Vertebral Body Tethering: How Gender Affects Results

You're a kid growing up with scoliosis, a curve in your spine. Surgeons can use a method called vertebral body tethering (VBT) to fix it. This study looked into how well VBT works for boys and girls. The researchers thought that after two years, both genders would have similar results. Let's see if that's true! First, what's VBT? It's a surgery that doesn't fuse your spine together like traditional methods. Instead, it uses a special cord attached to your bones to straighten your spine over time. The researchers checked out a bunch of kids who had VBT. They wanted to know if being a boy or a girl made a difference in how well the surgery worked. They looked at how the kids' spines curved, any complications they had, and how well they did overall.Surprisingly, the study found that girls had better results than boys. Their spines straightened more and stayed that way better over time. But, boys had more complications after the surgery. These findings are important because they show that gender can play a role in how well VBT works. Doctors can use this information to better care for their patients and choose the best treatment plan. But remember, every kid is different! What works for one might not work for another. That's why it's crucial to talk to your doctor about what's best for you.