108 Military Central Hospital performs first non-bone graft scoliosis surgery in Vietnam

Doctors at the 108 Military Central Hospital have successfully performed Vietnam’s first scoliosis correction surgery using the Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) technique, which does not require bone grafting.

The patient, a 10-year-old girl from Bac Ninh, presented with thoracolumbar scoliosis with a Cobb angle of 48 degrees. Following the procedure, the curvature was reduced to approximately 10 degrees, achieving a correction rate of nearly 80%.

Unlike traditional surgical methods that involve spinal fusion, the VBT technique uses specialized high-strength cords connected to screws placed in the vertebral bodies. This approach aims to preserve spinal mobility and utilizes the patient's natural growth to help correct the curvature over time. The procedure requires high precision to manage cord tension and account for the patient's remaining growth potential.