Norman Ramirez1, John M Flynn, John T Smith, Michael Vitale, Peter F Sturm, Charles DʼAmato, Amer Samdani, Raul Machiavelli, Ron El-Hawary. 1. *Pediatric Orthopedic Department, Hospital de la Concepción, San German, Puerto Rico †Mayagüez Medical Center, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico ‡Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT §Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT ¶Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Pediatric Spine and Scoliosis Service, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY ‖Alvin Crawford Spine Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH **Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR ††Shriners Hospitals for Children-Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA ‡‡Department of Biometry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez §§Department of Surgery (Orthopaedics), Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), and School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University; and ¶¶IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how several preoperative variables affect the outcome using the rib-to-pelvis S-hook constructs of a rib-based distraction implant (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Rib-to-pelvis fixation with S-hooks is one of the options for distal anchoring of rib-based distraction growing rod construct to control early-onset spinal deformity. Since the initial report, the indications of pelvic fixation with S-hooks have been extended and modified. METHODS: This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective study of patients who underwent rib-based growing rod system surgery-rib-to-pelvis construct with Dunn-McCarthy S-hook. Data evaluation included history, physical examination, preoperative and postoperative radiographs, surgical variables, and complications. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were evaluated; 38 were male and 27 were female. Mean age at initial procedure was 71 months. The mean follow-up was 46 months. There was a statistically significant improvement of the immediate postoperative Cobb angle and the last follow-up Cobb angle (P < 0.0001). Fifty percent of the patients (32/65) had S-hook-related complications. The most common complication was sliding of the S-hook out of the iliac crest, followed by infection, neuropathic pain, distal migration of more than 2 cm, fracture of the hook, and bursitis. The complications were related to the preoperative ambulatory status, the use of end-to-end rod connectors, surgical time, and not positioning the hook over the central one-third of the iliac crest at the initial implantation. CONCLUSION: The use of the S-hook as a pelvic attachment of the rib-based system is indicated in nonambulatory patients with progressive, early-onset scoliosis curve with a lack of adequate anchor at the lumbar spine. Several technical factors should be considered to reduce the complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how several preoperative variables affect the outcome using the rib-to-pelvis S-hook constructs of a rib-based distraction implant (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Rib-to-pelvis fixation with S-hooks is one of the options for distal anchoring of rib-based distraction growing rod construct to control early-onset spinal deformity. Since the initial report, the indications of pelvic fixation with S-hooks have been extended and modified. METHODS: This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective study of patients who underwent rib-based growing rod system surgery-rib-to-pelvis construct with Dunn-McCarthy S-hook. Data evaluation included history, physical examination, preoperative and postoperative radiographs, surgical variables, and complications. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were evaluated; 38 were male and 27 were female. Mean age at initial procedure was 71 months. The mean follow-up was 46 months. There was a statistically significant improvement of the immediate postoperative Cobb angle and the last follow-up Cobb angle (P < 0.0001). Fifty percent of the patients (32/65) had S-hook-related complications. The most common complication was sliding of the S-hook out of the iliac crest, followed by infection, neuropathic pain, distal migration of more than 2 cm, fracture of the hook, and bursitis. The complications were related to the preoperative ambulatory status, the use of end-to-end rod connectors, surgical time, and not positioning the hook over the central one-third of the iliac crest at the initial implantation. CONCLUSION: The use of the S-hook as a pelvic attachment of the rib-based system is indicated in nonambulatory patients with progressive, early-onset scoliosis curve with a lack of adequate anchor at the lumbar spine. Several technical factors should be considered to reduce the complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.