Defining the pediatric spinal thoracoscopy learning curve: sixty-five consecutive cases

Consecutive case prospective chart and radiographic review.

The purpose of this study was to define the learning curve of spinal thoracoscopy.

Thoracoscopy is an alternative to open thoracotomy in the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity. The learning curve for spinal thoracoscopy has not been described.

In this prospective study 65 consecutive cases of thoracoscopic anterior release with discectomy and fusion performed by one surgeon for the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity were reviewed. The patients were, on average, 14 +/- 3 years old and had the following diagnoses: idiopathic scoliosis (n = 13), Scheuermann's kyphosis (n = 9), neuromuscular spinal deformity (n = 35), congenital scoliosis (n = 4), and tumor/syrinx (n = 4).

The average operative time for the thoracoscopic procedure was 161 +/- 41 minutes (range, 50-240 minutes). There was a slight decrease in the average operative time as the series progressed. The average number of discs excised was 6.5 +/- 1.5 (range, 3-10), and the number increased as the series progressed. The average operative time per disc was 29.3 +/- 7.7 minutes in the first 30 patients compared with 22.3 +/- 4.7 minutes in the next 35 patients (P < 0.01). The average blood loss during the thoracoscopic procedure was 301 +/- 322 mL (range, 25-2000 mL) and did not decrease as the series progressed. Initial postoperative scoliosis and kyphosis corrections were 59% +/- 17% and 92% +/- 12%, respectively. Complications occurred in six patients (cases 4, 8, 17, 31, 39, and 46) and were evenly distributed throughout the series.

The learning curve for thoracoscopy is substantial, but not prohibitive. This technique provides a safe and effective alternative to thoracotomy in the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity.