Growth-friendly spinal surgery: Review of the effect on truncal growth

Pediatric spinal deformity surgery affects ultimate spinal height in the growing child. This effect on ultimate spinal height has also been shown to affect pulmonary development and ultimately pulmonary function. There has been an increasing trend toward growth-friendly spinal surgery in early onset scoliosis to minimize the negative consequences of early spinal fusion surgery. Such growth-friendly techniques include VEPTR, MCGR, and Shilla. Which technique allows for the most growth after initial implantation is still not clear.

An extensive literature review on the topic of pediatric spinal growth was undertaken. Topics reviewed include: normal growth, growth after intervention by various methods, and the effect on pulmonary function. We have summarized the literature for the techniques identified and compared these with normal population data..

The data for various surgical techniques were reviewed. These included VEPTR, standard growing rods, and MCGR. The measurement techniques for determining ultimate spinal growth varied based upon the technique for measurement and the timing of initial and final measurements. The results of attained spinal growth were not directly correlated to pulmonary function values.

There is still no standardized ideal time or technique for assessing the best results in this area. We suggest that some of what is called growth from growth-friendly techniques is lengthening from the initial deformity correction. This nomenclature needs to be clarified. In addition, how and when to determine ultimate spinal growth from each surgical technique and by which radiographic technique needs to be standardized.