Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections Following Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) Surgery in Children

Operative management of congenital early-onset scoliosis using the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR): a case series

To analyze surgical challenges and outcomes in patients who completed the whole journey of vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) treatment for congenital early-onset scoliosis (C-EOS), given the limited evidence available on VEPTR graduates. A retrospective review was conducted on nine consecutive patients with C-EOS and thoracic hypoplasia treated at a single tertiary care center, with assessment of clinical and radiological outcomes. At mean duration of 7.4 (range 4.3-10.5) years of VEPTR treatment, the mean coronal deformity angle measured 65° preoperatively, 50° postoperatively, and 58° at final follow-up. Mean T1-S1 length (pre-op 252 mm, final follow-up 333 mm) and T1-T12 length (preop 128 mm, final follow-up 196 mm) improved by 32% at final follow-up. Mean space available for lung was 86% (range 79%-93%) preoperatively, increasing to 90% (range 85%-95%) postoperatively and 97% (range 87%-107%) at final follow-up. Nine children had a cumulative 17 (188%) complications comprising wound problems, infection, and device migration or prominence. In five patients who underwent definitive fusion, mean coronal deformity angle and T1-S1 length improved by 17% and 11%, respectively. VEPTR is valuable in managing EOS, particularly in patients with thoracic insufficiency syndrome. However, the need for multiple surgeries, limited correction potential, and risk of partial loss of correction make it less suitable for other cases.

Wound-Related Complication in Growth-Friendly Spinal Surgeries for Early-Onset Scoliosis-Literature Review

Background: The treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) is one of the most challenging for pediatric orthopedics. Surgical treatment is often necessary, and wound problems and surgical site infections (SSIs) are common, with potentially severe complications in these patients. The aim of the study was to review current literature according to this complication. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were systematically searched for relevant articles by two independent reviewers in January 2022. Every step of the review was done according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 3579 articles were found. Twenty four articles were included in this systematic review after applying our inclusion and exclusion criteria. EOS surgery has a varying but high rate of wound-related problems (on average, 15.5%). Conclusion: The literature concerning the definitions, collection, and interpretation of data regarding EOS wound-related complications is often difficult to interpret. This causes problems in the comparison and analysis. Additionally, this observation indicates that data on the incidence of SSI may be underestimated. Awareness of the high rate of SSI of EOS surgery is crucial, and an optimal strategy for prevention should become a priority.

Surgical and Nonsurgical Factors Associated with Salvaging Exposed Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib Hardware

BACKGROUND

Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) devices were designed to treat childhood scoliosis and thoracic insufficiency syndrome. Although they have drastically reduced patient mortality, they present a profound subcutaneous hardware burden. The authors examined the surgical and nonsurgical factors associated with salvage of VEPTR hardware exposures.

METHODS

Between 2014 and 2020, a prospective institutional database was queried for patients with VEPTR hardware complications who required soft-tissue reconstruction. Hardware salvage was considered successful if reconstruction allowed the hardware to be retained until the next VEPTR expansion.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients required VEPTR hardware salvage. Hardware complications were successfully salvaged in 62.1 percent of patients at 60.0 percent of operative sites. Neuromuscular scoliosis (p = 0.041) and nonambulatory status (p = 0.018) were factors associated with VEPTR hardware salvage failure, whereas congenital scoliosis was associated with successful hardware salvage (p = 0.012) and preventing need for immediate hardware removal (p = 0.049). Exposed hardware, as compared to threatened exposure, was more likely to require immediate removal (p = 0.045) and result in unsuccessful hardware salvage (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Local and regional muscle flaps were able to prevent VEPTR hardware removal in the majority of patients, even in the setting of infection, immobility, incontinence, and multiple systemic comorbidities. Patients with neuromuscular scoliosis and nonambulatory status were at increased risk for failure, whereas those with incontinence and low body mass index trended toward increased risk of failure. Threatened exposure was associated with higher rates of salvage than exposed hardware, and thus earlier referral to plastic surgeons for soft-tissue salvage may be advised.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

Complications in growth-friendly spinal surgeries for early-onset scoliosis: Literature review

BACKGROUND

The treatments for early-onset scoliosis (EOS), defined as curvature of the spine with onset before 10 years of age, continue to pose a great challenge for pediatric orthopedics. The treatment goals for EOS include minimizing spinal deformity while maximizing thoracic volume and pulmonary function. Different surgical techniques have different advantages and drawbacks; however, the two major concerns in the management of EOS are repeated surgeries and complications.

AIM

To review the current literature to assess the safety of EOS surgical treatment in terms of the rate of complications and unplanned surgeries.

METHODS

In January 2021 two independent reviewers systematically searched three electronic medical databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase) for relevant articles. Every step of the review was done according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Due to the heterogeneity of articles and topics after data analysis, a descriptive (synthetic) analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 2136 articles were found. Forty articles were included in this systematic review, after applying our inclusion and exclusion criteria. EOS surgery has a varying but high rate of complications. The most frequent complications were categorized as implant (54%), general (17%), wound (15%) and alignment (12%). The rate of complications might have been even higher than reported, as some authors do not report all types of complications. About 54% of patients required unplanned surgeries due to complications, which comprised 15% of all surgeries.

CONCLUSION

The literature concerning the definitions, collection, and interpretation of data regarding EOS surgery complications is often difficult to interpret. This creates problems in the comparison, analysis, and improvement of spine surgery practice. Additionally, this observation indicates that data on the incidence of complications can be underestimated, and should be interpreted with caution. Awareness of the high rate of complications of EOS surgery is crucial, and an optimal strategy for prevention should become a priority.

Outcomes of Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Ribs in Children With Early-Onset Scoliosis Secondary to Cerebral Palsy

Purpose

Patients who have neuromuscular scoliosis, such as cerebral palsy (CP), often develop spinal deformities that negatively impact quality of life. The vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) was designed for thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS), but it has also been utilized in patients with CP with restrictive lung disease and spine deformity. Few studies report on VEPTRs in neuromuscular scoliosis; however, none reports on their utilization specifically in patients with CP. Our purpose was to assess if VEPTRs can improve spinal deformity and TIS in these patients.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with CP and scoliosis treated with a VEPTR between 2008 and 2017. Eight patients were eligible for this study. The mean follow-up was four years. Outcomes evaluated were Cobb angle, pelvic obliquity, space available for lung ratio (SAL), T1-S1 height, and complication rates. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used for statistical significance.

Results

There were significant postoperative improvements in Cobb angle, pelvic obliquity, and T1-S1 height, but no statistical difference in SAL. Prior to final fusion, the mean number of VEPTR lengthening procedures was 3. The mean time from index surgery to final fusion was 3.7 years. The most common complications were infection (62.5%) and wound dehiscence (25%). Only 25% of patients did not have a complication.

Conclusion

VEPTRs demonstrated significant improvement in almost all parameters and may be valuable in improving TIS in patients with CP. The complication and reoperation rates were similar to those of VEPTRs used for other pathological conditions.

Correlation between surgical site infection and classification of early onset scoliosis (C-EOS) in patients managed by rib-based distraction instrumentation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine risk factors for infection among EOS patients treated by rib-based distraction instrumentation, and to further assess the incidence of infection among C-EOS categories and sub-types. Despite the heterogonous nature of early onset scoliosis, the classification of early onset scoliosis (C-EOS) has proven to have excellent reliability across its major categories. C-EOS's reliability has been verified; however, little data exist on the utility of this categorization in clinical decision-making and risk assessment.

METHODS

After institutional review board approval, data for EOS patients treated by rib-based distraction instrumentation were collected between 2013 and 2017 in a single institution. Data collection included: major categories of early onset scoliosis classification (etiology, major curve and kyphosis), BMI, height, weight, procedure type, site of procedure, presence of tracheostomy, and bowel/urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

156 EOS patients underwent 843 rib-based distraction instrumentation procedures. 22.4% of patients (35/156 patients, 42 procedures) developed infections, 30/35 requiring irrigation and debridement. Type of procedure was significantly associated with infection rate, with rib-based distraction instrumentation insertion corresponding with the highest incidence of infection, as compared to instrumentation revisions or expansions (p = 0.006). Infection rates were also more common in shorter and lighter weight children (p = 0.001 and 0.03; respectively). Patients with a neuromuscular etiology had the highest rate of infection in comparison to congenital, syndromic, and idiopathic (5.7% vs, 4.9%, 4.7%, and 2.6%; respectively). Notably, high infection rates occurred neuromuscular hyper-kyphotic subjects (M+), occurring in all major curve C-EOS subgroups and at a rate of 8.3% for all procedures.

CONCLUSION

Neuromuscular, larger magnitude major curve, and larger magnitude kyphotic angle C-EOS categories appear to be at a higher risk of infection. Such information potentiates the usefulness of C-EOS in surgical decision-making and in the informed consent process.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III therapeutic.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus Implant-associated Infections in Children

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of implant-associated infections (IAIs). Data detailing the optimal treatment of IAIs are lacking in children. We describe the clinical features and outcomes of pediatric patients with S. aureus IAIs seen at Texas Children's Hospital.

METHODS

Patients and their isolates were identified from a S. aureus surveillance database from 2008 to 2016 in Houston, TX. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Fisher's exact was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with 47 IAIs were identified. Most patients had an infected orthopedic implant: 22 (47%) spinal rods and 19 (40%) with other orthopedic hardware. Thirty (64%) IAIs developed within 90 days of implant placement. Six patients had polymicrobial infections and 3 patients were bacteremic. Of the 47 IAI isolates, 34 (72%) were methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 13 (28%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus. All children underwent surgical irrigation, debridement and antibiotic therapy. Of the 47 IAI episodes, 22 of the implants were removed at time of initial presentation, 7 implants had delayed removal, and 18 implants remained in place. Successful treatment was achieved in all patients with immediate implant removal (22/22) and in 83% of patients with implant retention (15/18), including 10 patients with early postoperative infections (<3 months) and 5 patients with late postoperative infections (>3 months). Four patients had recurrence of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of S. aureus IAIs were methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. All children with immediate implant removal and most children with retained implants were treated successfully with surgery and antibiotic therapy.