Journal of pediatric orthopedics
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Anterior release and fusion, combined with tong gravity traction and second stage L-rod instrumentation, establishes correctability and accomplishes circumferential arthrodesis of the spine in neuromuscular scoliosis. From March 1979 through April 1982, nine patients with neuromuscular scoliosis, with an average age of 16.4 years, underwent this two-stage surgical procedure. The parameters investigated included correction of scoliotic deformity, correction of pelvic decompensation, and spinal arthrodesis. ⋯ A second patient has a poor fusion mass by roentgenographic criteria, although she has lost no correction and has had no pain. This technique offers results comparable to other series reporting arthrodesis for neuromuscular scoliosis. It has the advantages of requiring no anterior instrumentation and no postoperative immobilization.