title: The effect of tethered cord release on scoliosis in myelomeningocele.
abstract: To understand better the effects of detethering on scoliosis in persons with myelomeningocele, 21 patients with spinal dysraphism and scoliosis who had undergone a detethering procedure were retrospectively reviewed. Fourteen girls and seven boys were followed for an average of 5 years (range, 2-10). Three patients had thoracic, 12 had lumbar, and six had sacral level myelomeningocele. Three patients (14%) had curves that improved, and six (29%) stabilized. Twelve patients (57%) progressed >10 degrees. Eighty-six percent of patients with initial curves of >40 degrees and 100% of thoracic level patients went on to require spinal fusion. Eight complications occurred in six patients. Although patients with curves <40 degrees may have some improvement after a detethering procedure, those presenting with curves >40 degrees or thoracic neurologic levels had no improvement in their scoliosis.
authors.affiliation: Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pierz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gahm
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hartford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion