Posterior osteotomy in the treatment of spinal kyphosis

Objective:To summarize the experiences of posterior osteotomy for spinal kyphosis.Methods:Five patients with ankylosing spondylitis and an average kyphosis angle of 79.0° underwent double-segment wedge osteotomy in L1 and L3.Five patients with traumatic or tuberculosis kyphosis and kyphosis angle less than 50.0° underwent single-segment wedge closing osteotomy.Five patients with kyphosis angle more than 50.0° underwent osteotomy with cage inserting anteriorly and closing posteriorly.Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Fifteen patients had an average of 11 months' follow-up.All had bone-fusion at six months after the operation.Average kyphosis angle was 62.3° preoperatively and 15.5° postoperatively.Average correction angle and rate of kyphosis were 46.8° and 75.1% respectively.Average height was increased by 4.4 cm.For five patients with nervous injury,one patient with Frankle C recovered to Frankle D;one with Frankle C to Frankle E,and three with Frankle D to Frankle E.Back pain was released obviously.Conclusions:Long round-shaped deformity can be corrected through multi-vertebral osteotomy.Severe kyphosis can be corrected through osteotomy with cage inserting anteriorly and closing posteriorly.Osteotomy correction by posterior approach is an effective method for spinal kyphosis.