Surgical treatment of severe angular kyphosis

Five patients 10-21 years old were treated for severe angular kyphosis, ranging from 61 to 133 degrees, by a three-stage procedure: 1. distraction in a halo-pelvic apparatus, 2. anterior decompression and/or fusion and 3. posterior fusion with Harrington compression rods. An average correction of 68% and a good cosmetic result were obtained. A solid fusion was achieved in all patients. There were no neurological complications. A 12-year-old girl gained 20 cm in height and the spinal kyphosis was reduced from 133 to 27 degrees.