Abstract
Introduction
Early onset scoliosis normally found in children from the age of birth till 10 years old with female preponderance. Any lateral spinal curvature of 10 degrees or more by reference to Cobb's angle measurement is diagnosed as scoliosis. The deformities is three dimensional thus affecting spinal growth in multiple planes. Scoliosis has been classified based on it's underlying causes such as congenital, idiopathic and also secondary causes as neuromuscular scoliosis or syndromic scoliosis.
Material and Methods
A retrospective study of patients seen in Orthopedic and Traumatology department of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The age of patients ranges from 8 to 13 years old and are diagnosed with scoliosis regardless of the etiology. Twenty two patient (nine males, thirteen females) whom underwent surgical intervention are the subjects of this study. Spine correction details includes Cobb'sangle, T1-S1 length, Coracoid Height Difference (CHD), Clavicle Ribcage intersection point Difference(CRID), Clavicular Tilt Angle Difference(CTAD), Vertebral height, Apex distance from CSVL and rate of lengthening were collected. Data were then statistically analyzed.
Results
The results obtained after data analysis were as followes: Mean age of surgery is 11.1(between 13 and 7.7). Improvement of Cobb's angle immediately post op is 33.71%(between 54.55 and 15.56). Final improvement is 48.66 (between 69.09% and 27.59%). T1S1 length improved immediately post operatively by 12.28% and at final lengthening was 26.41%. An improvement of shoulder CHD immediately post op by 38.33% and at final by 51.96% was observed. Balance CRID improve post operatively 35.21% and final 31.86%. Balance CTAD showed improvement post operatively by 24.38% and final by 23.64%. Overall shoulder balance improved post operatively by 32.64% and final was 35.72%. Reduction of coronal distance immediate postoperatively by 36.30% and final at 54.89%.
Conclusion
Growing rod is not only one of the best option to prevent the progression of curvature, it is also a good method in correcting the co-existing curvature. With a good correction of curvature, it will facilitate in achieving the maximal correction for definitive fusion later. The outcome of our center is comparable with the results published by other international studies. Treatment of Early Onset Scoliosis with growing rod technique is safe and effective.