ABSTRACT
The surgical treatment of scoliosis usually involves instrumentation for acute correction followed by arthrodesis to maintain long-term correction and spinal balance. Standard posterior methods involve extensive soft-tissue stripping and bony exposure. Recently, a less-invasive method of posterior instrumentation for gradual correction of scoliosis has been developed. It involves limited dissection in the upper and lower ends of a construct with insertion of spanning “growing” rod or rods placed through a submuscular or subcutaneous plane. Severe progressive scoliosis during infancy and early childhood that has failed orthotic or serial risser cast management or those who have a contraindication to this form of treatment. The etiology of such deformities include idiopathic scoliosis; congenital scoliosis; neuromuscular scoliosis; and spinal deformity secondary to various syndromes. In the same manner as described before, the patient is placed in the prone position with spinal cord monitoring in place.
