Current trends in surgical magnitude of neuromuscular scoliosis curves: a study of 489 operative patients with non-ambulatory cerebral palsy.

Abstract

A curve magnitude at which posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is indicated for children with cerebral palsy (CP) scoliosis is not defined. We sought to evaluate whether agreement exists for a curve magnitude at which PSF is undertaken for CP scoliosis and to evaluate outcomes by quartile of curve magnitude and flexibility at time of fusion. A prospective multicenter pediatric spine database was queried for patients with a Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) IV or V who underwent PSF for CP scoliosis. Demographics, surgical indications, and correlations between curve magnitude, postoperative radiographic outcomes, and Caregiver's Priorities and Child Health Index of Life and Disabilities (CPCHILD) scores were evaluated for patients with at least 2 years of follow-up. 489 patients from 15 sites were analyzed. Median major Cobb angle at time of PSF was 87° and significantly varied by site (p < 0.001). Median Cobb angle on flexibility studies was 55° and median percent correction on flexibility studies was 36.3%. Severity of the curve at surgery correlated significantly with lower overall quality of life and CPCHILD score (p < 0.05). Larger residual curves correlated with larger operative curves (p < 0.001) and decreased flexibility on preoperative flexibility studies (p < 0.001), although postoperative CPCHILD scores did not differ by curve size or flexibility at time of fusion or by size of residual curve (p > 0.05). The median curve magnitude is large and there is substantial variability in curve size of CP scoliosis at time of fusion, although clinical outcomes are not negatively influenced by larger operative magnitudes. Further study should aim to narrow surgical indications by defining unacceptable radiographic outcomes. Level III.