title: Do magnetic growing rods have lower complication rates compared with conventional growing rods?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main advantage cited for the use of the magnetic controlled growing rod (MCGR) system over the conventional growing rod (CGR) in early-onset scoliosis is avoiding repeated invasive surgical procedures for lengthening, thus reducing, complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to evaluate the complications of the MCGR system against the CGR system in our center.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective case control series.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample includes patients with early-onset scoliosis treated with MCGR or CGR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complications and unplanned return to theater were the outcome measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 37 patients (MCGR, N=10; CGR, N=27) in our cohort, 28 patients (76%) had at least one complication. Taking into account the follow-up period, MCGR had a higher complication rate than CGR group (0.32 complication per patient per year vs. 0.15 complication per patient per year). The use of MCGR was associated with a lower risk of deep infection (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22; p=.22) and superficial infection (OR: 0.07, p=.017) but increased risk of metalwork problems (OR: 4.67; p=.045) and unplanned return to theater (OR: 2.92; p=.05) compared with CGR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although MCGR has a lower rate of both deep and superficial infections when compared with CGR, it does not completely avoid repeated invasive surgical procedures as previously suggested. It does have a significant increased risk of metalwork problems and unplanned return to theater.
authors: Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: karhao@gmail.com.
authors: Kar H
authors: KH
authors: Teoh
authors: Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom.
authors: Daniel M G
authors: DM
authors: Winson
authors: Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom.
authors: Stuart H
authors: SH
authors: James
authors: Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom.
authors: Alwyn
authors: A
authors: Jones
authors: Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Howes
authors: Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom.
authors: Paul R
authors: PR
authors: Davies
authors: Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom.
authors: Sashin
authors: S
authors: Ahuja
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D059346:Magnets; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Complications; Deformity; Early-onset scoliosis; Growing rods; Magnet; Remote control; Scoliosis