Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the treatment of scoliosis with different surgical methods.
Method: 125 cases of scoliosis less than 100 degrees treated during 14 years (1984 - 1997) were analyzed. Different operative methods were compared for their advantages and disadvantages, i.e. results and complications 10 months after operation and follow-up.
Result: Harrington instrumentation was less effective in scoliotic curve correction and had more complications than other procedures. Luque technique needed longer operation time for wire passage at each level and had risk of neurological damage. CD and Zielke method showed 10% - 20% curve correction. No dislodgment of hook and fractured rods was found in the CD group. Anterior release plus posterior instrumentation was superior to other techniques.
Conclusion: Treatment of scoliosis with anterior release plus posterior CD is practical for children before a new technique without spinal fusion is developed.