Our Scoliosis Success Stories
Scoliosis and Kyphosis (Spinal deformity)
Anterior cervical spine surgery is performed when there is pressure or compression over the spinal nerves. The pressure can be at multiple level in multilevel cervical myelopathy or single level in cervical disc herniation.
These deformity can occur due to various causes which includes congenital, developmental, infectious, neuromuscular diseases like cerebral palsy, neurofibromatosis.
Adults patients can also develop scoliosis and kyphosis due to degenerative changes in the bones of the spine.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment is indicated in congenital deformities and progressive deformities. The surgery can be performed either by anterior approach, posterior approach or combined anterior and posterior approach in severe deformities.
Anterior Spinal Deformity Correction
Anaesthesia: The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia with the patient lying in lateral position on the operating table.
Surgical procedure : In lateral position either by retroperitoneal approach (for lumbar scoliosis) or transthoracic approach(for thoracic scoliosis), the spine is exposed. Discs are removed from the involved level to achieve mobility of the spine. Screws are inserted into the bones of the spinal column at the involved level and correction is achieved by putting rods into desired shape to achieve deformity correction. Bone graft is inserted into the discs space to achieve fusion in corrected position.
After Surgery
In the recovery room: Immediately after surgery the patient is shifted to recovery room, where the patient is monitored for some time. Medications are provided for pain to control post operative pain relief. Once the patient is comfortable the patient is shifted to ward.
In the ward: The patient is allowed to have liquids 6 hours after the surgery. Once the pain has reduced and the patient is comfortable, patient is allowed to sit and walk on the same of the surgery. The patient is discharged on the 3-4 days after surgery.
After Discharge:
- It is necessary to stay active after surgery and patient can walk as per his comfort with in his home or nearby.
- The patient should follow healthy eating habits avoid weight gain and obese patient should try to reduce weight.
- The patient should refrain from smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol as these can lead to recurrence of symptoms later.
- Patient should do exercise atleast for 45 mins to 1 hour daily to get good result after spine surgery and avoid future spine related problems.
Posterior Spinal Deformity Correction
Anaesthesia: The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia with the patient lying in prone position with face down on the operating table.
Surgical procedure: After cleaning the area of surgery thoroughly, the level of surgery is confirmed under X ray machine. A incision is made at the level of deformity. Muscles are retracted to one side by dissection to expose the bones. Pedicle screws are inserted into the bones of the involved spinal level. The rods are contoured into a desired shape and inserted through the screws to achieve correction of the deformity. Bone graft is inserted along the rods to achieve fusion in corrected position.
After Surgery
In the recovery room: Immediately after surgery the patient is shifted to recovery room, where the patient is monitored for some time. Medications are provided for pain to control post operative pain relief. Once the patient is comfortable the patient is shifted to ward.
In the ward: The patient is allowed to have liquids 6 hours after the surgery. Once the pain has reduced and the patient is comfortable, patient is allowed to sit and walk on the same of the surgery. The patient is discharged on the 3-4 days after surgery.
After Discharge:
- It is necessary to stay active after surgery and patient can walk as per his comfort with in his home or nearby.
- The patient should follow healthy eating habits avoid weight gain and obese patient should try to reduce weight.
- The patient should refrain from smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol as these can lead to recurrence of symptoms later.
- Patient should do exercise atleast for 45 mins to 1 hour daily to get good result after spine surgery and avoid future spine related problems.
