimal approach should be the one minimizing the surgical manipulation on both neural and extra-neural structures, while optimizing the exposure and surgical maneuverability on the target area. The first attempt was reported by Victor Auguste Menard in 1894, who described, for the first time, a completely different route from traditional laminectomy, called costotransversectomy. The technique was conceived to drain tubercular paravertebral abscesses causing paraplegia without manipulating the spinal cord 1).

The procedure defined by Capener in 1954 2) resulted in better results for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis, due to the effect of antibiotics 3)

Over the following decades many other routes have been described all over the world, thus demonstrating the wide interest on the topic. Surgical development has been marked by the new technical achievements and by instrumental/technological advancements, until the advent of portal surgery and endoscopy-assisted techniques. Gagliardi et al. retraced the milestones of this history up to 2022, through a systematic review on the topic 4).

Thoracic disc herniation surgery is challenging because of: the difficulty of anterior approaches, the proportionately tighter space between cord and canal compared to the cervical and lumbar regions, and the watershed blood supply which creates a significant risk of spinal cord injury with attempts to manipulate the cord when trying to work anteriorly to it from a posterior approach. Thoracic disc herniations are calcified in 65% of patients considered for surgery 5) (more difficult to remove from a posterior or lateral approach than non-calcified discs).

For centrally located anterior access: a transthoracic or lateral approach gives the best acess. Some prefer a left-sided approach to avoid the vena cava, others prefer a right-sided approach because the heart does not impede access.

Various different approaches have been tried for the surgical removal of TDH, but most of them are cumbersome surgeries such as thoracotomy or thoracoscopic or anterior approaches with or without instrumentation. The requirement for a simplified, familiar, and less morbid surgery has motivated some new approaches. A pedicle sparing transfacet approach (PSTA) was first described in 1995, but to date no sufficient clinical series has been presented in the literature to report on its feasibility and applicability along with complication and morbidity rates.

Surgery for thoracic disc herniation is comparatively rare and often demanding. The goal is to achieve sufficient decompression without manipulating the spinal cord. Individual planning and various surgical techniques and approaches are required.

Surgical treatment can be divided into anterior, lateral and posterior approaches and is an area of contention in the literature. Available evidence consists mostly of single-arm, single-institutional studies with limited sample sizes.

Anterior approaches had longer LOS and higher, although not statistically significant, complication rates. No difference was found with regard to discharge disposition. In light of these findings, surgeons should weigh the risks and benefits of each surgical technique during tailoring of decision making 6).

The approach is dependent on the location, the magnitude, and the consistency of the herniated thoracic disc.

Medially located large calcified discs should be operated through an anterolateral transthoracic approach, whereas noncalcified or lateral herniated discs can be treated from a posterior approach as well. For optimal treatment of this rare entity, the treatment should be performed in selected centers 7).

Anterolateral retroperitoneal, anterior transthoracic, posterolateral, and lateral approaches are performed in discectomy with or without fusion and internal fixation. However, patients who have undergone any operation at these levels are predisposed to postoperative recurrence, neurological aggravation, and adjacent segment degeneration, and the outcomes are inferior than those in lower lumbar spine 8) 9).

Posterior

posterior (midline laminectomy): primary indication is for decompression of posteriorly situated intracanalicular pathology (e.g. metastatic tumor) especially over multiple levels. There is a high failure and complication rate when used for single-level anterior pathology (e.g. midline disc herniation)

Posterolateral

a) lateral gutter: laminectomy plus removal of pedicle

b) transpedicular approach 10)

c) costotransversectomy

d) Pedicle sparing transfacet approach

Anterolateral

(transthoracic approach): usually through the pleural space

Lateral extracavitary

(retrocoelomic) 11) : an approach posterior (external) to the pleural space

Thoracoscopic surgery

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is an alternative to open surgical approaches 12) 13).

1)

Ménard V. Causes de la paraplégie dans le mal de Pott. Son traitement chirurgical par l’ouverture directe du foyer tuberculeux des vertebres. Rev Orthop 1894; 5: 47-64.
2)

CAPENER N. The evolution of lateral rhachotomy. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1954 May;36-B(2):173-9. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.36B2.173. PMID: 13163099.
3)

Benzel EC. Spine Surgery: Techniques, Complication Avoidance, and Management, 3th Ed. Saunders, Philadelphia 2012.
4)

Gagliardi F, Pompeo E, De Domenico P, Snider S, Roncelli F, Acerno S, Mortini P. HISTORY OF EVOLUTION OF POSTERO-LATERAL APPROACHES TO THE THORACIC SPINE: FROM CURE OF POTT’S DISEASE TO EPIDURAL TUMOR RESECTION. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2022 Jan 10. doi: 10.1055/a-1734-2085. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35008121.
5) , 12)

Stillerman CB, Chen TC, Couldwell WT, et al. Experience in the surgical management of 82 symptomatic herniated thoracic discs and review of the literature. J Neurosurg. 1998; 88:623–633
6)

Kerezoudis P, Rajjoub KR, Goncalves S, Alvi MA, Elminawy M, Alamoudi A, Nassr A, Habermann EB, Bydon M. Anterior versus posterior approaches for thoracic disc herniation: Association with postoperative complications. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2018 Apr;167:17-23. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2018.02.009. Epub 2018 Feb 6. PubMed PMID: 29428625.
7)

Arts MP, Bartels RH. Anterior or posterior approach of thoracic disc herniation? A comparative cohort of mini-transthoracic versus transpedicular discectomies. Spine J. 2013 Oct 24. pii: S1529-9430(13)01595-7. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.09.053. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24374099.
8)

Sanderson SP, Houten J, Errico T, et al. The unique characteristics of “upper” lumbar disc herniations. Neurosurgery 2004;55:385–9.
9)

Ido K, Shimizu K, Tada H, et al. Considerations for surgical treatment of patients with upper lumbar disc herniations. J Spinal Disord 1998;11:75–9.
10)

Le Roux PD, Haglund MM, Harris AB. Thoracic Disc Disease: Experience with the Transpedicular Approach in Twenty Consecutive Patients. Neurosurgery. 1993; 33:58–66
11)

Uribe JS, Smith WD, Pimenta L, et al. Minimally invasive lateral approach for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation: initial multicenter clinical experience. J Neurosurg Spine. 2012; 16:264–27
13)

Dohn DF. Thoracic Spinal Cord Decompression: Alternative Surgical Approaches and Basis of Choice. Clin Neurosurg. 1980; 27:611–623

Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative

Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative

https://mssic.org/

The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) is a statewide quality improvement collaborative involving orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons with the aim of improving the quality of care of spine surgery. The objective of this collaborative is to heighten patient care outcomes while consequently increasing the efficiency of treatment.

The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) is a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, quality-improvement collaborative.

Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) prospectively collects data on all patients undergoing operations for degenerative and/or deformity indications.

In 2013, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and Blue Care Network (BCN) established the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) as a Collaborative Quality Initiative (CQI). MSSIC is one of the newest of 21 other CQIs that have significantly improved and continue to improve the quality of patient care throughout the state of Michigan. METHODS MSSIC focuses on lumbar and cervical spine surgery, specifically indications such as stenosis, disk herniation, and degenerative disease. Surgery for tumors, traumatic fractures, deformity, scoliosis, and acute spinal cord injury are currently not within the scope of MSSIC. Starting in 2014, MSSIC consisted of 7 hospitals and in 2015 included another 15 hospitals, for a total of 22 hospitals statewide. A standardized data set is obtained by data abstractors, who are funded by BCBSM/BCN. Variables of interest include indications for surgery, baseline patient-reported outcome measures, and medical history. These are obtained within 30 days of surgery. Outcome instruments used include the EQ-5D general health state score (0 being worst and 100 being the best health one can imagine) and EQ-5D-3 L. For patients undergoing lumbar surgery, a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale for leg and back pain and the Oswestry Disability Index for back pain are collected. For patients undergoing cervical surgery, a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale for arm and neck pain, Neck Disability Index, and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score are collected. Surgical details, postoperative hospital course, and patient-reported outcome measures are collected at 90-day, 1-year, and 2-year intervals. RESULTS As of July 1, 2015, a total of 6397 cases have been entered into the registry. This number reflects 4824 eligible cases with confirmed surgery dates. Of these 4824 eligible cases, 3338 cases went beyond the 120-day window and were considered eligible for the extraction of surgical details, 90-day outcomes, and adverse events. Among these 3338 patients, there are a total of 2469 lumbar cases, 862 cervical cases, and 7 combined procedures that were entered into the registry.

In addition to functioning as a registry, MSSIC is also meant to be a platform for quality improvement with the potential for future initiatives and best practices to be implemented statewide in order to improve quality and lower costs. With its current rate of recruitment and expansion, MSSIC will provide a robust platform as a regional prospective registry. Its unique funding model, which is supported by BCBSM/BCN, will help ensure its longevity and viability, as has been observed in other CQIs that have been active for several years 1).

Macki et al. aimed to identify which factors are significantly associated with return-to-work after lumbar surgery at long-term follow-up.

Summary of background data: Prior publications have created a clinically relevant predictive model for return-to-work, wherein education, gender, race, comorbidities, and preoperative symptoms increased the likelihood of return-to-work at 3 months after lumbar surgery. They sought to determine if these trends 1) persisted at 1 year and 2 years postoperatively, or 2) differed among preoperatively employed versus unemployed patients.

MSSIC was queried for all patients undergoing lumbar operations (2014-2019). All patients intended to return to work postoperatively. Patients were followed for up to 2 years postoperatively. Measures of association were calculated with multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Return-to-work increased from 63% (3542/5591) at 90 days postoperatively to 75% (3143/4147) at 1 year and 74% (2133/2866) at 2 years postoperatively. Following GEE, neither clinical nor surgical variables predicted return-to-work at all three-time intervals: 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Only socioeconomic factors reached statistical significance at all follow-up points. Preoperative employment followed by insurance status had the greatest associations with return-to-work. In a sub-analysis of patients who were preoperatively employed, insurance was the only factor with significant associations with return-to-work at all three follow-up intervals. The return-to-work rates among unemployed patients at baseline increased from 29% (455/1100) at 90 days, 44% (495/608) at 1 year, and 46% (366/426) at 2 years postoperatively. The only two significant factors associated with return-to-work at all three follow-up intervals were Medicaid, as compared to private insurance, and male gender.

In patients inquiring about long-term return-to-work after lumbar surgery, health insurance status represents the important determinant of employment status.Level of Evidence: 2 2).

While a complex myriad of socio-economic factors interplay between race and surgical success, they identified modifiable risk factors, specifically depression, that may improve patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among African American patients after elective lumbar spine surgery 3).

Correction of sagittal balance is associated with greater odds of discharge to home. These findings, coupled with the recognized implications of admission to a rehabilitation facility, will emphasize the importance of spine surgeons accounting for the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) in their surgical planning of MIS lumbar interbody fusions 4)

Using MSSIC, Zakaria et al. sought to identify the relationship between a positive Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) screening, which is predictive of depression, and patient satisfaction, return to work, and achieving Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) minimal clinically important difference (MCID) scores up to 2 years after lumbar fusion.

Data from a total of 8585 lumbar fusion patients were analyzed. Patient satisfaction was measured by the North American Spine Society patient satisfaction index. A positive PHQ-2 score is one that is ≥ 3, which has an 82.9% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity in detecting major depressive disorder. Generalized estimating equation models were constructed; variables tested include age, sex, race, past medical history, severity of surgery, and preoperative opioid usage.

Multivariate analysis was performed. Patients with a positive PHQ-2 score (i.e., ≥ 3) were less likely to be satisfied after lumbar fusion at 90 days (relative risk [RR] 0.93, p < 0.001), 1 year (RR 0.92, p = 0.001), and 2 years (RR 0.92, p = 0.028). A positive PHQ-2 score was also associated with decreased likelihood of returning to work at 90 days (RR 0.76, p < 0.001), 1 year (RR 0.85, p = 0.001), and 2 years (RR 0.82, p = 0.031). A positive PHQ-2 score was predictive of failure to achieve an ODI MCID at 90 days (RR 1.07, p = 0.005) but not at 1 year or 2 years after lumbar fusion.

A multivariate analysis based on information from a large, multicenter, prospective database on lumbar fusion patients was performed. The authors found that a positive score (≥ 3) on the PHQ-2, which is a simple and accurate screening tool for depression, predicts an inability to return to work and worse satisfaction up to 2 years after lumbar fusion. Depression is a treatable condition, and so in the same way that patients are medically optimized before surgery to decrease postoperative morbidity, perhaps patients should have preoperative psychiatric optimization to improve postoperative functional outcomes 5).

Ninety-day readmission occurred in 9.0% of patients, mainly for pain, wound infection, and radicular symptoms. Increased focus on postoperative pain may decrease readmissions. Among factors impacting the likelihood of 90-d readmission, early postoperative ambulation may be most easily modifiable. Optimization of preexisting medical conditions could also potentially decrease readmission risk 6).

Multivariate analysis identified the common adverse events after cervical spine surgery, along with their associated risk factors. They found that early mobilization after cervical spine surgery has the potential to significantly decrease adverse events 7).

1)

Chang V, Schwalb JM, Nerenz DR, Pietrantoni L, Jones S, Jankowski M, Oja-Tebbe N, Bartol S, Abdulhak M. The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative: a statewide Collaborative Quality Initiative. Neurosurg Focus. 2015 Dec;39(6):E7. doi: 10.3171/2015.10.FOCUS15370. PMID: 26621421.
2)

Macki M, Anand SK, Hamilton T, Lim S, Mansour T, Bazydlo M, Schultz L, Abdulhak MM, Khalil JG, Park P, Aleem I, Easton R, Schwalb JM, Nerenz D, Chang V. Analysis of Factors associated with Return to Work After Lumbar Surgery up to 2-years follow-up: A Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) Study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2021 Jul 7. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000004163. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34265812.
3)

Macki M, Hamilton T, Lim S, Telemi E, Bazydlo M, Nerenz DR, Zakaria HM, Schultz L, Khalil JG, Perez-Cruet MJ, Aleem IS, Park P, Schwalb JM, Abdulhak MM, Chang V. Disparities in outcomes after spine surgery: a Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative study. J Neurosurg Spine. 2021 May 7:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2020.10.SPINE20914. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33962387.
4)

Macki M, Fadel HA, Hamilton T, Lim S, Massie LW, Zakaria HM, Pawloski J, Chang V. The influence of sagittal spinopelvic alignment on patient discharge disposition following minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion. J Spine Surg. 2021 Mar;7(1):8-18. doi: 10.21037/jss-20-596. PMID: 33834123; PMCID: PMC8024762.
5)

Zakaria HM, Mansour TR, Telemi E, Asmaro K, Macki M, Bazydlo M, Schultz L, Nerenz DR, Abdulhak M, Schwalb JM, Park P, Chang V. Use of Patient Health Questionnaire-2 scoring to predict patient satisfaction and return to work up to 1 year after lumbar fusion: a 2-year analysis from the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 Aug 23:1-8. doi: 10.3171/2019.6.SPINE1963. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31443085.
6)

Park P, Nerenz DR, Aleem IS, Schultz LR, Bazydlo M, Xiao S, Zakaria HM, Schwalb JM, Abdulhak MM, Oppenlander ME, Chang VW. Risk Factors Associated With 90-Day Readmissions After Degenerative Lumbar Fusion: An Examination of the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) Registry. Neurosurgery. 2019 Sep 1;85(3):402-408. doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyy358. PMID: 30113686.
7)

Zakaria HM, Bazydlo M, Schultz L, Pahuta MA, Schwalb JM, Park P, Aleem I, Nerenz DR, Chang V; MSSIC Investigators. Adverse events and their risk factors 90 days after cervical spine surgery: analysis from the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 Feb 15:1-13. doi: 10.3171/2018.10.SPINE18666. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 30771759.

Intraoperative Ultrasound for Spine Surgery

Intraoperative Ultrasound for Spine Surgery

Accurate and efficient registration of pre-operative computed tomography or magnetic resonance images with iUS images are key elements in the success of iUS-based spine navigation. While widely investigated in research, iUS-based spine navigation has not yet been established in the clinic. This is due to several factors including the lack of a standard methodology for the assessment of accuracy, robustness, reliability, and usability of the registration method. To address these issues, Gueziri et al. presented a systematic review of the state-of-the-art techniques for iUS-guided registration in spinal image guided surgery (IGS). The review follows a new taxonomy based on the four steps involved in the surgical workflow that include pre-processing, registration initialization, estimation of the required patient to image transformation, and a visualization process. They provided a detailed analysis of the measurements in terms of accuracy, robustness, reliability, and usability that need to be met during the evaluation of a spinal IGS framework. Although this review is focused on spinal navigation, they expect similar evaluation criteria to be relevant for other IGS applications 1).

Intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) has been applied in spinal surgery for all kinds of diseases 2) 3) ranging from trauma, 4) degenerative diseases, 5) 6) developmental malformations, 7) vascular diseases, 8). to imaging in spinal tumor surgery

Intraoperative Ultrasound for spinal tumor surgery

Intraoperative Ultrasound for spinal tumor surgery

Syringomyelia

Intraoperative ultrasound is often helpful for:

a) localizing the cyst

b) assessing for septations (to avoid shunting only part of cyst)

Controversial,for intramedullary spinal cord tumors 9) favored by some experts. Astrocytomas are usually iso-echoic with the spinal cord, whereas ependymomas are usually hyperechoic.

Transpedicular thoracic discectomy

Intraoperative ultrasound is a simple yet valuable tool for real-time imaging during transpedicular thoracic discectomy. Visualization provided by intraoperative US increases the safety profile of posterior approaches and may make thoracotomy unnecessary in a selected group of patients, especially when a patient has existing pulmonary disease or is otherwise not medically fit for the transthoracic approach 10) 11).

References

1)

Gueziri HE, Santaguida C, Collins DL. The state-of-the-art in ultrasound-guided spine interventions [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jun 26]. Med Image Anal. 2020;65:101769. doi:10.1016/j.media.2020.101769
2)

Ganau M, Syrmos N, Martin AR, Jiang F, Fehlings MG. Intraoperative ultrasound in spine surgery: history, current applications, future developments. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2018;8: 261-267.
3)

Vasudeva VS, Abd-El-Barr M, Pompeu YA, Karhade A, Groff MW, Lu Y. Use of intraoperative ultrasound during spinal surgery. Glob Spine J. 2017;7:648-656.
4)

Meinig H, Doffert J, Linz N, Konerding MA, Gercek E, Pitzen T. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in spinal trauma in 29 consecutive patients. Eur Spine J. 2015;24:864-870.
5)

Nishimura Y, Thani NB, Tochigi S, Ahn H, Ginsberg HJ. Thoracic discectomy by posterior pedicle-sparing, transfacet approach with realtime intraoperative ultrasonography: clinical article. J Neurosurg Spine. 2014;21:568-576.
6)

Goodkin R, Haynor DR, Kliot M. Intraoperative ultrasound for monitoring anterior cervical vertebrectomy. Technical note. J Neurosurg. 1996;84: 702-704.
7)

. Cui LG, Jiang L, Zhang HB, et al. Monitoring of cerebrospinal fluid flow by intraoperative ultrasound in patients with Chiari I malformation. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2011;113:173-176.
8)

Prada F, Del Bene M, Farago G, DiMeco F. Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula: is there a role for intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound? World Neurosurg. 2017;100:712.e15-712.e18.
9)

Albright AL. Pediatric Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors. Childs Nerv Syst. 1999; 15:436–437
10)

Tan LA, Lopes DK, Fontes RB. Ultrasound-guided posterolateral approach for midline calcified thoracic disc herniation. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2014 Jun;55(6):383-6. doi: 10.3340/jkns.2014.55.6.383. Epub 2014 Jun 30. PubMed PMID:25237439.
11)

Nishimura Y, Thani NB, Tochigi S, Ahn H, Ginsberg HJ. Thoracic discectomy by posterior pedicle-sparing, transfacet approach with real-time intraoperative ultrasonography. J Neurosurg Spine. 2014 Jul 18:1-9. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25036220.

Spine Surgery in an Aging Population

Spine Surgery in an Aging Population

by Nathaniel P. Brooks (Author), Andrea L. Strayer (Author)

List Price: $159.99

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An invaluable primer on the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of aging patients with spine conditions

The growing population of people aged 65 and older has significant implications for health care systems and spine care providers. Older patients today demand interventions that enable them to return to a functional lifestyle. Treatment of degenerative spine disease in aging adults requires in-depth understanding of changes in physiology, biomechanics, function, and modifiable risk factors. Equally important, providers need to listen to patients, diagnose thoughtfully, learn about the person’s goals, and teach them in plain language about the risks, alternatives, and expectations of treatment options. This foundation is critical to developing informed patient-centered treatment plans to improve outcomes.

Spine Surgery in an Aging Population by Nathaniel Brooks, Andrea Strayer, and a cadre of global contributors reflects a rich array of expertise. With multidisciplinary contributions from renowned specialists in neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, geriatrics, and rehabilitation, the book provides invaluable insights on caring for aging adults with degenerative spine disease. Throughout 21 chapters, readers are provided with key concepts, expert knowledge, and effective management strategies to avoid complications and improve outcomes for older adult spine patients.

Key Highlights

Diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis to help prevent fractures and optimize treatment approaches prior to elective surgery Management of common pathologies of the aging spine such as cervical spondylosis, lumbar stenosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative scoliosis and trauma Special topics include value-based care, nonsurgical management of spinal pain, vertebral augmentation, minimally invasive surgery, and instrumentation considerations This one-stop compendium is essential reading for orthopaedic and neurosurgical residents and fellows, as well as veteran surgeons and allied health providers who care for older adults with spine conditions.

This book includes complimentary access to a digital copy on https://medone.thieme.com.

Expert Techniques in Spine Surgery

Expert Techniques in Spine Surgery

Alexander R. Vaccaro, Arjun Sebastian

List Price: $150.00

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This book provides neurosurgeons and trainees with the latest techniques in spinal surgery.

Divided into three sections, each is dedicated to surgical procedures in a key region of the spine – cervical, thoracic and lumbar.

Each topic is presented in a step by step process covering anatomy, indications and contraindications, techniques and outcomes.

Authored by internationally recognised, Philadelphia-based experts in the field, this invaluable text is enhanced by more than 200 surgical images and illustrations.

Key points

Practical guide to latest techniques in spinal surgery for neurosurgeons and trainees

In depth coverage of procedures for each section of the spine – cervical, thoracic and lumbar

Internationally recognised, Philadelphia-based author team

Highly illustrated with surgical images and illustrations

Cervical Spine Deformity Surgery Book

Cervical Spine Deformity Surgery Book

by Christopher Ames (Author), K. Daniel Riew (Author), Justin Smith (Author), Kuniyoshi Abumi (Author)

List Price: $149.99

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The first comprehensive book dedicated solely to the evaluation and treatment of cervical spine deformity!

The number of cervical fusion procedures has increased in the U.S. and globally during the last decade, in part due to an aging population and higher incidence of complex cervical problems. Despite advances in the surgical treatment of cervical deformities, few resources detail modern clinical assessment, radiographic evaluation, and surgical approaches. Cervical Spine Deformity Surgery by world-renowned spine surgeons Christopher Ames, K. Daniel Riew, Justin Smith, and Kuniyoshi Abumi fills a void in the literature. It provides a concise, state-of-the-art resource on current cervical deformity knowledge compiled from the literature and recognized masters in the field.

The generously illustrated text begins with a background on the marked health impact of cervical deformity. Opening chapters provide primers on the clinical and radiographic assessment of patients, malalignment and disability scores, and the physical exam. Subsequent chapters detail surgical planning and approaches for a full spectrum of cervical spine conditions, such as semi-rigid and rigid deformities, sagittal deformities, distal junctional kyphosis, congenital cervical deformity, and hemivertebra.

Key Features

Insightful technical nuances and pearls on managing surgical, neurological, and medical complications associated with cervical procedures, as well as risk stratification and patient frailty

Diverse osteotomies including low grade, uncovertebral joint (anterior view), cervical pedicle subtraction, cervical opening wedge, upper thoracic, C1-2 joint, and cervical pedicle screw fixation

Focused discussion on continuing efforts to create a clinically meaningful comprehensive cervical osteotomy classification system

Neurosurgical and orthopedic residents and practicing spine surgeons who treat patients with cervical deformities will greatly benefit from consulting this comprehensive and unique resource.

This book includes complimentary access to a digital copy on https://medone.thieme.com.

AOSpine Principles Course— Degenerative Spine and Tumors

It is going to be the third AOSpine course in Bulgaria and the second in Varna.

The course is targeted for residents and specialist in neurosurgery and orthopedics with limited experience in surgery of degenerative spine and spinal tumors. It focuses on the surgical approaches to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine for degenerative and neoplastic pathologies as well as on the spinal decompression and instrumentation for an accompanying instability.

Program

Today: Utrecht Spine Course

In this course they will present our philosophy on the treatment of spinal trauma in an multidisciplinary and interactive way. Classifications, treatment options and tips and tricks in open and percutaneous surgery from C- spine down to the pelvis are presented by a experienced faculty.

Next to regular lectures concerning classification and treatment options in spinal trauma, the teamwork in multidisciplinary group which is needed to treat a polytrauma patient with a spinal fracture will be discussed by experts in the field of neurosurgery, trauma surgery and rehabilitation medicine.  In the programme there is ample time for discussion, case presentations and interaction with the faculty.

See more at https://utrechtspinecourse.com/