Anterior scoliosis rod migration to the lower extremity.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Scoliosis rod migration has been reported rarely in the literature. We present a case study on three patients with distant migration of anterior scoliosis rod implants.

PURPOSE: To report an unusual complication of rod migration of anterior retroperitoneally implanted scoliosis rods in three patients.

STUDY DESIGN/

SETTING

A retrospective case report.

METHODS

Radiographic analysis.

RESULTS

Asymptomatic rod migration occurred from the anterior spine to the lower extremity in two cases and to the retroperitoneal space in the third case. The rod fragment appeared in the lower extremity in two cases and was removed through a small skin incision in the extremity. The average time from scoliosis surgery until the rods were found at a distant site was 9 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The scoliosis surgery was effective in preventing further deformity; however, in two cases there was nonunion at one or two levels. Patients are asymptomatic at the present time and followed at regular intervals to see if further surgery is necessary to correct areas of nonunion.