Neuromuscular Scoliosis: A Dual-Surgeon Approach

Abstract

Objective: Neuromuscular Scoliosis (NMS) causes severe deformity and operative correction for these patients carries high complication rates. We present a retrospective study comparing a series of consecutive patients who underwent posterior fusion via a single-surgeon (SS) approach with a consecutive series of patients treated via a dual-surgeon (DS) approach.

Methods: Patients with NMS who underwent posterior fusion via a SS approach from 2019 to 2022 were analyzed and compared to a series of patients with NMS who underwent posterior fusion via a DS approach.

Results: In the SS group, the average estimated blood loss (EBL) was 675 mL, average length of stay (LOS) was 6.3 days, average operative time (OT) was 6.5 hours, average packed red blood cell transfusion was 1.5 units, with a complication rate of 30%. The DS group had an average EBL of 400 mL, a LOS of 4.8 days, an OT of 4.75 hours, an average packed red blood cell transfusion of 0.8 units, with a complication rate of 20%. The DS approach was significant for a lower EBL, OT (P < 0.001), and LOS (P < 0.03).

Conclusions: This study suggests that for patients with NMS the DS approach decreases OT, EBL, complication rates, and LOS. This further supports that this approach may benefit outcomes in NMS patients.

Keywords: Dual-surgeon approach; Neuromuscular scoliosis; Scoliosis.