Selection of the lowest instrumented vertebra in main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Is it safe to fuse shorter than the last touched vertebra?

ConclusionsProximal fusion carries the risk of adding-on, but leaving unfused segments in the lower spine increases the potential for compensatory mechanisms to improve spinal and truncal balance. In mature patients with a flexible MT curve, surgeons may consider fusion at or cranial to the LTV.
Source: European Spine Journal - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research