Vertebral body stapling procedure for the treatment of scoliosis in the growing child.

Thirty-nine consecutive patients have had vertebral body stapling of 52 curves (26 patients with one curve stapled and 13 with two). For the group with patients who were 8 years or older with less than 50 degrees preoperative curve and a minimum 1-year followup, coronal curve stability was 87% when defined by progression less than or equal to 10 degrees . Fusion was necessary in two patients. No curves less than 30 degrees at the time of stapling progressed greater than or equal to 10 degrees . Major complications occurred in one patient (2.6%, diaphragmatic hernia) and minor complications occurred in five patients (13%). Further followup of the patient cohort and further research into efficacy and indications are warranted.