A comparative study of two instrumentation techniques for the surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis

The goal of this study is to compare the 3-D correction obtained with a der otation maneuver (C-D) versus a translation maneuver (Colorado) of the firs t instrumentation rod during scoliosis surgery in order to determine if one technique or system provides better 3-D correction of idiopathic scoliosis . Seventy adolescents undergoing corrective surgery were evaluated intra-op eratively using a 3-D magnetic digitizer while 67 were evaluated by compari ng pre- and postoperative standing radiographic 3-D reconstructions of thei r spine. Adequate: and similar corrections were obtained in the C-D and Col orado groups. A significant better correction of thoracic curves in the fro ntal plane was observed by the pre-post standing comparison in the Colorado group, a finding which may be explained by the greater proportion of pedic le screws used in that group.