Vertebral Column Resection (VCR) in Congenital Kyphoscoliosis (CKS)

Plain-language summary

Congenital spinal deformities (CSD) are caused by early embryologic errors in vertebral column formation. Spinal cord malformations are present in approximately one third of patients, even associated cardiac, renal, and genitourinary organ system anomalies in more than half of patients. Functional activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are severely affected in adolescents with neglected severe congenital kyphoscoliosis (CKS) progressive curves in developing countries. Different strategies are described with two main principles; I- Prophylactic surgeries like hemi-epiphysiodesis or in situ fusions that will cease worsening or allow progressive correction over time, II- Corrective surgeries like reconstructive osteotomies and spinal fusion with or without spinal resection. The perfect show in management of congenital spinal deformities is to pick up the curves at early stages where a prophylactic treatment can be achieved with minimal risk to the spinal cord, but certainly many cases are quite aggressive or come late enough where corrective surgeries and even spinal column resection is the only valid plan. A posterior-based vertebral column resection (VCR) is considered to be the preferred approach in the treatment of rigid, severe, and complex spinal deformities, however the difficult and lengthy nature of the procedure require assistance from experienced and well trained team. It is relatively safe but challenging technique, that allows for dramatic radiographic correction and clinical improvement. It also carries a complication rate of 10.2% as profound blood loss, iatrogenic neurological deficit and late junctional kyphosis.

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