Short segment anterior correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to introduce our surgical experiences of scoliosis and to evaluate the effectiveness of anterior correction and fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).


METHODS
Between August 2004 and August 2007, four patients with AIS were treated with anterior segmental fusion and fixation at our hospital. Mean follow-up period was 9 (6-12) months. The average age was 14.0 (13-15) years. According to Lenke classification, three patients showed Lenke 1 curve and one patient with Lenke 5 curve. Single rod instrumentation was performed in one patient, dual rod instrumentation in one patient and combined rod instrumentation in two patients. Coronal Cobb measurements were performed on all curves in thoracic, thoracolumbar and, lumbar spine and the angle of hump was measured by a scoliometer pre- and postoperatively.


RESULTS
The average operative time was 394 minutes (255-525) with an average intraoperative blood loss of 1,225 ml (1,000-1,700). The mean period of hospital stay was 19.3 days and there was no complication related to the surgery. The mean Cobb angle was reduced from 43.3 degrees to 14.8 degrees (65.8% correction) postoperatively and the rib hump corrected less than 5 degrees . All patients and their parents were satisfied with the deformity correction.


CONCLUSIONS
Anterior spinal correction and fusion of AIS with Lenke 1 and 5 curve showed excellent deformity correction without any complications. In particular, we recommend anterior dual rod instrumentation because of mechanical stability, better control of kyphosis, and a higher fusion rate.
Han
In Ho
IH
Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chin
Dong Kyu
DK
Kim
Keun Su
KS