Sublaminar fixation versus hooks and pedicle screws in scoliosis surgery for Marfan syndrome

Background In patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS), surgical correction of spinal deformities with hooks and/or pedicle screws involves a higher rate of complications than in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Therefore, sublaminar instrumentation is often a last resort option. This study wants to assess the ability of sublaminar fixation to achieve three-dimensional scoliosis correction and spine stabilization compared with hook and/or pedicle screw systems. Methods Twenty-one MFS patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion at a highly specialized medical center in 1995-2017 were divided into two different groups retrospectively evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Group 1 (8 patients) was composed by hooks and screws instrumentation, while Group 2 (13 patients) was composed by hook or pedicle screw system associated to sublaminar wires/bands. Radiological (correction and long-term stability) and general endpoints (mean blood loss, surgery time, and complications) were compared between the groups. Results The degree of correction compared with the preoperative status was satisfactory with both approaches, although the difference between them was not significant. No significant differences were found for general endpoints between groups. Conclusion Our data suggest that scoliosis correction with sublaminar fixation is not inferior to treatment with hooks and/or pedicle screws. Level of Evidence III.