Case report: 122° kyphosis secondary to C5-L3 laminectomy and quadriplegia, surgical correction and 30-year follow-up.

Abstract

The study design was a case report with 30-year follow-up. In 1980, there were no pedicle screws available, so it was a great challenge to achieve correction and fusion in a patient with no laminae, and who was quadriplegic. Such a case with such a long follow-up has not been previously reported. This is a single case report with an ultra-long follow-up. The patient underwent an anterior fusion from T3 to L4 via two incisions, and at a second stage, a posterior fusion from T3 to S1 using Luque rods and wires passed through the foramenae. After 2 years he underwent repair of two pseudarthroses with both anterior and posterior procedures. He achieved solid fusion following the pseudarthrosis repair. Although being a C7 quadriplegic all his life, he is totally independent in his activities of daily living, and is fully employed. Correction and fusion can be achieved even in the absence of laminae and pedicle screws.