1. Early Experience of Frequent Small Increments Lengthening of Magnetic Spinal Growing Rods in Children with Severe Early Onset Scoliosis
Joseph Ivan Krajbich MD, FRCS(C)
Shriners Hospital for Children
Portland, OR

2. Hypothesis
Frequent, small increment of magnetic spinal growth rods (MSGR) lengthening similar to principles of limb lengthening and tissue expansion, will allow atraumatic gradual rod lengthening, accommodating both growth and additional curve correction

3. Methods
Cohort of patients with early onset scoliosis were treated with the following treatment protocol:
Patient with severe (>65 deg) EOS included in the study
Patients with scoliosis >70 deg placed in Halo gravity traction prior to rod implant
MSGR’s lengthen every 6 weeks using set 2 to 3 mm lengthening
Amount of lengthening achieved and Cobb measured on radiographs

4. Results 13 patients included in the study Various etiology
Average pre treatment Cobb deg
Range 67 – 114
Average pre rod implant/post halo Cobb 69deg
Immediate post implant average Cobb was 49deg
The average follow up was 13.3 months

5. Results First lengthening at 6 weeks post implant
Subsequent lengthening every 6 weeks
No cast or brace post implant
No activity restriction other than contact sports

6. Results
All rods continue to lengthen regardless of the length of follow up
Final average Cobb was deg
The average lengthening per clinic visit mm

7. Results All wound healed per primum No early or late infection
No implant failure
No anchor failure or issues
No junctional kyphosis

8. 8 y/o with NF1
Post halo traction
Post rods insertion
2 year follow up

9. Conclusions
Small increment, frequent lengthening of MSGR’s would appear to be safe, effective method of controlling scoliosis curve in EOS population.