PREOPERATIVE HALO-GRAVITY TRACTION WITH AND WITHOUT ANTERIOR RELEASE FOR SEVERE SCOLIOSIS

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to compare the use of halo-gravity traction (HGT) with and without previous anterior release, in terms of curve reduction, for the treatment of pediatric severe spinal deformity. Methods: From 2010 to 2016, all patients treated with HGT prior to instrumentation for scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis were reviewed. They were assessed by deformity etiology, previous anterior release, instrumentation procedure used, traction protocol, major Cobb angle before traction, after the protocol, and after the instrumentation procedure. Twelve patients met these criteria and constituted the sample groups: Group I (n=7) with anterior release and Group II (n=5) without anterior release. Results: The average pre-traction major curve Cobb angles were 114.9o and 108.4º for Group I and II, respectively (P>0.05). After HGT, both groups achieved a significant reduction in curve angle (P