Table I.
Vertebral body tethering growth modulation compared to vertebral body tethering anterior scoliosis correction with a mean follow-up of five years (60.5 months).
| Variable | VBT-GM | VBT-ASC |
|---|---|---|
| Patients, n | 10 | 10 |
| Curves instrumented, n | 11 | 12 |
| Sex, n | 10 female | 9 female, 1 male |
| Mean age, yrs (range) | 12.57 (9 to 14) | 14.99 (13 to 17) |
| Mean Risser grade (range) | 0.63 (0 to 2) | 3.66 (3 to 5) |
| Tri-radiate cartilage open, % (n) | 40 (4) | 0 (0) |
| Closed, % (n) | 60 (6) | 100 (10) |
| Single right curve MT, n | 6 (Lenke 1 A) | 5 (Lenke 1 A) |
| Single left curve MT, n | 1 (Lenke 1 A) | |
| Single Curve TL, n | 0 | 2 (Lenke 5) |
| Double major, n | 1 (Lenke 1 C) | 2 (Lenke 3 C) |
| 2 (Lenke 6) | 1 (Lenke 6) | |
| Mean MT levels operated, n (range) | 7 (5 to 9) | 8.7 (7 to 10) |
| Mean TL levels operated, n (range) | 5.5 (5 to 6) | 6 (N/A) |
| Preoperative Cobb angle, ° | 47.4° (40° to 58°) | 56.5° (40° to 79°) |
| Bending Cobb angle, ° | 17.4° (1°-41°) | 30.6° (2°-69°) |
| Postop Cobb angle (early), ° | 20.3° (2°-33°) | 11.2° (3°-24°) |
| Postop Cobb angle (last), ° | 19.4° (-17° - 56°) | 20° (9° - 45°) |
| Correction rate, % | 59.0% | 67% |
| Fulcrum flexibility, % | 63.3% | 45.8% |
| Fulcrum correction bending index, % | 93.1% | 146.6% |
| Mean follow-up, mths (range) | 64. 5 (56 to 60) | 56.6 (55 to 70) |
| Planned second surgery, n | 1 | 0 |
| Over-correction, n | 3 | 0 |
| Conversion to fusion, n | 1 | 0 |
| Cable breakage, n | 1 | 0 |
| Failure to correct Cobb angle > 35° (early postop) | 1 | 0 |
| Failure to correct Cobb angle > 35° (last radiograph) | 2 | 2 |
ASC, anterior scoliosis correction; GM, growth modulation; MT, main thoracic; N/A, not applicable; TL, thoracolumbar; VBT, vertebral body tethering.