Correction of kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine in ankylosing spondylitis using general anesthesia and internal fixation.

Surgical correction of kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine caused by ankylosing spondylitis is usually done using local anesthesia to prevent undue spinal cord compression and paralysis followed by a sudden-extension maneuver. We report a case of kyphotic deformity that was corrected while the patient was under general anesthesia. To prevent cord compression and paralysis and to obtain an accurate and gradual correction, we used a Hartshill rod prebent to the desired angle, and correction was done by tightening sublaminar wires on the rod until the lamina made full contact with it. Somatosensory evoked potential and wake-up tests were also performed. Our successful result shows that correction of kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine in ankylosing spondylitis can be done more accurately and without discomfort using the present method.