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Shilla growing rods in a caprine animal model: a pilot study
Richard E McCarthy1, Daniel Sucato, Joseph L Turner
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Slot 839, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA. rmccarthy@uams.edu
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|August 21, 2009
Summary
The Shilla growth guidance system enables continued spinal growth in young patients with early-onset scoliosis without repeated surgeries. This dual-rod implant allows natural spinal lengthening, offering a promising surgical solution.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomedical engineering
- Pediatric spinal deformities
Background:
- Early-onset scoliosis presents limited surgical options for maintaining spinal growth.
- Current treatments often require repeated surgical interventions for lengthening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Shilla growth guidance system in a goat model.
- To assess the potential for continued spinal growth using this novel implant.
Main Methods:
- Implantation of the dual-rod Shilla system in 11 immature goats.
- Postoperative evaluation using radiography, CT scans, physical, and histological examinations.
- Microscopic wear analysis of the implant components.
Main Results:
- All goat spines demonstrated continued growth with the implants in situ, averaging 48 mm of lengthening.
- No implant failures were observed, though minor wear occurred at the rod/screw interface.
- Histological and physical examinations supported successful growth guidance.
Conclusions:
- The Shilla growth guidance system facilitates continued spinal growth in a preclinical model.
- This system offers a potential alternative to repeated surgical lengthening for early-onset scoliosis.
- Further research is warranted to translate these findings to clinical application.
