胸腔镜下前路松解联合后路矫形治疗脊柱畸形

目的:评价胸腔镜下前路松解联合后路矫形对脊柱畸形的治疗效果。方法:回顾性分析我院收治的19例脊柱畸形行胸腔镜辅助前路松解及后路脊柱畸形矫形植骨融合术患者的临床资料及治疗结果。结果:胸腔镜手术时间平均120min,前路松解、阻滞椎间盘平均4.2个。术后14例特发性脊柱侧凸Cobb角平均被纠正到29.4°,4例神经纤维瘤病性脊柱侧凸Cobb角平均被纠正到28°,1例胸椎后凸Cobb角被纠正到58.5°。术后平均随访17.5个月,无矫正度的丢失和其它神经系统及血管损伤并发症。结论:胸腔镜辅助前路脊柱松解是安全、有效的微创手术,联合后路矫形治疗脊柱畸形可获得满意治疗效果。     

关于青少年特发性胸椎侧凸矫形手术入路选择

后路矫形一直是治疗青少年特发性胸椎侧凸的标准术式。随着对脊柱侧凸理论研究的深入,近年来国外出现了很多前路矫形手术的报道,并产生了很多新的前路内固定器械和手术方法,使得青少年特发性胸椎侧凸的治疗有了更多的手术方案选择,但目前对于青少年特发性胸椎侧凸采用前路矫形还是后路矫形,国内外尚无统一标准。Cotrel和Dubousset于1984年创立了脊柱侧凸三维矫形理论,并发明了后路CD矫形技术。对于青少年特发性胸椎侧凸,通过对凹侧预弯棒的旋转,把原脊柱侧凸在额状面上的弯曲弧度部分转向矢状面,使在矫正额状面畸形的同时重建矢状面正常的…     

胸腔镜辅助下治疗特发性脊柱侧凸

[目的]评价胸腔镜下前路松解,前路或后路矫形治疗特发性脊柱侧凸的治疗效果。[方法]回顾本院自2003年7月~2005年12月施行的11例胸腔镜辅助下前路松解,前路或后路矫形治疗特发性脊柱侧凸病例。年龄12~16岁,平均14.6岁。LenkeⅠ型9例,术前冠状面Cobb s角54°~68°,平均59.7°;LenkeⅢ型2例,术前冠状面Cobb s角分别为58°和71°,平均64.5°。Bending X线片侧凸矫正率为21.8%~32.4%,平均26.4%。对11例患者在胸腔镜辅助下,采用等离子冷消融切除椎间盘松解,前或后路矫正。对手术后及随访时,冠状面和矢状面的Cobb s角进行测量,并对手术时间,术中出血量,围手术期并发症及矫正丢失等进行分析。[结果]平均手术时间290 min,平均术中出血171 ml。松解节段5~7个,平均4.4个。9例LenkeⅠ型术后Cobb s角平均20.4°,Cobb s角矫正率平均65.8%;2例LenkeⅢ型术后Cobb s角分别为20°和25°,Cobb s角矫正率平均65.1%;1例术后包裹性胸腔积液,术后平均随访18.6个月;1例出现矫正度丢失14°,无神经系统及血管损伤并发症。[结论]与传统开胸前路胸椎侧凸矫形手术相比,胸腔镜辅助下胸椎松解前后路矫形治疗脊柱侧凸是安全有效的微创手术,可达到与开胸手术同样效果。     

僵硬性脊柱侧凸前、后路松解效果的比较

目的:比较前、后路松解在僵硬性脊柱侧凸分期治疗中的效果,分析前、后路松解的手术适应证。方法:79例僵硬性脊柱侧凸患者(均为先天性或特发性脊柱侧凸患者),分别一期行脊柱前路或后路松解,头颅骨盆环牵引2～5周,平均18d,二期行矫形内固定术。前路松解组40例,其中先天性脊柱侧凸18例,特发性脊柱侧凸22例。后路松解组39例,其中先天性脊柱侧凸19例,特发性脊柱侧凸20例。对两组患者松解术前、术后Cobb角及脊柱畸形改善率、手术时间和手术并发症进行分析比较。结果:前路松解组先天性脊柱侧凸患者的Cobb角由101°矫正至61°,特发性脊柱侧凸由96°矫正至53°;后路组先天性脊柱侧凸由106°矫正至78°,特发性脊柱侧凸由89°矫正至63°,脊柱畸形改善率前路松解优于后路松解(P<0.05)。两组的手术时间、手术并发症均无显著性差异。结论:前路松解的脊柱畸形改善率明显优于后路松解,前路松解更适合于僵硬性脊柱侧凸的一期松解,不适合行前路松解的患者可选择后路松解。     

一期前路松解后路三维矫形治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸

目的探讨一期前路松解后路三维矫形治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸的手术策略,并评价其疗效。方法1997年7月～2003年1月应用一期前路松解后路三维矫形治疗重度脊柱侧凸36例,男9例,女27例;年龄13～39岁,平均17.2岁。其中特发性脊柱侧凸33例,神经纤维瘤病性脊柱侧凸3例。术前冠状面Cobb角85°～116°,平均96.2°;矢状面异常20例。前路行凸侧松解、椎间植骨后,同次麻醉下再行后路CD(4例)、CD-Horizon(5例)、TSRH(10例)或Isola(17例)脊柱内固定器械三维矫形内固定及植骨融合,其中31例行胸廓成形术。结果全部病例随访6～48个月,平均24个月。术后冠状面Cobb角30°～65°,平均47.6°,平均矫正率48.5%;80.6%的患者术后维持或达到矢状面平衡。未发生严重的神经系统并发症,无脱钩、断棒及深部感染。术后气胸2例,创伤性胸膜炎1例,术后2年假关节形成1例,术后11个月躯干失平衡1例。随访1年后矫正度丢失大于10°者2例,平均丢失5.2°。结论对重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸应用一期前路松解、后路三维矫形的方法矫形满意。正确选择病例、术前仔细评估、术中应用SEP及唤醒试验可减少神经系统并发症的发生。其远期疗效尚待进一步观察。     

前路松解联合后路矫形固定治疗重度脊柱侧凸

目的：评价前路松解联合后路矫形对重度脊柱侧凸的治疗效果。方法：2000年7月至2007年1月采用前路松解联合后路矫形固定治疗重度脊柱侧凸23例,男12例,女11例;年龄9～18岁,平均15.3岁。其中先天性半椎体脊柱侧凸9例,特发性脊柱侧凸13例,神经纤维瘤病性脊柱侧凸1例。冠状面上Cobb角81°～126°,平均97.4°。结果：术后侧凸Cobb角为10°～55°,平均37.4°,平均矫正率56.2%。身高增加0.5～7.5cm,平均5.2cm。全部病例均获随访,时间6～24个月,平均10个月,2例出现交界区＂附加＂现象,无断棒、脱钩等并发症。结论：脊柱前路松解安全、有效,联合后路矫形内固定治疗重度脊柱侧凸可获得满意治疗效果。     

肋骨结构性支撑植骨在脊柱侧凸前路矫形手术中应用的长期随访

[目的]评价肋骨结构性支撑植骨在青少年特发性脊柱侧凸前路矫形融合手术中应用的长期随访结果.[方法]回顾性分析术后随访时间超过4年的青少年特发性脊柱侧凸前路矫形手术病例30例,男3例,女27例;年龄12～ 17.5岁,平均14.3岁.侧凸类型包括PUMC Ⅰ b型5例、Ⅰc型5例、Ⅱd1型20例.全部病例均行前路矫形融合手术,植骨方式采用自体肋骨结构性支撑植骨.术前、术后及随访时摄脊柱站立位X线片,测量冠状面及矢状面Cobb角,并观察植骨融合情况,有无假关节形成及内置物并发症.[结果]随访4～10.2年,平均6.3年.融合弯冠状面矫形率术后平均为75.1％,末次随访时矫形丢失平均4.6°;固定融合节段冠状面矫形率术后平均为93.2％,末次随访时丢失平均2.1°;固定融合节段矢状面Cobb角术前与术后比较无显著性差异,末次随访时矫形丢失平均3.1°.13例胸腰段后凸患者术前后凸平均8.3°,术后矫正为前凸平均5.6°,末次随访时保持前凸平均3.7°.全部病例末次随访时均未见假关节形成或内置物并发症.[结论]肋骨结构性支撑植骨在青少年特发性脊柱侧凸前路矫形融合手术中能获得并维持良好的冠状面及矢状面矫形,且融合率高、远期矫形丢失少,是一种可靠、有效的植骨方法.     

后路椎体截骨内固定治疗僵硬性脊柱侧凸9例报告

[目的]评价后路椎体截骨矫形固定治疗僵硬性脊柱侧凸的临床疗效和适应证的选择。[方法]本院2003年4月~2005年2月采用后路顶椎楔形截骨矫形固定治疗9例僵硬性脊柱侧凸,男5例,女4例;年龄11~23岁,平均14.2岁。先天性侧凸5例,特发性侧凸4例。术前测Cobb s角平均为81.5°,悬吊后平均为67.2°,脊柱柔韧度平均11.5%。伴有神经症状2例,椎管内间隔2例。顶椎截骨平面在T8~11,截骨后采用Scofix器械固定,后路植骨融合。[结果]9例随访6~28个月,平均16.6个月。侧凸Cobb s角平均31.2°,矫正率平均61.3%,矫正丢失率平均2.1%。本组病例全部骨性融合,无断钉、断棒、松动。[结论]后路椎体截骨矫形固定治疗僵硬性脊柱侧凸,适用于中、重度青春期后特发性和重度先天性混合性脊柱侧凸畸形,此方法能一次性完成矫形侧凸,降低神经、血管损伤的发生率,并通过椎弓根系统固定和植骨融合重建脊柱的稳定性,临床疗效肯定。     

脊柱侧凸伴发Chiari畸形和(或)脊髓空洞的手术治疗

目的探讨伴发Chiari畸形和(或)脊髓空洞的脊柱侧凸的临床特征和治疗策略,并分析手术疗效。方法52例伴发Chiari畸形和(或)脊髓空洞的脊柱侧凸患者的治疗方案分三类:(1)单纯脊柱侧凸矫形手术(18例):对脊柱侧凸有手术矫形指征、伴发无明显神经损害的ChiariⅠ型畸形和(或)脊髓空洞者,行脊柱侧凸矫形手术;(2)单纯颈枕部手术(12例):对脊柱侧凸尚无手术矫形指征者,无论Chiari畸形和脊髓空洞是否存在神经损害,均行后路枕大孔扩大、C1后弓切除、硬脊膜成形术和脊髓空洞分流术;(3)颈枕部手术加脊柱侧凸矫形手术(22例):对脊柱侧凸有矫形手术指征、伴发的Chiari畸形和脊髓空洞有神经损害者,先行枕大孔扩大、C1后弓切除、硬脊膜成形术和脊髓空洞分流术,术后6个月再行脊柱侧凸矫形术。结果34例颈枕部手术患者中24例术前存在明显的神经损害,术后6个月内仅6例有轻度的神经功能改善。40例脊柱侧凸矫形手术患者中,Cobb角<90°者额状面平均矫正率为63%、矢状面后凸平均矫正率为80%;Cobb角>90°者额状面平均矫正率为49%、矢状面后凸平均矫正率为74%。随访6个月～5年,平均19个月,矫正率平均丢失6%。结论脊柱侧凸在伴发Chiari畸形和(或)脊髓空洞时不仅具有外科矫治性,而且可以获得与特发性脊柱侧凸类似的矫形效果。     

前路松解术在重度青少年特发性脊柱侧凸治疗中的价值

目的探讨前路松解在重度青少年特发性脊柱侧凸治疗中的作用. 方法回顾性分析1998年1月至2001年12月间26例重度脊柱侧凸的手术治疗结果,其中男7例,女19例;年龄平均15岁(10～21岁).24例可根据King对特发性脊柱侧凸的分型,其中King Ⅰ 4例,King Ⅱ 9例,King Ⅲ 5例,King Ⅳ 4例,King Ⅴ 2例;另2例为胸腰段侧凸.术前站立位主侧凸平均89.8°,重力悬吊牵引位平均66.5°,反向弯曲位平均67.7°,支点反向弯曲平均为61.2°,胸椎后凸平均43.5°.术前顶椎偏离骶正中线的距离为39.7 mm.前路松解后一期行后路手术6例,2周后二期行后路手术治疗20例. 结果 20例二期后路手术者,前路松解术后脊柱活动度与术前悬吊位X线片比较,平均增加了17.8°.术后主侧凸冠状面Cobb角平均52.6°,胸椎后凸28.4°.冠状面平均矫正38.2°,矫正率平均43.1%,术后顶椎偏离骶正中线的距离为9.9 mm.随访时间平均2.3年(6个月～4年),随访时主侧凸平均Cobb角54.9°,矫正丢失6.4%,无断棍、植骨不融合及假关节的病例. 结论重度侧凸术前侧凸的柔韧性<20%的患者,单纯前路松解对增加脊柱的活动度意义不大,术后畸形的矫正效果不佳,应考虑前路的截骨来增加脊柱的柔韧性以使侧弯得到最大限度的矫正.     

三维融合在脊柱侧凸治疗中的临床意义

目的:评价三维融合在脊柱侧凸治疗中的重要性。方法:31例青少年脊柱侧凸患者,男12例,女19例;年龄12～17岁,平均14.4岁。采用前路松解,后路矫正同时有效植骨的方法使脊柱达到三维融合。结果:31例均经过1年～4年8个月的随访,平均2.5年。患者脊柱均达到永久性融合,1°丢失4例,2°、3°丢失各1例。其余均保持原有角度,无一例发生严重并发症。结论:脊柱的三维融合可使脊柱侧凸矫形水平得到良好保持,是防止畸形有效方法。     

The Cotrel-Dubousset system--results in spinal reconstruction. Early experience in 47 patients.

Forty-seven patients were treated with spinal fusion and Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation and were followed for an average of 28 months. Spinal procedures included: 1) posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis (26 patients); 2) posterior pseudarthrosis repair (5 patients); 3) combined anterior/posterior fusion to the sacrum (6 patients); and 4) combined anterior/posterior osteotomies (10 patients). Group 1: Partial derotational correction was achieved for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Group 2: Successful pseudarthrosis repair was achieved in four patients. Group 3: A solid arthrodesis was obtained in two patients, whereas the other three patients underwent revision of sacral screw fixation for pseudarthrosis. One patient died postoperatively. Group 4: Pain relief and a balanced correction was achieved in all patients. The Cotrel-Dubousset system appears to be a versatile system and provides a wide range of possibilities for a variety of spinal problems.     

Spine fusion in cerebral palsy with L-rod segmental spinal instrumentation. A comparison of single and two-stage combined approach with Zielke instrumentation

The benefits of achieving rigid internal fixation and eliminating the need for postoperative external orthotic support with L-rod spinal instrumentation made it desirable for use in the surgical treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis. From May 1981 to May 1985, 31 severely involved cerebral palsy patients with progressive spinal deformity underwent posterior fusion and L-rod instrumentation. All patients except one were nonambulatory. Surgical indications included prevention of curve progression, correction of pelvic obliquity, and achievement of balanced spinal alignment in order to improve sitting balance and tolerance without external spinal orthotic support. Ten patients (Group I), with an average age of 15.2 years, with double major or flexible paralytic C-curves or scoliosis measuring less than 70 degrees, underwent posterior fusion and L-rod instrumentation only. Twenty-one patients (Group II), with an average age of 22.1 years, with thoracolumbar, lumbar, or rigid paralytic C-curves or scoliosis measuring greater than 70 degrees, underwent initial anterior release, bone grafting, and Zielke instrumentation followed by second-stage L-rod instrumentation. In Group I, scoliosis averaged 57 degrees and postoperatively 27 degrees (53% correction). In Group II, scoliosis averaged 88 degrees and postoperatively 36 degrees (63% correction). Fifteen Group II patients had posterior fusion extend into the sacrum using the Galveston technique. Six Group II patients were not fused into the sacrum. Scoliosis and pelvic obliquity were corrected in both groups. Torso decompensation improved to 2.7 cm in the Galveston group, but increased to 5.6 cm at follow-up in the patients not fused into the sacrum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

TSRH内固定治疗脊柱侧凸

目的　回顾性研究TSRH(TexasScottishRiteHospital)脊柱内固定系统在治疗脊柱侧凸的临床疗效。 方法　对 1998年 1月至 2 0 0 0年 12月手术治疗的 12 9例脊柱侧凸患者 ,总结其侧弯矫形、脊柱平衡、并发症及 3年以上的随访结果。根据手术方法不同 ,共分为 4组。A组 :单纯脊柱后路融合固定术 ;B组 :单纯脊柱前路融合固定术 ;C组 :分期前、后路融合固定术 ;D组 :Ⅰ期前、后路融合固定术。四组患者均应用TSRH内固定系统。手术时平均年龄 14 .2岁 (6～ 5 5岁 ) ,平均随访 34个月。结果　A组 :78例病人行单纯脊柱后路融合TSRH内固定 ,术后平均矫形率为6 3.4 %。随访 38个月 (2 4～ 5 0个月 ) ,平均矫形丢失 7°,矫形丢失率平均 9.5 %。本组并发症发生率为 12 .8% ,包括 3例脱钩 ,3例螺钉断裂 (共 6枚螺钉 ) ,1例术后侧弯失代偿 ,1例术后发生曲轴现象。B组 :2 2例患者行单纯脊柱前路融合、短节段TSRH内固定 ,平均矫形率为 74 .8%。平均随访 36个月 ,平均矫形率丢失 5 %。 2例发生一过性交感神经损伤。术后 6个月内均自然恢复。C组 :17例有 90°以上的侧弯 ,且Bending像上侧弯仍大于 7°的患者行前路松解 ,2～ 3周后再行后路融合TSRH内固定。本组平均手术时间 8.3h ,出血 935ml,输血 6 83ml,平均矫形 33.6°,矫     

退行性脊柱侧凸三维矫形术并发症的探讨

目的:探讨使用椎弓根螺钉系统矫治退行性脊柱侧凸的并发症及其预防措施。方法:对82例退行性脊柱侧凸患者采用4种不同的手术方式:17例先行一期前路松解、支撑性融合,二期后路多节段椎弓根螺钉矫形,后外侧植骨融合;41例行后路椎管减压、椎体间支撑融合(PLIF)、椎弓根螺钉矫形内固定 后外侧植骨融合术;14例行后路短缩、椎管减压、椎弓根螺钉矫形内固定 后外侧植骨融合术;10例行椎管减压、椎弓根矫形内固定 后外侧植骨融合术。对75例获得6个月至4年(平均2年3个月)随访患者的并发症进行回顾性分析。结果:本组无围手术期死亡,术后重症监护时间平均22h,切口感染1例,切口延迟愈合4例;7例术后出现肺部感染,经处理后好转;6例手术后出现心脏病复发,经内科联合处理后好转;9例术后出现双下肢疼痛,经保守治疗3个月症状缓解;4例腰背部疼痛缓解不明显。无断钉、断棒现象。88.6%的患者对手术治疗的结果满意。结论:三维矫形手术治疗退行性脊柱侧凸的并发症较多且严重,手术治疗需慎重考虑患者的全身情况及术前症状,以选择适合的手术方式。     

Surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis with anterior dual rod instrumentation

BACKGROUND: In the surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis both anterior and posterior correction and instrumentation techniques are available. The aim of the present study was to analyse the results of a new anterior dual rod instrumentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of radiometric and clinical parameters of 93 patients operated on between 1996 and 2004 using the Münster Anterior Dual Rod System. RESULTS: The average curve correction was 65% (fusion length usually Cobb levels) with a preoperative Cobb angle of 59 degrees. Postoperative loss of correction amounted to 1.5 degrees (average follow-up of 36 months). Apical vertebral derotation averaged 45% in the thoracic and 53% in the lumbar spine with a subsequent correction of the rib hump of 66% and the lumbar hump of 81%. There were no revisions or neurological complications. CONCLUSION: Anterior dual rod instrumentation enables an effective and safe three-dimensional curve correction in single structural curves with only minimal loss of correction.     

Radiographic outcomes using freeze-dried cancellous allograft bone for posterior spinal fusion in pediatric idiopathic scoliosis

The senior author (A.G.) has gained extensive experience using freeze-dried cancellous allograft chips to obtain solid posterior fusion in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The purpose of this study is to determine whether this form of allograft bone will yield successful fusion rates and maintain a minimal loss of curve correction when combined with current segmental posterior spinal instrumentation systems. Radiographs of 55 patients were evaluated by two masked reviewers using a previously devised grading system. At an average follow-up of 39 months (minimum 24 months), the overall fusion rate was 92.7% and the loss of curve correction was 3.4 degrees. The results of this study show that freeze-dried allograft chips yield successful fusion rates and only minimal loss of curve when combined with current posterior spinal instrumentation systems in patients with pediatric idiopathic scoliosis.     

Anterior instrumentation for the treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis of thoracic and lumbar spine

Anterior radical debridement and bone grafting is popular in the treatment of pyogenic infection of the spine, but there remains great concern of placing instrumentation in the presence of infection because of the potentiality of infection recurrence after surgery. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of anterior instrumentation in patients who underwent simultaneous anterior debridement and autogenous bone grafting for the treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. The series consisted of 22 consecutive patients who were treated with anterior debridement, interbody fusion with autogenous bone grafting and anterior instrumentation for pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis of thoracic and lumbar spine. The patients were prospectively followed up for a minimum of 3 years (average 46.1 months; range 36–74 months). Data were obtained for assessing clinically the neurological function and pain and radiologically the spinal alignment and fusion progress as well as recurrence of the infection. All the patients experienced complete or significant relief of back pain with rapid improvement of neurological function. Kyphosis was improved with an average correction rate of 93.1% (range 84–100%). Solid fusion and healing of the infection was achieved in all the patients without any evidence of recurrent or residual infection. The study shows that combined with perioperative antibiotic regimen, anterior instrumentation is effective and safe in the treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis of thoracic and lumbar spine directly following radical debridement and autogenous bone grafting.     

脊柱结核手术中的内固定应用及术式选择

目的探讨内固定在脊柱结核手术中应用价值及应用方式.方法对26例患者采用4种不同术式:①后路病灶清除植骨,同期经椎弓根内固定;②前路病灶清除植骨,同期后路经椎弓根内固定;③前路病灶清除植骨,同期前路钢板内固定;④前路病灶清除植骨,同期前路单钉棍系统内固定.结果经过12个月以上的观察,病灶静止,植骨融合,内固定无松动、断裂,后突畸形矫正无丢失.结论彻底清除病灶,合理的使用内固定,能提高脊柱结核的治疗效果.     

Comparison of anterior and posterior instrumentation for correction of adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis

STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study of two cohort groups of patients (one group receiving anterior instrumentation and the other posterior instrumentation) receiving treatment for thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. OBJECTIVE: To present the 2-year postoperative results of a prospective multicenter study comparing the use of anterior instrumentation with that of posterior multisegmented hook instrumentation for the correction of adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Despite reports of satisfactory results, problems have been reported with posterior systems, including worsening of the lumbar curve after surgery and failure to correct hypokyphosis. Theoretically, the advantages of anterior instrumentation include prevention of lumbar curve decompensation by shortening the convexity of the thoracic curve. In addition, by removing the disc, better correction of thoracic hypokyphosis could be obtained. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients who underwent an anterior spinal fusion using flexible threaded rods and nuts (Harms-MOSS instrumentation, De Puy-Motech-Acromed, Cleveland, OH) were analyzed and compared with 100 patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion with multisegmented hook systems. Parameters of comparison included coronal and sagittal correction, balance, distal lumbar fusion levels, and complication. All patients had idiopathic thoracic curves of King Types II to V. The average age at surgery was 14 years in each group, the average preoperative curve 57 degrees, and the minimum duration of follow-up for all patients 24 months. All data were collected prospectively and analyzed via Epl into statistical analysis (Centers of Disease Control, Atlanta, GA). RESULTS: Average coronal correction of the main thoracic curve was 58% in the anterior group and 59% in the posterior group (P = 0.92). Analysis of sagittal contour showed that the posterior systems failed to correct a preoperative hypokyphosis (sagittal T5 to T12 less than 20 degrees) in 60% of cases, whereas 81% were normal postoperatively in the anterior group. However, hyperkyphosis (sagittal T5 to T12 greater than 40 degrees) occurred after surgery in 40% of the anterior group when the preoperative kyphosis was greater than 20 degrees. Postoperative coronal balance was equal in both groups. An average of 2.5 (range, 0-6) distal fusion levels were saved using the anterior spinal instrumentation according to the criteria used for determining posterior fusion levels in this study. Selective fusion of the thoracic curve (distal fusion level T11, T12, L1) was performed in 76 of 78 patients (97%) in the anterior group as compared with only 18 of 100 (18%) in the posterior group. Surgically confirmed pseudarthrosis occurred in 4 of 78 patients (5%) in the anterior group and in 1 of 100 patients (1%) in the posterior group (P = 0.10). Loss of correction greater than 10 degrees occurred in 18 of 78 patients (23%) in the anterior group and in 12 of 100 patients (12%) in the posterior group (P = 0.01). Implant breakage occurred in 24 patients (31%) of the anterior group and in only 1 patient (1%) of the posterior group. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Coronal correction and balance were equal in both the anterior and posterior groups, even though the anterior group had the majority of curves (97%) fused short or to L1, whereas only 18% were fused short or to L1 in the posterior group. 2) In the anterior group there was a better correction of sagittal profile in those with a preoperative hypokyphosis less than 20 degrees. However, hyperkyphosis (with a mean of 54 degrees) occurred in 40% of those in the anterior group with a preoperative kyphosis of more than 20 degrees. 3) An average of 2.5 lumbar levels can be saved with anterior fusion and instrumentation according to the criteria used for choosing posterior fusion levels in this study. 4) Using the 3.2-mm flexible rod in this study, loss of correction, pseudarthrosis, and rod breakage were unacceptably highe