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Magnetically controlled growing rod in early onset scoliosis: a 30-case multicenter study

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Abstract

Purpose

Preliminary results of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) are encouraging. However, only short case series of MCGR for the treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) have been reported. Our aim was to evaluate its effectiveness and complications.

Methods

We report a 30-case retrospective, consecutive, multicenter series of MCGR. Effectiveness was judged upon: deformity correction and difficulties to achieve desired distraction. Secondary endpoints included complications and revision surgeries.

Results

Median age at surgery was 9.1 years (5–13). Mean follow-up was 18.4 months (12–33.9). Mean Cobb angle was 66° preoperatively and 44° at latest follow-up. MCGR has avoided an average of 2.03 scheduled surgical procedures per patient compared to traditional growing rod (GR). The intended total length gain was 40.1 mm per patient (5–140) and the total measured length gain was 21.9 mm (45.5% discrepancy). There were 24 complications: 7 proximal pull-outs of the hooks, 3 rod breakages, 6 failures of the lengthening of which 4 complete blockages and 2 complete blockages followed by backtracking, 1 proximal junctional kyphosis, 1 wound dehiscence, 1 superficial infection, 1 deep infection requiring implant removal, 1 pulmonary embolism, 1 pulmonary insufficiency, 1 secondary lumbar scoliosis, and 1 painful outpatient distraction. Eight patients had a gradual loss of effectiveness of distractions. There were 13 revision surgeries in 9 patients.

Conclusions

MCGR provides satisfactory deformity correction and avoids repeated surgical procedures for lengthening. However, it has substantial complication rate. Although less frequent than in GR, the law of diminishing returns also applies to MCGR.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France

    Julie Lebon, Matthieu Wargny, Franck Accadbled & Jérôme Sales De Gauzy

  2. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon, Lyon, France

    Cécile Batailler & Vincent Cunin

  3. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Marseille, Marseille, France

    Elie Choufani

  4. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France

    Philippe Violas

  5. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France

    Damien Fron

  6. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg

    Jerry Kieffer

  7. 26 rue Dupont, 31500, Toulouse, France

    Julie Lebon

  8. Hôpital Pierre Paul Riquet (3è étage chirurgie orthopédique), CHU Toulouse Purpan, Place Baylac, 31000, Toulouse, France

    Julie Lebon

Authors
  1. Julie Lebon
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  2. Cécile Batailler
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  9. Vincent Cunin
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Correspondence to Julie Lebon.

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There is no conflict of interest or funding or grants in this study.

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Ethics Committee gave its agreement for this work.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Lebon, J., Batailler, C., Wargny, M. et al. Magnetically controlled growing rod in early onset scoliosis: a 30-case multicenter study. Eur Spine J 26, 1567–1576 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4929-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4929-y

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