Outcomes of early hemivertebrectomy in children with congenital scoliosis: A prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Posterolateral hemivertebrectomy with monosegmental instrumentation at an early age is an established method to correct congenital scoliosis but is associated with a relatively high risk of instrumentation failure and health-related quality of life outcomes are not available. We aimed to investigate the effects hemivertebrectomy with postoperative hip spica cast on complications and health-related quality of life in small children with congenital scoliosis.

METHODS

A follow-up study of 30 children (at mean age = 3.4 years, range = 1.0-8.5 years) undergoing posterolateral hemivertebrectomy and short pedicle instrumentation. Children were immobilized postoperative with hip spica cast for 6 weeks and immobilization for 4 months using a rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis. The Caregivers filled out Scoliosis Research Society 24 outcome questionnaire preoperatively, at 6 months, and at final follow-up visit on behalf of their child. Standing radiographs were obtained preoperatively, postoperatively in the cast, and standing at final follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean major curve was 41° (range = 26°-87°) preoperatively and was corrected to 14° (4.0°-35°) at final follow-up. Eight (27%) children had postoperative complications, including three (10%) deep surgical site infections. The Scoliosis Research Society 24 back domain showed an improvement from a mean of 3.8 preoperatively to 4.4 at final follow-up (p < 0.001). Function from back condition domain showed a significant deterioration from 4.2 preoperatively to 3.7 at 6 months (p = 0.020) but improved back to baseline at final follow-up (4.2, p = 0.0022 6 months vs final follow-up).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemivertebrectomy with short instrumentation resulted into 64% correction of scoliosis and improved health-related quality of life in back pain and function domains.