Scoliosis is a disorder that endangers the lives of children in their developmental years. This disease is more common in girls than in boys. Scoliosis is being treated with fusion surgery.
Although this operation improves a person’s standards of living, it does not provide a perfect outcome for the patient. To explain, during fusion surgery, the person’s curved vertebrae are corrected, and the bones are fused together. The vertebrae, however, lose their mobility as a result of the treatment used. In other words, your vertebrae will be straight but motionless. Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery is used at this time.
Now let’s share all the details about this surgery.
What is Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery?
Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery has evolved as an alternative to conventional fusion surgery. In fusion surgery, screws are put into the spine and a metal plate is used to hold the spine together. As a result, even if the spine is straightened, the person will not have the mobility that he or she had when the spine was bent, with a straightened spine.
The Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery corrects the spine of the patient with a bent spine while also ensuring that mobility is not impaired. As a result, the operated individual can continue to move even as he or she ages. The development and growth phases of the bones are also maintained with this operation.
Not all scoliosis diagnoses result in surgery. This system includes an algorithm. The grading of scoliosis determines whether the patient will have surgery. If the patient’s scoliosis is 20 degrees or less, the condition is primarily addressed by follow-up and physical therapy. If the curvature is between 20 and 45 degrees, the corset treatment approach is used. However, if the patient’s scoliosis curvature is 45 degrees or greater, surgical treatment options should be addressed immediately.
How to perform Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery?
Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery is conducted from the front of the spine, rather than the rear, from the side of the chest. At the same time, this operation is done in a closed manner. It is a thoracoscopic operation, meaning that it is performed by looking into the chest with a tiny camera.
First, the location of the curvature is established. The screws are then attached with threads and stretched on the sides of the upper and lower vertebrae that are involved in the curvature and, if necessary, on the side where the curvature is bent. As a result of this treatment, the spine is left with a curvature that is appropriate for the patient rather than zero degrees. This is due to the patient’s potential for growth being considered. At this point, the reasoning of placing the screws and ropes on the curved side is obvious; the curved side does not grow, but the areas on the inner side do.
As the patient grows, the curvature left in the operation corrects itself over time. Thus, the child continues to grow without losing mobility.
What are the Advantages of Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery?
Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery has many advantages compared to fusion surgery.
- Since it is a closed surgery method, the scars that will occur after surgery are minimal. In addition, since the scars usually remain under the bikini or under the arm, it will not cause problems for girls in the future.
- Bleeding is quite minimal. Extra blood supplementation is not needed at the time of surgery.
- Your feeling of pain or pain after surgery is minimal.
- Since the healing takes place quickly and smoothly, the children’s return to school is also fast.
- There is no restriction in your movements after the operation. You can perform any movement you want with peace of mind within a maximum of 6 weeks without any problems.
- No sports ban is imposed on you after the operation. Within 3 months, you can do the sport you want as much as you want.
What are the Disadvantages of Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery?
- This method has been used regularly for about 3 years. However, there are no long-term patient follow-up results about this surgery yet.
- There is a risk of cord breaking in the future. If the cord breaks, you may need a new operation.
- In some cases, you may need to use a corset after surgery, although it is rare.
What are the Risks of Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery?
There is no such thing as a risk-free procedure. There will always be dangers associated with any procedure. As a result, it is critical that you choose specialists in this field while undergoing surgery. Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery carries its own set of dangers, since the procedure will be conducted on the spine.
A faulty procedure performed during the operation causes irreversible difficulties in the patient’s life. Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery has reduced these dangers. This is due to the fact that during surgery, surgeons can watch the spine using a camera. For specialised surgeons, the risk of this procedure has been considerably lowered. The chance of paralysis following surgery is estimated to be one in three thousand, worldwide. Remember that, while this rate appears to be quite low, there is always a risk.
Things to Consider After Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery
A chest tube is placed after the operation. This tube is removed after 2 or 3 days. The patient is discharged in around 4 days after the removal process. Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery causes far less pain than fusion surgery. You can do any sport you choose following the operation if your doctor approves. You’ll be able to resume your normal life in no time.
Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery can be applied to whom?
- This surgery can be applied to every child with growth potential. According to the opinion of experts, there is no ideal age range. The growth potential of the patient should be calculated and planned accordingly. Sander’s stage should be determined from the left wrist radiograph and a decision should be made accordingly.
- It is not applied to children under 10 years of age.
- It can be applied to curvatures in the back. For this, it is important that the spine has a flexible structure. The patient’s back curvature should be between 30 and 60 degrees. It is also important that this curvature can be corrected as a result of the bending x-rays taken. If the patient has a curvature in the lumbar region, this curvature should be between 25-30 degrees maximum.
- Patients should not have an excessive hump.
What is the Price of Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery?
The cost of Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery varies depending on the institution you choose. It would be inappropriate for us to provide you a specific price at this stage. With good research, you may obtain rates from several sources and choose the best option for yourself. However, you should keep in mind that money isn’t everything when it comes to health. If you just focus on paying a smaller price, you may compromise your health. As a result, ensure that this procedure is performed by professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to What Age Is Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery Performed?
People over the age of ten who have a flexible spine structure are candidates for this operation. Children under the age of ten are not eligible for the procedure because the cords are not strong enough to be stretched. Furthermore, these children’s growth potential continues rapidly.
How Many Hours Does Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery Take?
The length of the procedure depends on the curvature, the number of vertebrae, and the individual. If a general time frame is being asked, Non-Fusion Scoliosis Surgery can last between 4 and 8 hours.
What complaints does scoliosis cause in the patient?
There is a visible inequality in the area between the patient’s hips and shoulders. The patient’s balance is disturbed as there is an inequality between the arms and body distance. An asymmetric appearance occurs in the shoulder blades. When viewed from the outside, a visible hump appears when leaning forward.
