LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To report the outcomes of Halo Femoral Traction (HFT) used for one week between anterior release and definitive posterior fusion in adolescents with severe rigid scoliosis. METHODS A retrospective single centre review of 22 consecutive patients (mean age at surgery 14.1 years (range 10.5-18.2 years, 17 female) with severe, rigid scoliosis treated with anterior release, followed by HFT for seven days prior to posterior instrumented fusion. Cobb angles were measured pre-operatively, one week after anterior release and traction, after posterior fusion and at a minimum two-year follow-up. Complications were recorded. RESULTS Mean pre-operative Cobb angle was 97º (range 80°-118°) correcting to 52o with anterior release and HFT and 31o after posterior fusion. This equated to a 68% deformity correction and was maintained at final follow-up. Three traction related complications were experienced including one neck pain and two brachial plexopathies that resolved with traction weight reduction. CONCLUSION Three staged deformity correction using HFT for one week only offers gradual correction of the spine over sufficient time to optimise deformity correction yet minimises neurological dysfunction.