Early Onset Scoliosis: A Novel Technique for Treatment of a Progressive Scoliosis using Dual Growing Rod and Posterior Apical Convex Fusion

Abstract

Introduction Several different growing rod techniques have been described in the literature to treat progressive scoliosis in young children. The purpose of this retrospective clinical study is to evaluate the effect of dual growing rod and posterior apical convex fusion in early onset scoliosis (EOS). Material and Methods This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and radiographs of the 11 children with progressive EOS who failed to respond to conservative treatment and underwent fusionless surgery using dual growing rod and posterior apical convex fusion. Results Fusionless dual growing rod and posterior apical convex fusion allowed maintaining scoliosis correction in all the patients. At an average of 3.1 ± 0.8 years after initial surgery, 11 patients showed a correction of 39. 9% in the magnitude of the original curvature (the average preoperative Cobb angle was 56 [range, 40.96–89.5] and postoperative was 34.27 [range, 24.69–58]). Trunk height increase was documented in all patients. Rod failure was found in three patients. Conclusion Preliminary results from these series of patients show that the presented fusionless dual growing rod and posterior apical convex fusion allows maintaining correction of progressive EOS while permitting spinal growth with a low-complication rate. This procedure is efficacious as long as some guidelines are respected.