Posterior Vertebral Column Resection for Severe Spinal Deformity Correction: Comparison of Pediatric, Adolescent, and Adult Groups

We compared the pre-, intra-, and postoperative characteristics among three groups of patients who underwent posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) to clarify age-related characteristics and to guide patient management, surgical planning, and complication avoiding. We compared and analyzed the etiology, surgical events, outcomes, and complications among pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients who underwent PVCR in a single-center database retrospectively. Patients were categorized into pediatric (0-12 yr), adolescent (13-19 yr), and adult (>20 yr) cohorts. Demographics, surgical events, clinical and radiographic results, and major complications were compared between groups. A total of 87 patients with a mean follow-up 42 (24-96) months were identified. Pediatric group (14) had a high frequency of congenital vertebral and cardiac abnormal, adolescents (47) presented more intracanal malformations, and idiopathic was common in the adult group (26). Although pediatric patients had shorter fusion levels than adolescent and adult, their mean resected vertebrae (1.91), percentage of blood loss (estimated blood loss per total blood volume) (201.9%), and operative time were much higher. The coronal/sagittal correction rate was significantly higher in the pediatric group (73.6%/72.3%). Overall, surgical complications were more frequent in adults, particularly neuromonitoring alert and implant failure. However, more severe complications were noted in younger patients. For pediatric patients with PVCR, poor physiological conditions and frequent comorbidities indicated cautious patient selection and sufficient preoperative preparation. The higher correction rate may be due to the excellent compliance of the spinal cord. For adult patients, preoperative traction and adjusting the tension of the spinal cord during surgery could contribute to neurological safety.