FURTHER EXPERIENCES WITH THE TREATMENT OF SCOLIOSIS BY CAST CORRECTION AND SPINE FUSION WITH FRESH AUTOGENOUS ILIAC-BONE GRAFTS

¹ From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester

1. One hundred and twenty children with idiopathic, paralytic, and congenital scoliosis were treated by cast correction and spine fusion, supplemented with large amounts of fresh autogenous iliac bone.

2. Sixty-five curvatures were corrected by a turnbuckle cast, fifty-five by localizer cast.

3. All patients were available for follow-up study.

4. Pseudarthrosis occurred in ten patients in 125 consecutive fusion operations (8 per cent) in patients less than twenty years old.

5. Lengthening of the curve occurred in fourteen patients.

6. Major wound infections requiring incision and drainage occurred in five patients (4 per cent).

7. A meticulously performed spine fusion is essential in the surgical correction of scoliosis and helps to ensure a solid fusion with maintenance of correction.

8. A large amount of supplementary fresh autogenous iliac bone contributes to a massive solid fusion that is sufficiently organized and incorporated at one year to maintain correction.

9. Uncompromised cast immobilization in recumbency is an important factor in obtaining good results.

10. Excellent correction was obtained and maintained by cast correction and fusion.

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