Abstract
Introduction
The waiting time for surgical procedures is becoming longer in most specialities. This may have adverse effect on patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) with additional procedures being required or more complex surgery being performed.
Material and Method This retrospective study was performed in the period between December 2007- January 2010 looking on the surgical waiting time on patients with AIS and its effect on curve progression and the type of surgery performed and the final outcome.
Results
215 patients met the inclusion criteria and have complete medical records to be included in the study. Mean age was 13.6 years, 184 patients (86%) were females, 172 were treat in public hospitals and 43 in a private hospital, mean cobb angle of the main curve was 71°. During the study period, 55 patients underwent surgery for scoliosis correction, with a statistical difference in the waiting time between public and private hospitals (36 and 9 weeks respectively), average curve progression was 24° during the waiting period with additional fusion levels being required in 15 cases. Patients with underlying intra spinal pathology and young patients showed the most significant curve progression.
Conclusion
Our study support the previous report of the optimal waiting time for surgical correction of scoliosis being less than 6 months and it suggest that younger patients and those with intra spinal pathology and the ones at higher risk for progression.