title: Anterior stabilization in thoraco-lumbar scoliosis.
abstract: Background. The selection of the appropriate type of stabilization in the treatment of thoraco-lumbar scoliosis is still a matter for discussion. Material and methods. We present treatment outcome in a group of 127 patients with thoraco-lumbar scoliosis, operated between 1996-2001. The techniques used were the anterior spinal approach with DIF (direct intercorporal fusion) and three-dimensional CD-Hopf stabilization. Results and Conclusions. Deformities were corrected surgically in 78% of the cases. The average duration of surgery was 150 min, with average intraoperative blood loss of 80 ml. Corrective surgery in scoliosis should stop the progression of deformity. The most important advantage of anterior spinal stabilization is the possibility to shorten the area of spinal fusion and save free moving lumbar segments. The DIF technique gives better fusion and correction of the deformity.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Ortopedii i Traumatologii Narzadu Ruchu I Wydziału Lekarskiego Akademii Medycznej, Warszawa.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Michalski