Abstract
Magnetically controlled growing rods (MAGEC Rods™—Magnetic expansion control) are spinal titanium rods, which were developed for the treatment of early-onset-scoliosis (EOS) in children with remaining growth and preventing curve progression and pulmonary/thoracic insufficiencies. MAGEC™ rods are an alternative treatment to traditional growing rods with the decisive advantage that the elongation procedure can be carried out with an external electromagnetic remote control in an outpatient clinic setting without the need of open surgery and hospitalization of the children. MAGEC™ rods are able to improve scoliosis via reduction of cobb angle and elongation of thoracic height. Coronal curvature correction is comparable to that of traditional growing rods. Rotational correction of the deformity is limited. Main complication occurrence is qualitatively comparable to that of traditional growing rods but not in quantity. Proximal junctional kyphosis, implant failure, and anchoring problems are the most severe and may lead to unplanned revision surgery. Also reduced distraction with repeated lengthening procedures is to be expected, which might depend on the frequently occurring multisegmental autofusion process. Upon implant revision or removal, titanium metallosis and chronic soft tissue inflammation adjacent to the implants are regularly observed. Main reasons for the metal debris are offset loading mechanisms to the system during daily live and during expansion.
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Müller-Broich, J.D. (2023). Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod. In: Vieweg, U., Grochulla, F. (eds) Manual of Spine Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64062-3_52
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64062-3_52
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