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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Enhancement of the Initial Growth Rate of Agricultural Plants by Using Static Magnetic Fields
Published on: July 8, 2016
Do magnetic growing rods have lower complication rates compared with conventional growing rods?
Kar H Teoh1, Daniel M G Winson1, Stuart H James1
1Welsh Centre for Spinal Surgery & Trauma, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF10 2FF, United Kingdom.
Background Context:
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.
Purpose:
The study aimed to evaluate the complications of the MCGR system against the CGR system in our center.
Study Design/Setting:
This is a retrospective case control series.
Patient Sample:
The sample includes patients with early-onset scoliosis treated with MCGR or CGR.
Outcome Measures:
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.
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