Tether Breakage Across First-generation and Second-generation Vertebral Body Tethering Devices in Treating Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

This study investigates the incidence of tether breakage in first-generation versus second-generation vertebral body tethering (VBT) devices used to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The analysis of 231 patients revealed that the overall rate of radiographic tether breakage was similar between the two generations (52% for first-generation and 44% for second-generation devices), although surgeon-reported breakage significantly decreased with the newer devices. The findings suggest that while the newer devices may have lower surgeon-observed breakage, the overall radiographic rates remain high and comparable to older models.