Scoliosis surgery Complications

Risk of surgery for scoliosis is estimated at 5%.  Possible complications include inflammation of the deep soft tissue, respiratory disorders, bleeding and nerve damage.  However, according to the latest evidence, the complication rate is well beyond that rate.  Just five years after surgery, another 5% requires a new operation and it is not clear what to expect from spinal surgery in the long term.

Given that the signs and symptoms of spinal deformity can not be changed by surgery, surgery is still a hint of cosmetics, especially in patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).  Unfortunately, the effects of cosmetic surgery are not necessarily stable.

Surgery without Fusion

New implants have been developed that aim to delay spinal fusion and to allow more spinal growth in young children.  For younger patients, whose thoracic insufficiency compromises their ability to breathe and applies significant cardiac pressure, ribcage implants push the ribs apart on the concave side of the curve and can be particularly useful.

These vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) provide the benefit of expanding the thoracic cavity and the straightening of the spine in three dimensions while allowing the spine to grow.

The alternative in the growing child is a rising column rod system, which prevents the fusion of the entire curve, but it requires surgery through incisions to lengthen the rods and spine.  Although these methods are new and promising, these treatments are only suitable for growing patient