Treatment of early-onset scoliosis with growing rods in patients with neurofibromatosis-1

This study aimed at verifying the efficacy of growing rod treatment in patients affected by neurofibromatosis with early-onset scoliosis. The authors present a retrospective case study of seven children treated between 2001 and 2017. Mean age at initial surgery was 7.2 years. Mean Cobb angle was 82.7 degrees. Lengthening was performed once a year. Mean Cobb angle at last follow-up was 50.1 degrees. Mean spinal growth was 13.6 mm/year, with regular gain during lengthening procedures. Mean follow-up period was 7 years after the first surgery. Three patients underwent final fusion. Complications were one proximal junctional kyphosis, nine rod breakages, and one hook dislocation.