Vertebral column resection for severe kyphosis
Channel: American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Date: 2020-09-18

Munish C. Gupta, MD

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

Vertebral column resection is an excellent tool for the correction of sharp angular deformities. Preoperative planning is crucial, and a 3D model is helpful. The spinal column is stabilized before any resection is performed. The dorsal fusion mass holds the dura and spinal cord suspended with the adhesions while the anterior decompression is being performed. The correction is performed by shortening with compression, rod exchange, in situ bending, cantilever, and compression. The anterior column support is important. Multiple rods prevent early rod failure. The cord is covered with bone graft to prevent mechanical compression from muscle or a hematoma.

DOI: 10.3171/2020.1.FocusVid.19752


**Intro music: "Daybreak" by Graeme Rosner