PURPOSE: Preliminary results of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) are encouraging. However, only short case series of MCGR for the treatment of early onset @entity1635 (EOS) have been reported. Our aim was to evaluate its effectiveness and complications. METHODS: We report a 30-case retrospective, consecutive, multicenter series of MCGR. Effectiveness was judged upon: deformity correction and difficulties to achieve desired distraction. Secondary endpoints included complications and revision surgeries. RESULTS: Median age at surgery was 9.1  years (5-13). Mean follow-up was 18.4  months (12-33.9). Mean Cobb angle was 66   preoperatively and 44   at latest follow-up. MCGR has avoided an average of 2.03 scheduled surgical procedures per @entity1 compared to traditional growing rod (GR). The intended total length gain was 40.1  mm per @entity1 (5-140) and the total measured length gain was 21.9  mm (45.5% discrepancy). There were 24 complications: 7 proximal pull-outs of the hooks, 3 rod breakages, 6 failures of the lengthening of which 4 complete blockages and 2 complete blockages followed by backtracking, 1 proximal junctional kyphosis, 1 wound dehiscence, 1 superficial infection, 1 @entity281 requiring implant removal, 1 @entity1151 , 1 @entity338 , 1 @entity1635 , and 1 @entity158 outpatient distraction. Eight @entity1 had a gradual loss of effectiveness of distractions. There were 13 revision surgeries in 9 @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: MCGR provides satisfactory deformity correction and avoids repeated surgical procedures for lengthening. However, it has substantial complication rate. Although less frequent than in GR, the law of diminishing returns also applies to MCGR.

Magnetically controlled growing rod in early onset XXXX : a 30-case multicenter study.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity1635 :: ('MESH:D012600', 'Disease') :: ['scoliosis', 'secondary lumbar scoliosis'] @entity1151 :: ('MESH:D011655', 'Disease') :: ['pulmonary embolism'] @entity338 :: ('MESH:D011665', 'Disease') :: ['pulmonary insufficiency'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['deep infection'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['painful']
@entity1635 :: (MESH:D012600,Disease) :: ['scoliosis']
