• Walter H Truong, Hiroko Matsumoto, Jaysson T Brooks, Tenner J Guillaume, Lindsay M Andras, Patrick J Cahill, Ryan E Fitzgerald, Ying Li, Brandon A Ramo, Benhoor Soumekh, Laurel C Blakemore, Christopher Carter, Michelle R Christie, Daniel Cortez, V Vivian Dimas, Christina K Hardesty, Luv R Javia, Benjamin C Kennedy, Peter D Kim, Robert F Murphy, Joseph H Perra, David W Polly, Jeffrey R Sawyer, Brian Snyder, Paul D Sponseller, Peter F Sturm, Burt Yaszay, Tim Feyma, and Sara J Morgan.
• Department of Orthopedics-Spine, Gillette Children's, Saint Paul, MN.
• Spine. 2024 Dec 1; 49 (23): 163616441636-1644.

Study DesignModified Delphi consensus study.ObjectiveTo develop consensus-based best practices for the care of pediatric patients who have implanted programmable devices (IPDs) and require spinal deformity surgery.Summary Of Background DataImplanted programmable devices (IPDs) are often present in patients with neuromuscular or syndromic scoliosis who require spine surgery. Guidelines for monitoring and interrogating these devices during the perioperative period are not available.MethodsA panel was assembled consisting of 25 experts (i.e., spinal deformity surgeons, neurosurgeons, neuroelectrophysiologists, cardiologists, and otolaryngologists). Initial postulates were based on a literature review and results from a prior survey. Postulates addressed the following IPDs: vagal nerve stimulators (VNS), programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS), intrathecal baclofen pumps (ITBP), cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), deep brain stimulators (DBS), and cochlear implants. Cardiologist and otolaryngologist participants responded only to postulates on cardiac pacemakers or cochlear implants, respectively. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement, items that did not reach consensus were revised and included in subsequent rounds. A total of 3 survey rounds and 1 virtual meeting were conducted.ResultsConsensus was reached on 39 total postulates across 6 IPD types. Postulates addressed general spine surgery considerations, the use of intraoperative monitoring and cautery, the use of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs), and the use of an external remote controller to lengthen MCGRs. Across IPD types, consensus for the final postulates ranged from 94.4% to 100%. Overall, experts agreed that MCGRs can be surgically inserted and lengthened in patients with a variety of IPDs and provided guidance for the use of intraoperative monitoring and cautery, which varied between IPD types.ConclusionSpinal deformity correction surgery often benefits from the use of intraoperative monitoring, monopolar and bipolar cautery, and MCGRs. The final postulates from this study can inform the perioperative and postoperative practices of spinal deformity surgeons who treat patients with both scoliosis and IPDs.Level Of EvidenceV-Expert opinion.Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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