RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Minimally Invasive Surgery Strategies to Prevent Proximal Junctional Kyphosis
JF International Journal of Spine Surgery
JO Int J Spine Surg
FD International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
SP S58
OP S64
DO 10.14444/8511
VO 17
IS S2
A1 Alvin Y. Chan
A1 Nima Alan
A1 S. Harrison Farber
A1 James J. Zhou
A1 Luke K. O’Neill
A1 Juan S. Uribe
YR 2023
UL https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/17/S2/S58.abstract
AB Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a common complication following long-segment thoracolumbar fusions for patients with adult spinal deformities. PJK is described as a progressive kyphosis at the upper instrumented vertebra or 1 or 2 segments adjacent to the instrumented vertebra. This condition can lead to proximal junction failure, which results in vertebral body fractures, screw pullouts, and neurological deficits. Revision surgery is necessary to address symptomatic PJK. Research efforts have been dedicated to elucidating risk factors and prevention strategies. It has been postulated that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques may help prevent PJK because these techniques aim to preserve the soft tissue integrity at the top of the construct and maintain posterior element support. In this article, the authors define PJK, describe MIS strategies to prevent PJK, and compare PJK rates after MIS with PJK rates after open approaches for long-segment thoracolumbar fusion.