Results of Dual Growing Rods Treatment for Progressive Pediatric Spinal Deformity

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To report the results of new designed dual growing rods system for progressive pediatric spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The current expandable spinal implant system appears effective in controlling progressive pediatric spinal deformity, allowing for spinal growth. However, there was no report concerning the growing rod in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2010 and 2011, seven pediatric patients, who had a minimum of 1year follow-up, had undergone surgery for spinal deformity correction with a dual growing rods technique. We analyzed the demographic and radiologic data, including height, weight, age at surgery, diagnosis, number of lengthening, Cobb's angle of the major curve, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, T1-S1 length, instrumented segment length, and complications, from the preoperative period to the last follow up period. RESULTS: Four male and three female patients with 5 neuromuscular scoliosis, 1 idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis and 1 spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia had underwent corrective surgery with dual growing rods. The mean age at the initial surgery was 11.6 years (7-13.8). The mean follow-up duration was 19.3 months (12-24), and the mean lengthening procedure time was 2.8 (2-4) for every patient. Cobb's angle of scoliosis curve was corrected from preoperative 80.2degrees(55-136) to 37.6degrees (15-81) on the last follow-up. Thoracic kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angle were changed from preoperative 48.7degrees(12-101) and 38.3degrees(9-72) to 44.5degrees(12-75) and 18.8degrees(1-46) on the last follow-up, respectively. Growth length during the follow-up period was measured as instrumented segment is 46 mm (33-59) and T1-S1 segment is 82 mm (66-98). Complications, such as breakage of rod in 3 cases and soft tissue infection in 1 case, occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: New designed dual growing rods system for pediatric patients with progressive spinal deformity is an effective and relatively safe method because of adequate correction and acceptable rate of complications.