Distraction instrumentation outcomes in scoliosis

The short-term outcomes of a new distraction technique using a small rod sp inal instrumentation system (WRIGHTLOCK) are reported for adolescent idiopa thic scoliosis. No caudally directed thoracic hooks were used. Seventy-four children aged 11.7 to 17.5 years who underwent consecutive posterior instr umentations are reviewed. Their curves improved from a mean of 55.6 degrees to 22.7 degrees (average of 59.2% correction). At 2.7 years mean follow-up , coronal curves lost an average of 4.2 degrees correction. Overall, there was a mean increase of 4.4 degrees in kyphosis. Children with the most preo perative hypokyphosis were afforded the greatest gains in kyphosis. Instrum entation resulted in a mean loss of 8.2 degrees lumbar lordosis. These resu lts compare favorably with published results for other multihook systems.