Surgical correction of Scheuermann's kyphosis

This is a retrospective study of eight consecutive patients of mean age 19 (13-27) years with severe Scheuermann's kyphosis who underwent anterior and/or posterior fusion using the Cotrel-Dubousset (CD) instrumentation. In two an anterior release and fusion with rib grafts had been previously performed. The mean followup was 5 years. The preoperative hyperkyphosis averaged 86 degrees (71 degrees -99 degrees), which was postoperatively 44 degrees (32 degrees -58 degrees). The average loss of correction was 4.6 degrees (1 degrees -12 degrees). The lumbar hyperlordosis spontaneously improved from -67 degrees to -48 degrees. Two patients, who had chronic back pain refractory to conservative treatment, improved considerably after surgery.