Anterior versus posterior spinal fusion for Lenke type 5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

Purpose To review and compare clinical and radiologic outcomes between anterior spinal fusion (ASF) and posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for the treatment of Lenke type 5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods A systematic review was performed according to Preferred reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. All level I–III evidence studies investigating the clinical and radiologic outcomes of ASF and PSF for the treatment of Lenke type 5 AIS were included. Results Nine studies (285 ASF patients, 298 PSF patients) were included. ASF was associated with a significantly lower number of levels fused compared with PSF ( p