Is it enough to stop distal fusion at L3 in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with major thoracolumbar/lumbar curves?
Choon Sung LeeJung-Ki HaChang Ju HwangDong-Ho LeeTae Hyung KimJae Hwan ChoPublished in: European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (2016)
There is no difference in the radiological and clinical outcomes in AIS according to the distal fusion level. Major TL/L curve correction in AIS may be sufficient distally at L3 in cases with an LEV ≥ L3 and LTV ≥ L4. However, stopping fusion at L3 requires caution in LEV ≤ L4 or LTV = L5 patients, as this correction rate might be suboptimal and causes a possible progression of the adjacent disc wedge angle.