title: Magnetically controlled growing rod in early onset scoliosis: a 30-case multicenter study.
abstract: Preliminary results of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) are encouraging. However, only short case series of MCGR for the treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) have been reported. Our aim was to evaluate its effectiveness and complications.
  
  
  
  We report a 30-case retrospective, consecutive, multicenter series of MCGR. Effectiveness was judged upon: deformity correction and difficulties to achieve desired distraction. Secondary endpoints included complications and revision surgeries.
  
  
  
  Median age at surgery was 9.1 years (5-13). Mean follow-up was 18.4 months (12-33.9). Mean Cobb angle was 66° preoperatively and 44° at latest follow-up. MCGR has avoided an average of 2.03 scheduled surgical procedures per patient compared to traditional growing rod (GR). The intended total length gain was 40.1 mm per patient (5-140) and the total measured length gain was 21.9 mm (45.5% discrepancy). There were 24 complications: 7 proximal pull-outs of the hooks, 3 rod breakages, 6 failures of the lengthening of which 4 complete blockages and 2 complete blockages followed by backtracking, 1 proximal junctional kyphosis, 1 wound dehiscence, 1 superficial infection, 1 deep infection requiring implant removal, 1 pulmonary embolism, 1 pulmonary insufficiency, 1 secondary lumbar scoliosis, and 1 painful outpatient distraction. Eight patients had a gradual loss of effectiveness of distractions. There were 13 revision surgeries in 9 patients.
  
  
  
  MCGR provides satisfactory deformity correction and avoids repeated surgical procedures for lengthening. However, it has substantial complication rate. Although less frequent than in GR, the law of diminishing returns also applies to MCGR.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France. julie-lebon@hotmail.fr.|, 26 rue Dupont, 31500, Toulouse, France. julie-lebon@hotmail.fr.|Hôpital Pierre Paul Riquet (3è étage chirurgie orthopédique), CHU Toulouse Purpan, Place Baylac, 31000, Toulouse, France. julie-lebon@hotmail.fr.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5824-6116
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lebon
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Batailler
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wargny
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Marseille, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Choufani
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Violas
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fron
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kieffer
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Accadbled
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cunin
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme Sales
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: De Gauzy
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D059346:Magnets; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Complication; Early onset scoliosis; Magnetically controlled growing rod; Multicenter study; Revision