Short lever arm, bipedicular handlebar construct for correction of acute angular kyphosis in spondylodiscitis-induced kyphotic deformity: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Pyogenic spondylodiscitis diminishes spinal structural integrity via disruption of the anterior and middle column, sometimes further compounded by iatrogenic violation of the posterior tension band during initial posterior decompressive surgeries. Although medical management is typically sufficient, refractory infection or progressive deformity may require aggressive debridement and reconstructive arthrodesis. Although anterior debridement plus reconstruction with posterior stabilization is an effective treatment option, existing techniques have limited efficacy for correcting focal deformity, leaving patients at risk for long-term sagittal imbalance, pain, and disability. OBSERVATIONS The authors present a case of chronic lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis in a patient in whom initial surgical debridement failed and pronounced angular kyphosis and intractable low back pain developed. A novel bipedicular handlebar construct was used to achieve angular correction of the kyphosis through simultaneous anterior interbody grafting and posterior instrumentation with the patient in the lateral position. LESSONS Leveraging both pedicle screws at the same level to transmit controlled corrective distraction forces through the segment allows for kyphosis correction without relying on long posterior constructs for cantilever reduction. Simultaneous anterior reconstruction with a posterior short lever arm, bipedicular handlebar construct is an effective technique for achieving high angular correction during circumferential reconstructive approaches to postinfectious focal kyphotic deformities.