Radiographic, clinical, and patients' assessment of segmental direct vertebral body derotation versus simple rod derotation in main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective, comparative cohort study

Abstract

Purpose: The application of vertebral body derotation (DVBD) is still controversial by now; the purpose of this prospective cohort study was to compare comprehensive outcomes between segmental DVBD and simple rod derotation (SRD) especially in main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods: 36 patients in DVBD group and 45 patients in SRD group were with a 2-year follow-up. Among them, 19 DVBD patients and 16 SRD patients received CT scan examinations.

Results: There were no significant difference between the groups in preoperative main thoracic Cobb, apical vertebral rotation and rib hump. Apical vertebral rotation measured from CT scans was 9.7° ± 2.0° versus 15.3° ± 2.4° (p < 0.001) postoperatively in the DVBD and SRD patients, respectively. At 2-year follow-up, the main thoracic Cobb was 14.2° ± 1.6° versus 14.7° ± 1.7° (p = 0.18), rib hump was 6.4° ± 3.8° versus 6.8° ± 3.1° (p = 0.60) in DVBD group and SRD group. Patients' assessments of both groups were improved in Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ) and Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire (SRS-22), but showed no significant difference at follow-up (p = 0.47 and 0.60).

Conclusion: Although segmental DVBD showed excellent radiographic correction of axial spinal deformity postoperatively, there was no more correction of clinical rib hump or better patients' assessment than SRD at follow-up in our data.