Balance sagital de la columna vertebral en la población Andina del Ecuador.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the sagittal parameters of the spine in the Andean population of Ecuador, in order to establish idiosyncratic values for the Ecuadorian population. Materials and Method: It is a prospective descriptive study. The study population included 102 healthy Ecuadorian adults (50 men and 52 women), age range from 20 to 56 years (37.8 ± 10), without history of back pain. They were made antero-posterior and lateral panoramic radiographies that included cervical spine and the pelvis, in an orthostatic position. Sagittal radiographic parameters were measured. We took parameters for Sagittal Vertical Axis (SVA), Thoracic Kyphosis Angle (TK), Lumbar Lordosis Angle (ALL), Sacral Slope (SS), Pelvic Tilt (PT) and Pelvic Incidence (PI). Results: A total of 102 volunteers were examined, corresponding to 50 men and 52 women (49% vs. 51%). The average sagittal parameters in both, men and women, was PI 55.3 ° (95% CI 52.8 ° - 57.7 °), PT 14.5 ° (95% CI 12.5 ° a 16.4 °), SS 41.8 ° (95% CI 40.0 ° - 43.6 °), ALL 59 ° (95% CI 56.7 ° - 61.3 °), TK 37.3 ° ( 95% CI 35 ° - 39.6 °) and SVA -1.1 ° (95% CI -5.2 ° to 3 °).

Conclusions: The Sagittal Balance of the spine of the Andean population of Ecuador has idiosyncratic characteristics. It exists a high value for the pelvic incidence angle and the sacral slope which makes a difference between Asian and Caucasian populations. The differences between men and women were clearly reflected. Men had pelvic retroversion and women anteversion respectively. These results influenced the sagittal parameters of lumbar lordosis and vertical sagittal axis. We believe that surgical planning in spine surgeries, should be based on average parameters of Ecuadorian population and not make corrections with values from other countries, for preservation or recovery of a natural balance of Ecuadorian patients.