Kyphectomy and segmental spinal instrumentation in young children with myelomeningocele kyphosis.

For children with myelomeningocele kyphosis, the ideal timing for spinal correction or the correct stabilization technique for preventing the recurrence of deformity are controversial issues. From 1988 to 1992, vertebral kyphectomy and long segment spinal fixation with a special lower-end contouring around the anterior aspect of the sacrum through the sacral foramina (the modified Gillespie's technique) were carried out on six young children with ages ranging from three years and four months to five years and 11 months (average, five years). The indications for surgery were recurrent skin breakdown and/or increasing functional deficits due to curve progression. A mean preoperative kyphosis of 126.3 degrees was reduced to 21.8 degrees postoperatively. There was one case of pseudarthrosis seen at the osteotomy site which was treated with anterior interbody grafting. With a mean follow-up period of 35 months (range, 10-48 months), all patients showed good maintenance of correction and no implant failure. The average loss of correction was 2.7 degrees. We believe that in these young, severely handicapped children, long segment fixation using the modified Gillespie's technique with full or partial segment fusion allows a quick resumption of upright activities, achieves satisfactory correction of kyphosis and minimizes the risk of recurrent deformity.