Vertebral Body Stapling versus Bracing for Patients with High-Risk Moderate Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract EN

Purpose.

We report a comparison study of vertebral body stapling (VBS) versus a matched bracing cohort for immature patients with moderate (25 to 44°) idiopathic scoliosis (IS).

Methods.

42 of 49 consecutive patients (86%) with IS were treated with VBS and followed for a minimum of 2 years.

They were compared to 121 braced patients meeting identical inclusion criteria.

52 patients (66 curves) were matched according to age at start of treatment (10.6 years versus 11.1 years, resp.

[P=0.07]) and gender.

Results.

For thoracic curves 25–34°, VBS had a success rate (defined as curve progression <10°) of 81% versus 61% for bracing (P=0.16).

In thoracic curves 35–44°, VBS and bracing both had a poor success rate.

For lumbar curves, success rates were similar in both groups for curves measuring 25–34°.

Conclusion.

In this comparison of two cohorts of patients with high-risk (Risser 0-1) moderate IS (25–44°), in smaller thoracic curves (25–34°) VBS provided better results as a clinical trend as compared to bracing.

VBS was found not to be effective for thoracic curves ≥35°.

For lumbar curves measuring 25–34°, results appear to be similar for both VBS and bracing, at 80% success.