Inpatient versus outpatient halo-gravity traction in children with severe spinal deformity

Study design A retrospective, comparative study. Objective To compare the results, complications, and costs of preoperative halo-gravity traction in in- and outpatient settings. Background data Surgical management of severe spinal deformities remains complex and controversial. Preoperative halo-gravity traction results in a decreased need for aggressive surgical techniques, lower incidence of intraoperative neurologic complications, and improvement of nutritional parameters and preoperative cardiopulmonary function. Methods Twenty-nine patients younger than 18 years with kyphoscoliosis undergoing preoperative halo-gravity traction were divided into two groups: inpatients ( n : 15) and outpatients ( n : 14, home care or care at the Foundation). Traction time (weeks), traction weight (kg), radiographic curve correction, complications, and costs were compared. For statistical analysis, t test and odds ratio were calculated with a significance of p