[The surgical treatment of kyphosis with special reference to ventral bone span support]

Eighty-three patients with kyphosis of different etiology underwent operative correction. The results obtained in 65 of these patients after an average follow-up of 5.2 years are reported. The operative treatment produced regression of neurologic deficit in 63%, and most patients were relieved of their disabling preoperative pain. There were 3 cases of pseudoarthrosis and instrumentation failure. The four stages of operative treatment of kyphosis consist of: mobilizing osteotomy, correction, anterior and/or posterior fusion, stabilization without fusion (tumor). The indications for surgery and the choice of surgical technique are discussed. The importance of anterior fusion is emphasized.