PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - KIESER, DAVID CHRISTOPHER
AU  - THAKAR, CHRISHAN
AU  - CUNNINGHAM, GREGORY
AU  - VIDAKOVIC, HRVOJE
AU  - HAMMER, NIELS
AU  - NNADI, COLIN
TI  - The Value of a Modified Wiltse Approach for Deformity Correction in Neuromuscular Scoliosis
AID  - 10.14444/7023
DP  - 2020 Apr 01
TA  - International Journal of Spine Surgery
PG  - 170--174
VI  - 14
IP  - 2
4099  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/14/2/170.short
4100  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/14/2/170.full
SO  - Int J Spine Surg2020 Apr 01; 14
AB  - Background: Wiltse approaches have been shown to reduce operative blood loss and enhance recovery in lumbar spinal surgery; however, their efficacy in neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) deformity correction has never been assessed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of deformity correction requiring pelvic fixation in NMS performed through a Wiltse approach in contrast to a standard midline approach.Methods: This is a retrospective review of 24 consecutive children with NMS undergoing deformity correction by a single surgeon in our institution. Patient demographic data, operative time, blood loss, curve correction, length of stay, and complications were recorded.Results: In 16 children, the procedure was performed through a Wiltse approach and in 8 through a midline approach. There was no significant difference in age, sex, preoperative Cobb angle, or number of levels fused. Patients who underwent a Wiltse approach had significantly less blood loss yet similar curve correction. The hospital length of stay and complication rate were not significantly different between the groups.Conclusions: A modified Wiltse approach can be safely used for NMS deformity correction. This approach achieves similar curve corrections to a traditional midline approach with less blood loss and no need for iliac screw connectors.Level of Evidence: 3.