Surgical treatment of congenital scoliosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Congenital scoliosis presents significant health risks to the child as well as a challenge to the treating surgeon. This review highlights recent advances in the detection and treatment of congenital scoliosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Cutting-edge genetic research, partly based on the mouse-human model, is starting to allow scientists to isolate genes and specific mutations that may account for the development of congenital scoliosis. The etiology of congenital scoliosis is largely unknown, but this research is helping to delineate potential causative factors, as well as the gene mutations that may be responsible for some of the syndromes associated with congenital spinal deformities. Furthermore, new surgical techniques, such as posterior-only correction for focal anomalies, dual-growing systems, and the vertical expandable titanium rib for early treatment of malformations involving larger spinal segments, are providing surgeons with new and innovative treatment modalities for this patient population. SUMMARY: Genetic research into congenital spinal deformity is providing a window into spinal development. New options allow orthopaedic surgeons to better treat congenital spinal anomalies.