Treatment of scoliosis correction and internal fixation by spine instrumentation

Abstract

Background: Scoliosis and other forms of spinal deformity have been known for millennia. Previous methods of treatment have been non-surgical and largely unsuccessful. In this paper Paul Harrington describes his fi rst attempts at the surgical management of this condition. Method: This is a description of a new surgical technique together with its development over three case series of 19, 46 and subsequently 68 patients. A system of stainless steel rods and hooks was implanted, and distraction and compression forces applied to the spine in order to partly correct the curve and stabilize the spine. Fusion was added to instrumentation if the operating team thought the patient's condition under anesthesia allowed it to be done. Conclusion: The biomechanical principles and surgical technique are well described. The progressively successful but largely subjective results that are achieved during the development of the technique and the device are presented.