Video

http://www.or-live.com/NYP/1778 Scoliosis: On Wednesday December 5th, join experts from Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian for a live panel discussion on VEPTR™ (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib) and growing rods to treat early onset scoliosis. Patients with early-onset scoliosis can develop severe, complex spinal deformity that distorts and reduces the volume of the thorax. This deformity inhibits the growth of alveoli and pulmonary arterioles during the critical lung maturation period between birth and the age of eight. The resulting condition, thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS), can be a life-threatening condition that compromises respiratory function and increases morbidity. It can also cause a significant increase in mortality rates in affected individuals. Growing rods attach to the spine and are affixed to vertebrae at the top and the bottom. Rods can be placed on either one or both sides of the spine, and are "grown" over time using a special mechanism that allows the lengthening to be performed in a simple outpatient surgery. VEPTR™ is used to treat absent or fused ribs, and consists of a titanium brace placed between two ribs to push them apart, which straightens the spine and opens a larger space for the lungs and other internal organs to grow. Like growing rods, VEPTR™ can be expanded as the patient grows. VEPTR™ is a trademark of Synthes.