Traditional Dual Growing Rods With 2 Different Apical Control Techniques in the Treatment of Early-Onset Scoliosis

Objective: Based on traditional dual growing rods (TDGR), apical control techniques (ACTs) were introduced as adjuvant procedures to improve deformity correction at the apex segment in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis (EOS). We aimed to explore whether TDGR+ ACTs have different indications, attain more deformity correction, have negative effects on spinal growth, and have different complications.Methods: Between 2004 and 2019, a retrospective study of EOS patients treated with TDGR with or without ACTs was conducted and divided into 3 groups: TDGR group; hybrid technique (HT) group: Vertebrectomy/hemivertebrectomy with short fusion and TDGR; ACPS group: apical convex control pedicle screws (ACPS) and TDGR. Demographic, radiographic parameters, clinical outcomes, complications, and revisions were analyzed and compared.Results: Seventy-eight EOS patients were enrolled. The preoperative main curve was the largest in the HT group. ACPS group had the smallest residual curve (19 degrees +/- 8.9 degrees) and apical vertebral translation (12.0 +/- 9.0 mm) at the latest follow-up, followed by the HT group (30 degrees +/- 17.4 degrees, 22.1 +/- 13.4 mm) and TDGR group (30 degrees +/- 13.2 degrees, 32.8 +/- 17.1 mm). ACPS group had the largest T1-12 height and T1-S1 height after index surgery. Complications and revisions in the ACTs groups was lower than the TDGR group. Scoliosis Research Society-22 self-image questionnaire was superior in the ACPS group.Conclusion: According to our intermediate results, TDGR+ACTs could improve correction ability of apex deformity. ACTs had little deleterious effects on spinal height during the lengthening procedures, with a lower complication rate than TDGR. TDGR+ACTs might be a supplemental option for suitable EOS patients.