Early Onset Scoliosis: Is there an Improvement in Quality of Life With Conversion From Traditional Growing Rods to Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods?

Evaluating the Use of PROMs in Paediatric Orthopaedic Registries

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide structured information on the patient's health experience and facilitate shared clinical decision-making. Registries that collect PROMs generate essential information about the clinical course and efficacy of interventions. Whilst PROMs are increasingly being used in adult orthopaedic registries, their use in paediatric orthopaedic registries is not well known. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the frequency and scope of registries that collect PROMs in paediatric orthopaedic patient groups. In July 2023, six databases were systematically searched to identify studies that collected PROMs using a registry amongst patients aged under 18 years with orthopaedic diagnoses. Of 3190 identified articles, 128 unique registries were identified. Three were exclusively paediatric, 27 were majority paediatric, and the remainder included a minority of paediatric patients. One hundred and twenty-eight registries collected 72 different PROMs, and 58% of these PROMs were not validated for a paediatric population. The largest group of orthopaedic registries collected PROMs on knee ligament injuries (21%). There are few reported dedicated orthopaedic registries collecting PROMs in paediatric populations. The majority of PROMs collected amongst paediatric populations by orthopaedic registries are not validated for patients under the age of 18 years. The use of non-validated PROMs by registries greatly impedes their utility and impact. Dedicated orthopaedic registries collecting paediatric-validated PROMs are needed to increase health knowledge, improve decision-making between patients and healthcare providers, and optimise orthopaedic management.

Clinical and radiographic evolution of graduate patients treated with magnetically controlled growing rods: results of a French multicentre study of 90 patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate patients with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) who completed their electromagnetic lengthening rod program to assess the demographics of this population and to analyze the evolution of clinical and radiological parameters and the occurrence of complications.

METHODS

This was a multicenter study with 10 French centers. We collected all patients with EOS who had undergone electromagnetic lengthening between 2011 and 2022. They had to have reached the end of the procedure (graduate).

RESULTS

A total of 90 graduate patients were included. The mean follow-up time over the entire period was 66 months (25.3-109). Of these, only 66 patients (73.3%) underwent definitive spinal arthrodesis at the end of the lengthening phase, whereas 24 patients (26.7%) kept their hardware in situ with a mean follow-up time from the last lengthening of 25 months (3-68). Patients had an average of 2.6 surgeries (1-5) over the entire follow-up. Patients had an average of 7.9 lengthenings for a mean total lengthening of 26.9 mm (4-75). Analysis of the radiological parameters showed a percentage reduction in the main curve of 12 to 40%, depending on the etiology, with an average reduction of 73-44°, and an average thoracic height of 210 mm (171-214) for an average improvement of 31 mm (23-43). There was no significant difference in the sagittal parameters. During the lengthening phase, there were a total of 56 complications in 43 patients (43.9%; n = 56/98), of which 39 in 28 patients (28.6%) resulted in unplanned surgery. In the graduate patients, there were a total of 26 complications in 20 patients (22.2%), all of which resulted in unscheduled surgery.

CONCLUSION

MCGR, allow to decrease the number of surgeries, to progressively improve the scoliotic deformity and to reach a satisfactory thoracic height at the price of an important complication rate linked in particular to the complexity of the management of patients with an EOS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II

Thoracic posterior spinal instrumented fusion vs. thoracic anterior spinal tethering for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a minimum of 2-year follow-up: a cost comparison of index and revision operations

PURPOSE

To compare direct costs of index and revision operations of thoracic posterior spinal instrumented fusion (TPSIF) and thoracic anterior spinal tethering (TAST) for adolescent idiopathic thoracic scoliosis in children.

METHODS

Children (ages 11-18 years) who underwent TPSIF and TAST (2/2013-9/2019) were reviewed. Follow-up < 2 years and cervical instrumentation and/or instrumentation of a lumbar level at L3 or below were exclusion criteria. Patient demographics, radiographic curve magnitude, index operations and postoperative data, as well as indications for revisions/readmissions were collected. Direct costs were identified and compared for index and revision operations during follow-up.

RESULTS

One hundred and four patients were included (TPSIF: 78; TAST: 25). TAST procedures were performed in children significantly younger and for smaller curve magnitudes. They had significantly fewer levels instrumented, shorter operating room (OR) times, and less estimated blood loss (EBL). After operation, a significantly higher percentage of TAST were admitted to ICU. Hospital length of stay (LOS) was similar between groups. Index operations' average direct costs were significantly higher for TAST than TPSIF ($52,947 v. $46,641; p = 0.02). Major cost drivers for both groups were implants, OR services, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and room/board. Revisions following TAST were more frequent than for TPSIF (36 v. 11.5%). Majority of TPSIF revisions were for junctional deformity. Curve progression and overcorrection were most common reason for TAST revisions. Average direct costs for revisions/readmissions were similar between groups (TPSIF: $28,485 v. TAST: $27,590; p = 0.46).

CONCLUSIONS

Index operations' average direct costs were statistically similar between TPSIF and TAST for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Major cost drivers were implants, OR services, PACU, and room/board. TAST index operations' direct costs and associated direct costs for implants and room/board were significantly higher, while their anesthesia and OR services were significantly lower than TPSIF. TAST revisions were for overcorrection and curve progression, while TPSIF revisions were most commonly for junctional deformity. Overall average direct costs for revisions were similar despite revision rates being higher for TAST.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Impact of surgical treatment on parent-reported health related quality of life measures in early-onset scoliosis: stable but no improvement at 2 years

PURPOSE

The etiology of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) has been shown to significantly influence baseline parent-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures as assessed by the Early Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire (EOSQ). We sought to assess the influence of distraction-based surgery and scoliosis etiology on EOSQ 2 years following surgical intervention remains unclear.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a multi-center prospective EOS database was performed. Children untreated with distraction-based, growth friendly instrumentation for EOS with completed baseline and 2-year post-surgical EOSQ were included. Children were subdivided by curve etiology individually and in combined cohorts (congenital/idiopathic [C/I], neuromuscular/syndromic [NMS]). EOSQ domains and compositive HRQoL score at presentation and 2-year follow-up were compared across C-EOS etiologies. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was defined as ≥ 20% change in domain score and compared across etiologies.

RESULTS

150 children with EOS met inclusion criteria (mean 7.09 ± 2.6 years, 58.9% female). There were no differences in EOSQ domains between Congenital vs. Idiopathic nor NM vs. Syndromic etiologies at any timepoint. Combined C/I children demonstrated significantly higher EOSQ scores than combined NMS at initial and 2-years post-treatment. Etiology remained the only independent predictor of 2-year EOSQ composite HRQoL score. Overall, the vast majority of children demonstrated stable HRQoL composite scores, with a trend toward more positive MCID in NMS etiologies.

CONCLUSION

EOS etiology remains the most significant influence on EOSQ scores 2 years following surgical intervention. However, the majority of patients, regardless of etiology, maintain stable HRQoL scores suggesting that surgery may only serve to stabilize HRQoL at 2 years.

Re-evaluating consensus and uncertainty among treatment options for early onset scoliosis: a 10-year update

PURPOSE

Consensus and uncertainty in early onset scoliosis (EOS) treatment were evaluated in 2010. It is currently unknown how treatment preferences have evolved over the past decade. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate consensus and uncertainty among treatment options for EOS patients to understand how they compare to 10 years ago.

METHODS

11 pediatric spinal surgeons (similar participants as in 2010) were invited to complete a survey of 315 idiopathic and neuromuscular EOS cases (same cases as in 2010). Treatment options included the following: conservative management, distraction-based methods, growth guidance/modulation, and arthrodesis. Consensus was defined as ≥ 70% agreement, and uncertainty was < 70%. Associations between case characteristics and consensus for treatments were assessed via chi-squared and multiple regression analyses. Case characteristics associated with uncertainty were described.

RESULTS

Eleven surgeons [31.7 ± 7.8 years of experience] in the original 2010 cohort completed the survey. Consensus for conservative management was found in idiopathic patients aged ≤ 3, whereas in 2010, some of these cases were selected for surgery. There is currently consensus for casting idiopathic patients aged 1 or 2 with moderate curves, whereas in 2010, there was uncertainty between casting and bracing. Among neuromuscular cases with consensus for surgery, arthrodesis was chosen for patients aged 9 with larger curves.

CONCLUSION

Presently, preferences for conservative management have increased in comparison to 2010, and casting appears to be preferred over bracing in select infantile cases. Future research efforts with higher levels-of-evidence should be devoted to elucidate the areas of uncertainty to improve care in the EOS population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V.

Definitive fusions are better than growing rod procedures for juvenile patients with cerebral palsy and scoliosis: a prospective comparative cohort study

PURPOSE

This study compared the outcomes of juvenile patients with cerebral palsy (CP) and scoliosis who underwent spinal fusion (SF) versus growing rod (GR) surgery.

METHODS

Two prospective multicenter registries were queried for patients 8-10 years old with minimum 2-year follow-up who underwent SF or GR surgery (no MCGR). Demographics, radiographs, complications, and outcome scores were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 35 patients in the SF and 15 in the GR group. The mean age at surgery was 10 and 9.3 years in the SF and GR groups, respectively (p = 0.004). In the SF group preoperatively, the major curve measured 86° and 80° in the GR group (p = 0.40). "Definitive" surgery in the GR group consisted of SF in 10, implant retention in three, and implant removal in two. The SF group had 60.8% and the GR group had 45.0% correction following "definitive" surgery (p = 0.03). In the SF group, 8 patients and in the GR group, 9 patients (SF = 22.9%, GR = 60.0%) had a complication (p = 0.01). In the SF group, two patients (5.7%) had reoperations for infection; eight patients (53.3%) in the GR group had reoperations for infection and implant complications (p < 0.001). In the SF group, 23/30 parents (76.6%) noted that the child's life "improved a lot." In the GR group, 3/6 parents (50.0%) noted they were "neutral" about their child's ability to do things, 2/6 (33.3%) were "very dissatisfied."

CONCLUSIONS

SF treatment for juvenile patients with CP and scoliosis resulted in fewer complications and unplanned reoperations and better radiographic outcomes compared with GR. Quality of life improvements were also better in the SF group.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Outcomes Evaluating Quality of Life and Their Measurement Properties in Early-onset Scoliosis: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) is a spinal deformity affecting children under the age of 10. Understanding the impact of EOS on quality of life can be achieved through appropriate patient/carer-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The aim of this systematic review was to identify, evaluate and summarize the evidence for the measurement properties of health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) outcome measures in the EOS population.

METHODS

A 2-stage search methodology was conducted across the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, PsychINFO, and CINAHL databases. Search 1 identified PROMs used to evaluate the quality of life in EOS, and search 2 identified studies of the measurement properties of these PROMs. Two reviewers performed searching, study screening and selection and assessed studies for risk of bias using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) Risk of Bias checklist. One reviewer performed data extraction. Evidence for each measurement property per PROM was summarized and evaluated using a modified GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Search 1 identified 19 (10 disease-specific, 9 generic) PROMs that have been used to assess HR-QoL or a relevant domain in the EOS population. Search 2 identified only one PROM (the 24-item Early-Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire, EOSQ) with eligible studies (n=4) evaluating measurement properties. There is low-quality evidence for sufficient content validity, very low-quality evidence for sufficient reliability and low-quality evidence for sufficient criterion validity, specifically regarding the pulmonary function domain) of the EOSQ. Construct validity and responsiveness were rated as indeterminate. There were no studies on measurement error.

CONCLUSIONS

Our search strategy found that measurement properties have only been evaluated for one PROM, the EOSQ. There is low-quality evidence for sufficient measurement properties for the EOSQ in patients under the age of 10 with EOS. Further research is needed to improve the quality of evidence for EOSQ measurement properties and investigate other PROMs in this population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Longitudinal comparison of direct medical cost, radiological and health-related quality of life treatment outcomes between traditional growing rods and magnetically controlled growing rods from preoperative to maturity

Background

Magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) have replaced traditional growing rods (TGR) in the past decade, however, a comparison of their direct costs and treatment outcomes based on real longitudinal data is lacking. This study aims to compare the direct cost and treatment outcomes between TGR and MCGR, whilst incorporating complications, reoperations and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) throughout the entire treatment course.

Methods

Patients with early onset scoliosis (EOS) who underwent initial growing rod surgery between 2003 and 2016 at a tertiary scoliosis clinic were studied with longitudinal data. Accumulated direct medical costs were calculated based on the unit cost of surgeries of each TGR and MCGR, costs incurred for any rod exchange or remedial surgery for post-operative complication. Treatment outcomes were evaluated via: Patient’s HRQoL using SRS-22r questionnaire, and radiological parameters (including major curve correction, spine length gains, spinal balance) throughout the treatment until maturity.

Results

A total of 27 EOS patients (16 MCGR, 11 TGR) were studied. Total direct cost of index surgery for MCGR was HKD$223,108 versus lower cost of HKD$135,184 for TGR (p < 0.001). At 2–3 years post-index surgery, accumulative total direct medical cost of MCGR and TGR became most comparable (TGR:MCGR ratio = 1.010) and had reached neutrality between the two groups since. Radiological parameters had no intergroup differences at maturity. For HRQoL, TGR group had shown the trend of less pain (domain score mean difference: 0.53, p = 0.024) post-index surgery and better self-appearance (domain score mean difference: 1.08, p = 0.017) before fusion. Higher satisfaction with treatment (domain score mean difference: 0.76, p = 0.029) was demonstrated by TGR patients at fusion/maturity. MCGR had negative (r_s = -0.693) versus TGR’s positive (r_s = 0.989) correlations (p < 0.05) of cost and SRS-22r total scores at 2–3 years post-index surgery.

Conclusions

From index surgery to maturity, TGR demonstrated better satisfaction with treatment by patients and comparable overall HRQoL with MCGR during the treatment course, as MCGR did not show apparent benefit despite less surgeries and cost neutrality between the two groups at 2–3 years post-index surgery.

Developments, Focuses, and Trends in Early-Onset Scoliosis From 2005 to 2020: A Systematic Bibliometric Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Although several studies have been reported on early-onset scoliosis (EOS), a bibliometric analysis is still lacking. A systematic bibliometric analysis will enable researchers to understand the scope of the research topics, identify research focuses and key literature, and predict future research directions.

METHODS

Literature data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The Web of Science Results Analysis and Citation Report were used to analyze the reported studies in different views. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used for further analysis, including a cooperation network analysis of the authors, institutions, countries and/or regions, discipline and journal analysis, reference co-citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence analysis.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 674 relevant studies reported from 2005 to 2020. During the study period, the field of EOS has expanded rapidly. Multiple cooperation was found among the authors, institutions, and countries and/or regions, with some making great contributions. The results of the reference co-citation analysis showed that the studies had several main focuses, including the growing rod (GR), magnetically controlled GR, an EOS 24-item questionnaire, and a growth evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

From 2005 to 2020, surgical treatment has remained the focus of research in the EOS field. The magnetically controlled GR is the latest research focus, which might become more comprehensive in the future. The Gr has remained the most popular topic, and potential new surgical techniques might require improvement to become the favored techniques. In addition, assessing the health-related quality of life and growth parameters of patients with EOS have become a popular topic.

Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods Graduation: Deformity Control with High Complication Rate

STUDY DESIGN

A multicenter retrospective review of consecutive series of patients.

OBJECTIVE

Long-term experience with using the magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) to treat patients with deformity in the growing spine to the conclusion of treatment with posterior spine fusion.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

MCGR treatment for growing spine gained popularity with paucity of long-term follow up data. We hypothesized that final fusion might be more effective in bringing additional correction of the spine deformity after treatment with MCGR than that reported after traditional growing rods (TGR) due to less scarring and auto-fusion.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 47 patients with varied etiology, treated between 2011 and 2017 which graduated treatment were followed in five academic medical centers for average of 50 months (range, 10-88).

RESULTS

The initial mean coronal deformity of 69.6° (95% CI 65-74) was corrected to 40° (95% CI 36-40) immediately after the MCGR implantation but progressed to 52.8° (95% CI 46-59) prior to the final surgery (P < 0.01). Nevertheless, thoracic spine growth (T1-T12 height) improved from 187.3 mm (95% CI 179-195) following index surgery to 208.9 mm (95% CI 199-218) prior to final fusion (P < 0.01). Significant correction and spinal length were obtained at final fusion, but metallosis was a frequent observation (47%, 22/47). The average growth rate was 0.5 mm/month (95% CI 0.3-0.6). The overall complication rate within our cohort was 66% (31/47) with 45% (21/47) of unplanned returns to the operating theater. 32% (15/47) of the patients had an implant related complication. Unplanned surgery was highly correlated with thoracic kyphosis greater than 40° (OR 5.42 95% CI 1.3-23).

CONCLUSION

Treatment of growing spine deformities with MCGR provides adequate control of spine deformity it is comparable to previously published data about TGR. The overall high complications rate over time and specifically implant related complications.Level of Evidence: 4.

Outcomes evaluating quality of life and their measurement properties in early-onset scoliosis: protocol for a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) is a rare spinal deformity affecting children under the age of 10. Both the condition and its treatment have associated morbidity and can impact quality of life. Understanding this impact can be achieved by using appropriate patient-reported and/or carer-reported outcome measures. The aim of the review described in this protocol is to evaluate the evidence on measurement properties relevant to health-related quality of life outcomes in the EOS population. The focus will be on outcome measures relevant to patients undergoing treatment of EOS under the age of 10.

METHODS/ANALYSIS

This protocol is reported in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol and COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) methodology. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, PubMed, PsychINFO and CINAHL databases will be searched using a two-stage search strategy. The first stage will identify measures of HRQoL used in EOS through screening of titles and abstracts. The second stage will assess the measurement properties of those measures identified through screening of full-text articles. The measurement properties of interest are the 'reliability', 'validity' and 'responsiveness' of the instrument. Only English language articles will be considered. Two reviewers will independently review the search results against the eligibility criteria, perform data extraction and assess for risk of bias, with disputes handled by a third reviewer. Data will be quantitatively pooled where possible or reported as a narrative synthesis. The summarised results for each measurement property will be rated against the criteria for good measurement properties following the COSMIN methodology. Two reviewers will assess the body of evidence for each measurement property using modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical approval is required for this review and the results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed publications.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020219721.

The role of traditional growing rods in the era of magnetically controlled growing rods for the treatment of early-onset scoliosis

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical and radiographic profile of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) patients treated with traditional growing rods (TGR) during the magnetically-controlled growing rod (MCGR) era.

METHODS

A US multicenter EOS database was reviewed to identify (1) patients who underwent TGR after MCGR surgery was introduced at their institution, (2) patients who underwent MCGR during the same time period. Of 19 centers, 8 met criteria with all EOS etiologies represented. Clinical notes were reviewed to determine the indication for TGR. Patient demographics and pre-operative radiographs were compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 25 TGR and 127 MCGR patients were identified. The TGR patients were grouped by indication into the sagittal plane profile (n = 11), trunk height (n = 6), co-morbidities/need for MRI (n = 4), and other (ex: behavioral issues, remaining growth). Four patients had a combination of sagittal profile and short stature with sagittal profile listed as primary factor. The TGR short trunk group had a mean T1-S1 length of 192 mm vs 273 mm for the MCGR group (p = 0.0002). The TGR sagittal profile group, had a mean maximal kyphosis of 61° vs 55° for the MCGR group (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

TGR continues to have a role in the MCGR era. In this study, the most commonly reported indications for TGR were sagittal plane profile and trunk height. These results suggest that TGR is indicated in patients of short stature with stiff hyperkyphotic curves. As further experience is gained with MCGR, the indications for TGR will likely be refined.

The Effect of Multiple Surgeries on Psychosocial Outcomes in Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Birth defects affect 3% of all babies born in the United States each year. Unlike reconstruction for many acquired deformities, one hallmark of reconstruction for complex congenital conditions is the requirement of multiple surgeries, procedures, and therapies from birth to maturity. These interventions often result in significant medical burden on children during development with potential long-term psychosocial consequences. The aim of this study was therefore to better define the psychosocial impact of repetitive operations on the pediatric patient.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review guidelines. We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases using key words "number of surgeries," "psychosocial," "pediatric," and related terms. Primary articles published in English describing psychosocial outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent more than one procedure or surgery were included (n = 25). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of each study.

RESULTS

We included 25 articles published between 1995 and 2019, which included 6520 patients. The most common diagnosis across all studies was congenital heart disease (CHD) (n = 4169, 63.9%), followed by cleft lip and palate (n = 1196, 18.3%). The average number of operations and procedures was 3.4 (range = 1-18) and 32.1 (range = 6-89), respectively. The association between repetitive surgeries and poorer psychosocial outcomes was demonstrated in children with early-onset scoliosis, CHD, hydrocephalus, bladder exstrophy, posterior urethral rupture, anorectal anomalies, and conditions requiring numerous nonsurgical procedures. There were also a few CHD, cleft lip and/or palate, and hydrocephalus studies that did not find a significant correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

The studies here suggest that certain pediatric patient populations are at risk for impaired psychosocial functioning as a result of repetitive procedures. However, it is important to differentiate whether the association with poorer psychosocial outcomes is from the number of surgical procedures or whether the number if just a surrogate for increased disease complexity. Standardized psychosocial outcomes measures and future prospective, long-term, randomized clinical trials are also warranted.

Effect of Etiology, Radiographic Severity, and Comorbidities on Baseline Parent-Reported Health Measures for Children with Early-Onset Scoliosis

BACKGROUND

The Classification of Early-Onset Scoliosis (C-EOS) allows providers to differentiate patients, for clinical and research purposes, on the basis of the etiology of their disease as well as radiographic parameters. The Early Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire (EOSQ) is the first disease-specific, parent-reported HRQOL (health-related quality-of-life) outcome measure for this condition. We sought to determine the influence of the C-EOS etiology designation, radiographic parameters, and medical comorbidities on EOSQ scores to differentiate quality of life in this heterogeneous patient population. We hypothesized that baseline EOSQ scores for patients with EOS would be strongly affected by the C-EOS etiology designation.

METHODS

The analysis included prospectively enrolled patients with EOSQ scores recorded in a multicenter EOS database prior to intervention for the EOS. EOSQ scores were compared across C-EOS etiologies, severity of disease based on radiographic measurements, and patient comorbidities prior to scoliosis intervention.

RESULTS

Six hundred and ten patients with EOS were available for analysis; 119 had congenital, 201 had idiopathic, 156 had neuromuscular, and 134 had syndromic EOS. In multivariate analysis, neuromuscular and syndromic etiologies were associated with lower scores than congenital and idiopathic etiologies in many EOSQ domains including general health, transfer, daily living, fatigue/energy level, and emotion. Patients with neuromuscular EOS had the lowest EOSQ scores in general. Congenital and idiopathic EOS did not differ from each other in any EOSQ domain. Coronal Cobb and kyphosis angles had significant inverse but generally weak correlations with EOSQ domains. Individual medical comorbidities had a minor effect on certain domains while American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class and total number of comorbidities had inverse correlations with most domains.

CONCLUSIONS

The underlying etiology of EOS appears to have a significant influence on the parent-reported HRQOL outcomes of the disease. Specifically, syndromic and neuromuscular C-EOS diagnoses are associated with lower EOSQ scores before treatment compared with congenital and idiopathic diagnoses. Radiographic measurements of severity have a relatively small influence on EOSQ scores. These baseline differences in C-EOS-designated etiology should be accounted for in studies comparing outcomes of treatment for this heterogeneous patient population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Comparison of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods with Other Distraction-Based Surgical Technologies for Early-Onset Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Severe and progressive early-onset scoliosis (EOS) has a serious prognosis including cardiopulmonary compromise. Growth-friendly technologies are the current surgical standard of care. Magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) are newer implants with the potential for better quality of life and cost savings; however, they have not been well compared with the traditional distraction-based implants. The objective of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes, complications, metal ion levels, quality-of-life outcomes, and cost of MCGRs with other distraction-based surgical technologies for the treatment of EOS.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched. Record screening and data abstraction were completed in duplicate. Summary outcomes were calculated in a meta-analysis, if heterogeneity was appropriate, using a fixed-effects model.

RESULTS

This systematic review and meta-analysis included 18 studies. MCGRs were as clinically effective as other distraction-based technologies, with no significant difference in the Cobb angle at the latest follow-up (mean difference [MD], 1.20°; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.80° to 4.20°; p = 0.43) and a significantly lower complication rate (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.71; p = 0.001). Quality of life measured using the EOSQ-24 (24-Item Early-Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire) was better in the MCGR group compared with other technologies (MD, 2.18; 95% CI, 0.40 to 3.95; p = 0.02). Serum titanium levels were 2.98 ng/mL (95% CI, 1.41 to 4.55 ng/mL; p = 0.0002) greater in patients with MCGRs, but the clinical impact is unclear. MCGRs had greater cost for the device and insertion but became cost-neutral or cost-effective compared with other technologies by 4 years postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

MCGRs are clinically equivalent and cost-effective in the long term compared with other distraction-based technologies for the treatment of EOS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Is Growth-friendly Surgical Treatment Superior to One-stage Posterior Spinal Fusion in 9- to 11-year-old Children with Congenital Scoliosis?

BACKGROUND

The distraction-based growth-friendly technique has become a mainstay of treatment for young children with long-spanned congenital scoliosis. However, in patients who are 9 years to 11 years old, the choice is much less clear, and posterior spinal fusion is also a potential option.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Comparing growth-friendly scoliosis surgery and posterior spinal fusion, which technique (1) provides greater correction of spinal deformity, (2) is associated with more surgical complications, and (3) results in greater improvement in pulmonary function tests, health-related quality of life scores, other patient-reported outcomes?

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2017, one spinal center performed 212 spinal interventions for scoliosis in patients aged between 9 years and 11 years old and who had open triradiate cartilage, including 40 patients with growth-friendly approaches (34 with growing-rod technique and six with a vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib) and 172 with one-stage posterior spinal fusion, respectively. During this period, our general indications for using growth-friendly surgery were patients with open triradiate cartilage, major curve higher than 40°, and upper and lower end vertebrae involving at least eight segments. Twelve patients with a median (range) age of 9.3 years (9 to 11) treated with growth-friendly surgery met the following inclusion criteria: (1) had at least two lengthening procedures before definitive spinal fusion along with 2 years of follow-up after definitive spinal fusion; (2) had been followed until skeletal maturity (Risser grade ≥ 4); and (3) with complete radiographic and clinical data (health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and pulmonary function test results) preoperatively and at the latest follow-up. A group of patients between 9 years and 11 years old and underwent one-stage posterior spinal fusion was selected from our database of patients with congenital scoliosis. Our general indications for using one-stage posterior spinal fusion were patients with a major curve greater than 40°, and with thoracic height higher than 18 cm. Sixty-two patients who had open triradiate cartilage and had been followed until skeletal maturity (Risser grade ≥ 4) were accounted for. In this retrospective, controlled study, we matched patients in the posterior spinal fusion group to those 12 patients who had growth-friendly surgery by age, sex, pathologic findings, major curve size, and location of the apex of the major curve (2:1 matching provided 24 patients in the control group). The median (range) age was 9.8 years (9 to 11). We then compared the groups in terms of magnitude of correction and postoperative complications. Surgical complications, including infection, implant-related complications, and alignment-related complications were evaluated and classified using the surgical complications grading system. Pulmonary function tests and HRQoL were also compared between groups. Pulmonary function tests were performed at the same center with a spirometer. HRQoL were assessed by questionnaire, including the 24-item Early-onset Scoliosis questionnaire for parent-reported outcomes and the Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire for patient-reported outcomes. All patients involved in this study gave their informed consent.

RESULTS

The posterior spinal fusion group achieved a greater correction magnitude at the latest follow-up (median [range] 46% [28 to 70] versus median 34% [9 to 58], difference of medians = 11%; p < 0.001) than the growth-friendly group. A higher proportion of patients in the growth-friendly group had complications than in the posterior spinal fusion group (7 of 12 versus 4 of 24; p = 0.03). There were no between-group differences in terms of pulmonary function tests. Few differences were found between the groups in terms of 24-item Early-onset Scoliosis parental impact (median [range] 60 [44 to 83] for the growth-friendly group versus median 71 [55 to 87] for the posterior spinal fusion group, difference of medians = 13; p = 0.001), financial burden (median 44 [30 to 55] for the growth-friendly group versus median 62 [53 to 75] for the posterior spinal fusion group, difference of medians = 16; p < 0.001) and the Scoliosis Research Society-22 self-image scores (median 3.8 [3.2 to 4.3] for the growth-friendly group versus median 4.4 [4.1 to 4.6] for the posterior spinal fusion group, difference of medians = 0.5; p = 0.006) at the latest follow-up, and those differences that were observed all favored the posterior spinal fusion group.

CONCLUSIONS

In light of the superior deformity correction and fewer observed complications with posterior spinal fusion, and the absence of important differences in validated outcomes scores or pulmonary function tests, posterior spinal fusion might be a better choice for 9- to 11-year-old children with long-spanned congenital scoliosis and limited growth potential in the intended instrumentation area.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Contouring the magnetically controlled growing rods: impact on expansion capacity and proximal junctional kyphosis

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively determine the relationship between the contouring of the magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR), their expansion capacity and the risk of developing proximal junctional kyphosis in early onset scoliosis (EOS). MCGRs allow gradual expansion and correction of the spinal deformity in EOS while reducing the need for repeated surgeries. As the expansion of the MCGRs is controlled externally, several factors can impact the discrepancy between the intended and actual expansions of the rods. The expansion capacity of the growing rods as a function of the expanded length has been tested in experimental setups; however, no study has evaluated the role of contouring of the MCGRs on its function and long-term surgical outcome.

METHODS

A total of 25 EOS patients, a total of 48 MCGRs, with right thoracic curves, were studied retrospectively. All patients had two view spinal radiographs at pre-operative, after MCGR implantation, and after 6 lengthening visits. The first post-operative radiographs were used to calculate the 3D contour of the MCGR at the proximal end. 2D ultrasound images before and after lengthening visits were used to measure the rod lengthening at each visit. The relationship between the increase in the rod length and rod curvature was determined. Finally, the rod curvature was correlated to the changes in proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) angle between the pre-operative and the most recent follow-up, i.e., after 6 visits.

RESULTS

The average rod 3D angle at the proximal end was 13.5° ± 9.7° [0°-37.2°]. The overall increased length after six lengthening visits for the rod at the concave side was 18.8 mm and at the convex side was 16.9 mm. 62% of the patients with a contoured rod at the proximal end developed a PJK exceeding 10° whereas in patients with a straight rod PJK occurred in 9.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Contouring the MCGR impacts both the mechanics of the rod expansion and the prevalence of PJK in EOS patient population.

Device-Related Complications Associated with Magec Rod Usage for Distraction-Based Correction of Scoliosis

Introduction

Recent literature identifies similar failure rates such as anchor pull-out and rod breakage, but a higher unplanned revision surgery with MAGEC rods than with traditional growth rods. Besides known failure modes such as rod fracture, infection, etc., failure to noninvasively distract the rods was cited as the main cause of such unplanned surgeries. The source of these data ranges from multicenter cohort studies to singular case series. These studies included explanted implants that had undergone failure in distraction mechanism, rod fracture, or infection, or had reached their maximum length. Nevertheless, in addition to identifying the overall mode of failure, it is equally important to identify the large-scale incidence of exclusive failures in comparison with standard instrumentation failure modes in spine surgery.

Methods

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) databases were searched for reports on MAGEC rods, and on standard instrumentation used for spinal fusion. The adverse events were recorded, tabulated, and analyzed.

Results

A search of the US FDA MAUDE database yielded reports of 163 device-related adverse events. These included distraction mechanism failure (n=129), rod fracture (n=24), and minor voluntary reports of infection and tissue discoloration (n=10). For standard instrumentation usage in spine surgery, pedicle screw breakage post surgery (n=336), set screw damage during surgery (n=257), rod breakage post surgery (n=175), interbody cage breakage during surgery (n=118), and pedicle screw breakage during surgery (n=75) were identified as the top 5 failure modes.

Conclusions

The study identified the distraction mechanism failure as the most common and growing complication associated with MAGEC rod usage in children with scoliosis, leading to unplanned invasive revision surgeries.