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Safety Outcomes of Vertebral Body Tethering Technique

Safety and Efficacy of a Vertebral Body Tethering Technique for Pediatric Idiopathic Scoliosis

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04119284
Enrollment
8
Registered
2019-10-08
Start date
2019-09-01
Completion date
2023-12-15
Last updated
2025-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis

Keywords

scoliosis, Vertebral Body Tethering, curve, Shah

Brief summary

The objectives of this study is to assess whether the intervention (Anterior Vertebral Tethering) is a safe and efficacious method of anterior approach surgery for spinal deformity in pediatric scoliosis.

Detailed description

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine is deformed by a curvature in the coronal plane. It is generally associated with a twisting (axial plane) deformity as well. Curves between 10 and 25 degrees are considered mild. Curves between 25- and 50 degrees are classified as moderate. Curves greater than 50 degrees are termed severe. The current standard of care for moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis(AIS) in patients with remaining growth is to utilize a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO brace) to prevent progression of deformity. The scientific evidence has supported the efficacy of this intervention in avoiding progression of the Cobb angle to 50 degrees or more. If treated with a TLSO brace, many idiopathic scoliosis patients would conceivably be subjected to years of brace wear and the cost and psychological factors inherent therein. Additional downsides of brace treatment include the potentially negative psychosocial impact of wearing an external sign of deformity during adolescence, a key period of emotional development. Prior research has identified negative psychosocial effects related to wearing a brace in children. Recent evidence has suggested that certain curve patterns will likely progress to 50 degrees or more, despite treatment with a TLSO brace. Sanders, et al. demonstrated a correlation of Cobb angle (greater than 35 degrees) and skeletal maturity (bone age 4 or less) to the risk of progression to 50 degrees or more, despite TLSO bracing. The evidence supports that the current practice of TLSO bracing is not an effective treatment to avoid progression to 50 degrees in these patients. It is on this population (thoracic Cobb angle greater than 35 degrees, bone age of 4 or less) that we intend to test the safety and efficacy of Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering to avoid curve progression to more than 50 degrees.

Interventions

DEVICEAnterior body tether (ABT)

To insert the ABT in patients to correct AIS.

Sponsors

Nemours Children's Clinic
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Males or females age 8 to 16 years old at time of enrollment (inclusive) 2. Diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis 3. Sanders bone age of less than or equal to 4 4. Thoracic curve of greater than or equal to 35 degrees and less than or equal to 60 degrees 5. Lumbar curve less than 35 degrees 6. Patient has already been identified for and recommended to have surgical intervention 7. Spina bifida occulta is permitted 8. Spondylolysis or Spondylolisthesis is permitted, as long as it is non-operative, the subject has not had any previous surgery for this, and no surgery is planned in the future

Exclusion criteria

1. Pregnancy (current) 2. Prior spinal or chest surgery 3. MRI abnormalities (including syrinx greater than 4mm, Chiari malformation, or tethered cord) 4. Neuromuscular, thoracogenic, cardiogenic scoliosis, or any other non-idiopathic scoliosis 5. Associated syndrome, including Marfan syndrome or neurofibromatosis 6. Sanders bone age greater than 4 7. Thoracic curve less than 35 degrees or greater than 60 degrees 8. Lumbar curve greater than or equal to 35 degrees 9. Unable or unwilling to firmly commit to returning for required follow-up visits 10. Investigator judgement that the subject/family may not be a candidate for the intervention

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Adverse Events After the Procedure2 years after the surgeryWe will look for any changes in neurological status, tether failure, implant reoperation, overcorrection and wound infections. Adverse events will be summarized by their severity and frequency and reported to IRB and Data Safety board on timely bases. The PI will determine if these events are related to the device.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cobb Angle in DegreesThe difference between Cobb angles measured prior to surgery and 2 years past surgery.The difference between pre and post-operative Cobb angle measurements.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Anterior Vertebral Tethering
Anterior Vertebral Tether Vertebral body tethering done through anterior spine surgery under anesthesia. Anterior body tether (ABT): To insert the ABT in patients to correct AIS.
8
Total8

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicAnterior Vertebral Tethering
Age, Continuous11.34 years
Cobb angle48.125 degree
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
7 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
8 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 8
other
Total, other adverse events
8 / 8
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 8

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Adverse Events After the Procedure

We will look for any changes in neurological status, tether failure, implant reoperation, overcorrection and wound infections. Adverse events will be summarized by their severity and frequency and reported to IRB and Data Safety board on timely bases. The PI will determine if these events are related to the device.

Time frame: 2 years after the surgery

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Anterior Vertebral TetheringNumber of Adverse Events After the Procedure8 Number of Tether failures
Secondary

Cobb Angle in Degrees

The difference between pre and post-operative Cobb angle measurements.

Time frame: The difference between Cobb angles measured prior to surgery and 2 years past surgery.

Population: 8 patients completed the study. Their pre-operative main curve measurements (Cobb angles) were measured and summarized. The same measurements were obtained at the 2 years follow up visits. The data was summarized and the means difference with the standard deviation were reported.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Anterior Vertebral TetheringCobb Angle in Degrees22.37 degreesStandard Deviation 4.16

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026