Use of the Universal Clamp for deformity correction and as an adjunct to fusion: preliminary results in scoliosis

PURPOSE: Evaluation of a novel instrumentation device for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: A new osteosynthesis implant (Universal Clamp) primarily consisting of a sublaminar band and titanium clamp was prospectively studied in 32 patients (average age, 15 years) with a major thoracic curve. RESULTS: The Universal Clamp was used without anterior release to reduce and maintain correction of the thoracic curve, which improved from 55.1° preoperatively to 14.5° at 3 months without neurological complication or loss of kyphosis. CONCLUSIONS: This implant distributes stress over a larger area of the laminar cortex than sublaminar wires, patently reducing the risk of laminar fracture for equivalent reduction forces, and permits progressive reduction at several apical levels simultaneously.