A King type II curve pattern treated with selective thoracic fusion: case report with 44-year follow-up

The optimal surgical treatment of the King-Moe type II thoracic curve pattern is controversial. The issue of postoperative "decompensation" has arisen in conjunction with the use of third-generation instrumentation systems. This report presents the 44-year clinical and radiographic follow-up of a patient with a type II scoliosis treated with uninstrumented selective thoracic fusion using the criteria of King and Moe. The caudal extent of the fusion was defined by proper identification of the neutral and stable vertebra. At final follow-up, the patient remained well balanced and essentially pain free. Her level of function was "above average" for her age, as per SF-36 evaluation.