Five-Level Posterior Total En Bloc Spondylectomy of Severe Myelomeningocele Kyphosis.

Abstract

In this case report we discuss a case of thoracolumbar kyphectomy associated with myelomeningocoele. To our knowledge, no such total spondylectomy and fascinating alignment, with no skin defect on the outcome, has been reported in the literature. A 15-year-old paraplegic girl, suffering from severe kyphosis, was not able to sit in a wheelchair. Her lumbar myelomeningocele was repaired perinatally. Surgery reduced the 137-degree angle deformity to a 30-degree kyphosis. At 12-month follow-up, the fusion consolidated as shown on the computed tomography scans and the instruments were good position with a 5-degree correction loss. In most cases of kyphosis, anterior wedging occurs in the vertebral body where the apex of the deformity is located. In our patient kyphosis had a round curve with no definite apex that could be marked out. These deformities demand special attention regarding the surgical techniques and postoperative course.