Neuromonitoring Changes Are Common and Reversible With Temporary Internal Distraction for Severe Scoliosis

Use of temporary distraction rods for severe scoliosis produces curve correction while providing a mean increase in T1-S1 height of 8 cm. Most steps in this surgery are reversible. Neuromonitoring changes are common, but they are reversible with release of some distraction. Neuromonitoring changes did not affect the final magnitude of correction, and there were no clinical neurologic deficits. We recommend that this procedure be performed only with good neuromonitoring.