BRACE TREATMENT OF SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN WITH MYELOMENINGOCELE

In twenty-one children with myelomeningocele and progressive scoliosis , treatment of scoliosis was attempted with a Boston type underarm bra ce. Thirteen children finished full brace treatment (average treatment time 2.5 years) and the patients were included in a follow-up more th an 2 years after the end of treatment with no further progression of t he scoliosis. Two patients are still undergoing brace treatment. Six c hildren were operated due to continued progression of the scoliosis. A mong 14 patients with scoliosis 45-degrees or less-at the start of bra ce treatment, only 1 patient progressed and underwent operation. The b race had a temporary effect on severe scoliosis, decreasing the rate o f progression. Complications were few. The brace caused decubitus ulce r in one patient, and two patients developed increased pressure of the urinary tract.