Pedicle screws can cause significantly fewer complications than hooks in children with early-onset scoliosis, according to a Medscape Today report.
The study consisted of 247 pediatric patients who were 10 years old or younger and who received their index growing rod surgery between 1998 and 2008. There were 22 complications directly related to the 896 pedicle screws that were placed. Loss of fixation in four screws and migration over time in 14 screws was reported.
Of the 867 hooks that were placed, 60 reported complications directly related to the hooks. Acute loss of fixation was reported in 35 hooks and migration in 22 hooks. There was no neurologic or vascular injury complications directly related to an implant.
"Based on our results, we believe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should consider approving pedicle screws for use in children," said David Lee Skaggs, MD, chief of the division of orthopedic surgery at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, in the report. "The decision to withhold approval of these devices solely on the bases of patient age no longer seems justified."
Read the Medscape Today report on pedicle screws.
Read other coverage on scoliosis surgery:
- Improving Scoliosis Treatment: Q&A With Vincent Arlet, Developer of Scolisoft Scoliosis Database
- Performing Minimally Invasive Surgery for Adult Scoliosis: Q&A With Dr. Neel Anand of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles
- Scoliosis Research Society's Database on Morbidity and Mortality An Effective Benchmarking Tool
The study consisted of 247 pediatric patients who were 10 years old or younger and who received their index growing rod surgery between 1998 and 2008. There were 22 complications directly related to the 896 pedicle screws that were placed. Loss of fixation in four screws and migration over time in 14 screws was reported.
Of the 867 hooks that were placed, 60 reported complications directly related to the hooks. Acute loss of fixation was reported in 35 hooks and migration in 22 hooks. There was no neurologic or vascular injury complications directly related to an implant.
"Based on our results, we believe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should consider approving pedicle screws for use in children," said David Lee Skaggs, MD, chief of the division of orthopedic surgery at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, in the report. "The decision to withhold approval of these devices solely on the bases of patient age no longer seems justified."
Read the Medscape Today report on pedicle screws.
Read other coverage on scoliosis surgery:
- Improving Scoliosis Treatment: Q&A With Vincent Arlet, Developer of Scolisoft Scoliosis Database
- Performing Minimally Invasive Surgery for Adult Scoliosis: Q&A With Dr. Neel Anand of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles
- Scoliosis Research Society's Database on Morbidity and Mortality An Effective Benchmarking Tool