ANTERIOR INSTRUMENTATION IN IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS - A MINIMUM FOLLOW-UP OF 10 YEARS

One hundred and thirty-four patients with idiopathic scoliosis were tr eated between 1973 and 1993 in our hospital, and 53 were followed for a minimum of 10 years in a retrospective study. Forty-five were female and 8 mate with an average age of 32 years at follow np. Dwyer instru mentation was used in 17 and Zielke in 36. The curve was thoracic in 1 6, thoracolumbar in 27 and lumbar in 10. The average preoperative Cobb angle was 64 degrees. The average angle at follow up was 21 degrees w ith 62% of the average correction maintained (61% in the Dwyer and 65% in the Zielke). Most patients were satisfied subjectively and we reco mmend this type of operation.