Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41981350›Full record

ReviewAnnals of biomedical engineering2026

Preoperative Traction for Pediatric Spinal Deformity Correction: A Technical Review.

Samuel Wilcox, Megan Saalwaechter, Pavan Induraj, Brian Emling, Richard Welling, Colleen Coulter, Brian Giavedoni, Michael Schmitz, Yue Chen

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Annals of biomedical engineering, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Samuel WilcoxInstitute of Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, 30332, USA.
Megan SaalwaechterHeersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA.
Pavan IndurajCollege of Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, 30332, USA.
Brian EmlingOrthotics and Prosthetics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, USA.
Richard WellingOrthotics and Prosthetics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, USA.
Colleen CoulterOrthotics and Prosthetics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, USA.
Brian GiavedoniOrthotics and Prosthetics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, USA.
Michael SchmitzDepartment of Orthopedics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, USA.
Yue ChenInstitute of Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, 30332, USA. yue.chen@bme.gatech.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9224-4165

Funding

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program DGE-2039655
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSevere pediatric spinal deformities often require preoperative traction to improve surgical safety and correction. This review examines the burden of deformities, current surgical approaches, and traction technologies to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement.

methodsA two-stage literature review was conducted, first assessing the burden and surgical management of significant and severe pediatric spinal deformities, then focusing on traction modalities and associated technologies.

resultsThree primary traction approaches, halo gravity, halo pelvic, and halo femoral, were evaluated in addition to some recent alternative approaches. While clinically effective, their application remains highly variable in force delivery and inpatient protocols.

conclusionPreoperative traction remains the gold standard for severe pediatric spinal deformities, but current practices are inconsistent in force application. Standardization and modernization are needed to optimize outcomes and improve patient quality of life.

Indexed as

Halo Gravity tractionHalo Pelvic tractionKyphosisPreoperative tractionScoliosis

Identifiers

PMID41981350

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.