What is new about growth-friendly implants for pediatric spinal deformity?

The aim of this article is to comprehensively review the currently available growth-friendly implants for pediatric spinal deformity, especially the advancements made in recent decades, to provide reference for clinical treatment and implant design. Distraction-based System—Vertical expandable prosthesis titanium ribs (VEPTR): VEPTR was first approved by the FDA for the treatment of thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS) in 2004, and currently, this technique has been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe (Cobb angle ≥60°) early-onset scoliosis (EOS) children (>6 months). The incidence of complications after treatment with a VEPTR can be as high as 100%, and the most common complication is failure of proximal fixation. [...]surgeons need to be cautious when selecting VEPTR. To prevent kyphosis, the design was improved by replacing 4.5 mm rods with 5.5 mm rods and adding an extra gliding connector. [...]a 50 N and 100 N springs were added to the portfolio, which allowed more spring placing strategies. Distraction-based System—One-way self-expending rod (OWSER): The OWSER (CE marked as Nemost® rod; Euros Company, SAS, La Ciotat, France) consists of two titanium alloy components: rod and domino connector [Supplementary Figure 4, http://links.lww.com/CM9/C100].