Surgical correction of Scheuermann's kyphosis

This is a retrospective study of eight consecutive patients of mean age 19 (13–27) years with severe Scheuermann's kyphosis who underwent anterior and/or posterior fusion using the Cotrel-Dubousset (CD) instrumentation. In two an anterior release and fusion with rib grafts had been previously performed. The mean follow-up was 5 years. The preoperative hyperkyphosis averaged 86° (71°–99°), which was postoperatively 44° (32°–58°). The average loss of correction was 4.6° (1°–12°). The lumbar hyperlordosis spontaneously improved from –67° to –48°. Two patients, who had chronic back pain refractory to conservative treatment, improved considerably after surgery.