The Effect of Waiting for Surgery on Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

The waiting time for surgical procedures is becoming longer in most specialties. This may have adverse effect on patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) with additional procedures being required or more complex surgery being performed. This retrospective study was performed in the period between December 2007-January 2010 looking on the surgical waiting time on patients with AIS and its effect on curve progression and the type of surgery performed and the final outcome.215 patients met the inclusion criteria and have complete medical records to be included in the study. Mean age was 13.6 years, 184 patients (86%) were females, 172 were treat in public hospitals and 43 in a private hospital, mean cobb angle of the main curve was 71º. During the study period, 55 patients underwent surgery for scoliosis correction, with a statistical difference in the waiting time between public and private hospitals (36 and 9 weeks respectively), average curve progression was 24º during the waiting period with additional fusion levels being required in 15 cases. Patients with underlying intra spinal pathology and young patients showed the most significant curve progression.Our study support the previous report of the optimal waiting time for surgical correction of scoliosis being less than 6 months and it suggest those younger patients and those with intra spinal pathology and the ones at higher risk for progression.