Revision surgery after pregnancy in a patient with congenital kyphoscoliosis

RATIONALE Rod breakage during pregnancy and delivery has never been described in a patient who has undergone surgery for congenital scoliosis (CS). Here, we present an unusual but significant case of revision surgery. PATIENT CONCERNS A 29-year-old woman presented with low back pain during pregnancy after posterior osteotomy, correction and fusion at T9 to L5 for CS. Radiographs during follow-up, 4 months after the patient gave birth, demonstrated rod breakage. DIAGNOSES Rod breakage after orthopaedic surgery of congenital kyphoscoliosis INTERVENTIONS:: The patient was taken into the operating room for replacement of the broken rods, recovery of sagittal balance, bone graft fusion, and improvement of stability by cross-connection. The patient recovered fully by the 3-month postoperative follow-up. OUTCOMES In follow-up, the instruments were in good condition, the orthopedic effect was not lost, and low back pain relief was observed. LESSONS We opine that the rod breakage during pregnancy resulted from weight gain and a lack of an anterior approach to the supportive bone graft. Therefore, female patients with spinal surgery should visit the hospital for advice before pregnancy.