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Anterior, posterior surgery can be equivalent for patients with right thoracic AIS
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According to the results of a recently published study, patients with right thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis may benefit equally from anterior or posterior surgery.
Researchers treated 42 consecutive patients with right thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at a single institution by one of two surgeons. A total of 18 patients underwent an anterior approach and 24 underwent a posterior approach; all patients were followed up for more than 2 years. An independent surgeon analyzed the patients’ radiographic, clinical and self-reported outcomes from the Modified Scoliosis Research Society Outcome Instrument.
Patients in both cohorts reported statistically significant improvements in all domains, including pain (P < .000), self-image (P < .000) and mental health domains (P = .005), according to the researchers. Additionally, posterior surgery corrected rib hump by 53% and anterior surgery corrected rib hump by 61%, and the main thoracic curve Cobb angle was corrected from 61° to 23° by anterior surgery and 69° to 26° by posterior surgery.
Although the posterior approach significantly reduced kyphosis and lumbosacral lordosis, anterior surgery had no overall effect on sagittal alignment, according to the researchers. However, the anterior approach appeared to correct patients who hypokyphotic preoperatively.
The researchers concluded patients with differing Lenke curve types, but with similar preoperative radiographic data and patient-reported outcomes had excellent radiographic and trunk shape correction with both approaches. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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