Anterior approach of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correction

Abstract

Objective To review our results of anterior approach of treating adolescent idiopathic lumbar and thoracic scoliosis with short-segment instrumentation. Methods Sixty-two cases of adolescent id-iopathic lumbar and thoracic scoliosis treated in our department from Jan 2002 to Dec 2007 were retrospec-tively analyzed. There were 39 cases of adolescent idiopathic lumbar scoliosis with Cobb angle from 45° to 75° (average 53.6°) and 23 cases of that with Cobb angle from 43° to 72° (average 51.7°). Detailed clinical and imaging assessment of each case were carried out. Lung function tests were performed to determine the vital capacity. Balloon blowing training was carried out for those with lung function less than 50% of normal The fixed segments and the scope of integration were prepared with preoperative imaging information. Results All patients were successfully operated on. The average correction rate for each group was 84.1% and 84.7% respectively. The complications included one spontaneous hemothorax,8 sympathetic trunk injury, one flatback deformity. Conclusions The anterior correction of scoliosis with short-segment instrumentation has minimal perioperative and long-term complications. Key words: Scoliosis; Orthopedic surgery