Harrington Instrumentation Without Fusion for the Treatment of Scoliosis in Young Children

Sixteen children with neuromuscular scoliosis were treated by a subcutaneous (s.c.) Harrington rod without fusion. The rod was regularly changed up to the time of definite fusion. The average curvature at the time of the first operation measured 56°, and at last follow-up was 53°. The average intraoperative correction decreased from 25.3° to 8°. After age 8 years, the spine becomes stiffer, making correction more difficult and enhancing the effect of a crankshaft mechanism. We conclude that the first operation should be performed earlier, that the interval between operations should be shorter, and that a definite fusion should be performed earlier, probably at ∼8 years.