Identifying potential risk factors for perioperative complications of vertebral body tethering

Dr Cheung, Wing Hang Prudence   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Professor Cheung Jason Pui Yin   (Co-Investigator)

24

2024-06-30

62026

Identifying potential risk factors for perioperative complications of vertebral body tethering

vertebral body tethering, complication, perioperative, early onset scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Orthopaedics/TraumatologyPersonalized Medicine

2302101719

Seed Fund for PI Research – Basic Research

2023

On-going

The objectives are:i) To evaluate the prevalence of non-implant related, perioperative complications of vertebral body tethering (VBT) and the timing of their occurrence;ii) To determine any preoperative indicators associated with the occurrence of these complications, including methods of surgical approach and patient factors;iii) To identify preoperative risk factors for the prediction of perioperative complications;iv) To determine the ability of patients returning to school and activities after VBT.Significance of the project There is a current lack of knowledge of the perioperative complications unrelated to surgical implants for VBT, their prevalence and any preoperative risk factors which can be identified. These complications can involve pulmonary, liver or renal function, bowel opening and ileus issues, and they can be life-threatening in worst case scenario. This project aims to investigate non-implant related perioperative complications in details, in particular in relation to methods of surgical approach and patient factors. The findings of this project can be useful for establishing precautious measures which can be implemented to lower perioperative complication rate and to avoid its occurrence. Not only this will allow better surgical planning of VBT and patient care, our findings potentially can also enhance surgeon's communication with parents and effective counselling of patient-parent expectations of the surgery as well as patient's recovery time required before returning to school and activities.