Do growing rod systems for early onset scoliosis allow adequate truncal growth

Aim:To measure truncal parameters for patients treated with growing rod systems for early onset scoliosis (EOS).Methods:44 patients underwent growth rod surgery for EOS between 1999 and 2013 (24 females and 20 males). 27 patients had idiopathic scoliosis, 13 congenital, 3 syndromic and 1 neuromuscular. 26 patients had Paediatric Isola, 8 had Paediatric Expedium, 4 had dual growth rods with domino's and 9 each had VEPTR and MAGEC rods systems. Medical records and radiographs were analysed. Cobb angle, T1-T12 and T1-S1 length, coronal and sagittal balance, apical vertical translation (AVT), space available for the lung (SAL) and shoulder balance were measured.Results:Average age at initial surgery was 6.2 (1–9) years with an average duration of follow up of 69 months (15–131). T1-T12 length measured 152 mm preoperatively (95–222), increasing by 14% postoperatively and by 30% at final follow up. There was an average overall growth of 42 mm in our group compared with 50 mm of normal physiological growth expec...