Six patients with scoliosis have been treated with Harrington instrumentation and spine fusion in our clinic.
Five cases were followed up at least one year.
Rate of correction immediately after operation revealed 69 to 20 percent.
Loss of correction one year after operation had 17 to 58% (average 32.5%).
As three cases had metal comlications (rod breakage and hook turned out), they were re-operated. In one case, vertebral osteotomy following skeletal traction was applied with a good result. With proper use and in experienced hands Harrington rods are a safe and effective addition to the surgical treatment of scoliosis, as Moe and Scheier reported.