Comparison of Anteroposterior to Posterior-Only Correction of Scheuermann's Kyphosis: A Matched-Pair Radiographic Analysis of 92 Patients

Study DesignRetrospective radiographic benchmark study.ObjectiveTo evaluate the amount of instrumented correction obtained from a combined anterior/posterior (A/P) versus posterior-only (post-only) approach for Scheuermann's kyphosis.Summary of Background DataAn A/P approach was thought to optimize correction; however, instrumentation advances using pedicle screws allow treatment through an all-posterior approach.MethodsA total of 166 Scheuermann's kyphosis patients were treated between 2 centers: 90 by combined A/P approach at 1 center and 76 by post-only at the second center. From the 166 patients, a matched cohort of 92 (46 from each) was established according to preoperative sagittal (±10°) and hyperextension (HE) Cobb (±10°) measurements and matched for age and gender.ResultsIn the matched-pair group, average preoperative sagittal Cobb angles were 75.9° for the A/P group versus 78.8° for the post-only group (p = .2). The HE Cobb angles were similar (52.4° vs. 51.1°; p = .6). They showed similar corrections (33.7° vs. 30.6°; p = .3) and postoperative Cobb measurements (43.4° vs. 47.1°; p = .2) as well. The number of fusion levels was 9 in the A/P group and 12 in the post-only group; the difference yielded significance (p = .02).ConclusionsThe A/P and post-only approaches averaged similar degrees of correction. The A/P patients were likely to correct more than their preoperative HE sagittal Cobb measurement, whereas the post-only group corrected close to their preoperative HE measurement. The number of fusion levels was larger with the post-only group.