ABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) ≥5 years postoperatively in patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion using hooks at the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) for Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Studies have reported PSI due to excessive correction of the main thoracic curve. METHODS: We examined 56 patients with AIS who underwent a posterior spinal fusion with hooks at the UIV from 2004 to 2010. Of these, we enrolled 14 patients who underwent surgery, at least, 5 years ago. X-rays and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire were administered. To evaluate the shoulder balance, T1 vertebral tilt angle (T1 tilt), clavicle angle, and radiographic shoulder height (RSH) were measured. PSI was considered as the absolute value of the postoperative RSH being ≥20 mm. Based on radiographs obtained immediately postoperatively, we divided patients into two groups as follows: the balanced group (absolute value of RSH <20 mm) and imbalanced group (absolute value of RSH ≥20 mm). RESULTS: The frequency of PSI was 28.6% immediately postoperatively, 0% 2 years postoperatively, and 7.1% at the last follow-up. In the balanced group, PSI did not occur even at 2 years postoperatively or at the last follow-up. In the imbalanced group, PSI was improved in all patients 2 years postoperatively and all patients, except one patient, at the last follow-up. No significant differences were noted in the frequency of distal adding-on at 2 years postoperatively or the last follow-up between the balanced group and the imbalanced group. We observed moderate negative correlations between the absolute value of T1 tilt and the SRS-22 pain and satisfaction at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hooks at the UIV could adjust the shoulder balance to avoid long-term PSI in patients with AIS.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of proximal fixation of one vertebra above to the upper end vertebra and the upper end vertebra in the treatment of Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with preoperative right higher shoulder. Methods: The clinical data of 37 Lenke type 1 AIS patients treated with posterior correction between January 2010 and December 2015 were retrospectively analysed. According to proximal fixation vertebra, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group A ( n=17), proximal fixation of one vertebra above to the upper end vertebra; group B ( n=20), proximal fixation of the upper end vertebra. There was no significant difference in gender, age, Risser stage, radiographic shoulder height (RSH), flexibility of proximal thoracic curve, flexibility of main thoracic curve, flexibility of thoracolumbar/lumbar curve between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The main thoracic curve Cobb angle, proximal thoracic curve Cobb angle, thoracolumbar/lumbar curve Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation (AVT), clavicle angle (CA), RSH, coronal trunk shift, sagittal trunk shift, thoracic kyphosis (TK), and lumbar lordosis (LL) were measured by X-ray film before operation, and at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after operation. The correction indexes of main thoracic curve were evaluated, including the correction degree and correction rate of main thoracic curve and AVT correction at 1 month after operation, the loss degree and the loss rate of the correction of main thoracic curve at 2 years after operation. Results: The operation time and intraoperation blood loss in group A were significantly greater than those in group B ( P0.05). Comparison within the two groups: except for LL had no significant difference between pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05), the other indicators were significantly improved after operation ( P0.05), and there was no significant loss during follow-up. Comparison between the two groups: there was no significant difference in all the radiographic indexes at pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05). Conclusion: For Lenke type 1 AIS patients with preoperative right high shoulder, proximal fixation vertebra be fixed to the upper end vertebral can obtain satisfactory short-term orthopedic effectiveness and reduce blood loss and operation time.