Factors influencing the result of posterior spinal fusion in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Sixty-six consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated by posterior spinal fusion using Harrington distraction compression instrumentation were followed for a minimum of 3 years. Initial surgical correction was satisfactory, but during the follow-up period, mean 4.4 years (3-5 years), there was a loss of correction. Several factors (age, sex, the number of vertebrae in the fusions, and the use of cross wires) were important influences on correction. A method of assessing the balance of a posterior spinal fusion is described that is useful when assessing radiographs.
Dowell
J K
JK
King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, England.
Powell
J M
JM
Webb
P J
PJ
Morley
T R
TR
D000293:Adolescent; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors