Spine
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Prospective study. ⋯ Pulmonary function following thoracotomy with ASF with instrumentation demonstrated a significant decline of 3-month postoperative PFT values, but returned to preoperative baseline absolute values (L) by the 2-year follow-up visit. The percent predicted values returned to within 95% of baseline 2 years postoperatively. Scoliosis surgeons should be aware of these findings when deciding upon the approach (anterior versus posterior) utilized for thoracic AIS.
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This is a retrospective analysis of 23 patients with severe neuromuscular spinal deformity treated with posterior instrumentation and fusion ending in the lumbar spine. ⋯ Posterior instrumentation and arthrodesis using lumbar lower instrumented vertebra pedicle screw anchorage can be performed safely and effectively, in selected patients patients with scoliosis and minimal pelvic obliquity.
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This is a retrospective study of 50 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with curves measuring 35 degrees to 45 degrees who were treated with a Boston brace. ⋯ These long-term data confirm that the Boston brace when used 18 or more hours per day is effective in preventing progression of large curves at a mean of 9.8 years after bracing is discontinued.
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Three types of anterior thoracolumbar multisegmental fixation were biomechanically compared in construct stiffness and rod-screw strain. ⋯ For single-rod fixation, increased rod diameter neither markedly improved construct stiffness nor affected rod-screw strain, indicating the limitations of a single-rod system. In thoracolumbar anterior multisegmental instrumentation, the dual-rod fixation provides higher construct stiffness and less rod-screw strain compared with single-rod fixation.