Interventional procedure overview of vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis in children and young people

Existing assessments of this procedure

NHS England reviewed the evidence of treating idiopathic scoliosis in growing children with vertebral body tethering (NHS England, 2018). The evidence review included 10 papers. The review found that the biomechanical principle utilised by this technique was established in digital and animal models. There were case reports and case series, showing this technique could be effective in reducing scoliotic curves, with potential surgical complication and need for further surgery. This review, however, did not find evidence for other important outcomes, such as quality of life, range of motion (thoracic and lumbar). Therefore, NHS England's clinical commissioning policy (2019) concluded that there was not enough evidence to support the routine commissioning of this treatment for the indication.