title: Efficacy of surgical management for scoliosis in myelomeningocele: correction of deformity and alteration of functional status.
abstract: The effect of spinal fusion for paralytic scoliosis in 49 patients with myelomeningocele was studied. Improved sitting balance was seen in 70% of the patients following anterior and posterior fusions, 67% following posterior fusion alone, and 28% after anterior fusion alone. The ability to ambulate was adversely affected in 67% of the patients who had undergone combined anterior and posterior fusions, in 57% following anterior fusion alone, and in 27% following posterior fusion alone. Sitting is likely to be improved but ambulation may be more difficult following spinal correction and fusion.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion