Alinhamento Sagital da Coluna Vertebral: revisão sistemática qualitativa da literatura

Abstract

Background: The studies in Sagittal Alignment of the Spine have gained traction over the last three decades thanks to the publication of high-impact papers in Europe and in the United States that have changed how it was being observed and the treatment of its disturbances. Sagittal Misalignment occurs mainly in individuals over the age of 65, because of the effects of aging as well as in those subjected to previous spine surgery procedures where the spinal and pelvic parameters were not properly considered. Sagittal Imbalance is a complex and more recently documented topic, unbeknownst to the majority of spine doctors. Objectives: Identify, analyze and synthesize scientific evidence on both scenarios of normalcy and pathology, allowing the production of a book to be published in print and online, for the spread of the knowledge on this matter. Method: Perform a qualitative systematic review (metasynthesis) of the medical literature available in the following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) through PubMed; Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (LILACS) through Virtual Health Library Brazil (BVS), Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) through four distinct strategies – the evolution of the spine up until the acquisition of bipedalism, the normal sagittal alignments of the spine and the pelvis, the sagittal alignment in pathological scenarios and the alignment of the cervical spine. Results: 5,263 papers have been found, making use of all four search strategies. After the filters of eligibility and exclusion were applied, there was a total of 150 papers for inclusion, which then went through metasynthetic processing, thus serving as the basis for the composition of the book as the final product of this professional master’s dissertation. Conclusion: Through integrative review, with the metasynthesis of the literature, the present understanding of the sagittal alignment of the spine and its disturbances was acknowledged. This knowledge is vital to the specialist doctor, with the aims of maintain good standing posture, walking ability, and life quality. The final product of this dissertation is a technical book intitled “Alinhamento Sagital da Coluna Vertebral – Conceitos Aplicados na Prática Diária”, to be published in Portuguese.