Simultaneous combined anterior and posterior fusion. A surgical solution for failed spinal surgery with a brief review of the first 150 patients.

Simultaneous combined anterior and posterior fusion (SCAPF) is recommended for patients with severe disability and failed spinal operations. In 150 patients treated over the past five years, emphasis is placed on the evolution of the technique and the surgical principles that exclude decompression of the nerve roots. The available evidence suggests that 86% of the patients were improved; 60% were significantly improved.