title: Segmental spinal correction of idiopathic scoliosis. Luque rods and Hartshill rectangle in 30 patients followed for 2-6 years.
abstract: 30 patients with idiopathic scoliosis were treated by posterior spinal arthrodesis using the Luque (8 patients) and Hartshill (22 patients) rodding systems with sublaminar segmental wiring. Patients were followed for 2 to 6 years. In most cases, postoperative correction exceeded safety correction limits (lateral bending film plus 10 degrees). Final correction was 55%, while derotation was not significant (average 3 degrees). No neurological deficit was noted. Postoperative bracing was not applied and there was 1 patient with broken rods (Luque trolley system without fusion) and 1 patient with broken wires in 4 segments. Allogenic blood transfusion was avoided in 19 patients by preoperative donation of autologous blood, in combination with salvage of intraoperative shed blood. We found segmental spinal wiring with either rods or rectangles to be a safe method for correction of scoliosis in experienced hands. It offered satisfactory stability and fusion rate with no need for external support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Greece.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Christodoulou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kapetanos
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Apostolou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pournaras
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Symeonides
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome