Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric Deformity

The posterior approach to the thoracic and lumbar spine remains the most commonly used method for treating idiopathic scoliosis (IS). A detailed understanding of the relevant anatomy reduces iatrogenic complications, such as durotomy and pneumothorax, while an efficient surgical technique minimizes...

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Main Authors: Ravi R. Agrawal, MD, Keith Bridwell, MD, Munish Gupta, MD, MBA, Blake K. Montgomery, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2768276525000574
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author Ravi R. Agrawal, MD
Keith Bridwell, MD
Munish Gupta, MD, MBA
Blake K. Montgomery, MD
author_facet Ravi R. Agrawal, MD
Keith Bridwell, MD
Munish Gupta, MD, MBA
Blake K. Montgomery, MD
author_sort Ravi R. Agrawal, MD
collection DOAJ
description The posterior approach to the thoracic and lumbar spine remains the most commonly used method for treating idiopathic scoliosis (IS). A detailed understanding of the relevant anatomy reduces iatrogenic complications, such as durotomy and pneumothorax, while an efficient surgical technique minimizes operative time and blood loss. Few video-based resources detailing step-by-step exposure of the posterior elements are available. Such videos would enhance trainee preparation prior to posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for IS. This technique article reviews the authors’ preferred surgical approach, focusing on the pearls and pitfalls of errant techniques. The intended audience includes orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery trainees. Additionally, it provides a sample pre-test to evaluate trainee knowledge preoperatively (see Appendix). Key concepts: (1) Subperiosteal dissection after splitting the apophysis is essential to achieving hemostasis. (2) Errant dissection of the thoracic spine can cause durotomy, pneumothorax, and neurologic injury. (3) Supraspinous ligament violation near the UIV can increase the risk of junctional kyphosis. (4) Preserving the UIV and LIV facet joints is essential to maintain adjacent segment joint health. (5) Safe placement of all spinal instrumentation (hooks, screws, and sublaminar fixation) requires adequate spinal exposure.
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spelling doaj-art-b8b30ed19be14e83bb03021b1ea54ddb2025-08-20T03:12:57ZengElsevierJournal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America2768-27652025-08-011210021310.1016/j.jposna.2025.100213Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric DeformityRavi R. Agrawal, MD0Keith Bridwell, MD1Munish Gupta, MD, MBA2Blake K. Montgomery, MD3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USACorresponding author: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8233, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USAThe posterior approach to the thoracic and lumbar spine remains the most commonly used method for treating idiopathic scoliosis (IS). A detailed understanding of the relevant anatomy reduces iatrogenic complications, such as durotomy and pneumothorax, while an efficient surgical technique minimizes operative time and blood loss. Few video-based resources detailing step-by-step exposure of the posterior elements are available. Such videos would enhance trainee preparation prior to posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for IS. This technique article reviews the authors’ preferred surgical approach, focusing on the pearls and pitfalls of errant techniques. The intended audience includes orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery trainees. Additionally, it provides a sample pre-test to evaluate trainee knowledge preoperatively (see Appendix). Key concepts: (1) Subperiosteal dissection after splitting the apophysis is essential to achieving hemostasis. (2) Errant dissection of the thoracic spine can cause durotomy, pneumothorax, and neurologic injury. (3) Supraspinous ligament violation near the UIV can increase the risk of junctional kyphosis. (4) Preserving the UIV and LIV facet joints is essential to maintain adjacent segment joint health. (5) Safe placement of all spinal instrumentation (hooks, screws, and sublaminar fixation) requires adequate spinal exposure.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2768276525000574SpineDissectionThoracicScoliosisEducationVideo
spellingShingle Ravi R. Agrawal, MD
Keith Bridwell, MD
Munish Gupta, MD, MBA
Blake K. Montgomery, MD
Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric Deformity
Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
Spine
Dissection
Thoracic
Scoliosis
Education
Video
title Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric Deformity
title_full Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric Deformity
title_fullStr Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric Deformity
title_full_unstemmed Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric Deformity
title_short Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Dissection for Pediatric Deformity
title_sort thoracic and lumbar spine dissection for pediatric deformity
topic Spine
Dissection
Thoracic
Scoliosis
Education
Video
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2768276525000574
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AT keithbridwellmd thoracicandlumbarspinedissectionforpediatricdeformity
AT munishguptamdmba thoracicandlumbarspinedissectionforpediatricdeformity
AT blakekmontgomerymd thoracicandlumbarspinedissectionforpediatricdeformity