Anterior endoscopic discectomy and fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN

A review of adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing endoscopic release and spinal fusion.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the indications, techniques, results, and complications of thoracic anterior endoscopic scoliosis surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Anterior endoscopic treatment of thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has become an alternative method of surgical treatment.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have undergone a thoracic anterior endoscopic release and fusion followed by posterior instrumentation and fusion. Indications for the endoscopic fusion were large curve magnitude, skeletal immaturity, and/or thoracic hyperkyphosis. Eleven patients have undergone anterior endoscopic instrumentation and fusion for thoracic scoliosis curves between 45 degrees and 70 degrees, using a single screw/single rod construct and autogenous rib bone graft.

RESULTS

Results from the anterior endoscopic release and fusion procedures followed by a posterior instrumentation and fusion had an average preoperative curve of 82 degrees (range, 41 degrees -125 degrees ), with postoperative correction to 28 degrees (range, 5 degrees -60 degrees ) showing 70% correction. For patients undergoing an anterior endoscopic instrumentation and fusion, the average preoperative Cobb measurement of 53 degrees (range, 44 degrees -62 degrees ) was corrected to an average 26 degrees (range, 18 degrees -38 degrees ) for an average correction rate of 51%. One patient undergoing an anterior endoscopic release was converted to an open procedure for end plate bony bleeding without sequelae. One patient with an anterior endoscopic instrumentation and fusion had revision anterior surgery for a distal set screw dislodgment and subsequent posterior instrumentation and fusion for pseudarthrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of both anterior endoscopic release and fusion combined with either anterior instrumentation or separate posterior instrumentation and fusion continues to evolve. Surgeons treating patients with these techniques must understand that there are specific indications for them and many technique options available to optimize surgical results.