Current Use of Evidence-Based Medicine in Pediatric Spine Surgery

Orthop Clin North Am. 2018 Apr;49(2):191-194. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2017.11.007. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Abstract

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a process of decision-making aimed at making the best clinical decisions as they relate to patients' health. The current use of EBM in pediatric spine surgery is varied, based mainly on the availability of high-quality data. The use of EBM is limited in idiopathic scoliosis, whereas EBM has been used to investigate the treatment of pediatric spondylolysis. Studies on early onset scoliosis are of low quality, making EBM difficult in this condition. Future focus and commitment to study quality in pediatric spinal surgery will likely increase the role of EBM in these conditions.

Keywords: Early onset scoliosis; Evidence-based medicine; Pediatrics; Scoliosis; Spondylolysis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods*
  • Patient Selection
  • Quality of Life
  • Scoliosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Scoliosis / surgery*
  • Spinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Diseases / surgery
  • Spondylolysis / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylolysis / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome