Introduction: This study highlights the occurrence of significant post operative scoliosis associated with en-bloc resection of pancoast or superior sulcus tumours. We observed the rapid onset of high thoracic scoliosis following en-bloc resections. The Magnitude of the scoliosis, and predisposing surgical factors were reviewed in each of the cases implicating the role of the transverse process or its associated structures in the stabilization of the spine.

Methods: Sixteen patients undergoing en-bloc resection for pancoast tumour were retrospectively reviewed. This was a single surgeon series where all patients had tumour resection over a 3 year period. The number of upper ribs and transverse processes resected were analysed and compared with the magnitude of scoliosis that developed over a follow up period of 2 years.

Results: Four patients had significant resection of the transverse processes of T1 to T3. All of these patients developed scoliosis of rapid onset, convex to the side of the resection. Of the remaining 12 patients either no scoliosis developed, (6 of 12), or scoliosis of less than 12 degrees.

Discussion: We observed rapid development of thoracogenic scoliosis in patients following lung tumour and chest wall resection. Our study shows that excision of the transverse processes is associated with subsequent development of an upper thoracic scoliosis. Preservation of the transverse process appears to be protective. Large resections can be performed with no subsequent scoliosis provided the transverse processes remain intact.

This suggests that the transverse process or its associated structures have an important stabilizing function on the spine.

Introduction: Postoperative overdistention of the bladder produces chronic, irreversible changes in the detrusor muscle. This study investigated whether an effective epidural, may cause postoperative overdistention of the bladder.

Methods: A retrospective single surgeon/unit study of 144 male patients who had undergone spinal surgery over a two year period was undertaken. Data was collected into two groups: Patients requiring catheterisation and those that did not. All patients received a 16G epidural catheter inserted at the end of the procedure.

Demographics, operation type and epidural rate were all correlated with the need for catheterization. In all cases the residual volumes were recorded.

Results: Patients remained on postoperative epidural analgesia for an average of 50hours. 54 patients required urinary catheterisation. The average postoperative duration until catheterisation was 18hours, with a maximum of 33hours.

The average residual volume at catheterization was 936mls, with a maximum of 2200mls. All patients were managed with intermittent catheterisation, most, (63%) requiring only a single episode before spontaneously voiding.

Discussion: Although patients in the catheterised group were older, (p< 0.05), we found no other significant differences in patients that subsequently required catheterisation, when compared for operation type, or epidural infusion rates.

We were therefore unable to predict which patients would require catheterisation. Questioning and bladder palpation was found to be unreliable when assessing overdistention.

Our study demonstrated that patients undergoing spinal surgery using epidural analgesia should be closely monitored in order to prevent overdistention of the bladder and has led to a proactive regimen for spinal patients with epidural analgesia in our unit.