STUDY DESIGN: A review of all presentations at the Korean Society of Spine Surgery(KSSS) congress from 2001 to 2005. OBJECTIVES: To determine the presentation to publication rate in peer-reviewed journals of abstracts presented at the KSSS congress and evaluate the consistency between the presented abstract and published full-text counterpart. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The rate of publication for presentation at international meetings has been determined but there has been no study for the KSSS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study reviewed all podium presentations of the past KSSS Spring and Fall meetings from 2001 to 2005. A computer search for each abstract was performed. The final published journal, time to publication and publication rate were evaluated according to subspecialty. The published full-text article was compared with the original abstract and evaluated for consistency with respect to the author, material and method, and result. RESULTS: A total of 288 free-papers were identified, of which 167 of them were published as full-text articles. The mean time to publication was 12.15 months. The publication rates according to the subspecialty were basic 67%, lumbar 68%, cervical 64%, deformity 50%, trauma 53%, minimal 14% and others 51%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presentation to publication rate of the Korean society of spine surgery podium presentations was lower than other international meetings but the articles showed a high consistency rate.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Publications ; Spine

There are a number of reports on Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO), pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) and vertebral column resection (VCR). However, there are few systematic reviews of all three kinds of osteotomies. Literature review and author's experience of SPO, PSO and VCR osteotomy will be described. Various surgical techniques can be applied according to the disease entity and magnitude of the deformity. The most appropriate methods for deformity correction should be chosen and the potential complications should be considered. Before attempting an osteotomy of the spine for a spinal deformity, sufficient surgical experience and a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the spine and adjacent structures are needed. In addition, a well-organized team with the other departments is essential.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Osteotomy ; Spine

PURPOSE: To report a technique of vertebral column resection using a single posterior approach and its results in the treatment of severe spinal deformities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy spinal deformity patients treated by posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) were retrospectively reviewed with minimum follow up of 2 years (2-3.3 years). There were 34 males and 36 females with a mean age of 27.4 years. Etiologic diagnoses were; adult scoliosis in 7, congenital kyphoscoliosis in 38, and post-infectious kyphosis in 25. The surgery consisted of temporary stabilization of the vertebral column with segmental pedicle screw fixation, resection of the vertebral column at the apex of the deformity via the posterior route followed by gradual deformity correction and fusion. Radiological and clinical data were reviewed for deformity correction and clinical results. RESULTS: The total number of resected vertebrae were 143: 76 thoracic and 67 lumbar. Mean operation time was 4 hours 31 minutes with an average blood loss of 2, 333 mL. The deformity correction was 62.9% in the coronal plane and 45.2 degrees in the sagittal plane. Complications were encountered in 24 patients: 2 complete cord injuries in severe adult scoliosis and a single thoracic kyphosis patient who had significant preoperative cord compromise, 6 hematomas, 4 root injuries (all incomplete), 5 fixation failures, 2 infections and 5 hemopneumothoraxes. CONCLUSION: PVCR is an effective alternative for severe fixed spinal deformities. However, extreme caution must be taken in patients with preoperative cord compromise who have a high risk of neurological complications.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Spine*

Abnormalities of the posterior arch, including congenitally absent cervical pedicle and cervical spondylolysis, are rare entities that are usually found incidentally on neck radiographs. It is important to recognize these characteristic radiological features because their radiographic appearance may cause them to be confused with more serious entities such as fractures, locked facets, and tumor-induced bony erosions. Also, it is important to distinguish these abnormalities from similar pathologies to prevent the use of inappropriate treatment. We report the relevant clinical and radiological findings seen in three cases of posterior arch defect after trauma with review of pertinent literature.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Neck ; Spine ; Spondylolysis

We report a case of 16 centimeter long schwannoma extended from craniocervical junction to upper thoracic spine that was successfully resected by posterior laminoplasty. However the patient developed postoperative kyphotic deformity at 3 months postoperatively, and it was corrected by anterior corpectomy and plate fixation.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Neurilemmoma* ; Spine*

PURPOSE: To compare the results of short fusion versus long fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients undergoing short fusion (n=28) and long fusion and instrumentation (n=19) were evaluated. Short fusion was defined as fusion within the deformity, not exceeding the upper end vertebra. Long fusion was defined as fusion extended above the upper end vertebra. The number of levels fused in the short and long fusion groups was 3.14 and 6.89 segments, respectively. RESULTS: Before surgery, the Cobb angle was 16.3 degrees in the short fusion group and 22 degrees in the long fusion group, which changed to 10.1 degrees and 8.47 degrees, respectively, at the last visit. The correction of coronal imbalance was better in the long fusion group. In contrast, the correction of sagittal imbalance was similar in both groups. The mean estimated blood loss in the short and long fusion groups was 1,671 ml and 2,742 ml, respectively. Early perioperative complications developed frequently in the long fusion group. Adjacent segment disease occurred more frequently in the short fusion group. CONCLUSION: Long fusion and instrumentation for degenerative lumbar scoliosis was better at correcting the coronal deformity and imbalance than short fusion but was ineffective in correcting the sagittal imbalance.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Scoliosis* ; Spine

Ten cases of unstable spine were treated with various surgical procedures under control of Halo apparatus and following results wen obtained. 1. Six cases of unstable cervical spine were treated with Halo apparatus and were able to obtain solid fusion for permanent stability. 2. Three cases of tuberculous kyphosis were corrected with halo-pelvic hoop on, and were able to obtain mean correction angle of 42 (65%) with little danger. 3. With halo on, staged operations such as anterior and posterior osteotomy, gradual distraction, anterior and posterior fusion of the spine for correcting deformity were carried out securely. 4. Average duration of halo application was eight weeks, no more twelve weeks, and there was no irreversible complication with halo apparatus per se.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Kyphosis ; Osteotomy ; Spine

The management of thoraco-lumbar fractures remains controversial. Different authors have advocated immobilization, external bracing or internal fixation by either anterior or posterior approaches. To stabilize the fracture and avoid an unne cessary fixation of an uninjured segment, posterior monosegmental fixation was performed in Type B1 fractures according to the classification of Magerl et al, with nearly intact vertebral body for load support. Two patients underwent fixation with 4 titanium pedicle screws, one level above and directly into the fractured vertebra body. Patients had a stable fixation at 6 months following surgery. No patients experienced neurological deficit or had developed a delayed kyphotic deformity. Single level fixation for selected cases of thoracolumbar fracture(Type B1 fractures) may be considered as an effective procedure to obtain fixation and fusion. But it is necessary to get a further follow-up period, further cases and especially biomechanical support.
Braces ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Spine ; Titanium

Multiple techniques exist for the fixation of C2, including axial pedicle screws and bilateral translaminar screws. We describe a novel method of incorporating both the translaminar and pedicle screws within C2 to improve fixation to the subaxial spine in patients requiring posterior cervical instrumentation for deformity correction or instability. We report three cases of patients with cervical spinal instability, who underwent cervical spine instrumentation for stabilization and/or deformity correction. Bilateral C2 pedicle screws were inserted, followed by bilateral crossed laminar screws. The instrumentation method successfully achieved fixation in all three patients. There were no immediate postoperative complications, and hardware positioning was satisfactory. Instrumenting C2 with translaminar and pedicle screws is technically feasible, and it may improve fixation to the subaxial spine in patients with poor bone quality or severe subaxial deformity, which require a stronger instrumentation construct.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine anatomic variations of the atlas and the clinical significance of these variations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1029 cervical 3-dimensional (3D) CT images. Cervical 3D CT was performed between November 2011 and August 2014. Arcuate foramina were classified as partial or complete and left and/or right. Occipitalization of the atlas was classified in accordance with criteria specified by Mudaliar et al. Posterior arch defects of the atlas were classified in accordance with criteria specified by Currarino et al. RESULTS: One hundred and eight vertebrae (108/1029, 10.5%) showed an arcuate foramen. Bilateral arcuate foramina were present in 41 of these vertebrae and the remaining 67 arcuate foramina were unilateral (right 31, left 36). Right-side arcuate foramina were partial on 18 sides and complete on 54 sides. Left-side arcuate foramina were partial on 24 sides and complete on 53 sides. One case of atlas assimilation was found. Twelve patients (12/1029, 1.17%) had a defect of the atlantal posterior arch. Nine of these patients (9/1029, 0.87%) had a type A posterior arch defect. We also identified one type B, one type D, and one type E defect. CONCLUSION: Preoperative diagnosis of occipitalization of the atlas and arcuate foramina using 3D CT is of paramount importance in avoiding neurovascular injury during surgery. It is important to be aware of posterior arch defects of the atlas because they may be misdiagnosed as a fracture.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine