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Apex of curve migration new compensatory curve seen after surgery with Shilla growing rods
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ORLANDO, Fla. — A new type of growing rod technology for spinal deformity, that involves caps to allow the rods to slide within the heads of the implanted pedicle screws, was associated with migration of the apex of the spinal curve in 62% of patients.
The rods used in the series are part of the Shilla Growth Guidance System (Medtronic) and were in place for more than 5 years in 21 pediatric patients with early onset spine deformity. Researchers of the retrospective review study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting noted the work constitutes the longest series on this procedure. John T. Wilkinson, MD, presented the findings.
“It is a procedure that is still relatively new in its infancy,” Wilkinson said, adding the results are helping define the procedure’s indications.
Among the 13 patients with curve migration in the study, curves migrated an average of 2.7 vertebrae from the postoperative time to the 84 months on average in which the rods were in place, Wilkinson said during his presentation. He also reported that two patients developed a compensatory curve, which occurred at an area of the spine that was not previously affected by the patients’ deformity. In some cases, the new compensatory curve exceeded 20°.
Other results presented focused on implant failure with the Shilla rods, such as rod fractures and screw pullout. Implant failure occurred in eleven of the 21 patients studied. – by Susan M. Rapp
Reference:
Wilkinson JT, et al. Paper #215. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 1-5, 2016; Orlando, Fla.
Disclosure: Wilkinson reports no relevant financial disclosures.