Twenty-eight-year follow-up of anterior and posterior fusion for congenital kyphosis. A case report.

Abstract

Case report and long-term follow-up. To answer the question of whether the operation performed was worthwhile and lasting. Congenital kyphosis due to defects of vertebral body formation has a high incidence of paraplegia if not surgically stabilized. Traditional posterior spine fusion failed for such problems. Radiographic and photographic evidence of the patients's problem, the combined anterior and posterior surgery, and at a 28-year follow-up available. Surgery at age 13 prevented paraplegia, but also gave correction of deformity and permitted a normal life. Combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion is a good operation with lasting value for this condition.