Surgical treatment of Scheuermann's kyphosis is still subject to debate. Traditional treatment has included an anterior release associated to fusion of apical disk segments, followed by posterior instrumentation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the vertebral pedicle screw system yields a better stabilization and correction of the deformity, without a compressive procedure, thus decreasing the risk of complications. METHODS: 19 patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis were evaluated after being submitted to anterior release and fusion by open thoracotomy followed by posterior instrumentation with a vertebral pedicle screw system with the screws positioned with the free-hand technique. Before surgery, the patients were analyzed according to the visual analogical pain scale (EVA) and using X-rays. After surgery, analysis was made of the extension of the curve correction, complications, EVA for pain, and level of satisfaction with the surgery. Mean follow-up was 37.5 months (12.6 61.7 months). RESULTS: Pre-op kyphosis varied from 66° to 94°, with a mean of 77.6° and the mean EVA was 6.6. After surgery, the mean kyphosis was 35.8° (ranging from 23° to 50°), a mean correction of 53.8% being obtained. EVA was 0.6, and all patients but one, were pleased with the result of the surgery. Complications: two screws were detached in one patient and had to be reintroduced and instrumentation had to be expanded, one patient had superficial infection that was clinically solved, a screw broke asymptomatically, and one patient had late infection that was cured with the removal of the implant. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of Scheuermann's kyphosis using anterior release and fusion by open thoracotomy followed by posterior instrumentation with a vertebral pedicle screw system using the free hand technique showed, in this series, to be safe and efficient.
Scheuermann's disease; Kyphosis; Deformity; Spinal fusion; Thoracotomy; Visual analogical pain scale
