title: Solid rod short segment anterior fusion in thoracolumbar scoliosis.
abstract: Seventeen patients with adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar scoliosis underwent short segment anterior spinal fusion with a solid rod-screw construct. Patients were evaluated radiographically and interviewed using the Scoliosis Research Society instrument. Mean radiographic follow-up was 34 months, and mean follow-up at time of interview was 62 months. Mean curve correction was 87%, declining to 67% at 2 years. Mean correction of the instrumented curve was 114%, declining to 103% at 2 years. The thoracic curve improved 24% and remained stable throughout the follow-up period. Kyphosis over the instrumented segments increased from 4 degrees preoperatively to 10 degrees postoperatively. Although there was a trend toward increasing kyphosis over time, this was not statistically significant at final follow-up. Most patients (88%) were extremely satisfied with the surgical result. We believe that a short-segment anterior fusion with a solid rod-screw construct provides excellent curve correction with minimal kyphosis over the instrumented segment. Overcorrection of the instrumented segment must be achieved for this technique to be successful.
authors.affiliation: Shriners Hospital for Children, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D011859:Radiography; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome