Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT): Non-Fusion Surgical Treatment for Scoliosis. Our First 60 Patients

Present: Present our experience with the vertebral body tethering (VBT) technique in surgical treatment for scoliosis. Analyze its advantages, disadvantages, and complications. Methods: A prospective case series, submitted to the VBT technique by our surgical team from September 2020 to March 2022 with a minimum follow-up of six months. Patients with flexible curves between 35º and 65º were operated on. The main thoracic and thoracolumbar/lumbar curves were evaluated with the Cobb method preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Results: In our series of 60 patients, 90% were female, with a mean age of 15.1 ± 2.9 years, and follow-up was 10.1 ± 4.7 months. The VBT technique was used to treat 53 (88%) patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 6 (10%) syndromic scoliosis, and 1 (2%) neuromuscular scoliosis. The mean preoperative main thoracic curve was 48.2º ± 9.4º and thoracolumbar/lumbar 47.8º ± 9.7º. The mean Cobb in the immediate postoperative was 19.2º ± 9.0º for the main thoracic curve and 9.4º ± 8.9º for the thoracolumbar/lumbar curve. The mean Cobb in the last follow-up was 22.8º ± 11.0º for the main thoracic curve and 12.7º ± 11.1º thoracolumbar/lumbar. Giving a final correction of 54% (p < 0.0001) in main thoracic curves and 71% (p < 0.0001) in thoracolumbar/lumbar curves. A 10% of complications (6) were reported, and hemothorax (4) was the most common. Conclusion: We propose VBT as a safe and effective option, with good results, for treating scoliosis. To our knowledge, our study is the largest case series in Latin America and is the first published study using this surgical technique. Level of Evidence: IV, Therapeutic Studies, Case Series