Lumbosacral arthrodesis for neuromuscular scoliosis using a simplified Jackson technique.
Treating patients with severe neuromuscular scoliosis by long spinal fusion improves their quality of life and provides significant comfort for the patient and caregivers. But lumbosacral (L5-S1) fusion is challenging in these patients because of the significant deformities that result in poor bone anchoring quality and a risk of impingement between the skin and implants. In 1993, Jackson described a L5-S1 fusion technique using S1 pedicle screws and intrasacral rods (implanted under X-ray guidance) that are linked to the construct above with connectors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results and the postoperative complications of a simplified version of this technique, which does not require connectors or X-ray guidance.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients were evaluated with a minimum follow-up of 4years (average 82months). Frontal balance, sagittal balance, Cobb angle, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis and lateral pelvic tilt in the frontal plane were assessed on preoperative, postoperative and follow-up X-rays. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.


RESULTS
Complete fusion was obtained in 32 patients. The average Cobb angle was 62° initially and was reduced to 20° after surgery and 24° at the final follow-up. The average lateral pelvic tilt was 10.3° (0 to 26°) initially; it was surgically corrected to an average of 7.5° (0 to 24°); the average secondary loss of correction was 1.2° (0 to 9°). The sacral slope was corrected to an average of 11.2°; an average of 0.2° had been lost at the last follow-up (0 to 18°). Although the average for lumbar lordosis was unchanged, the standard deviation went from 29° to 16° after the corrective surgery and 17° at the last follow-up, with large cluster of measurements around the average value of 40°. The deformity correction was comparable to the results with other techniques (Galveston, sacroiliac screws); the complication rate was similar but the non-union rate was lower. This simplified Jackson technique appears to be an effective, simple method for L5-S1 fusion to correct neuromuscular scoliosis as it provides stable results over time.


METHODS
Level IV, retrospective study.
Université François-Rabelais, Hôpital régional universitaire de Tours, Tours, France.
J-B
JB
Néron
F
F
Gadéa
J
J
Fournier
C
C
de Bodman
B
B
de Courtivron
F
F
Bergerault
C
C
Bonnard
D000293:Adolescent; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
Iliosacral fixation; Jackson technique; Lateral pelvic tilt; Neuromuscular scoliosis