Between January 1989-May 1995 fifty-six patients undenvent combined spinal fusion in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicine. The cases were 28 (50%) males and 28 (50%) females with a mean age of 21.62 (range 3-65). The indications for combined fusion in our patients were as follows; paralytic scoliosis in 11 (19.6%) cases, Pott's disease in 9 (16%), congenital kyphosis in 7 (12.5%), fractures in 6 (10.7%), idiopathic scoliosis in 4 (7.1%), degenerative instability in 3 (5.4%), Ankyiosing spondilitis in 3 (5.4%), tumors in 2 (3.6%), neurofibromatosis in 2 (3.6%), Scheuermann's disease in 1 (1.8%), and adolescent scoliosis in 1 (1.8%). Anterior and posterior fusion of 7 cases were performed in the same session. Anterior fusion was performed prior to posterior in ali patients except two cases who were supplemented by anterior fusion after insufficient posterior instrumentation. Anterior approach was performed as anterior cervical in 3, thoracotomy in 25, thoracoabdominal in 21, lumbar retroperitoneal in 7 patients.
İn this report, our experience in combined spinal fusion, the discussion of indications and compiications of the procedure will be presented.
Keywords: Combined fusions, anterior fusion, posterior fusion.