Dual Growing Rod Technique Followed for Three to Eleven Years Until Final Fusion

Abstract

Dual growing rod technique resulted in 5.7 +/- 2.9 cm of spinal growth during a 4.37 +/- 2.4 year treatment period. There was significantly greater growth and correction achieved in those lengthened more frequently.

Growing rod concepts: state of the art

“…The authors concluded that the dual growing rod technique was safe and effective, and had an acceptable rate of complications compared with previous reports while preserving near-normal growth [10]. Consistently better results have been reported with the use of double rods instead of a single one [11,12].…”

“…While this determination is an important milestone in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis, it also brings with it the question of whether growth is preserved or stimulated. Patients in Akbarnia et al's [10,12] series who were, for various reasons, lengthened more frequently than 6 months showed a greater amount of growth. Yilmaz et al [40] showed in their experimental study on 12 immature pigs that vertebral growth continues during growing rod treatment at an accelerated but statistically not significant rate.…”

“…In the 2002 paper by Acaroglu et al [9,12] patients undergoing fusionless instrumentation without fusion were S122 Eur Spine J (2013) 22 (Suppl 2):S118-S130 evaluated. The average number of lengthening operations per patient was reported to be 4.6 and the overall number of surgeries, 7.…”

“…In another report by Akbarnia et al [12], 13 patients followed for 3-11 years after final fusion were analyzed. Six patients (46 %) experienced complications, including the treatment period and follow-up after final fusion.…”

“…This evolved to routine lengthening to catch up and keep pace with growth, with variable intervals of time due to reports detailing nearnormal growth with such practice [10,12]. It has also been observed that more frequent lengthenings result in a greater amount of growth achieved during the course of treatment [12].…”