Preoperative Halo-Gravity Traction for Severe Pediatric Spinal Deformity: Can it Replace a Vertebral Column Resection?

While vertebral column resections (VCRs) are an effective means for correcting severe spine deformities, these complex procedures are associated with high rates of complications. We hypothesized that preoperative halo-gravity traction (HGT) followed by spinal fusion without VCRs can produce equivalent outcomes with less risk than a VCR in complex pediatric spinal deformity. This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of pediatric patients who underwent spinal fusion for severe spinal deformity. Patients treated with either 1) preoperative HGT without VCRs or 2) VCRs without preoperative HGT were included. Patients with congenital etiology and those with prior surgery were excluded. Comparisons were made between cohorts with respect to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative (2 years) demographic, radiographic, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) variables. The rate of revision surgery and any treatment complications were also compared. We identified 49 patients (mean age 16+2.9 years; 54% males) who underwent VCR (17/49; 35%) or preoperative HGT (32/49; 65%) for severe spinal deformities. Those in the HGT cohort had more severe deformity at baseline based on radiographic variables, including maximum Cobb angle, maximum kyphosis, major coronal Cobb angle, and apical vertebral translation. They also had greater residual deformities at 2 years postoperatively, though percent correction of the major deformity magnitude (p=0.28), major (p=0.54) and minor (p=0.91) coronal curve, and apical vertebral translation (p=0.66) was similar to the VCR cohort. Operative time (p=.18), estimated blood loss (0.37), hospitalization length (0.52), and ICU stay (0.12) were similar between cohorts, though patients who underwent VCR had higher rates of total complications (47% vs. 3%; p<0.01). There were no significant differences between cohorts with respect to percent change in HRQoL outcomes from baseline to 2 years postoperatively. Our study suggests that in patients without congenital deformities undergoing primary deformity correction, preoperative HGT followed by spinal fusion produces radiographic outcomes that are similar to VCRs with fewer perioperative complications. Thus, preoperative HGT for severe pediatric deformities may lessen the need to perform higher risk VCRs. Level III •This study aimed to determine the impact that preoperative halo-gravity traction (HGT) followed by a spinal fusion without vertebral column resection (VCR) has on patients with complex pediatric spinal deformities.•Compared to patients treated with VCR, patients in the HGT cohort experienced similar deformity correction, fewer total perioperative complications, and similar improvements in HRQoL scores 2 years postoperatively.•VCR may increase the risk of perioperative complications relative to management of severe deformities with HGT.