Advances in nonfusion techniques for the treatment of scoliosis in children.

Abstract

Scoliotic deformity in young children is a challenge for the spinal surgeon. Though traditional spinal correction and fusion techniques can improve these deformities, they inhibit growth of the spine. Nonfusion technologies are an effective approach to this problem. They not only correct the spinal deformity, but also allow the spine to keep growing and developing. These techniques include the growing rod, stapling, pedicle screw tethering, the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR), and multi-vertebrae wedge osteotomy. This is a review of advances in nonfusion techniques for the treatment of scoliosis in children. © 2010 Tianjin Hospital and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.