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
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Case Reports Multicenter Study
Complications and outcomes of posterior fusion in children with atlantoaxial instability.
Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is an uncommon disease in children. Surgical treatment of pediatric patients with AAI poses a challenge to spine surgeons because of the patients' immature bone quality, extensive anatomical variability, and smaller osseous structures. In this study, the authors report complications and outcomes after posterior fusion in children with AAI. ⋯ A high complication rate should be anticipated after posterior fusion in children with AAI. Careful consideration should be paid to pediatric patients with AAI treated by screw and/or rod systems. After posterior fusion in pediatric patients, each vertebra continued to grow, in contrast the disc height decreased between fused levels.