Apophyseolysis of the fourth lumbar vertebra: an early postoperative complication following kyphectomy in myelomeningocele

This is a report of a young girl with congenital kyphosis at the thoracolumbar spine in association with myelomeningocele. Kyphectomy and posterior stabilisation extending from the eighth thoracic to the fourth lumbar vertebra was done. Apophyseolysis occurred as an early postoperative complication at the level of the L4-L5 disc. This failure mode was treated by extending the fusion to the pelvis.