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Improvement of Kyphoscoliosis in a 9-Year-Old Using Growth Modulation With a Posterior Tether: A Case Report

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Abstract

Objective

Our aim was to report the first case of a posterior tether used for growth modulation in the treatment of spinal deformity.

Methods

A 9-year-old boy with progressive kyphoscoliosis failed multiple attempts of brace treatment; the deformity progressed to kyphosis of 73° and scoliosis of 41° on standing radiographs. We placed a posterior tether using hydroxyapatite-coated pedicle screws with a flexible polymer cord under modest compression unilaterally from T3 to T11 with no subperiosteal dissection and no attempt at fusion.

Results

Immediately postoperatively, the kyphosis improved from 73° to 65° and the scoliosis from 41° to 26°. At 26 months postoperatively, the kyphosis improved to 42° and the scoliosis to 26°. At 31 months postoperatively, distal junctional kyphosis developed. The patient then underwent a spine fusion at age 11 years. We noted at surgery that the previously tethered spine from T3 to T11 was fused with no motion present even after implants were removed.

Conclusion

A posterior unilateral tether was successful at progressively improving kyphosis and preventing worsening of scoliosis in a 9-year-old boy, but it led to fusion of the spine within 31 months.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Orthopaedic Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mail Stop #69, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA

    Kira F. Skaggs, Karen S. Myung MD, PhD, Aimee E. Brasher MD & David L. Skaggs MD, MMM

Authors
  1. Kira F. Skaggs
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  2. Karen S. Myung MD, PhD
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  3. Aimee E. Brasher MD
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  4. David L. Skaggs MD, MMM
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David L. Skaggs MD, MMM.

Additional information

Author disclosures: KFS (daughter of coauthor DLS); KSM (none); AEB (none); DLS (consulting for Medtronic and Stryker; board member for Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, Growing Spine Study Group, Scoliosis Research Society; lectures for Medtronic and Stryker; royalties from Wolters Kluwer Health-Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). *Corresponding author. Children’s Orthopaedic Center, Children’s

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Skaggs, K.F., Myung, K.S., Brasher, A.E. et al. Improvement of Kyphoscoliosis in a 9-Year-Old Using Growth Modulation With a Posterior Tether: A Case Report. Spine Deform 1, 79–83 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspd.2012.09.002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspd.2012.09.002

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