RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The objective of this retrospective chart and radiographic review was to present the clinical outcomes and complication rate of a staged approach to modern dual growing-rod (GR) surgery when treating children with severe early onset scoliosis. METHODS: Fifteen patients received a 6-mm dual GR system. During Stage 1, pairs of end vertebra were exposed in a subperiosteal fashion, instrumented, grafted, and fused. Stage 2 was performed, on average, 5 months later (range 8-35 weeks) and the fused foundations were connected with two growing rods under skull-femoral traction. Clinical and operative notes were reviewed and all complications were recorded. Radiographic measurements were assessed at pre-index, with intraoperative traction during Stage 1, post-Stage 2 and at most recent follow-up. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate change in scoliosis and kyphosis. RESULTS: At initial surgery, the average age was 8.17 ± 1.5 years. The mean Cobb angle was 88.1° ± 14.0°, corrected to 60.3° ± 8.7° (p < 0.001) with intraoperative traction in Stage 1, preserved after Stage 2 instrumentation (59.5° ± 9.6°, p = 0.69), and maintained with subsequent lengthenings (60.6° ± 12.8°, p = 0.73). Hyperkyphosis (11/15 patients) improved from 70.8° ± 15.7° to 46.6° ± 9.7° (p < 0.001). At minimum 2-year follow-up (range 24-80 months, mean 49.5), the complication rate was 14 (0.93 complications/patient), including 6 rod breakages, 6 superficial infections, and 2 deep infections. No anchor migration or pull-out was noted. Seven patients have undergone definitive posterior spinal fusion. CONCLUSIONS: Staged insertion of dual GR systems permits strong distraction, with acceptable correction of severe deformities and minimal complications. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.