OBJECTIVETo analyze the correction results of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with a proximal thoracic (PT) curve.

METHODSThere were 13 cases of double thoracic curve (PUMC IIa) and 13 cases of triple curve (PUMC IIIa 11 cases, IIIb 2 case). The upper instrumented vertebra were at T(3) or above (fusion level including PT curve, Group A) in 18 cases, and at T(4) or T(5) (PT curve not fused, Group B) in 8 cases. Reviewing the medical records and radiographs of 26 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with a proximal thoracic curve that underwent corrective surgery, the changes of the curve and the shoulder balance were analyzed.

RESULTSThe coronal Cobb angles of the PT curve and the main thoracic (MT) curve before operation were 45.3 degrees and 61.2 degrees in group A, 35.6 degrees and 58.9 degrees in group B. After operation, they were corrected to 24.2 degrees and 20.1 degrees , 26.4 degrees and 20.3 degrees , respectively. The correction rates of the PT curve and MT curve were 48.2% and 68.7%, 24.5% and 66.3%, respectively. The correction rates of the PT curve of group A was significantly better than group B (P = 0.006), but for the MT curve, the difference was not significant (P = 0.694). The incidence of radiographic shoulder height (RSH) over than 10 mm (shoulder imbalance) after operation in group B was higher than group A significantly (P = 0.038). The incidence rate of shoulder imbalance after operation of the patients with a left higher shoulder or balance shoulder was significantly higher than that of the patients with a right higher shoulder (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONSFusing the PT in patients with a left shoulder not lower than right side will make better coronal correction results of the PT curve and reduce the incidence of postoperative shoulder imbalance.