The operative treatment of congenital scoliosis. A review of 26 cases.

The experiences with 26 personal cases of congenital scolioses operated on between 1970 and 1980 are presented. The average postoperative follow-up is 3 1/2 years. The natural complexity of spine malformations with predominant lateral deviation is discussed and demonstrated. Accordingly, a number of varying anterior and posterior operative methods were used in the individual case. The scope of operative methods used in this series is outlined. Characteristic patterns of spine malformation and the individual sequence of operative procedures applied are explained and documented by case demonstrations. The overall correction of all curves operated on was 38%. When cases chosen for combined staged anterior and posterior surgery were looked at separately the percentage of average correction rose to 51%.