Results of lumbar hemivertebral excision for congenital scoliosis

The purposes of this study were to determine the long-term correction achieved by excision of lumbar hemivertebrae and the risk attendant. Seven patients had a follow-up of 41.14 months for lumbar hemivertebral excisions. Six had two-stage anterior vertebral body excision and, 7-8 days later, posterior lamina and pedicle excision with fusion. One patient had a single-stage correction. After surgery, the patients were in pantaloon casts or braces for a minimum of 6 months (supine, first 6-12 weeks). Hemivertebrae were at L2 (N = 1), L3 (N = 1), L4-L5 (N = 1), and L5-S1 (N = 4). Preoperative curves or hemivertebral angles averaged 36.6 degrees (range, 30-52 degrees). Average age was 7.5 years (range, 22 months to 12.5 years). Mean follow-up was 41.14 months. Surgical correction of the seven cases averaged 28.0 degrees. Two-stage procedures yielded 29.7 degrees correction with no complications; single-stage yielded 18 degrees correction, and the only complication was an L5 nerve root paresis.