Single-surgeon simultaneous versus staged anterior and posterior spinal reconstruction: a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Spine Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Complex three-column thoracic or thoracolumbar spine disease necessitates extensive surgical intervention.
• Traditional treatment involves staged anterior and posterior approaches, often requiring multiple surgical teams.
• Simultaneous anterior-posterior procedures are emerging as an alternative, typically with two surgical teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of single-surgeon simultaneous anterior-posterior reconstruction versus staged anterior and posterior approaches for three-column thoracolumbar spine disease.
• To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and deformity correction of these two surgical techniques.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study of 14 patients with three-column thoracic or thoracolumbar spine disease treated at a single institution.
• Seven patients underwent single-surgeon simultaneous anterior-posterior reconstruction.
• Seven patients underwent staged anterior and posterior approaches by a different surgeon.
• Data collected included indications, operative details, hospital course, neurologic outcome, complications, and deformity correction.

Main Results:

• Single-surgeon simultaneous anterior-posterior reconstruction was found to be a safe and practical approach.
• This technique may provide superior correction of spinal deformity compared to staged procedures.
• Further analysis of indications, operative details, hospital course, neurologic outcome, and complications was performed.

Conclusions:

• Single-surgeon simultaneous anterior-posterior reconstruction is a viable and effective treatment for complex three-column thoracic or thoracolumbar spine pathology.
• This approach offers potential advantages in deformity correction over traditional staged procedures.