VIDEO: Anterior osteotomy, percutaneous in situ contouring for correction of rigid post-traumatic malunion

In this video from the Open Operating Theatre, Yann Philippe Charles, MD, from University Hospital Strasbourg in France, discusses how to perform correction of a rigid post-traumatic T12-L1 malunion.

Surgeons begin with a minimally invasive video-assisted anterior release and a 10-cm incision is made. The thorax is opened and the rib at T12- L1 is resected. Two pins are placed into the spine and are used as retractors for the lungs. In situ contouring with percutaneous instrumentation is performed with the rods bent inside spine to increase lordosis between the screws with a 90° connection. Correction is started with the “irons” being pushed together to increase lordosis at the level of the osteotomy.

This video is a teaching tool to help surgeons prepare for surgery or they can use it as a refresher on the surgical technique and indications for this surgery.