Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2011

Mentor:          Daniel J. Sucato, MD MS       
Department: TSRH Orthopaedics              
Room number: n/a  
Mail Code:      2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219    
Phone number:         214-559-8471(Tara Kristof, Research Coordinator)
E-mail:                        dan.sucato@tsrh.org
Project title:   Double Major Curves in AIS Comparing Fusion to Lumbar Vertebra Three versus Lumbar Vertebra Four in Pedicle Screw Constructs     

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):     Being submitted

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):      n/a

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) Patient based research (retrospective chart/x-ray review)

Brief Description of Project: To determine predictive radiographic measures that will assist in the selection of the lowest instrumented vertebrae for fusion of double major curves when using pedicle screw fixation for operative patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.  Patient outcomes are improved when more lumbar spine segments are unfused and therefore mobile. Double major curve types (meaning structural curves in the thoracic and lumbar spine) are more difficult to “save” distal fusion levels in. This premise of when you can save levels was previously examined in patients treated at TSRHC from 1998 to January 2004. A total of 49 patients were examined, of these 41 had a fusion to lumbar vertebra three with half having and end vertebra of  lumbar vertebra three and the others lumbar vertebra four. Intra-operative radiographic predictors of having a good outcome were found in both groups; the patients with an end vertebra of four also had preoperative radiographic predictors as well. Since January 2004 there have been an additional 111 patients who meet the inclusion criteria. By examining these patients we will further substantiate the previous conclusions. This will be a chart and radiographic review.