Background: This study aims to discuss the early-term postoperative thoracic complications in videothoracoscopic anterior vertebral body tethering surgery.

Methods: The study included 56 patients (3 males, 53 females; mean age 12.6 years; range, 10 to 16 years) operated with a total of 65 videothoracoscopic anterior vertebral body tethering surgeries between April 2014 and November 2018. Surgical indications were adolescents with different growth potentials, who had thoracic, thoracolumbar or double curves less than 70°. Surgical details and postoperative thoracic complications were recorded.

Results: Forty-two patients were administered thoracic tether, whereas five and nine patients were administered thoracolumbar tether and both approaches concomitantly, respectively. Two patients developed ipsilateral total atelectasis, one patient contralateral lobar atelectasis, one patient chylothorax, one patient pleural effusion, and one patient pneumothorax after chest drain removal. Overall thoracic complication rate was 9.2% and 30-day readmission rate was 1.8%. All patients achieved their rehabilitation goals.

Conclusion: Videothoracoscopy-assisted anterior vertebral body tethering is a safe and efficient technique that yields low complication rates. Early postoperative functional results are promising with high patient satisfaction. Pre- and postoperative respiratory rehabilitation may decrease thoracic complication rates.

Keywords : Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, vertebral body tethering, videothoracoscopy