Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation in neurofibromatosis spinal problems

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Shufflebarger-HL Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Miami Children's Hospital, Florida. Clin-Orthop. 1989 Aug(245): 24-8 Cotrel-Dubousset (CD) instrumentation has been employed in 12 patients with neurofibromatosis with spinal deformity (ten regular scoliosis, one dysplastic kyphoscoliosis, and one multilevel laminectomy). The follow-up period averaged 33 months. In regular scoliosis frontal correction averaged 69%, axial derotation averaged 33%, and sagittal normalcy was produced without immobilization and without pseudoarthrosis. Successful arthrodesis was obtained in a dysplastic patient after initial failure via anterior concave struts and posterior CD instrumentation with immobilization. Stabilization and fusion of one patient with multiple-level thoracic laminectomy was achieved without immobilization. CD instrumentation is effective in the surgical management of neurofibromatous spinal abnormalities.