RADIOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE SURGICAL WAITING LIST FOR THE TREATMENT OF SPINAL DEFORMITY

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the implications of long waiting times on surgery lists for the treatment of patients with scoliosis. Methods: Radiographs of 87 patients with scoliosis who had been on the waiting list for surgery for more than six months were selected. Two surgeons answered questionnaires analyzing the radiographs when entering the waiting list and the current images of each patient. Results: Data from 87 patients were analyzed. The mean waiting time for surgery was 21.7 months (ranging from seven to 32 months). The average progression of the Cobb angle in the curvature was 21.1 degrees. Delayed surgery implied changes in surgical planning, such as greater need of instrumentation, osteotomies, and double approach. Conclusions: Long waiting lists have a significant negative impact on surgical morbidity of patients with scoliosis, since they increase the complexity of the surgery. Level of evidence: IV. Type of study: Descriptive study.摘要 研究目的：本研究旨在评估长期手术等待队列对脊柱侧凸（scoliosis）患者手术治疗的影响。 方法：本研究纳入87名术前等待时长超过6个月的脊柱侧凸患者的影像学资料，由两名外科医生针对每位患者术前等待手术时的影像学资料及当前随访影像学资料完成问卷分析。 结果：共纳入87例患者数据进行分析。患者平均术前等待时长为21.7个月（范围7~32个月）；脊柱侧凸Cobb角（Cobb angle）平均进展21.1度。手术延迟会导致手术方案发生调整，例如需更多内固定器械、截骨术以及双入路手术。 结论：长期手术等待队列会对脊柱侧凸患者的手术并发症发生率产生显著负面影响，因其会增加手术复杂度。 证据等级：IV级。 研究类型：描述性研究。