Fundamentals of Spinal Deformity Surgery
Derrick Sun, M.D., recently met with our residents to review the fundamentals of spinal deformity surgery and discuss how those principles apply to patient care. Afterward, the residents gathered at our anatomy lab to practice some of the techniques used to correct spinal deformities.
The resident surgeons practiced placing traditional iliac screws and sacral-2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screws. The junior residents practiced the placement of lumbar pedicle screws. The senior residents placed interbody spacers to improve spinal alignment and performed posterior column osteotomy procedures.
Because spinal deformity correction surgery can be so complex and technically demanding, it is helpful for residents to be able to practice all these techniques in a learning environment.