Use of Halo-Gravity Traction and a Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod for Untreated Severe Kyphoscoliosis in an Adolescent: A Case Report.

CASE: We utilized a novel staged approach for an adolescent with severe kyphoscoliosis; it involved 8 weeks of initial halo-gravity traction as well as implantation and expansion (every 2 weeks) of a magnetically controlled growing rod over 6 months, followed by spinal fusion. The patient was a 13-year-old girl with an untreated idiopathic deformity (thoracic scoliosis with a curve of 145° and kyphosis with a curve of 120°). No osteotomies other than inferior facetectomies were required at the final fusion, and the final scoliosis curve was 57°, a correction of 60.7%.

CONCLUSION: The staged approach resulted in a straightforward, safe, gradual correction of severe kyphoscoliosis. We consider this an option for patients with scoliosis with a curve of ≥130° on initial presentation.