Background
The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes in Spina Bifida Cystica adults, treated non-operatively or operatively for scoliosis during childhood.
Methods
Patients with SBC scoliosis (minimum Cobb angle >50 degrees) treated at the Hospital for Sick Children or the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (1991-2007 inclusive) were recruited. In addition to clinical and radiological assessments, health related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes included the: a) Spina Bifida Spine Questionnaire (SBSQ) and b) Medical Outcomes Study-36 Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).
Results
The operative and non-operative patients were statistically similar at baseline on the following variables: a) age, b) sex, c) living situation, d) ambulation, and e) neurological motor level. At an average follow-up of 14.1+/-4.3 years, groups were statistically similar with respect to: a) SF-36 and b) SBSQ scores.
Conclusion
Spinal fusion in SBC scoliosis corrected coronal deformity and stopped progression, but had no overall effect on HRQOL.MAS