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Treatment of severe scoliosis with posterior-only approach arthrodesis and all-pedicle screw instrumentation

European Spine Journal volume 22, pages 808–814 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Posterior-only approach arthrodesis by all-pedicle screw instrumentation has a correction rate similar to correction obtained by traditional combined anterior/posterior approach surgery and avoids the complications associated with the thoracic approach.

Methods

We treated 25 patients, with a mean age 16.5 years, with severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by posterior-only approach using all-screw instrumentation arthrodesis. Mean scoliosis curve in Cobb degrees was 95° Cobb. All cases were treated by the same senior surgeon, by free hand technique, without intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring and spine navigation aids.

Results

Mean scoliosis curve after surgery was 37° Cobb. Mean follow-up was 4 years. No perioperative complications, curve progression or arthrodesis malunion were reported at the follow-up.

Conclusions

Posterior spinal fusion with pedicle screw-only instrumentation obtains a good and stable correction of severe scoliosis; compared to hybrid instrumentation, it allows a greater coronal correction of the deformity and less correction loss at the follow-up.

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Conflict of interest

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Affiliations

  1. Spine Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital Roma-Palidoro, Via della Torre di Palidoro 1, Palidoro, Rome, Italy

    Marco Crostelli, Osvaldo Mazza, Massimo Mariani & Dario Mascello

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  1. Marco Crostelli
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  2. Osvaldo Mazza
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  3. Massimo Mariani
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  4. Dario Mascello
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Correspondence to Marco Crostelli.

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Crostelli, M., Mazza, O., Mariani, M. et al. Treatment of severe scoliosis with posterior-only approach arthrodesis and all-pedicle screw instrumentation. Eur Spine J 22, 808–814 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-3027-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-3027-7

Keywords

  • Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
  • Posterior approach
  • All-pedicle screw instrumentation
  • Severe scoliosis