Précis: A recently developed Classification of adult scoliosis was utilised to study surgical treatment in 339 patients. At 12 month follow up after surgery for thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis greatest improvement in outcome scores were noted in the following patients: lost lumbar lordosis, treatment with osteotomies, fusion to the sacrum for marked sagittal imbalance. Complication rates were greatest for: fusion to the sacrum, sagittal imbalance greater than 4cm.

Introduction: A recently proposed radiographic Classification of adult scoliosis offers a useful system with high clinical impact and reliability. Continued work is required to apply this system in the development of treatment guidelines. The purpose of this study was to anal surgical treatment outcomes, and complications, by Classification subtype at 12 months post-operative follow up.

Material and Method: This study included 339 patients: Type IV (thoracolumbar major) and Type V (lumbar major) adult scoliosis (Spinal Deformity Study Group). All patients had complete full-length spine radiographs and outcomes questionnaires (SRS, ODI and SF-12). An analysis of classification subtypes (modifiers) included outcome scores by surgical treatment. The latter included approach (anterior, posterior, both), use of osteotomies, and extension to the sacrum (or not).

Results: Lordosis modifier was strongly correlated with baseline disability and post-operative improvement. Type C (loss of lordosis) patients had the lowest baseline outcome but also greatest improvement with surgery (p< 0.05). Subluxation modifier had impact on preoperative but not on postoperative outcomes measures. Marked sagittal balance had the worst outcomes of all groups if fusion fell short of the sacrum. Patients with osteotomies saw greater improvement than those without (p< 0.05). Anterior, posterior or combined procedures showed no significant difference in outcomes. Peri- and post-operative complications did not vary by lordosis modifier, subluxation modifier but were elevated for fusion to the sacrum (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: At 12 month follow up for surgical treatment of adult thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis greatest improvement in outcome scores were noted in the following patients: lost lumbar lordosis, treatment with osteotomies, fusion to the sacrum for marked sagittal imbalance. Complication rates were greatest for: fusion to the sacrum, sagittal imbalance greater than 4cm. Further longitudinal follow up will permit validation of optimal treatment by Classification type of adult spinal deformity and refine patient and surgeon expectations of operative care.

Précis: A multi-centre prospective effort focused on analysis of a previously reported Classification of adult scoliosis. 809 thoracolumbar/lumbar deformities were studied. Radiographic analysis (deformity apex, lumbar lordosis, intervertebral subluxation), outcomes measures (ODI, SRS instruments) and surgical rates were examined. The Classification into Types, based on deformity apex location, and addition of modifiers (lordosis, subluxation) established clinically significant groups (disability, pain). In addition to high clinical impact, the Classification was also able to predict surgical rates.

Introduction: A recently proposed radiographic classification of adult scoliosis offers a reliable method of categorizing patients. Continued work on this classification is expected to develop treatment guidelines. This investigation anald treatment patterns of a large patient population of thoracolumbar and lumbar adult scoliosis, emphasizing surgical rates and approaches by classification subtypes.

Methods: This investigation anald 809 Type IV (thoracolumbar major) and Type V (lumbar major) curves from the Spinal Deformity Study Group database. Enrolled patients had complete SRS, ODI and SF-12 outcomes questionnaires and free standing full-length spine radiographs. Analysis compared non-operative versus surgical treatment (no imposed protocol) with surgical treatment assessed by approach (anterior, posterior, both), +/− osteotomies.

Results: Of 809 patients, 348 were treated surgically (43%) and classified as lordosis type A (n=422), B (n=313), C (n=74). Surgical rates were greater for B vs. A (51% vs. 37%, p< 0.05)), trend for A vs. C (46%). Subluxation modifier scores: 0 (n=360), + (n=159), ++ (n=290). Surgical rates were greater for ++ vs. 0 (52% vs. 36 %, p< 0.05), trend vs. + (42 %). Greater sagittal imbalance was more likely to receive surgical treatment. Loss of lumbar lordosis (modifier B, C) was associated with increased osteotomy rates and posterior or circumferential treatment versus anterior only procedures (most common in modifier A). Greater subluxation (modifier ++) was associated with more circumferential surgery. Greater sagittal imbalance was associated with higher rate of posterior only surgery.

Discussion: In this analysis, greater lordosis or subluxation modifier score was associated with higher surgical rates. Loss of lordosis and greater subluxation grade was associated with higher rates of circumferential surgery than lordotic spines or those without significant subluxation. This information suggests the ability of this classification system to predict treatment. Longitudinal follow up will permit validation of optimal treatment by classification of adult spinal deformity.

Purpose: To document clinical and radiographic outcome, and survivorship of long fusion constructs (> T12) stopping at L5.

Methods: Retrospective clinical and radiographic analysis of long fusions to L5 in an adult population, with follow-up greater than 5 years.

Results: We reviewed a consecutive series of patients with long fusion constructs ending at L5 from 1991–2000. 33 patients were identified with fusions from the thoracic spine to L5. 14 patients were excluded, including 7 deaths, 3 patients lost to follow-up, and 4 patients with incomplete radiographic and clinical data sets. There were 17 females and 2 males, with average age of 50 (range 25–73). 7 patients have since undergone extension of fusion to the sacrum, and comprised Group II; the remaining 13 patients comprised Group I. There was no association between preoperative radiographic characteristics of the deformity and outcome (coronal/ sagittal plane imbalance, curve magnitude). Specifically, the lumbosacral disk space appearance (disk height, lordosis) was similar in both groups preoperatively. Presence of postop degenerative changes at the lumbosacral disk did not correlate with outcome. Patients in group I and II had similar scores in SRS, ODI and SF-12 outcome measures. Some patients reported a change in functional status after revision to sacrum, including change in gait pattern, loss of twisting and bending ability, and more difficulty with perineal care. At least 4 patients in Group I are being considered for revision.

Conclusions: In conclusion, long fusions to L5 in an adult deformity population yields unpredictable results more than 5 years after surgery. Although of smaller magnitude than primary fusions to sacrum, stopping at L5 is associated with a significant revision rate. Some patients with long fusions to L5 have good function more than 5 years after surgery.

Introduction Using a non-human primate model, the purpose of this in-vivo investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of porcine small intestine submucosa (PSIS) for anterior longitudinal ligament replacement and as an anti-adhesion barrier following total disc arthroplasty. Success criteria were based on post-mortem vascular adhesion tenacity scores, biomechanical, histological and immunohistochemical analyses.

Methods A total of ten mature male baboons (Papio cynocephalus) were included in the current study and followed for a period of six-months post-operatively. Each animal underwent an anterior transperitoneal approach followed by a total disc arthroplasty procedure at L5-L6 using one of the following treatments: (1) Charité Disc Prosthesis alone (n=5) or (2) Charité Disc Prosthesis + PSIS (n=5). Following anterior annular and anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) resection, complete diskectomy and endplate decortication, the Charité Device (Size 1) was implanted according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The PSIS material (40mm x 30mm width) was secured across the operative site using surgical bone staples with the abluminal side oriented towards the bone. Post-mortem analysis included vascular adhesion tenacity scores (0–5), histopathology of the operative site ALL, non-destructive biomechanical testing and histomorphometry.

Results All animals survived the operative procedure and post-operative interval without significant intra- or peri-operative complication. Vascular adhesion tenacity scores were markedly lower for the PSIS treatments (14/25) versus the Charité alone (20/25) (p=0.057). Gross histopathological analysis demonstrated disorganized collagenous matrix anteriorly spanning the disc arthroplasty site in 4/5 (80%) of the PSIS specimens compared to 2/5 (40%) for the Charité alone treatments. Plain film radiographic analysis showed no lucencies or loosening of any prosthetic vertebral endplate. Multi-directional flexibility testing demonstrated increased range of motion for both treatment groups under axial rotation and decreased motion in lateral bending when compared to the intact spine condition (p< 0.05). The neutral zone values were significantly higher in axial rotation and flexion extension for the both treatments (p< 0.05), with no differences in lateral bending.

Discussion Using a non-human primate model, the current study investigated in-vivo response to PSIS following total disc arthroplasty. Surgical application of the PSIS appears to reduce great vessel adhesion and improve regeneration of collagenous tissues at the operative disc space. However, there were no differences in the operative segment range of motion or neutral zone when comparing the two treatments. The current study serves as a basic scientific basis for ongoing clinical investigations into the use and efficacy of PSIS material following total disc arthroplasty.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to compare the disease severity at the time of surgical intervention between patients undergoing primary joint replacement under the National Health Service and Private Health-care Systems.

Materials: 166 patients were included in the study – 101 NHS and 65 Private. Inclusion criteria were: 1) hip or knee osteoarthritis, 2) primary joint replacement, and 3) informed consent of the patient. Patients with arthropathy of inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic aetiology were excluded. Physician evaluation included medical history, calculation of Charleson Comorbidity Scores, and Knee Society rating. Patients were given self-assessment health questionnaires including WOMAC, SF-36, and Nottingham Health Profile.

Results: Mean age was 69.4 years and did not vary significantly between NHS and Private groups. Charleson Comorbidity Scores were significantly worse in the NHS group than in the private. Health assessment questionnaire scores were all adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidity. In NHS patients undergoing TKR, we demonstrate significantly worse pre-operative comorbidity than in private group for indices of function and pain. Patients undergoing THR showed little difference in pre-operative comorbidity.

Conclusion: NHS patients undergoing primary TKR have significantly more advanced disease than their counterparts who are privately insured. Access to TKR surgery is determined by the healthcare delivery system rather then a threshold level of disease severity. Further follow-up of the outcomes of TKR in these two groups needs to be carried out to determine the long-term effects of accessing surgical care at a more advanced stage of disease.

We present a study of ten consecutive patients who underwent excision of thoracic or thoracolumbar hemivertebrae for either angular deformity in the coronal plane, or both coronal and sagittal deformity. Vertebral excision was carried out anteriorly alone in two patients. Seven patients had undergone previous posterior spinal fusion. Their mean age at surgery was 13.4 years (6 to 19). The mean follow-up was 78.5 months (20 to 180). The results were evaluated by radiological review of the preoperative, postoperative and most recent follow-up films.

The mean preoperative coronal curve was 78.2° (30 to 115) and was corrected to 33.9° (7 to 58) postoperatively, a mean correction of 59%. Preoperative coronal decompensation of 35 mm was improved to 11 mm postoperatively. Seven patients had significant coronal decompensation preoperatively, which was corrected to a physiological range postoperatively. There were no major complications and no neurological damage.

We have shown that resection of thoracic and thoracolumbar hemivertebrae can be performed safely, without undue risk of neurological compromise, in experienced hands.