Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2016 Oct 24;14(1):19-22.
doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2016.10.006. eCollection 2017 Mar.

Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A literature review and meta-analysis

Sandip P Tarpada  1 , Matthew T Morris  1
Affiliations
Review

Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A literature review and meta-analysis

Sandip P Tarpada et al. J Orthop. .

Abstract

Background context: Spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis can be performed using a traditional open approach, or by following a minimally invasive approach. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is associated with theoretical advantages, such as reduced blood loss and a shorter hospital stay, yet there is no consensus in the literature with regard to the best treatment approach for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Purpose: To assess the clinical outcomes of patients with AIS treated with either an open or minimally invasive approach.

Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of English-language studies for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Patient sample: Pooled results from level 1 and 2 studies.

Methods: We carried out a systematic literature search of EMBASE and MEDLINE, identifying studies investigating MIS in the treatment of AIS. Percentages of curvature correction were pooled and analysed.

Results: The literature search returned 50 articles, of which we determined 4 studies to be relevant. The pooled percentage curve correction across these groups was 62.05% for the MIS group and 70% for the open surgery group. Although these data are significant (p = 0.001), the available studies are of variable quality, and sample sizes small.

Conclusions: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can be managed with either a traditional open approach or a minimally invasive approach. The data suggests that open surgery offers an advantage in terms of curve correction, compared to minimally invasive surgery, however more investigation (in the form of robust randomized control trials) is needed before conclusive clinical suggestions can be recommended.

Keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Minimally invasive surgery.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study selection process.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean differences in curvature correction.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Smith J.S., Shaffrey C.I., Sansur C.A. Rates of infection after spine surgery based on 108,419 procedures: a report from the Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2011;36(7):556–563. - PubMed
    1. McAfee P.C., Phillips F.M., Andersson G. Minimally invasive spine surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2010;35(26 suppl):S271–S273. - PubMed
    1. Bettany-Saltikov J., Weiss H.R., Chockalingam N. Surgical versus non-surgical interventions in people with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Cochrane Library. 2015 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Weiss H.R., Goodall D. Rate of complications in scoliosis surgery – a systematic review of the Pub Med literature. Scoliosis. 2008;3:9. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Weinstein S.L., Dolan L.A., Spratt K.F., Peterson K.K., Spoonamore M.J., Ponseti I.V. Health and function of patients with untreated idiopathic scoliosis: a 50-year natural history study. JAMA. 2003;289(5):559–567. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources