The CD-Hopf method in the surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis of the thoracolumbar or lumbar spine.

Background. The aim of this paper is to assess the extent of correction of scoliosis after surgery from the anterior approach using the CD Hopf method. Material and methods. We analyzed 20 patients with idiopatic thoracolumbar or lumbar scoliosis (Cobb angle 53 +/- 8 degrees , lordosis angle 56.9 +/- 11.9 degrees , vertebral translation 5.5 +/- 0.9 cm). Results. After surgery with the CD Hopf method, the scoliosis angle was reduced to 21 +/- 8 degrees . The correction rate was 61.7 +/- 12.1 degrees , with spondylodesis limited to 4 vertebrae in 13 patients, and 3 vertebrae in 7 patients. The average lumbar lordosis after surgery was 50.8+/-7.9 degrees , and the average vertebral translation was 2.6 +/- 1.1 cm. In post-surgical follow-up examinations the scoliosis angle increased slightly, not exceeding 3 degrees . Conclusions. Surgical treatment of scoliosis using the CD Hopf technique through the anterior approach allows for major correction in the frontal plane, accompanied by moderate decrease of lumbar lordosis. This method also enables significant improvement of horizontalization of border scoliosis vertebrae despite the short extent of the instrumentation and spondylodesis.