Revision surgery after pregnancy in a patient with congenital kyphoscoliosis: A case report

RATIONALE: Rod breakage during pregnancy and delivery has never been described in a patient who has undergone surgery for congenital scoliosis (CS). Here, we present an unusual but significant case of revision surgery. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 29-year-old woman presented with low back pain during pregnancy after posterior osteotomy, correction and fusion at T9 to L5 for CS. Radiographs during follow-up, 4 months after the patient gave birth, demonstrated rod breakage. DIAGNOSES: Rod breakage after orthopaedic surgery of congenital kyphoscoliosis INTERVENTIONS: The patient was taken into the operating room for replacement of the broken rods, recovery of sagittal balance, bone graft fusion, and improvement of stability by cross-connection. The patient recovered fully by the 3-month postoperative follow-up. OUTCOMES: In follow-up, the instruments were in good condition, the orthopedic effect was not lost, and low back pain relief was observed. LESSONS: We opine that the rod breakage during pregnancy resulted from weight gain and a lack of an anterior approach to the supportive bone graft. Therefore, female patients with spinal surgery should visit the hospital for advice before pregnancy.