ABSTRACT

In spinal deformity a midline approach to the spine is associated with increased bleeding and operation time. Exposure of deep muscle layers in lumbar spine leads to extensive tissue damage and blood loss. To our best knowledge there has been no study about using paraspinal approach in spinal deformity cases. Eleven patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis underwent posterior instrumentation and fusion. Paraspinal approach was used for the lumbar exposure, instrumentation and fusion.

Mean blood loss andmean time was 106,8cc (range; 65-200cc) and 35,1(range; 25-55 min) for paraspinal part of the surgeries respectively. Mean correction rate of Cobb angle was 70%. In conclusion, paraspinal approach can be used for long segment arthrodesis as well as deformities including lumbar spine.