Surgical Outcomes and Complications of Posterior Spinal Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of scoliosis representing about 80-90% of all idiopathic scoliosis cases , characterized by lateral curvature of the spine of 10 degrees or more in children 10-18 years without underlaying cause .

AIS affects 1-3% of adolescents globally . More common in females with a ratio of 8;1 (1) The exact cause of AIS remain unknown ,however it's thought to be multi factorial may be due to genetic predisposition as it's often familial with multiple genetic loci impacting its pathogenesis heritability range between 30-60% (2) Bio mechanically the asymmetrical growth of the vertebrae and spinal loading may lead to curvature progression during rapid growth spurts Some studies suggest that asymmetrical loading of the spine can progress the deformity.

Multiple risk factors of progression have been detected: younger age at diagnosis , female sex ,higher initial Cobb angle and growth velocity (5) Severe scoliosis causes cosmetic concerns ,height reduction , reduced lung function and may progress to degenerative changes in adulthood (6) Treatment options for AIS include observation , bracing and surgery for curves more than 40 degree Cobb angle (7) Surgical correction has been a controversy for many years depending on the severity of the curve , the facility , surgeons preference and available instrumentation.

Anterior surgery became popular due to some advantage over posterior surgery as direct derotation of the spine ,removal of the disc ,over correction of the apex over short construct but some results from that correction is production of hyper kyphosis which can cause pulmonary problems ,anterior surgery carry high risk of pseudoarthrosis ,increase motion stress distal to corrected levels causing adjacent level disease Anterior surgery also requires high degree of flexibility in curve otherwise it is not applicable .

With advancing technique in posterior surgery and multiple training ,posterior surgery have been widely employed in correction of AIS with the same or even better results in severe cases As there is minimal affection in pulmonary function also it provides correction of Sagittal balance. (8)