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Serial elongation, derotation and flexion (EDF) casting under general anesthesia and neuromuscular blocking drugs improve outcome in patients with juvenile scoliosis: preliminary results

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Abstract

Purpose

Juvenile scoliosis (JS), among different types of spinal deformity, remains still a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Elongation, derotation and flexion (EDF) casting technique is a custom-made thoracolumbar cast based on a three-dimensional correction concept. The primary objective of the present study was to measure changes on plain radiographs of patients with JS treated with EDF plaster technique. The second aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the EDF plaster technique realized under general anesthesia (GA) and neuromuscular blocking drugs, i.e. curare, on the radiological curve correction.

Methods

A retrospective comparative case series study was performed in which were included forty-four skeletally immature patients. Three patient groups were selected. Group 1: EDF cast applied with patients awaken and no anesthesia; Group 2: EDF cast applied under GA without neuromuscular blocking drugs; Group 3: EDF cast applied under GA with neuromuscular blocking drugs. All the patients were treated with two serial EDF casts by 2 months and a half each. All measurements were taken from the radiographic exams. Cobb’s angle; RVAD and Nash and Moe grade of rotation were assessed before and after applying the cast. Thirty-four (77.3 %) patients were followed up at least 24 months after removal of last EDF cast.

Results

Eighteen patients (3 males, 15 females) were included in Group 1, 12 (2 males, 10 females) in Group 2 and 14 (5 males, 9 females) in Group 3. Serial EDF casting was more effective at initial curve reduction and in preventing curve progression when applied under GA with neuromuscular blocking drugs, i.e. curare. RVAD and Nash and Moe score improved significantly in all groups of patients treated according to principles of EDF technique. During follow-up period, six patients required surgery in Group 1 (6/18; 33.3 %), 3 patients required surgery in Group 2 (3/12; 25 %) and 2 patients underwent surgery in Group 3 (2/14; 15 %).

Conclusions

Preliminary results show EDF casting is effective in controlling the curve in both frontal (Cobb’s angle) and transverse plane (rib vertebral angle and apical vertebral rotation degree).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, CHU Estaing, 1 Place Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, 63003, Clermont Ferrand, France

    Federico Canavese, Alexei Botnari, Antoine Samba & Marie Rousset

  2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier, 2 Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, 34000, Montpellier, France

    Alain Dimeglio

  3. Biostatistics unit, DRCI, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, 58 rue Montalambert, 63000, Clermont Ferrand, France

    Bruno Pereira

  4. Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, 58 rue Montalambert, 63000, Clermont Ferrand, France

    Adeline Gerst & Marie Granier

  5. Académie Nationale de Médecine, 16 rue Bonaparte, 75006, Paris, France

    Jean Dubousset

Authors
  1. Federico Canavese
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  2. Alexei Botnari
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  3. Alain Dimeglio
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  4. Antoine Samba
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  6. Adeline Gerst
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  7. Marie Granier
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  8. Marie Rousset
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  9. Jean Dubousset
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Correspondence to Federico Canavese.

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Canavese, F., Botnari, A., Dimeglio, A. et al. Serial elongation, derotation and flexion (EDF) casting under general anesthesia and neuromuscular blocking drugs improve outcome in patients with juvenile scoliosis: preliminary results. Eur Spine J 25, 487–494 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4100-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4100-1

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