Twenty-one patients with rigid kyphosis treated by single stage vertebral column resection were evaluated retrospectively. The average age was 12 years and kyphosis was 75 degrees. Thirteen cases were due to tuberculosis while 8 had a congenital anomaly, 5 cases had neurologic deficit. Radiographs, CT and MRI scans were used for preoperative evaluation. The survey included transpedicular vertebral decancellisation, spinal column shortening, interbody fusion and segmental spinal instrumentation. At 36 months [36–60] follow up, the average correction was 61% and all cases adequately fused. Complications included one case with postoperative neurological deterioration and one patient with decompensated lordosis.