OBJECTIVE: to investigate if the number of pedicular screw (screw density) within the major curve correlates with the curve correction in the surgical treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis. METHODS: a total of 55 patients with neuromuscular scoliosis that were exclusively submitted to posterior spinal fusion with pedicular screw constructs were retrospectively investigated. Data included major curve measurements assessed on pre and immediate postoperative radiographs, and the percentage of curve correction. The screw density (number of screw within the major curve relative to the number of available implant sites) was calculated; its relationship with the percentage of the curve correction was evaluated by the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: twenty-eight (51%) females and 27 (48%) males were analyzed, with mean age of 16.04 years (sd=4.45). The commonest base pathology was the cerebral palsy. The preoperative Cobb angle was 81.96º (sd=25.49) and postoperative Cobb angle was 33.82º, (sd=19.02), with averaged curve correction of 60.28% (sd=15.89). There was a significant correlation between screw density and curve correction (r=0.266; p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: major curve correction correlates positively with the number of pedicular screw within the curve in the surgical treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis.
Spine; Scoliosis; Spinal fusion; Bone screws; Neuromuscular diseases; Treatment outcome
