Management and results of early-onset scoliosis with dual magnetically controlled growing rods: Additional preliminary results of spinal fusion surgery

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical andradiographic outcomes and complications of dual magneticallycontrolled growing rods (MCGRs) in the treatment of early-onsetscoliosis (EOS) and to investigate the results of patients withdefinitive spinal fusion following MCGR.Patients and methods: A total of 15 patients (7 males, 8 females;mean age: 8.7±1.7 years; range, 6 to 10 years) with EOS whounderwent dual MCGR and were prospectively followed betweenFebruary 2013 and March 2019 were included in this retrospectivestudy. The Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis, and the length of thespine between T1-T12 and T1-S1 were measured on preoperative,postoperative, and follow-up radiographs. The 24-Item Early-OnsetScoliosis Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) was used to assess the functionaloutcomes before and after the operation. All complications duringthe treatment were recorded.Results: The mean follow-up was 27.8±10.4 (range, 12 to 60)months. The mean curve correction immediately after the indexsurgery and latest follow-up was 47.6% and 42.4%, respectively(p>0.05). At the last follow-up, there were no significant changesin mean Cobb and kyphosis angles. The mean T1-T12 lengthincrease was 26.2±7.1 (range, 16 to 40) mm, while the meanT1-S1 length increase was 43.3±15.0 (range, 24 to 70) mm.Complications developed in four (26.6%) of 15 patients. Definitivespinal fusion surgery was performed in seven patients. Totalmean Cobb angle difference between the final follow-up andfusion surgery was 9.3° (p=0.016) and kyphosis angle differencewas -2.1° (p=0.349). After fusion surgery, total lengthening inT1-T12 and T1-S1 distance was 10.5 mm (p=0.036) and 15.0 mm(p=0.022), respectively. A significant increase in all subdomainscores of the EOSQ-24 (p