Posterior vertebral column resection: Exploring practical uses in clinical settings

Background: The purpose of this study was to present our experience in patients who had been treated with posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) for various spinal deformities. Methods: Thirty-seven patients who performed PVCR between 2015 and 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range: 12-50 months). The demographic data of the patients, mean blood loss, amount of blood replacement, duration of operation, intensive care and hospitalization period, PVCR level, instrumentation level, amount of preoperative curvature, amount of postoperative curvature improvement, preoperative and postoperative neurological status, and complications were examined. Angular measurements were performed on X-ray. Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.5 years (range: 3-80 years). PVCR was applied to patients due to different pathologies (congenital, tumor metastasis, posttraumatic kyphosis, revision scoliosis, and infection). The mean operation time was 445.5 min (260-720) with an average blood loss of 1903 ml (400-7000 ml). It was observed that the average local kyphosis angle decreased from 67.65 degrees to 7.42 degrees in 26 patients who were operated for advanced deformity (P < 0.001). When these values were compared in all 34 patients, the preoperative angle value decreased from 55.1 degrees to 3.5 degrees (P < 0.001) and decreased from 70 degrees to 0 degrees in 13 congenital kyphosis patients. Conclusion: PVCR is an effective method for correcting severe spinal deformities and can be used to correct curvature in different patient groups. Level of Evidence: Level 3.