Magnetically controlled growing rods for severe spinal curvature in young children: A prospective case series

Abstract

Scoliosis in skeletally immature children is often treated by implantation of a rod to straighten the spine. Rods can be distracted (lengthened) as the spine grows, but patients need many invasive operations under general anaesthesia. Such operations are costly and associated with negative psychosocial outcomes. We assessed the eff ectiveness and safety of a new magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) for non-invasive outpatient distractions. Methods We implanted the MCGR in fi ve patients, two of whom have now reached 24 months' follow-up. Each patient underwent monthly outpatient distractions. We used radiography to measure the magnitude of the spinal curvature, rod distraction length, and spinal length. We assessed clinical outcome by measuring the degree of pain, function, mental health, satisfaction with treatment, and procedure-related complications. Findings In the two patients with 24 months' follow-up, the mean degree of scoliosis, measured by Cobb angle, was 67° (SD 10°) before implantation and 29° (4°) at 24 months. Length of the instrumented segment of the spine increased by a mean of 1·9 mm (0·4 mm) with each distraction. Mean predicted versus actual rod distraction lengths were 2·3 mm (1·2 mm) versus 1·4 mm (0·7 mm) for patient 1, and 2·0 mm (0·2 mm) and 2·1 mm (0·7 mm) versus 1·9 mm (0·6 mm) and 1·7 mm (0·8 mm) for patient 2's right and left rods, respectively. Throughout follow-up, both patients had no pain, had good functional outcome, and were satisfi ed with the procedure. No MCGR-related complications were noted. Interpretation The MCGR procedure can be safely and eff ectively used in outpatient settings, and minimises surgical scarring and psychological distress, improves quality of life, and is more cost-eff ective than is the traditional growing rod procedure. The technique could be used for non-invasive correction of abnormalities in other disorders.