Surgical pathway proposal for severe paralytic scoliosis in adolescents with myelomeningocele

Abstract

Purpose: The increased life expectancy of patients with myelomeningocele led to the necessity of new management for addressing complex spine deformities with severe pelvic obliquity. Tethered cord release (TCR) and spinal fusion were described as treatment options. However, nowadays, the surgical strategy is not well defined and high rates of mechanical failures and complications are reported. Our aim was to propose a new two-stage surgical pathway to treat a selected group of severe myelomeningocele scoliosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective series of myelomeningocele scoliosis in paralytic adolescent patients treated with concurrent TCR and posterior spinal fusion (PSF), followed by delayed anterior fusion (ASF) through minimally invasive lateral approach. Inclusion criteria were as follows: evolutive scoliosis in tethered cord syndrome and paraplegia, main curve >70°, pelvic obliquity >20°, and age between 10 and 18 years. Clinical, surgical, and radiographic parameters were evaluated preoperatively and at a mean follow-up (FU) of 2.8 years.

Results: Six patients out of 58 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study (mean age 12.3 years old). The mean curve and pelvic obliquity correction were 68.8% and 82%, respectively. No loss of correction was recorded at FU. One case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage requiring revision surgery was recorded.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study proposing a two-stage surgical pathway for severe MMC spinopelvic deformity treatment. Concurrent TCR and PSF with delayed minimally invasive ASF permitted to minimize complications providing good fusion rates without loss of correction and implant failure.

Keywords: Anterior and posterior spinal fusion; Spina bifida; Spine deformity; Tethered cord release.