Summary:

What is the purpose of this study?

This study reviewed spine length and growth during growth-friendly surgical treatments for non-idiopathic early onset scoliosis. The purpose was to understand if the spine continues to grow when surgical instrumentation is used to try to correct the curvature. Two large multicenter databases were reviewed for patients. Spine length was measured from the side of the spine

Results:

-After initial correction of a curve, the average scoliosis measurement did not change, but the average kyphosis (curve from the side) measurement, increased over time.

-Spine length as measured from the side was longer in neuromuscular patients before and until the 10^th consecutive surgical lengthening compared to syndromic and congenital patients.

-Syndromic patients gained longer length after their original surgery until the 15^th surgical lengthening.

Important Discussion Points:

-Early onset scoliosis is not very common. This study uses databases to review individual types of EOS, and how surgery affects spine growth.

-This study showed that growth or distraction surgeries can successfully lengthen and help the spine grow in non-idiopathic scoliosis. 

-This was reviewed for patients having surgical treatment for five years.