Object: Pedicle screw fixation has been theorized to provide better correction of scoliotic deformity, but controversy over the benefits of pedicle screw-only constructs remains, and the longer-term impact of pedicle screw fixation as compared with hybrid constructs is unclear. In this study, a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted to determine the longer-term impact of pedicle screw fixation as compared with hybrid constructs in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed a multicenter database of pediatric patients (ages ≤ 18) from 1995 to 2006 and identified 127 patients with Lenke Type 1-4 AIS curves with a minimum 5 years of follow-up. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on whether they had undergone pedicle screw fixation or fixation with hybrid constructs.
Results: The mean main thoracic curvature of 56.1° ± 13.0°, which corrected to 14.9° ± 9.3°, translated into a mean correction of 73% (p < 0.01). The curve was 19.4° ± 10.6° at 2-year follow-up and 20.5° ± 10.4° at 5 years. When comparing preoperative parameters between the groups, differences were noted in the magnitude of the main thoracic curve (p = 0.04), flexibility of the main thoracic curve (p = 0.02), coronal balance (p = 0.04), T2-12 kyphosis (p = 0.02), and sex (p = 0.02). The pedicle screw cohort had fewer spinal segments instrumented (p < 0.01), fewer anterior releases performed (p = 0.02), and fewer thoracoplasties performed (p < 0.01). By 5 years of follow-up, significant differences were apparent between the two cohorts with respect to upper thoracic curvature (p = 0.01), T2-12 (p = 0.02) and T5-12 (p = 0.02) kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (p < 0.01), and sagittal balance (p = 0.01).
Conclusions: Although some preoperative differences did exist, outcomes were comparable between hybrid and screw constructs at 2 and 5 years. However, hybrid constructs required more concurrent anterior releases and thoracoplasties to achieve similar results.