Intraoperative traction in neuromuscular scoliosis surgery improves major curve correction when fusing to L5

Background: Intraoperative traction has shown improved curve correction in neuromuscular scoliosis surgery. It is found to be superior to anterior release in terms of correction of both main curve and pelvic obliquity. No previous study has examined the effect of intraoperative traction in patients without pelvic fixation. Method: This retrospective study included 40 non-ambulatory (GMFCS 4 or above) patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing surgery with bilateral segmental pedicle screw instrumentation to L5. Twenty-two consecutive patients had intraoperative Gardner-Wells tongs and skin traction (traction group), while the remaining did not (non-traction group). Inclusion criteria were minimum 2-year follow-up, complete medical records and radiographs. Main curve (MC), pelvic obliquity (POB), T1 tilt, kyphosis, rotation, coronal and sagittal balance and preoperative bending radiographs were measured and analyzed in all patients. Results: Both groups demonstrated roughly 60% MC correction. Preoperative MC was larger in the traction group [97° (49–126) vs. 83° (40–134); P = 0.03]. The measured correction index was almost twice as large in the traction group (1.9 vs. 1.1; P = 0.001). Mean [IQR] 2-year POB was 14° [7–40] in the traction group compared to 16° [4–60] in the non-traction group (P = 0.59). Eleven patients (50%) in the traction group compared to only four (22%) in the non-traction group had a POB within 10° at 2-year follow up (RR: 2.1; 95% CI 0.8–5.2). We found no difference in kyphosis or remaining radiographic parameters. No traction-related complications were recorded. Conclusion: In patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing instrumented fusion to the L5, we found that intraoperative traction increased the degree of MC correction and patients were more likely to achieve POB below 10° without any effects on sagittal parameters or without any detectable significant reduction on rotation.