Can distraction-based surgeries achieve minimum 18 cm thoracic height for patients with early onset scoliosis?

Karol et al. introduced the concept that 18 cm thoracic height is the critical point where a patient with early onset scoliosis (EOS) can maintain adequate pulmonary function. Our purpose was to determine if distraction-based surgeries will increase thoracic spine height to at least 18 cm in patients with EOS. Patients with EOS treated with distraction-based systems (minimum 5 years follow up, minimum five lengthenings). Radiographic analysis of...