Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Feature Summary
Adult Spinal Deformity is an idiopathic or degenerative condition of the adult spine leading to a deformity in the coronal or sagittal plane. Surgical deformity correction indicated for progressive disabling pain that has failed nonoperative management, and/or progressive neurological deficits. Taipei Veterans General Hospital has established the most professional and comprehensive scoliosis care team. Our team's achievements include a high success rate and functional recovery, leading the treatment of scoliosis in Taiwan.
Overview
Adult spinal deformity is comprised of a very diverse group of patients from ages 21 and older. Adult spinal deformity includes conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis or roundback, spondylolisthesis, and flatback, leading to a deformity in the coronal or sagittal plane of spine. Patients usually experience a long period of pain which can be severe and may impact on daily activities and affects their quality of life. Progression or worsening of their deformity over time is very common and needed surgical correction. Adult spinal deformity surgery could offer the benefits to prevent deformity worsening, and late back pain and disability and in severe cases pulmonary or breathing problems. Each surgery is individualized, some requiring an extensive spinal fusion and others a more limited fusion.
Features
Taipei Veterans General Hospital has established the most professional and comprehensive scoliosis care team, integrating orthopedics, intra-operative neuromonitoring team, orthotist, physical therapists, anesthesiologist, and nursing. We started scoliosis correction surgery since 1984 and has accumulated over 2,000 cases, the highest in Taiwan, and has introduced the latest techniques and implants globally. Our team's achievements include a high success rate and functional recovery, leading the treatment of scoliosis in Taiwan. We also established an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for scoliosis surgery, which is the first ERAS scoliosis care team in Taiwan. The ERAS pathway that combines evidence-based perioperative strategies to accelerate the functional recovery process, less postoperative pain and improve surgical outcomes.
Procedure
The scoliosis correction surgery will be done in a traditional posterior open approach, which means a longitudinal posterior incision will be made and to exposure the spine bony structure. Adult spine was stiff and lack of flexibility. Surgeons will plan for the desired alignment preoperatively. Spine osteotomy will be performed during the surgery to make the spine flexible and to get ideal alignment. The correction happens when metal rods insertion. The rods are attached to the spine by screws, hooks, and/or wires. Metal rods are typically used to hold the spine in place until fusion happens. Spinal fusion was performed after implantation and correction. Bone graft was harvested using local autologous bone chip, artificial bone substitute or form bone bank.
Notification
Risks and complications
- Infection: Antibiotics are regularly given to the patient before, during, and often after surgery to lessen the risk of infections.
- Bleeding: A certain amount of bleeding is expected, but this is not typically significant. A portion of the blood lost during surgery may be saved and given back to the patient (using CellSaver).
- Pseudarthrosis: Older teenagers and adults who smoke are more likely to develop a pseudarthrosis. This is a condition where there is not enough bone formation. It can cause pain or rod breakage. If this occurs, a second surgery may be needed in order to obtain a solid fusion.
- Nerve injury: It is possible that the nerves or blood vessels may be injured during these operations. The nerve function will be monitor throughout surgery to lessen the risk. These complications are very rare (< 1%).
Estimated Cost
For estimated medical costs, please contact International Medical Services Center.