Effect of wide posterior release on correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Wide lumbar posterior release, consisting of partial excision of spinous pr ocess, excision of interspinous ligament and ligamentum flavum, and excisio n of facet in plane of facet from both outside and within the spinal canal has been employed to increase coronal correction and improve the production of lumbar lordosis (10). Adolescent idiopathic patients with fusion into t he lumbar spine were studied. Pre- and postsurgical coronal and sagittal Co bb measurements as well bending measurements were done. Intraoperative bipl anar radiographs were done after positioning, after lumbar rod placement, a nd finally after wide release and placement of the same rod. Statistical an alysis was by paired Student's t-test, Significantly (p < 0.005), improved correction was attained in the coronal plane with release (76% vs. 64%). To tal lordosis and instrumented segment lordosis was also significantly (p < 0.025) improved with release (12 degrees vs. 3 degrees). Coronal and sagitt al plane correction in the lumbar spine is improved significantly with a wi de posterior lumbar release.