Objective        To evaluate the intermediate-term clinical outcome of the posterior surgery for degenerative scoliosis.        Methods        Clinical data of 36 consecutive patients with degenerative scoliosis who were treated by posterior decompression and instrumented fusion surgery in our d

epartment from January 2010 to January 2012 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Radiologic parameters including the coronal Cobb’s angle

lumbar lordosis angle

coronal and sagittal balance of spine

were recorded for the assessment of correction. The visual analogue scales (VAS) scoring for low back pain and sciatica

together with Oswestry disability index (ODI)

were applied to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative quality of life.       Results        All the patients were followed up for average 2.2 years (range

1.5 to 3.5 years)

including 25 women and 11 men with a mean age of 62.5 years (range

42 to 78 years). There were significant differences between the pre- and post-operation in radiological parameters

VAS score and ODI (

P

0.05). Comparing with the indexes in 1 year after the surgery

VAS score for low back pain (1.96±0.90 vs 2.48±0.77

t=2.942

P

0.05) and ODI (20.04±8.85 vs 26.48±6.99

t=3.648

P

0.05) turned out to be better at the final follow-up after the 2 years postoperatively. The correction rate of coronal Cobb’s angle was 39.9%

while the lumbar lordosis angle was increased by 10 on average after surgery. Coronal and sagittal balance at the final follow-up were improved from 1 year after operation (

P

0.05). Peri-operatively

3 cases were complicated with dural tears

3 patients with superficial wound infection and 5 with peripheral root deficits. All of them obtained favorable outcomes after effective treatments. There was 1 case with curve progressed at 1.5 year after primary surgery of decompression and short fusion. He got his quality of life improved significantly after accepting a revision with long instrumented fusion. At the final follow-up

no pedicle screw loosing

screw and rod breakage

or pseudarthrosis was found in this cohort.        Conclusion        By means of posterior decompression and instrumented fusion surgery

patients with degenerative scoliosis can get absolute pain relief and improvement in quality of life. Compared with sho

rt fusion

long instrumented fusion leads to a better correction to halt the curve process. Although complications associated with the surgery are of high rate

these could be managed well with available intervention and don’t weaken the curative effect.