Health-related quality of life after posterior vertebral column resection in children: comparison with healthy controls

PURPOSE: Vertebral column resection (VCR) is a technique performed for short, angular spinal deformities. Several studies have reported good radiographic results with VCR regarding curve correction. However, only a few studies have reported the impact of this technique on the health-related quality-of-life measures (HRQoL). METHODS: A single surgeon series of 27 consecutive children (mean age at surgery 12.3 years, range 1.1–20.7 years) undergoing posterior VCR with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The comparison was made to age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Outcome measures included Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) questionnaire both pre- and postoperatively, radiographic outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: The average major curve correction was 60.3% in the VCR patients. Complications were noted in 12 out of 27 (44%) of the VCR patients but all patients recovered fully during follow-up. The SRS pain domain scores improved significantly after VCR (p = 0.0002). The SRS total and domain scores were significantly lower than in the healthy controls especially in the self-image and function domains, but the pain and activity domains improved from preoperative to similar level than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL showed significant improvement in pain scores despite 44% risk of transient complications after VCR in pediatric patients. This health-related quality-of-life improvement remained at a significantly lower level than in the healthy control group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.