Use of Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) in the Treatment of Congenital Scoliosis Without Fused Ribs

BACKGROUND:Although the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) has been shown to be useful in treating congenital scoliosis (CS) with fused ribs, no studies to date have specifically evaluated the efficacy of VEPTR in the treatment of CS without fused ribs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of VEPTR in sagittal/coronal curve correction and spine growth and compare its complication rate to the use of VEPTR in other conditions and to other treatment methods used for CS. METHODS:A multicenter database was queried for patients with CS without fused ribs treated with VEPTR. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs were used to measure parameters at 3 timepoints (preoperative, immediate postoperative, and latest follow-up)coronal Cobb angle, sagittal kyphosis, and thoracic and lumbar spine heights. Clinical data included age, time to follow-up, and complications. RESULTS:Twenty-five patients (13 females, 12 males) were identified. The average age at implantation was 5.7 years, with an average follow-up of 50 months. Several parameters improved from preoperative to latest follow-upcoronal Cobb angle (69 to 54 degrees, P