Effectiveness of Short-Segment Fixation versus Long-Segment Fixation for Degenerative Scoliosis with Cobb Angle 20°~40°: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND: There remains a great deal of controversy regarding the selection of long-segment fixation and short-segment fixation, especially for degenerative scoliosis (DS) patients with Cobb angle 20°~40°. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different fixation levels in DS patients with Cobb angle 20°~40°. MATERIAL/METHODS: We enrolled 96 DS patients, divided into a long-segment fixation group (>3 segments) and a short-segment fixation group (≤3 segments). The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The spinal-pelvic parameters and complications were also collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The short-segment fixation group had the advantages of less blood loss, shorter operation time and shorter fluoroscopy time (P<0.05). The 2 groups achieved similar effects in leg pain (VAS) and ODI after operation (P>0.05); however, there was a better relief of low back pain in the long-segment fixation group (P<0.05). The changes of Cobb angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS) in the long-segment fixation group were more obvious than that in the short-segment fixation group at the final follow-up (P<0.05). The prevalence of complications in the long-segment fixation group was significantly higher than in the short-segment fixation group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Short-segment fixation has less surgical trauma and fewer complications, whereas long-segment fixation has more advantages in improving spine-pelvis parameters and relieving low back pain.