title: A Cost-Effective Technique for Spinal Instrumentation in the Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.
abstract: Surgical treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has evolved over the past decades to the point where instrumented arthrodesis with all pedicle screw and rod constructs is commonplace. Although these constructs provide superb correction and fixation, their financial burden is substantial. Here, we present a more cost-effective technique using a combination of pedicle screws (serving as the construct base), a sagittal precontoured unit rod, and sublaminar wires to provide segmental correction for the surgical treatment of AIS. Retrospective analyses of 42 patients treated with this construct were reviewed with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Correction in both coronal and sagittal planes was assessed radiographically and blood loss, operative time, complications, and cost were reviewed from hospital records. We conclude that this technique provides comparable correction to all pedicle screw constructs with similar blood loss and operative time, but with substantially decreased implant cost. The mean implant cost was $8910.83 ± $184.26.
authors.affiliation: Valdosta Orthopaedic Associates, Valdosta, GA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, TN.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cowart
authors.affiliation: Shriners Hospital for Children, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pellet
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia-Augusta University, Augusta, GA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cearley
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia-Augusta University, Augusta, GA.
authors.forename: Styles L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bertrand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome