title: Influence of Sequential Ponte Osteotomies on the Human Thoracic Spine With a Rib Cage.
abstract: Biomechanical cadaveric study.
  
  
  
  The purpose of this study was to determine the change in range of motion (ROM) of the human thoracic spine and rib cage due to sequential Ponte osteotomies (POs).
  
  
  
  POs are often performed in deformity correction surgeries to provide flexibility in the sagittal plane at an estimated correction potential of 5° per PO, but no studies have evaluated the biomechanical impact of the procedure on a cadaveric model with an intact rib cage.
  
  
  
  Seven human thoracic cadavers with intact rib cages were loaded with pure moments in flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending for five conditions: intact, PO at T9-T10, PO at T8-T9, PO at T7-T8, and PO at T6-T7. Motion of T1, T6, and T10 were measured, and overall (T1-T12) and regional (T6-T10) ROMs were reported for each mode of bending at each condition.
  
  
  
  POs increased ROM in flexion both overall (T1-T12) and regionally (T6-T10), although the magnitude of the increase was marginal (<1°/PO). No significant differences were found in axial rotation or lateral bending.
  
  
  
  POs may increase sagittal correction potential before fusion in patients with hyperkyphosis, though more work should be done to determine the magnitude of the changes.
  
  
  
  Level V.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas, 1530 W 15th St., Learned Hall Room 3138, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mannen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics of Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas, 1530 W 15th St., Learned Hall Room 3138, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. Electronic address: lfriis@ku.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Friis
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D000070602:Rib Cage / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012399:Rotation; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Biomechanics; Ponte; Release; Smith-Petersen; Thoracic spine