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Hemivertebra resection in the cervical spine.
Michael Ruf1, Rubens Jensen, Jürgen Harms
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Center for Spinal Surgery, Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Germany. michael.ruf@kkl.srh.de
Spine
|February 12, 2005
Summary
Surgical resection of cervical hemivertebra effectively treats congenital cervical scoliosis and associated head tilt in children. Early intervention with hemivertebra resection can prevent further spinal deformities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Spine Surgery
- Congenital Deformities
Background:
- Congenital cervical scoliosis, often associated with hemivertebra, presents a unique surgical challenge.
- This study reports on hemivertebra resection in the midcervical spine, a novel approach.
Observation:
- Three pediatric patients with congenital cervical scoliosis and torticollis underwent hemivertebra resection.
- The surgical approach involved posterior-anterior (posterior) resection and fusion of adjacent vertebrae.
Findings:
- Significant correction of segmental Cobb angle (29° to 5°) and head tilt (17° to 1°) was achieved.
- Complete bony fusion was successful in all patients, with one case of transient deltoid weakness resolving post-revision.
Implications:
- Cervical hemivertebra resection is a viable treatment option for congenital cervical scoliosis.
- Early surgical correction can prevent secondary deformities in the upper thoracic spine.
- This technique offers good correction of both spinal deformity and head tilt.