title: Outcomes of surgical treatment in male versus female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.
abstract: METHODS
  This research was part of a multicenter study of the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the radiographic and perioperative surgical treatment outcomes of male AIS patients with female AIS patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The results of treatment in male patients with idiopathic scoliosis have not been widely reported. Only 1 study has evaluated the differences in operative treatment outcomes between male and female patients with AIS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected for patients who met the indications for surgical intervention at 8 separate institutions. Radiographic, perioperative, and pulmonary function variables for male and female AIS patients treated surgically were analyzed. A univariate analysis of variance with the alpha level adjusted to P < or = 0.01 was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data for 547 (449 females and 98 males) patients were included in this analysis. Posterior instrumentation (vs. anterior instrumentation) was performed slightly more often in males than females (51% vs. 44%, respectively). The preoperative primary curve magnitude was similar for both genders, but flexibility was less in males (44% vs. 49%; P = 0.01). Postoperative percent correction and the ratio of percent correction to preoperative flexibility were both similar in males versus females. Analysis of the perioperative variables yielded that estimated blood loss was higher in males than females (1342 vs. 898 cc, respectively; P = 0.001). Males reported greater pain on postoperative day 1 (6.1 vs. 5.4; P = 0.01), however, conversion to oral pain medication was similar for both. Preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function was similar for both genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Male AIS patients had slightly more rigid primary curves compared to females but a similar degree of postoperative scoliosis correction. Differences in the preoperative status and perioperative course did not compromise the outcomes of surgical treatment as in all other measures; the results were comparable between the genders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Rady Children's Hospital & Health Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Maty
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petcharaporn
authors.forename: Randal R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Betz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clements
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lenke
authors.forename: Peter O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology