Surgical treatment of adult scoliosis: is anterior apical release and fusion necessary for the lumbar curve?
METHODS
A retrospective study.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze radiographic and functional outcomes after posterior segmental spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSSIF) with and without an anterior apical release of the lumbar curve in adult scoliosis patients.


BACKGROUND
No comparison study on PSSIF of adult lumbar scoliosis with apical release versus without has been published.


METHODS
Forty-eight adult patients with lumbar scoliosis (average age at surgery 49.6 years, average follow-up 3.7 years) who underwent PSSIF were analyzed with respect to radiographic change, perioperative and postoperative complications, and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) outcome scores. Twenty-three patients underwent an anterior apical release of the lumbar curve via a thoracoabdominal approach followed by PSSIF (Group I). The remaining 25 patients underwent a PSSIF of the lumbar curve followed by anterior column support at the lumbosacral region through an anterior paramedian retroperitoneal or posterior transforaminal approach (Group II).


RESULTS
Before surgery, Group I showed a somewhat larger lumbar major Cobb angle (63.2 degrees vs. 55.9 degrees , P = 0.07), and both groups demonstrated significant differences in lumbar curve flexibility (26.9% vs. 37.2%, P = 0.02) and thoracolumbar kyphosis (27.0 degrees vs. 15.0 degrees , P = 0.03). After surgery, at the ultimate follow-up, there were no significant differences in major Cobb angle, C7 plumbline to the center sacral vertical line (P = 0.17), C7 plumbline to the posterior superior endplate of S1 (P = 0.44), and sagittal Cobb angles at the proximal junction (P = 0.57), T10-L2 (P = 0.24) and T12-S1 (P = 0.51). There were 4 pseudarthroses in Group I and one in Group II (P = 0.02). Postoperative total normalized SRS outcome scores at ultimate follow-up were significantly higher in Group II (69% vs. 79%, P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Posterior segmental spinal instrumentation and fusion without anterior apical release of lumbar curves in adult scoliosis demonstrated better total SRS outcome scores and no differences in radiographic parameters without differences in clinical complications. However, the use of BMP in some of these patients (44%) may have also contributed to these differences.
Kim
Youngbae B
YB
Seoul Veterans Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Lenke
Lawrence G
LG
Kim
Yongjung J
YJ
Kim
Young-Woo
YW
Bridwell
Keith H
KH
Stobbs
Georgia
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome