At the 12th International Congress on Early-onset Scoliosis (ICEOS) held in mid November, 2018, Lisbon, spine surgeons from the Department of Orthopedics, PUMCH gave six special reports upon invitation, the largest number by Asian participants. ICEOS, hosted by Growing Spine Foundation, is an internationally renowned academic gathering on the treatment and research of early-onset scoliosis. Participation in ICEOS marks our worldly advanced expertise in this field.

Professor Zhang Jianguo gave a report on the technique he invented: osteotomy with short fusion and dual growing rod, to treat severe and rigid congenital scoliosis. Research showed that this mixed technique can greatly improve orthopedic effects, and at the same time preserve the growing potential of the spine and ensure the development of heart and lungs of the patient. A ten-year follow-up record showed the technique’s effectiveness. The technique was widely acclaimed by international colleagues for its originality, efficacy and the standardization of the follow-up, and filled in a blank in the treatment of severe and rigid congenital scoliosis.

Professor Zhang also gave a report on the surgery for “cervicothoracic congenital spinal deformity” and “lumbosacral congenital spinal deformity”. Of them, the research on cervicothoracic congenital spinal deformity is currently the largest, and is of great significance for treating such condition. For the lumbosacral condition, which features difficult anatomy, and for patients with tilted sacrum, the team also gave solutions to improve orthopedic effects and life quality.

Professor Shen Jianxiong’s team gave reports on “impact of thoracic deformity on lung functions” and “heart and lung function comparison between congenital and idiopathic scoliosis” and “nutritional improvement on pediatric patients through growing rod”. As early-onset scoliosis may severely affect a child’s heart, lung development and nutritional condition, full assessment in this regard shall be done in treatment. Research found that a patient’s exercise tolerance might not be related with the severity of thoracic deformity, but cardiopulmonary exercise testing showed irregularity in the breath and heart rate of patients with severe thoracic deformity. Compared with patients with idiopathic scoliosis, those with congenital scoliosis showed more restrictive ventilatory dysfunction. Patients of these two kinds showed clear difference in heart and respiratory compensation in cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Growing rod can significantly improve the nutrition of children with early-onset scoliosis, and those of smaller weight before surgery will benefit more.

These findings triggered wide discussions on the meeting and provided new perspectives for researching into the preoperative assessment and the efficacy of growing rod. 

(Caption)PUMCH surgeons at ICEOS