Bracing for infantile scoliosis: no sedation needed

Mehta casting technique applied under anesthesia is standard treatment for infantile scoliosis (IIS). However, concern has been raised about frequent anesthesia in children less than three years. The development of a customized thoracolumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO) could avoid the risks of Mehta casting. To develop a bracing technique for IIS that achieves patient compliance and scoliosis correction. Nine patients with ISS were offered a custom TLSO as an alternative to Mehta casting. One patient declined due to an insurance issue. No anesthesia was required for measurement or fitting of the TLSO. A temperature sensitive monitor recorded wear time. Brace success was determined by radiographic correction and adherence to prescription of greater than 18 hours per day. Eight patients had brace treatment with mean(range): age 19(12-44) months, curve magnitude 34° (22-44°), rib vertebral angle of greater than 20° with follow-up 17(3-28) months. In brace correction was less than 15 degrees in 6 of 8 patients. Compliance monitor recorded wear: 4 patients ≥ 18 hours, 2 patients 16-18 hours, 1 had 14 hours, and 1 monitor malfunctioned and could not be read. Brace design evolved to maximize ipsilateral abdominal relief away from the lateral apical shift of the design. Foam lining was added to prevent skin irritation through the relief opening. Average number of braces per year =2.2. A customized TLSO can achieve in brace correction comparable to Mehta casting with acceptable compliance and without the need for general anesthesia, while allowing bathing and skin care.