Cotrel traction, exercises, casting in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. A pilot study and prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

A pilot study of ten individuals with adolescent-onset idiopathic scoliosis demonstrated that a week of Cotrel traction and exercises did not improve curve correction obtained by the application of an elongation, derotation, flexion (EDF) cast. There was, however, a significant improvement on lateral bending correction during this period. A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial showed that the exercise programme and not the traction was responsible for rendering the spine less rigid.     

Results of Harrington instrumentation in the treatment for severe scoliosis.

Between July 1963 and December 1974, we surgically treated 207 patients who had severe scoliosis (curves greater than 90 degrees), 196 of whom were eligible for inclusion in this study. No patient was treated preoperatively with a cast or traction. Upon statistical analysis, age and preoperative curve magnitude proved to be significant variables relative to the amount of surgical correction obtained and the maintenance of that correction; sex and etiology of the scoliosis were not shown to affect either surgical outcome or maintenance of correction. A comparative analysis showed our results to be as good as those reported by others using various preoperative regimens of casting or traction or both. Therefore, we find that the preoperative application of traction to patients with severe scoliosis yields no better correction than the use of Harrington instrumentation and fusion alone.     

Preoperative Cotrel Traction in Idiopathic Scoliosis

Eighty consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis were treated preoperatively with Cotrel traction. Distraction X-rays were taken 2 or 3 days after start of traction and 8-10 days later. In 47 patients equal distraction force was applied in both instances. The force, averaging 28 klb, was measured on the head sling. Cotrel traction reduced the spinal curve 37.5 per cent in the first and 38.9 per cent in the second measurement. The difference is not significant. Preoperative Cotrel traction did not improve the surgical curve correction. Postoperative loss of correction and complication rate was insignificantly reduced compared with the results in a previous study. Cotrel traction does, however, give some indication of the surgical correction achievable.     

Preoperative Cotrel Traction in Idiopathic Scoliosis

Eighty consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis were treated preoperatively with Cotrel traction. Distraction X-rays were taken 2 or 3 days after start of traction and 8–10 days later. In 47 patients equal distraction force was applied in both instances. The force, averaging 28 klb, was measured on the head sling. Cotrel traction reduced the spinal curve 37.5 per cent in the first and 38.9 per cent in the second measurement. The difference is not significant. Preoperative Cotrel traction did not improve the surgical curve correction. Postoperative loss of correction and complication rate was insignificantly reduced compared with the results in a previous study. Cotrel traction does, however, give some indication of the surgical correction achievable.     

Halo-gravity traction in the treatment of severe spinal deformity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Halo-gravity traction has been reported to successfully assist in managing severe spinal deformity. This is a systematic review of all studies on halo-gravity traction in the treatment of spinal deformity to provide information for clinical practice.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted for articles on halo-gravity traction in the treatment of spinal deformity according to the PRISMA guidelines. Appropriate studies would be included and analyzed. Preoperative correction rate of spinal deformity, change of pulmonary function and prevalence of complications were the main measurements.

Results

Sixteen studies, a total of 351 patients, were included in this review. Generally, the initial Cobb angle was 101.1° in the coronal plane and 80.5° in the sagittal plane, and it was corrected to 49.4° and 56.0° after final spinal fusion. The preoperative correction due to traction alone was 24.1 and 19.3%, respectively. With traction, the flexibility improved 6.1% but postoperatively the patients did not have better correction. Less aggressive procedures and improved pulmonary function were observed in patients with traction. The prevalence of traction-related complications was 22% and three cases of neurologic complication related to traction were noted. The prevalence of total complications related to surgery was 32% and that of neurologic complications was 1%.

Conclusion

Partial correction could be achieved preoperatively with halo-gravity traction, and it may help decrease aggressive procedures, improve preoperative pulmonary function, and reduce neurologic complications. However, traction could not increase preoperative flexibility or final correction. Traction-related complications, although usually not severe, were not rare.

     

Effectiveness of spinal release and halo-femoral traction in the management of severe spinal deformity

The purpose of this retrospective review was to assess the effectiveness of spinal release and halo-femoral traction in the management of severe spinal deformity. Twenty-four patients had halo-femoral traction and a spinal release. Analysis focused on pre-traction curve, preoperative curve in bending or hyperextension films, final traction curve, traction weight as a percent of body weight, and complications associated with traction. The average pre-traction curve was 95 degrees and the average pre-traction curve in bending was 73 degrees; the final traction average curve was 44 degrees. The difference between the magnitude of curve correction in bending and traction films was statistically significant. Traction weight was increased to an average of 54% of body weight. The only complication was a bilateral lower extremity sensory deficit that resolved after traction weight reduction. The average final correction was 71%. Spinal release and halo-femoral traction offer a safe approach to the correction of severe spinal deformities before fusion.     

Preoperative skeletal traction in scoliosis.

To determine the role of preoperative traction in the treatment of spinal curves, ten patients with curves averaging 81 degrees by the Cobb measurement were studied. Each patient was treated in traction by means of a halo or skull tongs and femoral pins for two to three weeks prior to the surgical correction of the scoliosis with instrumentation. Weights were added to the traction apparatus, 1.8 kilograms a day, to a maximum of 18.1 kilograms. Pretraction supine roentgenograms were compared with supine roentgenograms made at three-day intervals throughout the traction period. Preoperative traction resulted in an average improvement of the curves of 34 degrees, or 41 per cent of the initial curve. Most of the correction was obtained within the first week of traction. Further correction during surgery with Harrington instrumentation yielded 13.5 degrees on the average (16 per cent) so that combined correction averaged 47 degrees, or 57 per cent.     

牵引结合后路手术治疗重度脊柱侧凸的疗效分析

[目的]探讨Halo-股骨髁上牵引结合后路矫形对柔韧性30%～40%的重度脊柱侧凸患者的疗效.[方法]对2000年1月～2006年6月治疗的41例柔韧性30%～40%重度脊柱侧凸患者,按照是否行牵引治疗分为两组.牵引组A组 22例,主侧凸平均Cobb' s角91.2°;对照组B组 19例,主侧凸平均Cobb' s角87.5°.[结果]两组无严重神经系统并发症.A组平均牵引18 d(14～22 d)后主侧凸平均矫正46%,14例肺功能减退患者均改善.两组均行一期后路松解三维矫形术,术后C7～S1偏移值、顶椎偏移矫正A组优于B组.A组主侧凸平均矫正55.2°,B组45.7°,A组优于B组 (P<0.05). A组平均随访40个月, B组平均随访42个月,末次随访两组平均冠状面矫正丢失分别为3°、2.4°,矢状面无丢失,两组均获骨性融合.[结论]对于柔韧性30%～40%的重度脊柱侧凸,术前Halo-股骨髁上牵引可改善肺功能,结合牵引下后路松解矫形术可以获得更好的畸形矫正和躯干平衡,减少术中术后并发症. )后主侧凸平均矫正46%,14例肺功能减退患者均改善.两组均行一期后路松解三维矫形术,术后C_7～S_1偏移值、顶椎偏 矫正A组优于B组.A组主侧凸平均矫正55.2°,B组45.7°,A组优于B组 (P<0.05). A组平均随访40个月, B组平均随访42个月,末次随访两组平均冠状面矫正丢失分别为3°、2.4°,矢状面无丢失,两组均获骨性融合.[结论]对于柔韧性30%～40%的重度脊柱侧凸,术前Halo-股骨髁上牵引可改善肺功能,结合牵引下后路松解矫形术可以获得更好的畸形矫正和躯干平衡,减少术中术后并发症. )后主侧凸平均矫正46%,14例肺功能减退患者均改善.两组均行一期后路松解三     

术前大质量Halo-股骨髁上牵引在治疗僵硬型特发性脊柱侧凸中的应用

目的 探讨术前快速大质量Halo-股骨髁上牵引在治疗僵硬型特发性脊柱侧凸中的应用价值.方法 对2003年7月至2006年5月行术前快速大质量Halo-股骨髁上牵引治疗且临床资料完整的16例僵硬型特发性脊柱侧凸患者进行回顾性分析.其中男性4例,女性12例;年龄12～20岁,平均16岁,术前冠状面Cobb角平均111°,胸椎后凸(T_(5～12))平均64°.术前行Halo-双侧股骨髁上牵引,最大质量(可达体质量的1/2)牵引2～3周后,行后路矫形内固定融合术.对术前Bending像、牵引后和术后侧凸纠正率进行比较.结果 随访12～60个月(平均36个月).最大牵引质量平均19 kg,为体质量的35%～56%.1例患者在牵引12 d后出现右侧臂丛神经麻痹,减轻牵引质量后逐渐恢复.矫形术后无瘫痪、死亡等并发症,无呼吸衰竭的发生.术前平卧位Bending像X线片的侧凸纠正率平均18.7%,Halo-股骨髁上牵引后侧凸纠正率平均达31.9%.与Bending像相比,牵引后侧凸纠正率提高了13.2%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).后路矫形术后侧凸矫正率平均为48.6%,胸椎后凸矫正率平均为51.9%.末次随访时冠状面矫正丢失率平均为2.0%,矢状面矫正丢失率平均为5.8%.结论 术前短时间大质量Halo-股骨髁上牵引结合后路广泛松解可改善僵硬型特发性脊柱侧凸畸形矫形率,但应注意与牵引相关的并发症.     

The use of traction methods to correct severe cervical deformity in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a report of five cases

STUDY DESIGN: A case series is presented. OBJECTIVES: To describe the methods of correction used in this study for flexible severe cervical deformity, and to report the results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Long-standing rheumatoid arthritis can lead to severe cervical deformity, causing significant functional deficits and poor cosmesis. Information on the use of traction combined with surgical stabilization to achieve correction of flexible deformity in rheumatoid patients is sparse in the English literature. METHODS: A review of five cases, including pertinent history, physical examination, radiographic evaluation, traction techniques, surgical stabilization, and outcomes, was conducted. RESULTS: Excellent correction of deformity and radiographic union were achieved in all the patients. One patient had minimal loss of correction after surgery and thereafter remained stable. Pin tract infections were the only significant complication. CONCLUSIONS: Severe cervical flexible deformity in rheumatoid patients can cause significant disability and can be treated successfully with a combination of traction techniques and surgical stabilization.     

拉长式弹性牵引矫治烧伤后爪形手畸形

目的 探讨修复烧伤后爪形手畸形的新途径.方法 2006年5月至2010年7月,对12例瘢痕切除松解植皮或皮瓣移植术后畸形矫正不满意的烧伤爪形手,应用个性化手功能支具结合橡皮筋、指端克氏针(或粘胶带)对手指进行拉长式弹性牵引.结果 术后随访0.5～2年,弹性牵引对烧伤爪形手中存在的掌指关节过伸畸形、近侧指间关节屈曲畸形、虎口挛缩均有效果,可将屈曲短缩的手指拉长,也有利于掌弓复位.少部分(8/28)拉长复位的近侧指间关节屈曲畸形复发或关节不稳,需关节融合.结论 拉长式弹性牵引是矫治烧伤后爪形手畸形的有效方法,损伤小,效果较稳定.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate a new method for correction of claw hand deformity after burns. Methods From May 2006 to Jul. 2010, 12 patients with claw hands deformities after burns were treated with skin grafts (11 hands) and skin flap(1 hand) with unsatisfactory results. Then elastic traction (skin traction or skeletal traction) were performed with individual functional brace. Results All patients were followed up for 0. 5 to 2 years. Elastic traction was effective in the correction of metacarpophalangeal joint deformity, buttonhole deformity, thumb-in-palm deformity, scar contracture, and palmar arch deformity. Conclusions Elastic traction is a simple and effective way for the correction of claw hand deformity after burns with less morbidity and stable results.     

拉长式弹性牵引矫治烧伤后爪形手畸形

目的 探讨修复烧伤后爪形手畸形的新途径.方法 2006年5月至2010年7月,对12例瘢痕切除松解植皮或皮瓣移植术后畸形矫正不满意的烧伤爪形手,应用个性化手功能支具结合橡皮筋、指端克氏针(或粘胶带)对手指进行拉长式弹性牵引.结果 术后随访0.5～2年,弹性牵引对烧伤爪形手中存在的掌指关节过伸畸形、近侧指间关节屈曲畸形、虎口挛缩均有效果,可将屈曲短缩的手指拉长,也有利于掌弓复位.少部分(8/28)拉长复位的近侧指间关节屈曲畸形复发或关节不稳,需关节融合.结论 拉长式弹性牵引是矫治烧伤后爪形手畸形的有效方法,损伤小,效果较稳定.     

拉长式弹性牵引矫治烧伤后爪形手畸形

目的 探讨修复烧伤后爪形手畸形的新途径.方法 2006年5月至2010年7月,对12例瘢痕切除松解植皮或皮瓣移植术后畸形矫正不满意的烧伤爪形手,应用个性化手功能支具结合橡皮筋、指端克氏针(或粘胶带)对手指进行拉长式弹性牵引.结果 术后随访0.5～2年,弹性牵引对烧伤爪形手中存在的掌指关节过伸畸形、近侧指间关节屈曲畸形、虎口挛缩均有效果,可将屈曲短缩的手指拉长,也有利于掌弓复位.少部分(8/28)拉长复位的近侧指间关节屈曲畸形复发或关节不稳,需关节融合.结论 拉长式弹性牵引是矫治烧伤后爪形手畸形的有效方法,损伤小,效果较稳定.     

The scleral yoke suture for anterior segment surgery

A safe effective method of global control during anterior segment surgery is presented. The method used in 1184 consecutive cases was the scleral yoke traction suture adapted from a method often used in strabismus surgery. The incidence of postoperative ptosis severe enough to require surgical correction is presented in that group as well as in a group of 591 consecutive cataract extractions utilizing the classic superior rectus traction surgery. The principle advantages of this method as compared to the classic superior rectus traction suture are pointed out, with emphasis on the reduction of postoperative ptosis.     

Combined staged anterior and posterior correction and fusion of the spine in scoliosis following poliomyelitis.

The problems with severe forms of scoliosis following poliomyelitis include the associated muscle imbalance, soft tissue contractures and pelvic obliquity. Such deformities militate against optimal correction and maintenance of that correction and their treatment is often marred by pseudarthroses. Seventeen patients with an average curve of 93 degrees have been treated and followed for up to 38 months. Preliminary traction was used in 8 patients, then a staged anterior and posterior correction and fusion was done, using Dwyer's instrumentation of the major curve in all and a Harrington rod to supplement the posterior fusion in eleven patients. With this technique the major curve was corrected by 80 per cent with an average 2 per cent loss over 18 months. No pseudarthroses were seen when the Harrington rod was used. Great care must be taken if halo-pelvic traction is to be used for patients with pelvic obliquity, for preliminary correction halo-femoral traction will often be adequate. In the more severe forms of paralytic scoliosis a combined staged anterior and posterior correction and fusion should be considered if the aim is maximal correction of the scoliosis and avoidance of pseudarthroses.     

垂直悬吊牵引像在重度脊柱侧凸矫形中的应用

目的分析悬吊牵引像在脊柱侧凸矫形中预测上、下固定椎的作用。方法选择2004年7月至2008年7月北京协和医院骨科收治的胸椎侧凸畸形患者27例,男15例,女12例,年龄11～21岁,平均15.5岁。所有患者均采用后路脊柱侧凸矫形植骨融合、钉钩混合固定,随访6～36个月,平均14.7个月。采用标准方法测量术前脊柱正侧位悬吊牵引像,术后及随访正位像的Cobb角、顶椎偏距、悬吊稳定椎等,测量所得结果进行统计学分析。结果 （1）术后胸弯平均Cobb角为43.8°,术后随访平均Cobb角为51.1°,较术前（平均Cobb角84.6°）明显改善（P〈0.01）,平均矫正率为48.2%;（2）悬吊像胸弯Cobb角与术后胸弯Cobb角呈正相关（P〈0.01）;（3）悬吊像顶椎偏距、术后胸弯顶椎偏距与术前顶椎偏距有显著差异（P〈0.01）;（4）悬吊像下平分椎倾斜度与术前站立位下固定椎无显著差异（P〉0.05）,与术后及随访的下固定椎倾斜度有显著差异（P〈0.01）;（5）悬吊像上平分椎倾斜度与术前站立位上固定椎、术后及随访的上固定椎倾斜度有显著差异（P〈0.01）。结论选择悬吊牵引像的稳定椎作为脊柱侧凸矫形中上、下固定椎,术后平衡效果良好。     

Preoperative halo-gravity traction with and without thoracoscopic anterior release for skeletal dysplasia patients with severe kyphoscoliosis

Purpose

Recent work has shown the safety and efficacy of halo-gravity traction as an operative adjunct. However, there are no reports specifically looking at halo-gravity traction in patients with skeletal dysplasia. Our purpose was to assess the safety and efficacy of traction in children with skeletal dysplasia who present with severe kyphoscoliosis.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed eight consecutive children with skeletal dysplasia who were treated with halo-gravity traction preoperatively. Six of the patients had a thoracoscopic anterior release prior to the halo-gravity traction. All patients were ambulatory and presented with severe, rigid kyphoscoliosis.

Results

The mean duration of traction was 32 days. There were no neurologic complications with traction or after posterior spinal instrumentation. The majority of kyphoscoliosis correction was with the halo-gravity traction alone: major curve (MC) Cobb angle improved 41 %; C7–center sacral vertical line, 75 %; C7–MC apex, 21 %; and T2–T12 kyphosis, 35 %. Trunk height increased 37 % and thoracic height 44 %. An additional amount of correction was obtained with posterior spinal instrumentation (±fusion), decreasing MC Cobb angle an additional 23 %; C7–apex, 16 %; and T2–T12 kyphosis, 10 %. There was no additional correction of thoracic height. Two years after posterior spinal instrumentation (±fusion), a mild-to-moderate amount of correction was lost: MC Cobb angle decreased 23 %; compensatory Cobb angle, 28 %; C7–CSVL, 24 %; C7–S1, 22 %; regional kyphosis, 31 %; thoracic kyphosis, 29 %; and trunk height, 27 %.

Conclusions

Among children with skeletal dysplasia and severe kyphosis, halo-gravity traction is well tolerated and safe. Most of the corrections in radiographic parameters were achieved with traction alone. Traction improves coronal balance, apical translation, thoracic height, and kyphosis. In this specific population, the potential for neurologic injury during corrective surgery is high. However, preoperative halo-gravity traction provides slow, progressive correction in a safe manner and avoided neurologic injury in these patients. This study did not compare patients without halo-gravity traction to patients with halo-gravity traction, therefore it cannot be concluded that going straight to instrumentation without traction will give a poorer radiographic result.

Level of evidence

IV.

     

The progressive longitudinal traction reduction of unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis: preliminary results in 11 patients

Purpose Unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis is rare, but is frequently associated with avascular necrosis. The rapid and complete reduction of the epiphysis displacement was shown to be responsible for this complication. We present the preliminary results of a progressive reduction technique of epiphysis displacement. Methods A total of 11 patients treated using progressive traction and internal fixation were reviewed retrospectively. Only children who underwent clinical and radiological follow-up for at least 18 months were included in this study to detect avascular necrosis. Results The mean posterior displacement of the femoral head was 67° and mean traction duration was 13 days. Of the patients, 2 had cutaneous problems requiring traction interruption, one on day 5 and the other on day 9. The mean residual slip was 16° and 3 patients had complete or partial avascular necrosis well tolerated at the final follow-up. Conclusion Our experience showed that if traction is supported for more than 2 weeks, a good correction of the epiphysis displacement can be obtained. Our short series does not allow affirmation of the superiority of our therapeutic strategy, especially with regards to avascular necrosis of the femoral head.     

Three-staged correction of severe rigid idiopathic scoliosis using limited halo-gravity traction

Introduction

Despite the advantages of modern instrumentation techniques, the treatment of severe rigid idiopathic scoliosis could be very demanding. Traction can provide better, safer correction and minimize complications related to forceful intra-operative maneuvers; however, several side effects are associated with prolonged periods of traction. The aim of this work is to review the clinical and radiographic results of limited perioperative halo-gravity traction in severe rigid curves analyzing its efficacy, advantages and possible complications and comparing it to classic two staged corrections performed without traction.

Methods

A retrospective case control study including 47 adolescents with severe rigid idiopathic scoliosis divided into two groups; a consecutive series of 21 patients who had a three-staged correction by an anterior release, 2 weeks of halo-gravity traction then posterior instrumentation (TRN group); compared to an earlier series of 26 consecutive patients treated without traction (SAP group). The average age was 18 years + 1 month and 16 years + 2 months, respectively. The average preoperative dorsal and lumbar curves for (TRN) group were 106.5° and 87°, respectively, and for (SAP) group were 102° and 81°, respectively.

Results

Patients were followed up for an average of 6 years (range 3–8 years). A significantly better correction was achieved in (TRN) group (average 59%) compared to (SAP) group (average 47%). At final follow-up, the loss of correction had an average of 8° for (TRN) group and 11° for (SAP) group. A shorter hospital stay was found in (SAP) group; a shorter operative time was found in (TRN) group and there was no significant difference in blood loss, early or delayed complications.

Conclusions

Limited halo-gravity traction is an efficient, safe modality in the treatment of severe rigid adolescent scoliosis. The application of gradual traction over a limited period of 2 weeks led to better correction, shorter operative time with no significant complications.     

The effect of intra-operative skeletal (skull femoral) traction on apical vertebral rotation

The study design is a retrospective review of consecutive case series. Our goal was to identify and quantify the effect of skeletal traction on the apical vertebral rotation (AVR). Intra-operative skeletal traction has been used for the correction of large magnitude idiopathic and neuromuscular scoliosis. The ability of skeletal traction to correct the rotational deformity of the spine has not been characterized. Following REB approval, retrospective analysis of 22 (AIS = 14, neuromuscular = 8) consecutive pediatric patients having surgical posterior instrumented correction and fusion for their scoliosis was performed. Intra-operative skeletal traction with approximately 50% body weight was achieved with smooth distal femoral pins. Counter-traction up to 25% was used through Gardner–Wells tongs. The AVR of the major curve was assessed using the Nash–Moe grading system by a radiologist and a senior spine surgeon not involved in the treatment of these cases. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance. The overall mean AVR of the major structural curve was 3.1 ± 0.8 and reduced to 2.4 ± 0.6 (p = 0.0001) following traction. The AVR decreased by one or more Nash–Moe grades with traction in 14/22 (64%) patients. The Cobb angle corrected from a mean of 88.2° to 49.1° (44.3%, p = 0.00001) with traction. The decrease in AVR correlated with the higher magnitude Cobb angles (correlation 0.53, p = 0.014). Patients with pre-traction AVR ≥ 3 showed the largest change with traction (3.4–2.5, p = 0.000004). There was very good association between the radiologist and the spine surgeon, 0.72(standing films) and 0.63(traction films). The minor structural curve corrected from a mean Cobb of 53.5° to 33.8° (37.8%) with AVR decreasing from a mean of 1.9 to 1.4 (p = 0.014). Significant apical derotation occurs with the use of intra-operative skull-skeletal traction in the correction of high magnitude scoliotic curves. This derotation can facilitate spinal exposure, placement of pedicles screws and final correction in these patients.