Matthews, WalterSarnowski, Reese2022-05-202022-05-202022-05-032022-05-20https://hdl.handle.net/2104/11874Scoliosis, curvature of the spine in the coronal plane, is a condition that leads to nearly 30,000 surgeries a year in the United States alone. The surgeries for this condition have seen significant changes and advances over the past two decades. The two surgeries performed around 2000 were non-expandable rod placement with full-fusion or fusion only at the rod anchor points (2-3 vertebrae each, rostral and caudal to affected spine). In 2005, anchor-fusion Growing-Rods that could be expanded were introduced, allowing for continued growth but requiring multiple subsequent surgeries and definitive fusion upon achieving full growth. Growing-Rods have a complication rate from 17% to 40%. Additionally, motion is limited due to the either real or de facto fusion of the spinal apparatus. After 2010, laparoscopic tether-based surgery (VBT) was introduced to allow growth with no fusion. In VBT, screws are placed horizontally through the vertebrae indicated in the curve, and a tether is run through the screws’ heads and tightened to correct the curve. Correction further improves with growth. Later in 2015, surgeons performing tether-based surgeries began using an anterior semi-open approach (ASC) which allowed for secondary techniques to improve correction. Those techniques and the surgical approach made multi-staged and revision surgeries easier to perform while simultaneously reducing their necessity. Additionally, the possible candidate populations for ASC range from 7 years-old to over 50 versus 10 to 15 for VBT. Given the overall benefits of ASC relative to the other surgeries, it should be the first-line surgery for childhood and adolescent scoliosis.Baylor University projects are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.ScoliosisScoliosis SurgeryThesisWorldwide access