INTRODUCTION: Hemivertebrae is associated with 50% of the congenital kyphoscoliosis and surgical treatment is usually required. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate clinical and radiographic results of hemivertebra resection with an eggshell procedure in children aged from one to seven years old. STUDY DESIGN: retrospective review of patients who underwent hemivertebrae resection with an eggshell procedure. METHODS: from January 2006 to June 2008, seven hemivertebrae were resected in seven consecutive patients aged one to seven years old. A retrospective chart and a radiographic review were performed. The mean age at surgery was 3,2 years (range from one to seven years). The mean follow-up was 17 months (range from 7 to 35 months). Cobb's angle in the coronal and sagittal planes preoperative and at follow-up, operating time, transfusion requirements and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: the mean pre-operative scoliosis Cobb's angle was 35° and the average at follow-up was 19°. The mean correction at follow-up was 40%. The average of the pre-operative kyphosis Cobb's angle was 42° and average at follow-up was 25°. Rate of correction at follow-up was 33%. Four patients required transfusion, with an average of 1,25 blood units. The average of operating time was 225 minutes. Complications were encountered in two patients; one dural tear and one pedicular fracture. No neurological complications. All patients achieved solid fusion at follow-up. CONCLUSION: hemivertebra resection with the eggshell procedure is a safe surgical technique and provides an excellent and immediate correction of congenital kyphoscoliosis at short term follow-up.
Spine; Scoliosis; Kyphosis; Congenital abnormalities
