AzTrials
AzTrials

ScoliosisASTSNCT03330158

Clinical Assessment of a Motorized Spinal Distraction Rod in the Severe to Early Scoliosis Child

A study testing ASTS in people with Scoliosis, run by University Hospital, Toulouse at 1 site in France.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The purpose of this biomedical research is to evaluate the feasibility of the treatment with the new spinal distraction device ASTS in patients aged 4 to 10 years with severe early onset scoliosis. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 4 to 10 years
Conditions the study is for
Scoliosis
What is being tested?
ASTS
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
5 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
5 Feb 2019to 31 Dec 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 4 to 10 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Patient 4 to 10 years
  • Patient weight between 15kg at 50kg
  • Introducing severe scoliosis (Cobb angle> 40 °) with early onset
  • Failed or cons-indication of conservative treatment (cast or brace)
  • Agreement of parents or legal guardian (written agreement) and the patient (at least an oral agreement).

Who cannot join

  • Contraindication to surgery
  • Age less than 4 years or above 10 years
  • Weight less 15kg and above 50 kg

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

France1 site
  • CHU de Toulouse

    Toulouse, 31000

Other trials in France

About this study

The purpose of this biomedical research is to evaluate the feasibility of the treatment with the new spinal distraction device ASTS in patients aged 4 to 10 years with severe early onset scoliosis.

The hypothesis of this project is that the new fully implantable motorized spinal distraction device may provide a correction of scoliosis and progressive elongation ensuring patient comfort and minimizing complications.

The ASTS (for Active Scoliosis Treatment System) growing rod is a new fully implantable motorized spinal distraction device which can ensure a correction of scoliosis and progressive elongation ensuring patient comfort and minimizing complications.

Read the detailed description

Despite a better understanding and technical progress, the evolutionary early scoliosis remains a therapeutic challenge. The definition includes idiopathic scoliosis beginning before the age of 3 years, congenital scoliosis, neuromuscular and syndromic. Spinal deformity is often progressive and may compromise cardiorespiratory function.

The goal of treatment is to prevent further avoiding spinal fusion in a subject in growth. Surgery is indicated in case of failure or cons-indication of conservative treatment (corset or plaster). The principle is to position the posterior rods subcutaneous or in muscle attached to two ends of the deformation.

Intraoperative distraction allows correction of the deformity. A new distraction is performed every 6 months until skeletal maturity.

Considerable complication rates are reported (58%), mainly implant infections and disassembly, because of the need for multiple reoperations. Motorized implants can potentially avoid repeated interventions limiting complications.

Thus, the central hypothesis of this project is a new fully implantable motorized spinal distraction device may provide a correction of scoliosis and progressive elongation ensuring patient comfort and minimizing complications.

Conditions
Scoliosis
Being tested
ASTS
Medical subject headings
Scoliosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • ASTSDevice

    Implantation of a motorized spinal distraction rod

Study groups in NCT03330158
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
ASTS deviceExperimentalImplantation of device ASTS (for ACTIVE TREATMENT SCOLIOSIS SYSTEM ) in children between 4 and 10
Receives: Device: ASTS

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Ability to Implant the device

    The surgeon will have to say if the implantation of the device has been done or not

    Measured: Day 0: the day of the implantation

  2. Change of the position of the implant

    1 year after the implantation of the device, radiographs will be realised to ensure that the implant is still well positioning

    Measured: 1 years after the implantation

  3. Change of the position of the implant

    2 years after the implantation of the device, radiographs will be realised to ensure that the implant is still weel positioning

    Measured: 2 years after the implantation

  4. Change of the position of the implant

    3 years after the implantation of the device, radiographs will be realised to ensure that the implant is still weel positioning

    Measured: 3 years after the implantation

  5. Change of the implant's length

    The elongation of the implant will be measured in mm on the digital radiography

    Measured: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after the implantation

Secondary outcomes (26)
  1. Post-surgical pain

    Self-assessment of pain using a visual analog scale

    Measured: 3 months, after the implantation

  2. Post-surgical pain

    Self-assessment of pain using a visual analog scale

    Measured: months after the implantation

  3. Post-surgical pain

    Self-assessment of pain using a visual analog scale

    Measured: 9 months after the implantation

  4. Post-surgical pain

    Self-assessment of pain using a visual analog scale

    Measured: 1 year after the implantation

  5. Survey to evaluate the quality of life

    Assess quality of life in the questionnaire PedsQL

    Measured: Day 0

  6. Survey to evaluate the quality of life

    Assess quality of life in the questionnaire PedsQL

    Measured: 6 months after the implantation

  7. Survey to evaluate the quality of life

    Assess quality of life in the questionnaire PedsQL

    Measured: 1 year after the implantation

  8. to ease for the surgeon to implant the device,

    Number of participant with ease for the surgeon to implant the device,

    Measured: Day 0

  9. wound closure without tension,

    Number of participant with closure of the wound without tension,

    Measured: Day 0

  10. good positioning of the radiographic implant.

    Number participant with good positioning of the radiographic implant.

    Measured: Day 0

  11. Number of medical visits

    Measure of the number of medical visit in the year after implant

    Measured: 1 year

  12. Determine the number of iterative extensions made during follow-up

    Number of iterative extensions of 1 year.

    Measured: 1 year

  13. correction of deformation immediately after the operation,

    Number of participant with correction of deformation immediately after the operation,

    Measured: 3 months, 6 months, 9 month and 1 year

  14. correction of deformation immediately after the operation,

    Number of participant with correction of deformation immediately after the operation,

    Measured: 3 months after implantation

  15. Loss correction at 1 year

    Loss correction at 1 year

    Measured: 6 months after implantation

  16. Loss correction at 1 year

    Loss correction at 1 year

    Measured: 9 month after implantation

  17. Loss correction at 1 year

    Loss correction at 1 year

    Measured: 1 year after implantation

  18. Increase the distance T1-S1 at 1 year

    Increase the distance T1-S1 at 1 year (in mm)

    Measured: 1 year

  19. Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device (in mm)

    Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device (in mm)

    Measured: 3 months after implantation

  20. Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device

    Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device (in mm)

    Measured: 6 months after implantation

  21. Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device

    Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device (in mm)

    Measured: 9 month after implantation

  22. Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device

    Effective Elongation measured on radiographs of specification of the device (in mm)

    Measured: 1 year after implantation

  23. Nature of complications

    describe the nature of complication

    Measured: 1 years

  24. Nature of complications

    describe the nature of complication

    Measured: 2 years

  25. Nature of complications

    describe the nature of complication

    Measured: 3 years

  26. Nature of complications

    describe the nature of complication

    Measured: 5 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Nov 2017
  2. Study start5 Feb 2019
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2025
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
5 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03330158
Sponsor's protocol ID
RC31/15/7851
Acronym
ASTS
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
11 Jul 2016
Last updated
31 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Noordeen HM, Shah SA, Elsebaie HB, Garrido E, Farooq N, Al-Mukhtar M. In vivo distraction force and length measurements of growing rods: which factors influence the ability to lengthen? Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Dec 15;36(26):2299-303. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31821b8e16.

    PubMed 21494191
  • Varni JW, Seid M, Kurtin PS. PedsQL 4.0: reliability and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 generic core scales in healthy and patient populations. Med Care. 2001 Aug;39(8):800-12. doi: 10.1097/00005650-200108000-00006.

    PubMed 11468499
  • Varni JW, Burwinkle TM, Seid M, Skarr D. The PedsQL 4.0 as a pediatric population health measure: feasibility, reliability, and validity. Ambul Pediatr. 2003 Nov-Dec;3(6):329-41. doi: 10.1367/1539-4409(2003)0032.0.co;2.

    PubMed 14616041
  • Akbarnia BA, Marks DS, Boachie-Adjei O, Thompson AG, Asher MA. Dual growing rod technique for the treatment of progressive early-onset scoliosis: a multicenter study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Sep 1;30(17 Suppl):S46-57. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000175190.08134.73.

    PubMed 16138066
  • Bess S, Akbarnia BA, Thompson GH, Sponseller PD, Shah SA, El Sebaie H, Boachie-Adjei O, Karlin LI, Canale S, Poe-Kochert C, Skaggs DL. Complications of growing-rod treatment for early-onset scoliosis: analysis of one hundred and forty patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010 Nov 3;92(15):2533-43. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.I.01471. Epub 2010 Oct 1.

    PubMed 20889912
  • Lucas G, Bollini G, Jouve JL, de Gauzy JS, Accadbled F, Lascombes P, Journeau P, Karger C, Mallet JF, Neagoe P, Cottalorda J, De Billy B, Langlais J, Herbaux B, Fron D, Violas P. Complications in pediatric spine surgery using the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib: the French experience. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Dec 1;38(25):E1589-99. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000014.

    PubMed 24048087
  • Krieg AH, Speth BM, Foster BK. Leg lengthening with a motorized nail in adolescents : an alternative to external fixators? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008 Jan;466(1):189-97. doi: 10.1007/s11999-007-0040-3. Epub 2008 Jan 3.

    PubMed 18196392
  • Baumgart R. The reverse planning method for lengthening of the lower limb using a straight intramedullary nail with or without deformity correction. A new method. Oper Orthop Traumatol. 2009 Jun;21(2):221-33. doi: 10.1007/s00064-009-1709-4.

    PubMed 19685230
  • den Uil CA, Bezemer R, Miranda DR, Ince C, Lagrand WK, Hartman M, Bogers AJ, Spronk PE, Simoons ML. Intra-operative assessment of human pulmonary alveoli in vivo using Sidestream Dark Field imaging: a feasibility study. Med Sci Monit. 2009 Oct;15(10):MT137-141.

    PubMed 19789519
  • Kanter KR, Haggerty CM, Restrepo M, de Zelicourt DA, Rossignac J, Parks WJ, Yoganathan AP. Preliminary clinical experience with a bifurcated Y-graft Fontan procedure--a feasibility study. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012 Aug;144(2):383-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2012.05.015. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

    PubMed 22698555
  • Kerimaa P, Ojala R, Sinikumpu JJ, Hyvonen P, Korhonen J, Markkanen P, Tervonen O, Sequeiros RB. MRI-guided percutaneous retrograde drilling of osteochondritis dissecans of the talus: a feasibility study. Eur Radiol. 2014 Jul;24(7):1572-6. doi: 10.1007/s00330-014-3161-6. Epub 2014 Apr 17.

    PubMed 24740345
  • Flynn JM, Emans JB, Smith JT, Betz RR, Deeney VF, Patel NM, Campbell RM. VEPTR to treat nonsyndromic congenital scoliosis: a multicenter, mid-term follow-up study. J Pediatr Orthop. 2013 Oct-Nov;33(7):679-84. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0b013e31829d55a2.

    PubMed 23812154

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing ASTS in people with Scoliosis, run by University Hospital, Toulouse at 1 site in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Ability to Implant the device (time frame: Day 0: the day of the implantation). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03330158, which also lists 12 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Aug 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in