Comment regarding 'Is anterior release effective to increase flexibility in idiopathic thoracic scoliosis? Assessment by traction films' (A. Hempfing et al.).

摘要

"Just because a procedure can be done does not mean it should be done" . "The issue is not to know whether the anterior release should be done thoracoscopically or open, the issue is to know whether it should be done at all" Based on the scientific evidence of the study that the authors report these two main sentences in the text are strong in significance and I am sure our readership has noticed the irony and the subtlety behind them. The authors have decided to tackle the old concept of anterior release in rigid thoracic spinal deformities. In their analysis of their results on anterior release, they concluded with great honesty that what they did was unnecessary. I would like to commend them for it as most authors report only on how great their surgical result has been! The issue of the need of anterior release is a hot topic in the spinal deformity community the past 15 years have seen new technological developments in performing this anterior release in a tho-racoscopic fashion.