BACKGROUND: This retrospective clinical study aimed to compare the efficacy of preoperative halo-gravity traction with postoperative halo-femoral traction after posterior spinal release in corrective surgery for patients with severe kyphoscoliosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective clinical study included patients who underwent elective corrective surgery for severe kyphoscoliosis (N=60) between 2013 and 2015. Two patient groups were compared, the postoperative halo-femoral traction after posterior spinal release (R-HF) group (N=30) and the preoperative halo-gravity traction (HGT) group (N=30). Demographic and clinicopathological data included age, gender, Cobb angle, degree of spinal curvature, history of osteotomy, and etiological factors. Patients in the two study groups were matched. Postoperative surgical outcome was evaluated by the radiographic coronal Cobb angle, global kyphosis, coronal balance, and the sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Clinical outcome was assessed using the Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Questionnaire (SRS-22).

RESULTS: The preoperative Cobb angle was similar between the R+HF group and the HGT group (123.5±12.7° vs. 123.1±14.1°; P=0.909). Following postoperative traction, a significantly higher correction rate was found in the R+HF group than the HGT group (31.8±7.8% vs. 19.3±12.9%; P=0.001). The postoperative correction rate in the R+HF group was significantly higher than the HGT group (44.7±7.8% vs. 39.0±12.8%; P=0.042). In both study groups, the postoperative SRS-22 scores were significantly improved with no statistical difference between the two groups, and no neurological complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe kyphoscoliosis who underwent postoperative halo-femoral traction after posterior spinal release achieved satisfactory radiographic correction.

Keywords: Postoperative Complications, Scoliosis, Traction, Adolescent, Femur, Gravitation, Kyphosis, Postoperative Period, Preoperative Care, Spine, young adult