Revision of surgical correction of scoliosis in pediatric patients affected by neuromuscular pathology using Unit Rod instrumentation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to present a large consecutive series of pediatric patients affected by neuromuscular scoliosis treated with Unit Rod instrumentation.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 160 children treated with Unit Rod instrumentation between 2003 and 2010. This review analyzed complications, radiographic outcome, time surgery, average blood loss, hospital staying and functional outcome of patients and parents after surgery. The follow-up of 80 patients is at more than 5 years.


RESULTS
Scoliosis was corrected from a mean of 56° range 21° to 76° Cobb (68 %). Pelvic obliquity was corrected from a mean of 24° to 5° (74 %). Major complications are not related to the technique but to the pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Unit Rod instrumentation is a common standard technique, is considerably less expensive than the other system, and remains a good indication for the treatment of the spinal deformity in children affected by neuromuscular disease.
Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Ospedale V. Buzzi ICP, Via Castelvetro 32, Milan, Italy, luca.colombo@icp.mi.it.
Luca F
LF
Colombo
Francesco
F
Motta
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult