Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT): Newly Profound Hope for Scoliosis Patients

What is Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT)?

At Gleneagles Hospital Penang, our orthopaedic surgeons are opting for Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT), a breakthrough in scoliosis treatment. This minimally invasive procedure offers new hope for patients with abnormal spine curvature, marking a significant departure from traditional spinal fusion surgery. Unlike fusion surgery, which permanently connects the vertebrae with metal rods, screws, and bone grafts, VBT uses a tether that gently guides the spine into proper alignment. Most importantly, this innovative approach preserves the spine's natural flexibility – a crucial benefit that traditional fusion surgery cannot offer.

What is done in Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT)?

In this procedure, the doctor places screws into the centre of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) using X-ray guidance to make sure they are positioned correctly. A strong, braided cord made of polypropylene plastic, called a tether is then threaded through the screw heads and tightened step-by-step after the spine is compressed to straighten it. This method helps to improve the curvature of the spine right after surgery along with patient growth over time. This allows the spine to keep growing and moving, avoiding long term complications often related to traditional spinal fusion surgery, such as adjacent segment degeneration where there is wear and tear of the discs or joints in the spine next to the point of surgery.

Traditional spinal fusion surgery vs Vertebral Body Tethering

With the approval from the Medical Device Authority (MDA) of Malaysia, VBT offers a number of benefits compared to traditional spinal fusion surgery. The main goal of these procedures is to straighten the spine and maintain motion for patients.

Below shows a summary of the comparison between Traditional Spinal Fusion Surgery and Vertebral Body Tethering:

Traditional Spinal Fusion Surgery	Category	Vertebral Body Tethering
Higher blood loss due to large incisions and complex surgical instruments	Blood Loss	Less blood loss due to minimally invasive endoscope technique
Higher risk of infections and complications due to the use of screws, hooks, and rods	Post-Surgery Complications	Lower risk of complications due to minimal tools used (endoscope and tether)
Limits spinal motion as 6-8 segments are fused into one large bone, reducing mobility	Spine Flexibility	Maintains spine flexibility, allowing movement like walking and running
Restricts normal spine growth and increases the risk of future arthritis	Spine Growth	Allows normal spine growth by applying pressure to straighten the curved part of the spine
Limited physical activity and a longer recovery period due to fusion	Recovery & Physical Activity	Faster recovery, with the ability to engage in physical activities post-surgery

Experienced Surgical Team

The orthopaedic surgical team at Gleneagles Hospital Penang stands among an expert group of specialists certified to perform VBT. Their expertise combined with the latest surgical advancement, offer patients the best possible healthcare experience and quality of care.

Investing in Your Wellbeing

Gleneagles Hospital Penang invites you to explore if this innovative, minimally invasive procedure, VBT could be your path to spinal health. Schedule a consultation with our specialists to learn if VBT aligns with your treatment needs.

References

St. Louis Children's Hospital. (n.d.). The pros and cons of vertebral body tethering for scoliosis. St. Louis Children's Hospital. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.stlouischildrens.org/health-resources/pulse/pros-and-cons-vertebral-body-tethering-scoliosis

Treating Scoliosis. (n.d.). Fusionless scoliosis tethering advantages. Treating Scoliosis. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://treatingscoliosis.com/blog/fusionless-scoliosis-tethering-advantages/

Commons Clinic. (n.d.). Spinal fusion surgery. Commons Clinic. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://commonsclinic.com/spinal-fusion-surgery/