title: The impact of a corrective tether on a scoliosis porcine model: a detailed 3D analysis with a 20 weeks follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-fusion treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis generates interest due to the potential for growth preservation and mobility. Using an established porcine scoliotic model, this study aims to evaluate the global alignment and the morphology of the spine with and without application of a non-fusion corrective tether.
  
  
  METHODS
  At 12 weeks of age, 21 immature Yorkshire pigs had an induction of scoliosis. Once a 50° Cobb angle was obtained; animals were placed into one of the following groups: a scoliosis model group (SM, n = 11) where animals were euthanized, tether release group (TR, n = 5) where the inducing tether was removed, and an anterior correction group (AC, n = 5) where the inducing tether was removed and non-fusion corrective tether was applied. TR and AC were observed for a further 20 weeks and then euthanized. Post-mortem CT scans were used to create 3D spinal reconstructions to obtain global and morphologic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximal Cobb angle of the scoliotic deformity was significantly lower for AC (27.9° ± 12.0°) than for the two other groups (TR 52.7° ± 10.0°, SM 48.3° ± 7.6°). AC experienced an increase in kyphosis (24.2° ± 15.9°) compared to TR (7.1° ± 6.4°). Correction in the axial plane was also observed in AC versus TR. Correction of vertebral wedging was found for AC compared to SM and TR in the three apical vertebrae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D realignment of scoliotic curves was observed with application of the corrective tether. The correction was the product of both mechanical action and growth modulation. These findings are encouraging for future development of a non-fusion device for the treatment of immature scoliotic curves.
authors.affiliation: NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, 306 E. 15th St, Suite 1F, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moal
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demakakos
authors.forename: Renaud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lafage
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riviere
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lafage
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D015994:Incidence; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D013552:Swine; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed