KYPHECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH MYELOMENINGOCELE: SURGICAL RESULTS AND COMPLICATIONS

Objectives:The lumbar kyphosis in patients with myelomeningocele is a complex deformity whose treatment is mainly surgical. The objective of this study is to summarize the results and complications obtained by the group in 2012 with respect to this group of patients.Method:Performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records and radiographs of patients consecutively operated in 2012. The technique was originally described by Dunn-McCarthy and consists of kyphectomy and posterior fixation using S-shaped Luque rods through the foramina of S1 associated with pedicle screws in the thoracic spine.Results:Six patients were included in the study. The age at surgery was 11 years and 7±22 months and the weight was 29.1±11.9 kg. The procedure lasted 271±87 minutes, with the removal of one or two (mean 1.5) vertebrae from the apex of the kyphosis. Hospitalization time was 10±9 days. The lumbar kyphosis measuring 116.3±37 degrees preoperatively was reduced to 62.5±21 degrees. All patients began to sit without support and to lie in the supine position. Four patients developed postoperative infection and required surgical debridement at the follow-up. One patient had the implant removed after a year due to loosening of the rod in the sacrum.Conclusion:The surgical technique allows excellent functional results in the correction of lumbar kyphosis in patients with myelomeningocele despite high complication rates. It is necessary to conduct studies with a larger number of patients and duration of follow-up to assess whether the use of pedicle screws will decrease the rate of loosening and pseudoarthrosis. Objetivos:La cifosis lumbar en pacientes con mielomeningocele es una deformidad compleja cuyo tratamiento es principalmente quirúrgico. El objetivo de este estudio es resumir los resultados y complicaciones obtenidos por el equipo en 2012, con respecto a este grupo de pacientes.Método:Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de las historias clínicas y las radiografías de los pacientes intervenidos consecutivamente en 2012. La técnica fue descrita originalmente por Dunn-McCarthy y constituye en cifosectomía y fijación posterior con los tallos en forma de "S" a través de los forámenes de S1 asociados con tornillos pediculares en la columna torácica.Resultados:Se incluyeron 6 pacientes en el estudio. La edad a la cirugía fue de 11 años y 7 ± 22 mmeses y el peso fue 29,1 ± 11,9 kg. El procedimiento duró 271 ± 87 minutos, con la eliminación de una o dos (media 1,5) vértebras