OBJECTIVESTo investigate the techniques of posterior lumbar interbody fusion and pedicle screws in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis and evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSTwenty five patients with degenerative scoliosis were treated operatively during 1997 - 2002. Among the 25 patients, 13 patients were treated with Brantigan I/F carbon cages in 28 intervertebral spaces, 7 patients were treated with Prospace cages in 15 spaces, 1 patient was treated with CONTACT cages in 2 spaces. The correcting effects, complications and follow-up results were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe average correction rate of scoliosis was 59% and the rate of pain relief was 88%. There was a case of pseudoarthritis and a case of embolism. During follow-up, correction rate and height of disc spaces were not lost nor shift of interbody cages.

CONCLUSIONPosterior pedicle screws combined with interbody fusion is a safe and effective treatment for degenerative scoliosis.