title: Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod in Early-Onset Scoliosis: A Minimum of 2-Year Follow-Up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The magnetically controlled growing rod technique decreases complications, costs, and loss of functionality by avoiding successive surgical corrections every 6 months in patients with early-onset scoliosis. However, only a few studies have presented clinical experience with the magnetically controlled growing rod. In this study we aimed to present our single-center experience in patients with early-onset scoliosis who underwent the magnetically controlled growing rod technique and follow-up for at least 2 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  We made an observational study by evaluating patients with early-onset scoliosis who underwent the magnetically controlled growing rod technique between February 2012 and December 2013. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the patients charts. We included patients who were followed up for at least 2 years. Radiological data were obtained from plain anterior-posterior and lateral scoliosis X-rays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients with early-onset scoliosis who underwent surgery using the magnetic system were treated with dual rods. None of the spines were fused to the sacrum. We observed no intra- and/or postsurgical complications. The average number of external rod lengthenings was 7.6. The average amount of lengthening was 30.6 mm on the right side and 27.8 mm on the left side by the time of last clinical follow-up. The average coronal and sagittal Cobb values at the final clinical evaluation were 10.5° (thoracic coronal), 13.75° (lumbar coronal), 6.25° (lumbosacral coronal), 24.5° (thoracic sagittal), and 40° (lumbar sagittal), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The magnetically controlled growing rod is beneficial in early-onset scoliosis, since it enables spinal growth and decreases additional surgeries, complications, and costs. Even though we had a small sample size, our follow-up period was enough to declare long-term outcomes of our patients. Multicenter and large sample-sized studies are needed to make more conclusive statements regarding this promising scoliosis treatment approach.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Bahçeşehir University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Baran
authors: B
authors: Yılmaz
authors: Murat Şakir
authors: MŞ
authors: Ekşi
authors: Semra
authors: S
authors: Işik
authors: Emel Ece
authors: EE
authors: Özcan-Ekşi
authors: Zafer Orkun
authors: ZO
authors: Toktaş
authors: Deniz
authors: D
authors: Konya
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors