Abstract
Objectives
We wanted to evaluate the outcomes of selective thoracic fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation for treating thoracic idiopathic scoliosis with a minimum 5-year follow- up.
Summary of the Literature Review
Segmental pedicle screw fixation has been proven to achieve true segmental control and greater correction of scoliosis in both the coronal and sagittal planes. However, there is no longterm study of selective thoracic fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation for treating thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.
Materials and Methods
We analyzed 203 thoracic idiopathic scoliosis patients (236 thoracic curves) who underwent selective thoracic fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation. The mean patient age at the time of operation was 13.8 years (range: 8.9~18 years).
Results
The preoperative thoracic curve of 51 ± 12° was corrected to 16± 7° (69% correction with 3% loss of correction) at the most recent follow- up. The non- instrumented lumbar curve of 30± 10° was corrected to 10± 8° (66% correction with 5% loss of correction) at the most recent follow- up. The preoperative thoracic kyphosis of 18± 11° and the lumbar lordosis of 43± 10° were improved to 23± 8° and 46± 9°, respectively, at the most recent follow- up. There was no junctional kyphosis at the most recent follow- up. Coronal decompensation at the most recent follow- up occurred in 10 patients. Postoperative adding- on occurred in 17 patients who were fused two levels short of the neutral vertebra. Of the 2867 thoracic pedicle screws inserted at the thoracic level, 43 screws were found to be malpositioned (1.5%), but they did not cause neurologic complications or adversely affect the longterm results.
Conclusions
Selective thoracic fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation for treating thoracic idiopathic scoliosis had satisfactory radiographic and clinical outcomes after surgery, and the outcomes were well-maintained for a minimum of 5 years follow- up. It is a safe and effective method for preserving segments of lumbar motion as well as for the restoration and maintenance of both the coronal and sagittal alignments.
REFERENCES
2). Roy-Camille R, Saillant G, Mazel C. Internal fixation of the lumbar spine with pedicle screw plating. Clin Orthop. 1986; 203:7–17.
3). Roy-Camille R, Saillant G, Mazel C. Plating of thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar injuries with pedicle screw plates. Orthop Clin North Am. 1986; 17:147–159.
4). Boos N, Webb JK. Pedicle screw fixation in spinal disorders: a European view. Eur Spine J. 1997; 6:2–18.
5). Cochran T, Irstam L, Nachemson A. Longterm anatomic and functional changes in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated by Harrington rod fusion. Spine. 1983; 8:576–584.
6). Moore MR, Baynham GC, Brown CW, Donaldson DH, Odom JA Jr. Analysis of factors related to truncal decompensation following Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation. J Spinal Disord. 1991; 4:188–192.
7). Thompson JP, Transfeldt EE, Bradford DS, Ogilvie JW, Boachie-Adjei O. Decompensation after Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation of idiopathic scoliosis. Spine. 1990; 15:927–931.
8). Bridwell KH, McAllister JW, Betz RR, Huss G, Clancy M, Schoenecker PL. Coronal decompensation produced by Cotrel-Dubousset "derotation" maneuver for idiopathic right thoracic scoliosis. Spine. 1991; 16:769–777.
9). Marson DE, Carango P. Spinal decompensation in Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation. Spine. 1991; 8:S394–S403.
10). Arlet V, Marchesi D, Papin P, Aebi M. Decompensation following scoliosis surgery: treatment by decreasing the correction of the main thoracic curve or "letting the spine go." Eur Spine J. 2000; 9:156–160.
11). Benli IT, Tuzuner M, Akalin S, Kis M, Aydin E, Tondogan R. Spinal imbalance and decompensation problems in patients treated with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation. Eur Spine J. 1996; 5:380–386.
12). Margulies JY, Floman Y, Robin GC, et al. An algorithm for selection of instrumentation levels in scoliosis. Eur Spine J. 1998; 7:88–94.
13). Suk SI, Kim WJ, Lee CS, et al. Indications of proximal thoracic curve fusion in thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine. 2000; 25:2342–2349.
14). Barr SJ, Schuette AM, Emans JB. Lumbar pedicle screws versus hooks. Results in double major curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine. 1997; 22:1369–1379.
15). Suk SI, Kim WJ, Kim JH, Lee SM. Restoration of thoracic kyphosis in the hypokyphotic spine: A comparison between multiple-hook and segmental pedicle screw fixation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Spinal Disord. 1999; 12:489–495.
16). Suk SI, Lee CK, Kim WJ, Chung YJ, Park YB. Segmental pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. Spine. 1995; 20:1399–1405.
17). Suk SI, Lee CK, Min HJ, Cho KH, Oh JH. Comparison of Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle screws and hooks in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Int Orthop. 1994; 18:341–6.
18). Suk SI, Kim WJ. Pedicle screw fixation for thoracic scoliosis. Brown CW, editor. Spinal instrumentation tech - niques. Rosemont, IL: Scoliosis Research Society;1998.
19). King HA, Moe JH, Bradford DS, Winter RB. The selection of fusion levels in thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1983; 65:1302–1312.
20). Akbarnia BA, Asher MA, Hess WF. Safety of pedicle screw in pediatric patients with scoliosis and kyphosis. Presented at the annual meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 1996.
21). Brown CA, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Geideman WM, Hasan SA, Blanke K. Complications of pedicle thoracolumbar and lumbar pedicle screws. Spine. 1998; 23:1566–1571.
22). Liljenqvist UR, Halm HF, Link TM. Pedicle screw instrumentation of the thoracic spine in idiopathic scoliosis. Spine. 1997; 22:2239–2245.
23). Suk SI, Kim WJ, Lee SM, Kim JH, Chung ER. Thoracic pedicle screw fixation in spinal deformities: Are they really safe? Spine. 2001; 26:2049–2057.