Abstract
Introduction
This retrospective study evaluates the complications and radiographic results of 30 patients treated with VEPTR for correction of complex spine deformities in children.
Material and Methods
30 cases of spine deformities followed up for a minimum of 2 year and maximum of 7 years, were retrospectively reviewed. 8 congenital malformation of spine, 3 infantile scoliosis and the others were spinal deformities associated with; spinal cord tumors, osteogenesis imperfecta, Jarcho Levin syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, arthrogriphosis, myelomeningocele and congenital myopathy. The age at surgery varied between 2 and 12 years (6.65). We studied the postoperative change in cobb's angels (in antero-posterior and lateral views), space available for lung (SAL) and complication patterns in relation to number of lengthening operations.
Results
Complications: the complications rate was (36.6%). Complications varied from mortality “one case (3.3%)” to skin sloughing, surgical site infection, junctional kyphosis, metal failure, and pelvic hook migration. The average Cobb's angles preoperatively in the antero-posterior view were 86.8°, while the postoperative average was 55° (average correction 31.8°). The average (SAL %) was 82.3% preoperatively, and has been improved to become 93.5% postoperatively.
Conclusion
VEPTR represents a good alternative to “spine to spine growing rod techniques” and vertebral column resections “VCR” in spite of its complications rate with regard to the nature of deformity and number of “lengthening reoperations,” however it should be used in well selected cases.