Abstract
Introduction
To present a new system for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and the first outcomes.
Material-Methods: The new system (Apifix) is an automatic self-correction system, which is fixed by two transpendicular screws on the convex side of the apex of the curve. This system has been used in 4 adolescents with progressive scoliosis of 32°-42°. No blood transfusion was needed. The surgical time was ~1 hour, and the hospital stay was one day. After three weeks, a special program of physiotherapy was started to expand further the system. The Cobb angle, the parameters of sagittal balance and the vertebra rotation (using Nash-Moe technique), has been evaluated during a follow-up of 1 ½ years.
Results
The Cobb angle average improved from 37° to 18,2°. Immediately postoperatively a scoliosis improvement of 13,7° (range: 17°-12°) was noted, and after the physiotherapy other 5° (range: 1°-8°) of improvement was achieved. The sagittal balance parameters remained unchanged. A spontaneous vertebra derotation average from 39,1% to 28,6% was noted using Nash-Moe evaluation.
Conclusions
The first outcomes of the use of this system are encouraging but further research in more patients, and in longer follow-up is needed. This system offers an option between conservative treatment and spinal posterior fusion to be used as an internal brace.