Published online Jun 18, 2015. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v6.i5.413
Peer-review started: February 3, 2015
First decision: April 10, 2015
Revised: May 4, 2015
Accepted: May 5, 2015
Article in press: May 6, 2015
Published online: June 18, 2015
Processing time: 137 Days and 10 Hours
Long before its current understanding, the concept of balance was common among spine surgeons dealing with deformities, but it was a hard one to transfer to clinical practice. Thanks to the pioneering work of Duval-Beaupere and followers, the idea of balancing the sagittal contour of the spine has gained scientific status and is now in the armamentarium of the skilled surgeon as the single most important tool to achieve superior clinical results in adult spinal deformity surgery.
Core tip: Adult spinal reconstruction is set to become the emerging trend in the next years in spinal surgery. Failure of restoration of adequate spinal balance and profile in the sagittal plane is now recognised as the single most important factor determining inadequate improvement in quality of life in adult patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for spinal deformity.