Computer-assisted surgical planning and image-guided surgical navigation in refractory adult scoliosis surgery - Case report and review of the literature

Study Design. Case report and literature review. Objective. In this case report, we present the utility of computer-assisted surgical planning and image-guided surgical navigation in the planning and execution of a major osteotomy to correct severe kyphoscoliosis. Summary of Background Data. Computer-assisted surgical planning is useful to appreciate the three-dimensional nature of scoliotic deformities and allows for operative maneuvers to be simulated on a computer before their implementation in the operating room. Image-guided surgical navigation improves surgical accuracy and can help translate a virtual surgical plan to the operative setting. Methods. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman with severe, congenital kyphoscoliosis refractory to many previous surgeries, who presents with moderate progressive myelopathy and severe pain attributable to a sharp angular deformity at T12. Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction and computer-assisted surgical planning were used to determine the optimal corrective osteotomy. The surgical plan was translated to the operating room where a posterior vertebrectomy and instrumented correction were executed with the aid of image-guided surgical navigation. Results. The osteotomy was safely performed resulting in improved sagittal and coronal alignments, as well as, correction of the sharp kyphoscoliotic deformity at the thoracolumbar junction. At 6-month follow-up, the patient's myelopathy and pain had largely resolved and she expressed high satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusion. We advocate this novel application of virtual surgical planning and intraoperative surgical navigation to improve the safety and efficacy of complex spinal deformity corrections.