Controlling the Apex in Early Onset Scoliosis Through Active Apex Correction (APC) Non Fusion Growth Modulating Technique, Is It a Myth?

Study Design: A multicenter retrospective study.

Objectives: To determine the rate of Apex facet fusion in children with Early Onset Scoliosis treated surgically with the Active Apex Correction (APC) technique.

Methods: Seventeen patients were treated with the APC technique as index surgery for Early Onset Scoliosis with more than 1 year of follow-up.

A Prospective Multicenter ≥2 Years Clinical Study of the Active Apex Correction (APC) Technique in Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) Patients.

Study Design: prospective multicenter study.

Objectives: Active apex correction (APC) is posterior tethering technique for correction of early onset scoliosis (EOS) via reverse modulation at the apex. Active apex correction has been increasingly used worldwide.

Evaluating the Feasibility and Outcomes of a Scoliosis Surgical Camp in a Resource-Limited Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated prevalence of scoliosis ranges from 3.3% to 5.5%.

Vertebral body tethering: An alternative to posterior spinal fusion in idiopathic scoliosis?

Introduction: Skeletally immature patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) whose curves continue to progress despite bracing should be treated surgically. Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a non-fusion, compression-based, growth preserving alternative to posterior spinal fusion (PSF) based on the concept of 'growth modulation' to prevent possible functional complications secondary to fusion while correcting scoliotic deformity. This review aims to shed light on the indications of VBT, short- and medium-term outcomes, describe the surgical technique and associated complications, and to compare its efficacy to that of PSF.

The Efficacy of Blended Learning in a Pediatric Spine Deformity Management Program in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction: Our study assessed the efficacy of blended learning, which combines in-person learning and e-learning, in a pediatric scoliosis training program through an international collaborative effort.

Methods: The course comprised two parts: the online portion, where participants reviewed educational materials for 3 weeks and met with faculty once/week for discussion, and the in-person session, where participants reviewed cases in a team-based approach and came to a consensus on treatment strategy, followed by discussion with an international expert. All participants completed a needs assessment (NA) and clinical quiz at three points: before the course, after the online session, and after the in-person session, which covered various topics in pediatric spine deformity.

Feasibility of smart glasses in supporting spinal surgical procedures in low- and middle-income countries: experiences from East Africa.

Objective: Telemedicine technology has been developed to allow surgeons in countries with limited resources to access expert technical guidance during surgical procedures. The authors report their initial experience using state-of-the-art wearable smart glasses with wireless capability to transmit intraoperative video content during spine surgery from sub-Saharan Africa to experts in the US.

Methods: A novel smart glasses system with integrated camera and microphone was worn by a spine surgeon in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during 3 scoliosis correction surgeries.

Artificial intelligence in spine surgery.

The continuous progress of research and clinical trials has offered a wide variety of information concerning the spine and the treatment of the different spinal pathologies that may occur. Planning the best therapy for each patient could be a very difficult and challenging task as it often requires thorough processing of the patient's history and individual characteristics by the clinician. Clinicians and researchers also face problems when it comes to data availability due to patients' personal information protection policies.

Robotics in spine surgery: systematic review of literature.

Purpose: Over 4.83 million spine surgery procedures are performed annually around the world. With the considerable caseload and the precision needed to achieve optimal spinal instrumentation, technical progress has helped to improve the technique's safety and accuracy with the development of peri-operative assistance tools.

Magnetic resonance imaging of severe idiopathic club foot treated with one-week accelerated Ponseti (OWAP) technique.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate changes in tarsal bones relationship after the use of one week accelerated Ponseti method in the treatment of severe idiopathic clubfoot using MRI. We hypothesize that one-week accelerated Ponseti is at least as effective as standard techniques in achieving the desirable MRI parameters.

Methods: This is a prospective study of 8 children with severe idiopathic clubfeet (Pirani 6) (4 unilateral and 4 bilateral) treated before the age of three months with one-week accelerated Ponseti technique, as described in a former study with minimum 2-year follow-up.

Active Apex Correction: An overview of the modified SHILLA technique and its clinical efficacy.

Objective: Provide current overview of Active Apex correction as a new technique for surgical management for Early Onset Scoliosis by dynamically remodulating the apex of the deformity and mitigate loss of correction and presents a comparative correction data against the long-established systems.

Method: Summary of the surgical technique and review of the existing retrospective data on APC surgical technique and its comparison against other existing techniques.

Results: Retrospective clinical results showed the efficiency of the APC technique in active remodulation of the apex of the curve with lower incidence of implant related complications in comparison to SHILLA and Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods (MCGR).

Minimal invasive surgery techniques for patients with adolescent idiopathic and early onset scoliosis.

Objective: Provide an update on minimal invasive surgery (MIS) techniques for surgical management of pediatric spine.

Methods: Minimal Invasive surgery for pediatric spine deformity has evolved significantly over the past decade. We include updated information about the surgical management of patients with adolescent idiopathic and Early Onset Scoliosis through MIS techniques.

Active Apex Correction With Guided Growth Technique for Controlling Spinal Deformity in Growing Children: A Modified SHILLA Technique.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine if active remodulation in the apex of the curve is possible in scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis patients, using a modified SHILLA; active apex correction (APC) technique for guided growth.

Method: Twenty patients with either scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis underwent a modified SHILLA approach, where instead of apical fusion, APC was applied.

Early onset scoliosis and current treatment methods.

Objective: Provide an update of the management options for early onset scoliosis patients, including general assessment, conservative and surgical options.

Methods: We included the updated information about the assessment and management options of Early Onset Scoliosis, taking into consideration the non-fusion methods, including the burden on the patient and their family.

Results: With the heterogeneity of this population, it is difficult to get a consensus about a unified protocol for management.

Active Apex Correction (Modified SHILLA Technique) Versus Distraction-Based Growth Rod Fixation: What Do the Correction Parameters Say?

Introduction: SHILLA and growth rods are two main surgical correction techniques for patients with early-onset scoliosis. There have been some comparative studies between the two techniques, where a comparison was made between deformity identifying characteristics such as Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation, coronal balance, spinal length gain, etc. However, the SHILLA procedure experiences loss of correction or the reappearance of deformity through crankshafting or adding-on (e.

Accelerated Ponseti method: First experiences in a more convenient technique for patients with severe idiopathic club feet.

Background: Congenital Idiopathic Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV), or clubfoot, is a complex deformity that involves pathological anatomy in the foot with ankle equinus, hindfoot varus, midfoot cavus and forefoot adductus [1]. Universal agreement is established about Ponseti technique as the initial management for this deformity. This preliminary study aims to investigate the possibility of having a braceable foot through a proposed accelerated Ponseti method by which, manipulations, 5 castings and Achilles tendon tenotomy are implemented in a week.

Growth modulation and remodeling by means of posterior tethering technique for correction of early-onset scoliosis with thoracolumbar kyphosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of the non-fusion instrumented procedure with compression adjunct to lengthening by distraction in facilitating spinal modulation of the wedged peak vertebra, in patients with congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis/kyphoscoliosis according to the Hueter-Volkmann law. The authors seek to address the progressive modulation of the most wedged vertebra by analyzing the subjects' pre-operative and latest follow-up sagittal radiograph.

Methods: Ongoing data collection of 14 peak wedged vertebra modulation during surgical management of 13 patients with Type I congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis (5 patients) or kyphoscoliosis (8 patients).

Treatment of spinal deformity associated with myelomeningocele in young children with the use of the four-rib construct.

Surgery for myelomeningocele spinal deformity is accompanied by a high rate of complications. These include infection, pathological skin breakage, instrumentation failure, and neurological deterioration. The four-rib construct associated with the percutaneous technique in immature children with myelomeningocele and spinal deformity is introduced.

Surgical correction of severe Sprengel deformity to allow greater postoperative range of shoulder abduction.

Background: Although the Sprengel deformity is relatively uncommon, several surgical procedures have been described for its treatment. In this article, we will report the outcome of a certain surgical technique targeted at the management of children with severe Sprengel deformity. The technique aims to increase their postoperative range of shoulder abduction.