Long-term results of spine surgery in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

We report the long-term orthopaedic and functional results of segmental spinal instrumentation and fusion in 30 Duchenne patients. Twenty-nine had a mean 59% correction of scoliosis with post-operative immobilization in a brace of only three months on average and with a very limited loss of correction over time. One died after cardiac arrest. The mean vital capacity preoperatively was 57 +/- 17% with a decrease to 34 +/- 13% at 3.9 +/- 2 yr after surgery. The sitting position, aesthetic improvement and the quality of life after spinal fusion have been positively evaluated by the large majority of the patients and their parents. Head control was lost in the 14 patients who developed a more severe extension contracture of the neck measured as a significantly longer chin-sternum distance. More than 90% would have the operation or would give their consent again for their son having the operation.