[Non-fusion techniques for treatment of pediatric scoliosis]

The primary goal of treatment in children with early onset scoliosis (EOS) is to control the deformity and to allow spinal and chest wall growth to continue and improve pulmonary function. In skeletally immature children spondylodesis leads to fusion of the instrumented segments with associated nonsymmetrical growth and pulmonary insufficiency. Non-fusion, techniques such as growing rods, vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib® (VEPTR) and staples have evolved over the past years. Each technique has its different spectrum of indications which the surgeon has to follow accurately to prevent the patient from developing complications. A new trend started by using magnetically controlled growing rods to avoid the need for anesthesia and open surgery during adaptive growth. The intention of this article is to give the reader a synopsis about the three most important non-fusion techniques based on own experience and the current literature.