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Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods Graduation: Lessons From a Single-center Series of 48 Patients
Ron Gurel1, Etay Elbaz1, Amit Sigal1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) treatment effectively manages early-onset scoliosis (EOS), allowing for significant spinal growth. A large single-center study found a moderate complication rate, suggesting improved outcomes with experience.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric spine deformity
- Biomechanical engineering
Background:
- Magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) is a key treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS).
- Long-term outcome data for MCGR is limited.
- This study investigates outcomes in a large cohort treated to definitive fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and complication rates of MCGR in a large, consecutive series of pediatric EOS patients.
- To determine if experience in a high-volume center reduces complications.
- To assess spinal deformity correction and growth achieved with MCGR.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 48 EOS patients treated with MCGR from 2012-2022.
- Evaluation of baseline and final radiographic measurements.
- Assessment of surgery-related complications and unplanned surgeries.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in major coronal deformity (51.7%).
- Substantial thoracic spine growth achieved (mean 52.9 mm).
- Overall complication rate of 22.9%, with varying need for unplanned surgeries.
Conclusions:
- MCGR offers adequate EOS control and promotes thoracic spine growth.
- A moderate complication rate was observed in this high-volume center.
- Experience may contribute to managing MCGR treatment outcomes.
Background:
Magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) has become a widely utilized method of deformity control, but long-term follow-up reports are sparse. We evaluated the outcomes of a large group of consecutive pediatric patients diagnosed with EOS who were treated by MCGR to the endpoint of definitive spinal fusion in a single center. We hypothesized that lessons learned from treating a large volume of MCGR patients would lower the complication rate in comparison to what was previously reported by other studies.
Methods:
The records of 48 EOS patients with varied etiologies who were treated by MCGR between 2012 and 2022 and reached the end of treatment were analyzed retrospectively for baseline and final radiographic measurements and surgery-related complications.
Results:
The mean percent of improvement in the major coronal deformity was 51.7±25.0% and the mean T1 to T12 total growth was 52.9±21.9 mm. The total complication rate was 22.9% of which 12.5% required a single unplanned surgery, 6.3% required multiple unplanned surgeries, and 4% did not require any unplanned surgery.
Conclusion:
MCGR treatment provides adequate control of EOS, enabling satisfactory growth of the thoracic spine. The complication rate in a single large volume center is moderate.
Level Of Evidence:
IV.
