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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
An Anesthesia, Surgery, and Harvest Method for the Evaluation of Transpedicular Screws Using an In Vivo Porcine Lumbar Spine Model
Published on: May 31, 2017
Comparison between harvesting and preserving the spinous process for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Yu-Cheng Yeh1,2, Chi-Chien Niu1,2,3, Lih-Huei Chen1,2,3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City, 33305, Taiwan.
Background:
Spinous process has been routinely resected during posterior fusion of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis for fusion bed preparation and local autologous bone graft supplement. However, spinous process serves as an important structure in posterior ligament complex and was the anchorage of paraspinal muscle groups. With the development of pedicle screws instrumentation and the potential fusion ability in children, the need for resecting spinous process in this procedure could be further investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the fusion rates, surgical outcomes and complications between harvesting and preserving the spinous process in posterior fusion of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Methods:
From January 2003 to December 2008, 104 consecutive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients underwent primary posterior fusion with local autologous bone grafts and following for a minimum of 24 months were reviewed. The patients were divided into a harvesting group (n = 61) with the spinous process harvested, and a preserving group (n = 43) with the spinous process preserved. Blood loss, radiographic assessments, and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.
Results:
There were no significant differences in duration of surgery and peri-operative blood transfusion between the two groups. However, blood loss was statistically greater (983 ± 446 ml vs. 824 ± 361 ml; p = 0.048) and duration of hospitalization was statistically longer (7.4 ± 1.0 days vs. 6.8 ± 0.8 days; p = 0.003) in the harvesting group. The pre- and post-operative structural curves, correction rates, sagittal profile and loss of corrections were similar in both groups. Based on radiographic evaluation, the incidences of pseudoarthrosis were similar in both groups (3/61 vs. 2/43; p = 0.95). The incidence of prescribing pain medication for back discomfort during follow-up was statistically higher in the harvesting group (16/61 vs. 4/43; p = 0.03).
Conclusions:
The surgical outcomes and fusion rates between harvesting and preserving the spinous process were comparable. Resecting the spinous process as local autologous bone graft may not be necessary in posterior fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.
