Congenital Scoliosis of the Pediatric Cervical Spine: Characterization of a 17-Patient Operative Cohort

Background: Congenital cervical scoliosis is rare, and there is a paucity of literature describing surgical outcomes. We report surgical outcomes in a 17-patient cohort with surgical correction for congenital cervical scoliosis and identify risk factors associated with complications. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from a single-center cohort of 17 consecutive patients (9 boys, 8 girls) receiving surgical deformity correction for congenital cervical scoliosis. The mean age at surgery was 7.1 +/- 3.4 years with an average follow-up of 3.6 +/- 1.1 years. Results: There were 24 operations performed on 17 patients, and 4 complications (17%) were reported in the series, including one each of pressure ulcer, asystole, vertebral artery injury, and pseudarthrosis. The mean preoperative major curve angle was 36 +/- 20 degrees, which improved to 24 +/- 14 degrees (P=0.02). The mean operative time was 8 +/- 2 hours with a mean estimated blood loss of 298 +/- 690 mL. Halo-gravity traction was used in 5 patients and 6 cases were staged with anterior/posterior procedures. Conclusions: Congenital scoliosis of the cervical spine is a complex process. The spinal deformity of this nature can be managed successfully with carefully planned and executed surgical correction.