Surgical treatment of lumbar scoliosis in elderly patients over 65 years / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To evaluate the surgical results of spinal scoliosis in the elderly and to investigate the indications,surgical techniques and factors which may contribute to the outcome. [Methods]A retrospective study was held.Sixty-four patients≥65 years undergoing different kinds of operation for lumbar spinal scoliosis from Sep.2004 to Apr.2008 were recruited.The mean patient age at surgery was 69.2 years(61~75 years).[Results]There were a variety of treatment methods of degenerative scoliosis based on symptomatology and radiologic measurements of scoliosis and stenosis.Sixty-four patients were followed up for an average of 37 months.The average correction rate of scoliosis was 51.2% after operation.No case was found spinal cord injury.Clinical symptoms and functional tolerance for daily activities improved after surgery.Radiographic evaluation showed a reduction in the deformity on the frontal and sagittal planes.There were no infections,pseudoarthrosis,instrument related failures or reoperations in this series.[Conclusion]The surgical results of lumbar scoliosis in the elderly are better than to those reported for the general population.Carefully perioperative preparation is very important in the treatment of elderly patients with lumbar spinal scoliosis.