Expert's comment concerning Grand Rounds case entitled "L5-S1 disc replacement after two previous fusion surgeries for scoliosis" (by S. Jehan, S. Elsayed, J. Webb and B. Boszczyk).
The attempt to preserve motion below a long fusion is certainly praiseworthy even if it is clearly understood with the patient that the result might be only temporary, buying some good years in the most active part of life. The analysis of the case presented here suggests that such an approach could be recommended in the right patient, with the right team. More experience and reports are necessary to evolve from an anecdotal report to a new path in the treatment of adult scoliosis.
Bitan
Fabien D
FD
Department of Spine Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, 130 East 77th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10021, USA. bitanf@manhattanorthopaedics.com
D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000592:standards*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000592:standards*; D055111:Failed Back Surgery Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*