The safety and efficacy of spinal instrumentation in children with congenital spine deformities

Study Design. A retrospective radiographic and chart review of patients who underwent operative treatment with the use of reduced size spinal instrumentation for congenital spine deformities Objective. To assess the safety and efficacy of spinal instrumentation in young patients who were operated on for a congenital spine deformity. Summary of Background Data. The use of spinal instrumentation has been shown to improve curve correction and arthrodesis rates in spinal deformity surgery. The advent of reduced-size implants has allowed surgeons to expand the use of instrumentation in pediatric patients. The use of reduced-size spinal instrumentation in children with congenital spine deformities has not been well documented. Methods. We retrospectively investigated the use of spinal instrumentation in 40 patients younger than 8 years with a congenital spine deformity. The review of radiographs and medical records was performed to assess the complications associated with instrumentation, the curve correction, and the arthrodesis rate in this patient population. Results. The complications associated with the use of instrumentation in this group of patients were infrequent. Curve correction was excellent, and the sagittal profile was maintained in all patients at an average follow-up of greater than 3 years. All patients obtained a solid arthrodesis. Conclusions. The use of reduced-size spinal instrumentation in young patients is safe and efficacious. Curve correction, length of immobilization, and fusion rate are improved compared to similar patients in the literature treated without instrumentation.