Innovations in Spinal Surgery.

Theoretical and practical aspects of spinal surgery in scoliosis and thoraco-lumbar fractures were the principal subjects discussed by Prof.Thierry Marnay and Rudolf Bertagnoli at "Clinique du Parc", Montpellier, France, on June 2000.
Double surgical approaches - anterior with video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures and posterior with last generation implants- were analyzed. There were live surgical interventions for double curved idiopathic scoliotic patients and thoraco-lumbar fractures. Same anesthesia double approaches were performed with a video-thoracoscopic anterior release and posterior fixation .Good correction and stabilization were obtained by applying translation,rotation and compression maneuvres with a screws and clamps construction.
Thoracoscopic procedures also extended to performing anterior osteosynthesis with a cannulated screws device on a thoraco-lumbar fracture.There was a parallel workshop practice on these new techniques and appliances.
On the other hand Prof. Jean Jaccques Bronsard at "Centre Medical Phocea" and "Clinique La Casamance" of Marseille, France adressed the three column theory and its application to lumbar stabilization with plif implants and pedicle screws on degenerative cases. Reduction in spondilolisthesis was indicated for selected cases based on a carefully assesed sagital balance. Clinical and radiological results were analyzed and live surgery on case- problems was performed showing tactical and technical detail.

 
We sincerely thank our french coleagues for sharing such a valuable experience with us, the argentine group and Ortopedia y Cirugía Alemana S.A. and Braun Aesculap for the very good organization showed at this meeting.