INTRAOPERATIVE 3D EVALUATION OF COTREL-DU BOUSSET PROCEDURE FOR THE TREATMENT OF IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS

In order to evaluate with accuracy the tridimensional (3D) vertebral c orrection induced by the surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis w ith Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation and technique, we have developed a new per operative measurement system based on 3D digitization with m agnetic fields. This method has been used on 23 adolescent patients tr eated with surgical correction. A statistically significant change in vertebral 3D orientation of 11.4-degrees +/- 5.6-degrees has been foun d. The measurement repeatability was +/- 2.5-degrees. We conclude that the Cotrel-Dubousset technique truly realizes a 3D correction of the thoracic and lumbar spine of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.