Back in January 2014 we reported the news that the UK’s healthcare “watchdog”, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) was consulting on whether to support a device that aims to straighten and lengthen the spine of children with scoliosis. Now the agency has concluded that the Magec system, developed by should get its thumbs up.
Background
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves abnormally to the side. In many cases, no interventional treatment is needed because the spine corrects itself as the child grows.
Published today, the medical technology guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence encourages the NHS to use Ellipse Technologies’ MAGEC system in children aged 2 years and over who need surgery to correct their scoliosis. This is specifically where standard methods to straighten the child’s spine (such as wearing a back brace) have not worked. Using the device means the child can avoid repeated surgery with the associated effects and risks – and could save the NHS an estimated £12,000 per child over 6 years.
If treatment is required, a back brace can help stop the spine from curving further – this brace is worn until the child stops growing. Other standard options include using an external plaster cast, or growth rods that are surgically inserted around part of the spine. These standard rods are then extended twice a year via small incisions in the back; a procedure performed under general anaesthetic and which may require an overnight stay in hospital.
As the child grows, they will gain more height from having a straighter spine than from one that is curved. Fusing the spine is the final option, but this limits spinal growth so is normally avoided until the child has stopped growing.
The MAGEC system includes one or two extendable titanium rods which are surgically inserted and attached to the spine or ribs above and below the curved section of spine. This procedure to implant the rods is similar to that used for conventional rods. However, the main difference is that the MAGEC system doesn’t need periodic surgical procedures in order to lengthen the rods. Instead, using a magnet and screw system that sits within the rod, the length of the MAGEC system rod can be increased using a remote control device. This can be done in an outpatient clinic, and doesn’t need a general anaesthetic.
Parent comments
Jane Clarke, whose grandson is being treated with the MAGEC system, commented: “Our child required spinal growth rods when he was eight, to counter a worsening spinal curvature. MAGEC growth rods were inserted, and for the past two years he’s attended outpatients every three months to have these lengthened. The procedure is virtually painless, takes about fifteen minutes, and he meets other children having the same treatment, which means he feels less isolated. He has an x-ray or ultrasound, and is ready to go home after just an hour. Conventional growth rods would mean the pain and distress of surgery every six months: that’s four operations he’s avoided in the past 2 years, thanks to the MAGEC system. I hope that this new NICE guidance will help more children to benefit from this device.”
NICE comments
Professor Carole Longson, Director of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation, said: “We are delighted to publish this guidance which can help make a real difference to children who need surgery for a curved spine. The NICE guidance advises that the MAGEC system can benefit these children with scoliosis, and save the NHS money.
“Where standard treatment for scoliosis such as a back brace hasn’t worked, the guidance says that the MAGEC system offers a real improvement over the current surgical option involving conventional growth rods. Using standard growth rods requires repeated surgical procedures which are needed to extend the rods as the child grows. Having surgery sometimes twice a year to extend the rods can be difficult for the child and their family or carers, and can cause distress.
“In this guidance, the independent Medical Technologies Advisory Committee concluded that there was evidence to support the use of the MAGEC system to help straighten and lengthen the spine in children aged 2 years and over. By avoiding the need for the repeated surgical procedures, the committee accepted that the device can reduce the incidence of surgical complications, and provide other physical and psychological benefits for affected children and their families. These can include less time away from school, no need to be admitted as a hospital in-patient, and avoiding fear of repeated surgery.
“As well as these benefits for the child, using MAGEC is estimated to potentially save the NHS around £12,000 per patient after 6 years compared with using conventional growth rods. This guidance encourages the NHS to consider using the MAGEC system for children who need surgical treatment for scoliosis.”
The NICE medical technology guidance on the MAGEC system is available here.
Source: NICE
published: June 18, 2014 in: Approval/Clearance, Spine