Posterior Column Release and Lengthening with a Magnetic Growing Rod Construct in Severe Congenital Thoracic Fusion: A Report of 2 Cases.

CASE

We describe treatment of severe multilevel congenital thoracic fusion in a 3-year-old girl with Apert Syndrome by posterior element excision, posterior column osteotomies, and gradual distraction with magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) with 3-year follow-up. We also describe short-term follow-up with similar management in an 8-year-old patient with a congenitally fused thoracic spine from Jarcho-Levin syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Posterior element resection and targeted posterior column osteotomies combined with gradual distraction with MCGR offers a promising treatment course for children with severe thoracic insufficiency syndrome derived from congenital fusions.