E-ISSN: 1019-5157
ISSN: 2651-5024
Research
CORRECTION MANEUVERS USING SEQUENTIAL TEMPORARY SHORT ROD DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE IN SEVERE NEUROMUSCULAR SCOLIOSIS: RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AND TECHNICAL NOTE
Yahya Güvenç✉ ,
Onur Erdoğan
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.50258-25.2
Article in Press
Corresponding Author:
Yahya Güvenç (dr.yahyaguvenc@gmail.com)
Abstract
Aim
The aim of this study was to describe a surgical technique that enables maximal and safe correction while minimizing complication rates in patients with severe neuromuscular scoliosis.
Material and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent surgery between 2019 and 2025. Of 23 eligible patients, 14 who were treated using the described technique were included. Preoperative and postoperative standing scoliosis radiographs and computed tomography scans were analyzed, and Cobb angles were measured. The technique involves sequential distraction using temporary short rods placed at the apex of the curve on the concave side to gradually reduce the apical angulation. This is followed by rod rotation to achieve definitive correction of the deformity.
Results
The mean preoperative Cobb angle was 90.7° (range, 45.2°170°), which improved to 30.4° postoperatively (range, 1.6°69.8°), yielding a mean correction of 66.5° (range, 45.2°97.4°). The mean preoperative coronal vertical sacral line was 9.3 cm (range, 6.4815.39 cm), improving to 5.9 cm postoperatively (range, 3.0310.91 cm). The mean preoperative sagittal vertical axis was 5.2 cm (range, 1.612.0 cm), which improved to 2.7 cm postoperatively (range, 1.18.6 cm).
Conclusion
The sequential temporary short-rod distraction technique enables controlled correction of the apical deformity in severe neuromuscular scoliosis. By gradually reducing the curvature before definitive rod rotation, this method facilitates substantial deformity correction while potentially lowering the risk of postoperative complications.
The aim of this study was to describe a surgical technique that enables maximal and safe correction while minimizing complication rates in patients with severe neuromuscular scoliosis.
Material and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent surgery between 2019 and 2025. Of 23 eligible patients, 14 who were treated using the described technique were included. Preoperative and postoperative standing scoliosis radiographs and computed tomography scans were analyzed, and Cobb angles were measured. The technique involves sequential distraction using temporary short rods placed at the apex of the curve on the concave side to gradually reduce the apical angulation. This is followed by rod rotation to achieve definitive correction of the deformity.
Results
The mean preoperative Cobb angle was 90.7° (range, 45.2°170°), which improved to 30.4° postoperatively (range, 1.6°69.8°), yielding a mean correction of 66.5° (range, 45.2°97.4°). The mean preoperative coronal vertical sacral line was 9.3 cm (range, 6.4815.39 cm), improving to 5.9 cm postoperatively (range, 3.0310.91 cm). The mean preoperative sagittal vertical axis was 5.2 cm (range, 1.612.0 cm), which improved to 2.7 cm postoperatively (range, 1.18.6 cm).
Conclusion
The sequential temporary short-rod distraction technique enables controlled correction of the apical deformity in severe neuromuscular scoliosis. By gradually reducing the curvature before definitive rod rotation, this method facilitates substantial deformity correction while potentially lowering the risk of postoperative complications.
Keywords
Scoliosis
Neuromuscular
Surgery
Correction Maneuvers
Distraction Technique