Radiographic Results after Vertebral Body Tethering

Vertebral body tethering (VBT), otherwise known as fusion-less anterior scoliosis correction (ASC), is a new and increasingly interesting therapeutic option for selected scoliosis patients. The available data on this surgical technique are still limited and guidelines on patient selection or surgical timing are not available. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the available literature on VBT. The analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Nine studies with data from 175 patients were available. On average, 7.3 vertebrae were instrumented. Surgical time was 230 min and the estimated blood loss 153 ml. The mean correction on the coronal plane was 52%, and there was no significant change in sagittal parameters. The revision rate was 18.9%. The methodological quality assessment with the Coleman score gave unsatisfactory results, so that available data are not sufficient to propose general indications or guidelines to perform VBT.