The Use of Halo Gravity Traction in the Treatment of Severe Early Onset Spinal Deformity

Abstract

Objective. To describe the feasibility of preoperative halo gravity traction (HGT) with subsequent growing rod/guided growth (GR/GG) placement in early onset spinal deformity (EOSD).

Summary of Background Data. In children with severe EOSD, primary implantation of GR/GG constructs is not always possible. We describe a staged protocol with preoperative HGT followed by GR/GG implantation.

Methods. EOSD patients treated with HGT prior to GR/GG implantation were included. HGT used traction up to 50% body weight for 4 to 29 weeks. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed before and after HGT. Coronal Cobb (CC) and Sagittal Cobb (SC) angles were measured on the Pre-HGT, Post-HGT and 6 week postop x-rays.

Results. Thirty patients were included. Average age at GR/GG implantation was 9 years. Most cases (n = 24, 80%) were idiopathic. Most pts had kyphoscoliosis (n = 16, 53.3%). Pre-HGT CC averaged 112 ± 22° and SC averaged 106 ± 26°. CC and SC improved 29% after HGT. There was a significant improvement in body mass index following HGT. CC improved further to 70 ± 14° (36% vs. pre-HGT) and SC to 63 ± 21° (41%) with GR/GG placement. HGT-related complications occurred in nine patients (30%); eight pin site infections, one cranial abscess. Most HGT complications were managed with local pin care and oral antibiotics. Halo revision was required in two pts (6.7%). There was no change in PFTs with HGT (P > 0.05). Averagely, 14 levels were spanned during GR/GG implantation; two patients required vertebral column resection. Surgical complications occurred in nine (30%) patients. At average 16 month follow-up, seven patients (23.3%) required reoperation.

Conclusion. Preoperative HGT can make severe EOSD curves amenable to GR/GG implantation. HGT results in ∼30% correction with improvement to ∼35–40% following GR/GG. HGT has a 30% complication rate but most are pin-site infections managed with pin-site care and oral antibiotics; 6.7% of patients require revision