The efficacy of convex hemiepiphysiodesis in patients with iatrogenic posterior element deficiency resulting from diastematomyelia excision.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis was performed.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety and efficacy of anterior and posterior hemiepiphysiodesis in patients with iatrogenic posterior element deficiency.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Anterior and posterior convex hemiepiphysiodesis is a well-accepted treatment method for severe and progressive congenital scoliosis in young children. Many patients with congenital spinal deformities have intraspinal pathologies that require neurosurgical intervention with laminectomy. The efficacy of this method has not been studied in these patient populations.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 2001, among 82 patients with congenital spinal deformity, 38 were treated with convex epiphysiodesis. This study included 18 of these patients (2 males and 16 females) who underwent diastematomyelia excision and had at least 2 years of follow-up evaluation. Diastematomyelia excision was performed before the orthopedic procedure in 8 patients and at the same anesthetic setting sequentially in 10 patients. The mean age at the time of the fusion was 20 months (range, 6-60 months), and the average follow-up period was 39 months (range, 24-120 months).

RESULTS

The mean Cobb angle was 54 degrees (range, 31-90 degrees) before surgery and 48 degrees (range, 30-84 degrees) at the final follow-up assessment. Any increase of more than 6 degrees was accepted as progression. Eight patients (44%) had a true epiphysiodesis effect: 58 degrees (range, 40-90 degrees ) before surgery and 39 degrees (range, 30-70 degrees) at follow-up evaluation. Eight patients (44%) had a fusion effect: 49 degrees (range, 31-68 degrees) before surgery and 50 degrees (range, 37-74 degrees) at follow-up assessment. Two patients (12%) had a postoperative progression of deformity: 63 degrees (range, 54-72 degrees) before surgery and 75 degrees (range, 65-84 degrees) at follow-up evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Convex epiphysiodesis is an effective method for patients with midline laminectomy defect as those with intact posterior elements. Because the facet joints and transverse processes usually are unaffected, the presence of midline defect does not diminish the efficacy of the technique.