Posterior-approach single-level apical spinal osteotomy in pediatric patients for severe rigid kyphoscoliosis: long-term clinical and radiological outcomes

OBJECTIVESpinal osteotomy in pediatric patients is challenging due to various factors. For correction of severe rigid kyphoscoliosis in children, numerous techniques with anterior or posterior or combined approaches, as well as multilevel osteotomies, have been described. These techniques are associated with prolonged operative times and large amounts of blood loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologically confirmed efficacy of a modification of the apical spinal osteotomy (ASO) technique—posterior-only single-level asymmetric closing osteotomy—in pediatric patients with severe rigid kyphoscoliosis.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective study of a case series involving pediatric patients with severe spinal deformity operated on by a single surgeon at a single institution over a period of approximately 5 years. The inclusion criteria were age 70°) with or without neurological deficit and with or without scoli...