Background:
Despite the promising results with selective thoracic fusion (STF) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) of the Lenke 1C curve, postoperative coronal imbalance and progression of the unfused lumbar curve have been concerns in long-term follow-up. In this study, we aimed to investigate the radiographic and clinical outcomes after STF for AIS with Lenke 1C curve with long-term follow-up.
Methods:
A total of 30 patients with AIS with Lenke 1C curves who underwent STF between 2005 and 2017 were included. Minimum follow-up duration was 5 years. Time-dependent changes in radiographic parameters were investigated preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. In addition, radiographic adverse events such as coronal decompensation (CD), lumbar decompensation (LD), distal adding-on (DA) phenomenon, and trunk shift were evaluated at the last follow-up. The Scoliosis Research Society-22 score was used for clinical outcome evaluation.
Results:
The mean age at the time of surgery was 13.8 years. The mean follow-up duration was 6.7 ± 0.8 years. The main thoracic curve significantly improved from 57 degrees to 23 degrees (60% correction), and the thoracolumbar/lumbar curve significantly improved from 47 degrees to 28 degrees (41% correction). Coronal balance was 15 mm after surgery but significantly improved to 10 mm at the last follow-up (P = 0.033). At the final follow-up, 11 patients (37%) sustained at least one of the radiographic adverse events: CD in 5 patients (17%), LD in 3 (10%), DA in 4 (13%), and trunk shift in 3 (10.%). However, there were no cases requiring revision surgery. In addition, there were no significant differences in any items or total Scoliosis Research Society-22 score between the patients with and without radiographic adverse events.
Conclusion:
STF in Lenke 1C curves showed an acceptable risk of adverse radiographic events such as CD, LD, DA, and trunk shift in long-term follow-up. We suggest that STF without fusion to the thoracolumbar/lumbar curve would be sufficient in treating AIS with Lenke 1C curve.
Level of evidence:
Level III.