Study Design/Setting: Cadaveric dissection and initial clinical experience. Objective: To describe the development and our initial clinical experience with a novel posterior two-column osteotomy technique for adult spinal deformity correction in revision cases with limited anterior access. Summary of Background Data: Revision surgery for adult spinal deformity is often constrained by prior fusion constructs and anatomic limitations, particularly when anterior approaches are contraindicated. We describe a novel two-column osteotomy technique designed to restore sagittal alignment while minimizing surgical risk. Materials and Methods: This project involved the development of a new surgical technique through cadaveric dissection, followed by its application to 14 patients in a clinical setting. The osteotomy targets the posterior and middle spinal columns and allows for controlled closure and lordotic correction without compromising pedicle integrity and while avoiding vascular contraindication associated with anterior approaches. This technique is ideally applied to an unfused segment of the spine, in contrast to pedicle subtraction osteotomy, which is typically performed through a previously fused segment. Results: In cadaveric validation, the technique achieved reliable posterior and middle column resection with segmental correction. Clinical application demonstrated substantial improvements in radiographic parameters, including an increase of the segmental angle at the level of the two-column osteotomy by an average of 9.7° (preoperative 11.1° to postoperative 20.8°), correction of age adjusted pelvic index to lumbar lordosis mismatch by an average 17.6° (preoperative 28.8° to postoperative 11.2°), and sagittal vertical axis improvement by an average of 5 cm (preoperative 9.6 cm to postoperative 4.6 cm). Conclusion: This novel two-column osteotomy technique achieved substantial deformity correction and exceptional functional recovery in patients with complex revision scenarios where traditional approaches were limited by anatomic constraints or prior surgeries. Further study is warranted to validate its broader clinical applicability.
Mao et al. (Tue,) studied this question.