Three-dimensional deformity correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: what are the benefits of hybrid apical sublaminar bands versus all-pedicle screws?

The amount of three-dimensional (3D) correction with apical sublaminar band (hybrid-SLB) technique has not been compared to all-pedicle screw instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using detailed axial correction metrics or comparable rod types. Our purpose is to compare 3D improvement in AIS deformities following posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSIF) with hybrid-SLB and segmental correction to all-pedicle screw correction. Patients ages 10-18 years with AIS who underwent PSIF between 2015 and 2022 and had preoperative and postoperative EOS imaging were included. Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographic, Lenke classification, operative technique, and 3D EOS data. Average changes in major and minor Cobb angle, axial rotation, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis were compared. Ninety-five patients met inclusion criteria with 55 in the hybrid-SLB group (mean age 14.9 ± 1.9 years) and 40 in all-pedicle screw (mean age 14.7 ± 2.1 years). While all-pedicle screw demonstrated greater correction of major (45.7 ± 13.4 vs 37.9 ± 14.3 degrees; P = 0.008) and minor (28.7 ± 13.1 vs 17.8 ± 12.5 degrees; P = 0.001) Cobb angles, hybrid-SLB showed greater increase in T4-T12 kyphosis (13.3 ± 15.3 vs 5.6 ± 13.5 degrees; P = 0.01). Correction of T1-T12 kyphosis, axial rotation, and lumbar lordosis was similar between groups. 3D EOS analysis of AIS patients before and after PSIF revealed that all-pedicle screw constructs had greater overall coronal plane correction and hybrid-SLB had greater thoracic sagittal plane correction. Axial corrective abilities were similar. Hybrid-SLB may have advantages for correction of thoracic lordosis or hypokyphosis. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.