Skip to main content
Top

15-05-2024 | Scoliosis | Original Article

Comparison of traditional growth rods and magnetically controlled growing rods in early-onset scoliosis: a case-matched mid term follow-up study

Authors: Anuj Gupta, Abhishek Srivastava, Naveen Pandita, Ankur Goswami, Govindaraja Perumal Vijayaraghavan, Arvind Jayaswal

Published in: European Spine Journal

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) has always been a challenging situation for spine surgeons. The aim of treatment is to control the direction of curve progression to allow for the complete development of lungs. Among all the growth constructs available, traditional growth rods (TGR) and magnetically controlled growth rods (MCGR) are most widely used. The MCGR has been introduced a few years back and there is a dearth of long-term follow-up studies. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of TGR and MCGR for the treatment of EOS.

Methods

All patients of EOS managed with either TGR or MCGR were included in the study. The patients managed with other methods or having follow-up < 2-years were excluded from the study. A total of 20 patients were recruited in the MCGR group and 28 patients were recruited in the TGR group. Both groups were matched by etiology, gender, pre-operative radiological parameters, and complications including unplanned surgeries.

Results

The mean age in our study was 7.90 years in the MCGR group and 7.46 years in the TGR group. The mean duration of follow-up in the MCGR group was 50.89 months and in the TGR group 94.2 months. Pre-operative cobb’s angle in the coronal plane and T1–S1 were comparable in both groups with a mean cobb’s angle of 65.4 in MCGR and 70.5 in TGR. The mean T1–S1 length in the MCGR group was 36.1cms and in the TGR group was 35.2 cms (p = 0.18). The average increase in T1–S1 length was 1.3 cm/year in the TGR group and 1.1 cm/year in the MCGR group (p > 0.05). The TGR patients underwent 186 open lengthening surgeries and 11 unplanned surgeries for various complications. The MCGR group has 180 non-invasive lengthening with only 4 unplanned returns to OT for various causes.

Conclusion

The curve correction was similar in both TGR and MCGR groups. The average T1–S1 length achieved on final follow-up was similar in both groups. The MCGR patients have attained similar correction with fewer invasive procedures and lesser complications compared to the TGR group.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Yang S, Andras LM, Redding GJ et al (2016) Early-onset scoliosis: a review of history, current treatment, and future directions. Pediatrics 137(1):e20150709CrossRef Yang S, Andras LM, Redding GJ et al (2016) Early-onset scoliosis: a review of history, current treatment, and future directions. Pediatrics 137(1):e20150709CrossRef
2.
go back to reference Smith JR, Samdani AF, Pahys J et al (2009) The role of bracing, casting, and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib for the treatment of infantile idiopathic scoliosis: a single-institution experience with 31 consecutive patients. Clinical article J Neurosurg Spine 11(1):3–8CrossRefPubMed Smith JR, Samdani AF, Pahys J et al (2009) The role of bracing, casting, and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib for the treatment of infantile idiopathic scoliosis: a single-institution experience with 31 consecutive patients. Clinical article J Neurosurg Spine 11(1):3–8CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Moe JH, Kharrat K, Winter RB et al (1984) Harrington instrumentation without fusion plus external orthotic support for the treatment of difficult curvature problems in young children. Clin Orthop Relat Res 185:35–45CrossRef Moe JH, Kharrat K, Winter RB et al (1984) Harrington instrumentation without fusion plus external orthotic support for the treatment of difficult curvature problems in young children. Clin Orthop Relat Res 185:35–45CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Goldberg CJ, Gillic I, Connaughton O et al (2003) Respiratory function and cosmesis at maturity in infantile-onset scoliosis. Spine 28(20):2397–2406CrossRefPubMed Goldberg CJ, Gillic I, Connaughton O et al (2003) Respiratory function and cosmesis at maturity in infantile-onset scoliosis. Spine 28(20):2397–2406CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Skaggs DL, Akbarnia BA, Flynn JM et al (2014) Chest wall and spine deformity study group; growing spine study group; pediatric orthopaedic society of north america; scoliosis research society growing spine study committee. A classification of growth friendly spine implants. J Pediatr Orthop 34(3):260–274CrossRefPubMed Skaggs DL, Akbarnia BA, Flynn JM et al (2014) Chest wall and spine deformity study group; growing spine study group; pediatric orthopaedic society of north america; scoliosis research society growing spine study committee. A classification of growth friendly spine implants. J Pediatr Orthop 34(3):260–274CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Williams BA, Matsumoto H, McCalla DJ et al (2014) Development and initial validation of the classification of early-onset scoliosis (C-EOS). J Bone Joint Surg Am 96:1359e67CrossRef Williams BA, Matsumoto H, McCalla DJ et al (2014) Development and initial validation of the classification of early-onset scoliosis (C-EOS). J Bone Joint Surg Am 96:1359e67CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Akbarnia BA, Breakwell LM, Marks DS et al (2008) Dual growing rod technique followed for three to eleven years until final fusion: the effect of frequency of lengthening. Spine 33:984–90CrossRefPubMed Akbarnia BA, Breakwell LM, Marks DS et al (2008) Dual growing rod technique followed for three to eleven years until final fusion: the effect of frequency of lengthening. Spine 33:984–90CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Comparison of traditional growth rods and magnetically controlled growing rods in early-onset scoliosis: a case-matched mid term follow-up study
Authors
Anuj Gupta
Abhishek Srivastava
Naveen Pandita
Ankur Goswami
Govindaraja Perumal Vijayaraghavan
Arvind Jayaswal
Publication date
15-05-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Scoliosis
Published in
European Spine Journal
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-024-08301-x