Single and Multiple Level One Stage Posterior Hemivertebrectomy and Short Segment Fixation: Experience with 22 Cases and Comparison of Single vs. Multilevel Procedures with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up

STUDY DESIGN: Data of 22 patients with congenital scoliosis who underwent single stage posterior hemivertebrectomies and short segment fixation with a minimum follow-up of 2 years in our centre were studied retrospectively. PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of posterior hemivertebrectomy in single vs multiple level hemivertebra and compare their results. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Single stage hemivertebrectomy is a standard procedure for single level hemivertebra. Results of multiple level hemivertebrectomies have not been reported. METHODS: Twenty-two patients (9 male and 13 female) with the mean age of 11.2 years (range, 2 years 4 months to 24 years 10 months) and a mean follow up of 32 months (range, 4 to 73 months) were studied retrospectively and their results were compared. RESULTS: Average number of hemivertebrae removed was 1.46 (range, 1 to 3). Mean preoperative and postoperative coronal cob angle was 48.7° (range, 22° to 80°) and 24.2° (range, 7° to 41°), respectively (p<0.001). Mean preoperative and postoperative sagittal cobb angle was 32.1° (range, 7° to 76°) and 13.6° (range, 0° to 23°), respectively (p<0.005). Mean coronal and sagittal cob correction percentage achieved was 50.2% and 51.8% respectively. Mean follow-up was 49 months (range, 30 to 84 months). Mean loss of coronal and sagittal correction at final follow-up was 4% (0% to 13.6%) degrees and 3.5% (0% to 20%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior hemivertebrectomy in congenital scoliosis is a safe treatment option for up to 3-level hemivertebrae. Excision of thoracolumbar hemivertebrae results in better correction than thoracic and lumbar hemivertebrae.