Results of thoracoscopic instrumented fusion versus conventional posterior instrumented fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing selective thoracic fusion.
METHODS
Retrospective review of 31 consecutive female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing selective thoracic fusion.


OBJECTIVE
To compare safety and efficacy of two techniques in treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing selective thoracic fusion.


BACKGROUND
There is paucity in the literature comparing posterior versus thoracoscopic instrumented fusion in scoliosis.


METHODS
Nineteen patients (group 1) underwent posterior instrumented fusion. Twelve patients (group 2) had thoracoscopic anterior instrumented fusion. All patients had a minimum of 25 months of follow-up observation.


RESULTS
Both groups were similar in terms of age at menarche and surgery. Preoperative Cobb angles in the coronal (erect and bending) and sagittal planes did not differ between the two groups. Group 1 patients had higher estimated blood loss (P = 0.006). Operative time (P < 0.001) and intensive care unit stay (P = 0.01) were longer in group 2 patients. There was no difference in parenteral analgesia requirement. There were no complications in group 1. Complications in group 2 included lobar collapse (1) and scapula winging (1). Improvement in scoliosis among group 1 patients averaged 77 (1 week), 72 (6 months), and 67% (most recent follow-up review). In group 2 patients, mean improvement in scoliosis was 66 (1 week), 62 (6 months), and 62% (most recent follow-up review). The differences between the two groups in terms of scoliosis improvement were not significant. Thoracic kyphosis (T2-T12) did not increase significantly with thoracoscopic versus posterior instrumentation. No significant change in lumbar lordosis (T12-S1) was noted with either procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of thoracoscopic surgery was similar to standard posterior procedures. Advantages included lower intraoperative blood loss. The longer operative time and intensive care unit stay were attributed to the steep learning curve of this technique.
Wong
Hee-Kit
HK
Division of Spinal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore. doswhk@nus.edu.sg
Hee
Hwan-Tak
HT
Yu
Zhirong
Z
Wong
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007902:Length of Stay; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012540:Scapula / Q000293:injuries; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome