RADIOGRAPHIC RESULTS OF ARTHRODESIS WITH COTREL-DUBOUSSET INSTRUMENTATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS - A 5-YEAR TO 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

We evaluated the radiographic results of posterior spinal arthrodesis with use of Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation in seventy-six patients w ho had adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, At an average of six: years (r ange, five to ten years) postoperatively, the fusion appeared to be so lid in all patients. Comparison of radiographs that had been made imme diately postoperatively with those that had been made at the time of t he latest follow-up showed that no patient had lost any correction in the coronal plane at the levels with instrumentation and seventy-five had had no change in the thoracic or lumbar sagittal alignment at the levels with or without instrumentation. In the remaining patient, a ky phosis had developed at the junction of the segments with instrumentat ion and those without instrumentation, necessitating additional operat ive treatment. Sixty-three patients completed a questionnaire for asse ssment of the clinical status, Their responses were favorable with reg ard to function, cosmetic appearance, and general satisfaction with th e operative result. Twenty-four (38 per cent) of the sixty-three patie nts reported occasional pain in the spine that did not interfere with work or school activities. Sixty-two patients stated that, given the h ypothetical situation of reverting to the preoperative status, they wo uld have the operation again.