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Background: The concentration of platelets into an activated growth factor (AGF) gel may stimulate graft consolidation into a fusion mass. Preoperative hemodilution and intraoperative clot activation may also reduce the overall blood loss. Consequently, the need for postoperative transfusions may also be reduced., Objective: The objective of this work was to report our experience with AGF platelet gels in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures., Methods: A consecutive series of patients between 1996 and 1999 undergoing one- and two-level TLIFs with AGF were compared with a consecutive series of TLIF patients who did not receive AGF. Sixty-two control subjects who did not receive AGF and 22 patients who received an AGF platelet gel were compared after 41 and 34 months of follow-up, respectively., Results: On average, the AGF group required 18 minutes of additional preincision anesthesia (P = 0.0001). No statistical differences in the operative times, estimated blood loss, postoperative drainage, percentage of patients requiring a transfusion, or length of hospitalization were appreciated between the two groups. The 19% decrease in the arthrodesis rate of the AGF group, as compared with the control group, did not reach statistical significance. Platelet counts from the AGF platelet concentrates demonstrated an average 3.5-fold increase compared with preoperative serum levels., Conclusions: The theoretical benefits of AGF platelet gel technology were not clinically appreciated. The cost of implementing this technology may therefore outweigh its theoretical benefits.

This retrospective study was designed to document the incidence and types of perioperative complications that occurred with anterior spinal fusion surgery performed solely by an orthopedic spine surgeon. This study is contrasted to previous studies that document complications from anterior approaches performed by an orthopedic surgeon with the assistance of a general or a vascular surgeon. Specifically, the procedures included thoracotomies, thoracolumbar retroperitoneal, and lumbosacral approaches. Our sample consisted of 450 patients who underwent anterior spinal fusion between levels T1 and S1, from 1985 to 1997. Patient and surgery characteristics included age, sex, diagnosis, levels of fusion, blood loss, operative time, hospitalization time, complications, American Society of Anesthesiologists state, assessment of risk factors, previous surgery, and surgical approach used. Average follow-up was 41.69 months, with a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 132 months. Our results indicated that anterior procedures performed solely by our senior orthopedic surgeon had a lower incidence of complications, less blood loss, and shorter operative time than anterior procedures performed by an orthopedic surgeon and a vascular or a general surgeon. Our findings suggest that the anterior spinal exposure is a safe approach that may be performed solely by a spinal surgeon who is knowledgeable and experienced.

Fusion levels are selected with the goal of having a balanced physiologic spine on the postoperative films. We have proposed an algorithm for selecting fusion levels based on the King-Moe scoliosis classification scheme and the flexibility of a compensatory curve. We propose the acronym TEAMS as a pneumonic. Curve type defines the region of the spine to be fused. The ends of the Cobb measurement around the region are the temporary endpoints. The endpoints are extended to avoid an apex due to the sagittal or frontal planes. The mobile disc is defined at the caudal end of the fusion area. Finally, the bending films, traction films, or intraoperative films are used to define the stable zone of Harrington that must contain the ends of the fusion mass. This scheme yields a simple, easily taught algorithm that results in reproducible endpoints for scoliosis fusion.

No previous study has compared the complications between anterior/posterior and transforaminal interbody fusions. We performed a retrospective analysis of 164 patients to compare the complications and associated predictive factors of the two techniques of circumferential lumbar fusion. Fifty-three had same-day anterior/posterior fusion (group 1), and 111 had transforaminal interbody fusion (group 2). Mean operating time (p < 0.0001) and hospital stay (p < 0.0001) was significantly longer for group 1 patients. Average blood loss was greater for group 1 patients (p < 0.01). Higher complication rates were found in group 1 patients (p < 0.004). Wound infection occurred more frequently in patients with adjunctive treatment (p < 0.04). Hospital stay was an independent predictor of complications in both groups. In group 1, body mass index was independently associated with complications. In group 2, both hospital stay and adjunctive treatment were predictive of complications. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is the preferred technique because it is associated with shorter operating time, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and lower incidence of complications.

Multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) remains a difficult problem. A recently described surgical technique for multilevel ACDF has eliminated the morbid complications associated with harvesting iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) while maintaining the advantages of using autologous bone graft. A matched-pairs t test was used to compare the estimated costs of 27 ACDFs using titanium surgical mesh, local autologous bone graft, and anterior plate instrumentation with 27 ACDFs using ICBG and plate fixation. The three variables considered were cage cost, operating time (cost), and hospitalization cost. The estimated costs for the two surgical procedures were not significantly different. Thus, the time saved by not harvesting an ICBG was comparable to the cost of the cage. Harvesting ICBG also increased the morbidity rate by 22%.

A case of distal aortic occlusion after circumferential lumbar spine surgery is presented. The paradoxical clinical findings are discussed.

The purpose of this review was to determine whether the literature supports in situ prophylactic pinning of the hip contralateral to a hip with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Three hundred twenty-five articles on SCFE between 1931 and 1998 were reviewed. Two hundred six studies were used to establish normative data. Patients with a unilateral SCFE were 2,335 times more likely to develop a SCFE in the contralateral hip when compared to children in the general population experiencing an initial SCFE. Because a majority of these sequential SCFEs were detected and treated early, we concluded that close follow-up and not prophylactic pinning was most supported by the literature.

Study Design: A review of the charts and radiographs of 22 patients with idiopathic lumbar, thoracolumbar, and thoracic scoliosis who underwent single-stage anterior fusion with rigid third-generation instrumentation and titanium surgical mesh implants., Objectives: To validate a new technique for scoliosis correction by assessing the initial correction of deformity, trunk shift, and rotation. Perioperative statistics as well as complications were reviewed. The maintenance of sagittal balance and rate of fusion were also determined after a minimum of 2 years' follow-up., Summary of Background Data: Posterior correction of scoliosis has been the preferred method of treatment since the introduction of Harrington rods. Recent advances in instrumentation and surgical techniques have allowed surgeons to approach scoliosis correction through the chest and abdomen. These new techniques must be validated before they become accepted alternatives to the standard of care., Methods: One male and 21 female patients, aged 11-18 years, were observed for an average of 44 months. Matched-pairs t tests were used to compare pre- and postoperative curve measurements., Results: Statistically significant curve improvements were seen when postoperative radiographs were compared with preoperative ones. The instrumented coronal plane curve was corrected 82%. A 65% spontaneous correction of the uninstrumented coronal plane curve was observed. Sagittal kyphosis improved 7 degrees, and apical rotation and tilt angles improved 71% and 80%, respectively. A mean loss of 4 degrees of correction was seen on final follow-up radiographs. Lumbar lordosis did not change significantly, and postoperative hyperlordosis was not detected. Ninety-six percent of all instrumented levels fused within 6 months. Although the perioperative complication rate was low, five patients (23%) had asymptomatic idiopathic retrolisthesis develop at the caudal end of the fused vertebrae., Conclusions: Accepted correction of idiopathic scoliosis can be achieved with anterior instrumented fusion alone.

Thirty-five consecutive patients were evaluated at an average follow-up time of 20 months after circumferential lumbar spinal fusion. All patients had degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine and same-day anterior spinal fusion by using titanium cages packed with autograft bone and posterior instrumentation combined with a posterolateral autogenous bone graft. The purpose of this study was to determine whether anterior titanium cage placement and posterior instrumentation with autologous bone graft was a safe and efficacious procedure in patients with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Fusion rates, complications, pain relief, medication use, and work status were specifically analyzed. Although previous reports documented the use of this technique for trauma and tumor cases, few studies assessed clinical and radiographic results in patients with degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. Plain radiographs were used to determine spinal fusion at each spinal level. All patients were administered preoperative and postoperative questionnaires regarding three specific clinical-outcome parameters. These consisted of pain level, medication use, and work status. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also documented. Radiographic results showed that 61 (97%) of 63 lumbar levels undergoing an arthrodesis procedure fused either anteriorly, posteriorly, or both. Of the 35 patients in this series, 33 (94%) fused at all levels, and two did not. Substantial pain relief was reported in 46% of all patients. Thirteen (37%) patients had one or more surgical complications. Circumferential spinal fusion in patients with degenerative etiologies yields excellent radiographic fusion rates and good pain relief. The procedure is technically demanding and is associated with a high rate of complications.