Results of CD operation in idiopathic scoliosis

In order to evaluate the use of the CD system in scoliosis and kyphosis surgery we performed a partly retrospective, partly prospective study of our patient group. A total of 38 CD operations was performed in the period November 1986 until February 1991. In this group were 24 patients with idiopathic scoliosis, 4 male and 20 female, average age at operation 18 yrs 10 mo (12 yrs 10 mos-42 yrs 2 mos). In 22 patients follow-up was 6 months or more. In the right thoracic curves (n = 22) the preoperative Cobb angle was 59.5 degrees (48 degrees-90 degrees). The average angle after operation was 25.2 degrees (6 degrees-50 degrees), at 6 months 30.7 degrees and final curve 33.8 degrees (12 degrees-55 degrees) 20.1 months postoperatively (9 mos-48 mos). This is 43.2% correction with a loss of correction in the postoperative period of 14.4%. Left high thoracic curves were stiffer with a correction of only 12.8% in 3 patients at 18.3 months. In 4 patients with double curves a first stage Zielke operation was done before the CD operation. The mean curve of 67.8 degrees (45 degrees-108 degrees) was corrected to 20.5 degrees postoperatively with a final correction of 66.1% in 3 patients at 27 months. Without the preceding Zielke operation the mean curve of 44.5 degrees was corrected to 24 degrees at 6 months in 2 patients (46.1% correction). Derotation was evaluated clinically with the Bunnell method and measurement of gibbus height (14 patients had the derotation maneuver, 2 partial and 6 not).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)