Scoliosis Correction and Fusion
– Disease of the Upper and Lower Back.
SCOLIOSIS CORRECTION AND FUSION
An incision is made in the back over the area of curvature, these curves are side-to-side S-shaped, C-shaped and/or some version—in the coronal plan. However, likely the curves may be in more than one plane (see below section on Kyphosis) and are typically greater than 30 degrees and progressing. The surgery is performed by a spine surgeon that is specialized in Scoliosis Correction and Fusion Surgery.
Scoliosis correction involves a surgical procedure to delicately straighten the curve, preserve or increase space for the spinal cord, and stabilize the correction with instrumentation (rods and screws, sometimes hooks). Surgical incision is made in the back (length of the incision depends on how many vertebral levels are address in the correction), and dissection is made of the posterior vertebrae of the levels being corrected. The bony surfaces are prepared for bone graft. Rods are bent to the desired profile personalized to each patient with some curvature to maintain a lumbar lordosis. Screws are placed through pedicles to vertebral body bones to anchor the rods which are then connected to the screws. Bone graft is placed in the bony gutters around the instrumentation to induce bony healing of the graft to the native bone which fuses the spine.
The Scoliosis Correction and Fusion procedure is performed where the patient stays in the hospital for up to a week.
Thoracic Procedures