The before xrays on the left were taken on August 2, 2010. The after xrays on the right were taken on October 3, 2010 while Caden was still in the hospital recovering from surgery. VEPTR Rods were surgically placed in Caden’s back on September 28, 2010 at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The primary purpose of this VEPTR rod surgery is to prevent the spine from crowding the heart and lungs inside the chest cavity. Caden will have to have surgery about every 6-9 months to adjust the rods as his body grows. The curve of the scoliosis in August was measured at approximately 75 degrees. We do not know the current post surgery curve measurement, but it is estimated at less than 40 degrees. We do know that Caden gained 1 3/4 inches in height as a result of this surgery.