Abstract
Background: To assess the use of subcutaneous rodding with sequential lengthening procedures to control progressive early onset curves not responding to conservative treatment modalities.
Methods: A retrospective study reviewing the notes and plain radiographs of all children with early onset scoliosis treated by growth rod insertion over a seven year period (two paediatric spinal surgeons using similar techniques at two major centres). Subjects were children with early onset scoliosis unresponsive to conservative management. Outcome measures – curves at time of instrumentation, curve progression, number of lengthenings, curve magnitude and age at time of definitive fusion, spinal growth achieved and complications encountered.
Results: Majority of children treated uneventfully with satisfactory control of curvature until age at which definitive fusion acceptable. However our results do suggest a number of cases and circumstances where simple growth rod instrumentation is not sufficient and augmentation with anterior apical fusion is required (will discuss these on an individual basis).
Conclusion: The management of early onset progressive scoliosis by means of growth rod instrumentation and sequential lengthenings is safe and effective.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Colin E. Bruce. Correspondence should be addressed to Colin E. Bruce, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP.
References:
1 Mineiro J, Weinstein SL. Subcutaneous rodding for progressive spinal curvatures:early results. J Paediatr Orthop2002 May-lun 22 (3):290–5 Google Scholar
