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- Talk
- 15/06/2021
- Canada
Is Vertebral Body Tethering Truly Minimally Invasive? A Comparison of Early Post-Operative Outcomes to Posterior Spinal Instrumentation and Fusion
Description
In this presentation, Zachary Devries discusses a study comparing early post-operative outcomes of vertebral body tethering (VBT) as a minimally invasive treatment for scoliosis, against the traditional posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion. Devries starts by acknowledging contributors to the project, emphasizing that there are no conflicts of interest. He explains scoliosis and its conventional treatment, highlighting that VBT is a novel approach that aims to correct spine curvature with reduced invasiveness, leading to faster recovery and greater spinal mobility.
Devries notes that while previous research has primarily focused on long-term outcomes of VBT, which show mixed results, there has yet to be a comprehensive study on its immediate post-operative effects compared to fusion surgery. The presentation highlights findings from a retrospective chart review involving 22 VBT patients and 21 age-matched controls who underwent spinal fusion. Key differences included a younger patient demographic for VBT, along with variations in curve magnitude and procedural characteristics.
The research demonstrates that VBT results in shorter operative times and less blood loss, with patients mobilizing more quickly after surgery. On postoperative day one, VBT patients were generally able to walk, experience less pain, and use fewer opioids compared to the fusion group, leading to shorter hospital stays. Despite a smaller degree of curve correction at initial follow-up, there were no significant differences in complications between the two groups. Devries concludes that VBT is a viable, less invasive alternative to traditional fusion surgery, promoting quicker recovery and reduced hospital costs.