Scoliosis and severe pelvic obliquity in a patient with cerebral palsy: surgical treatment utilizing halo-femoral traction

Abstract

Study design: Case report of severe scoliosis and associated pelvic obliquity in a 14-year-old patient with cerebral palsy.

Objectives: To report the presentation of the case, the operative considerations, and the management of this spinal deformity.

Summary of background data: Spinal deformity in cerebral palsy may include scoliosis, kyphosis, and hyperlordosis. Pelvic obliquity is a frequent feature associated with neuromuscular scoliosis. The severity of the pelvic obliquity deformity presented here is unusual, and this case study delineates an effective surgical treatment plan for these patients using intraoperative halo-femoral traction.

Methods: A same-day, two-stage surgical reconstruction was performed to effectively correct this spinal deformity. The patient underwent an anterior spinal fusion from T10 to S1 and a posterior spinal fusion from T2 to the pelvis; the posterior procedure was performed with the patient in intraoperative halo-femoral traction. Sacral fixation was obtained using the Galveston technique bilaterally.

Results: The patient responded well to surgical intervention, had no complications, and continues to have stable correction of his pelvic obliquity deformity 2 years after surgery.

Conclusion: It is concluded that scoliosis with associated severe pelvic obliquity deformities can be treated with anterior and posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation with intraoperative halo-femoral traction in the properly selected and prepared patient with cerebral palsy.