The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 59, Issue 2 143-153, Copyright © 1977 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Harrington instrumentation and spine fusion for unstable fractures and fracture-dislocations of the thoracic and lumbar spine
JR Flesch, LL Leider, DL Erickson, SN Chou and DS Bradford
Of forty patients with unstable fractures and fracture-dislocations of the
thoracic or lumbar spine treated with Harrington instrumentation and spine
fusion, thirty-five had a neural deficit (twenty-three with incomplete or
cauda equina lesions and twelve with complete lesions). Laminectomy or
posterolateral decompression was performed prior to instrumentation and
fusion in twenty-three patients and at the time of stabilization, in
thirteen. Solid fusion was obtained in all but one patient. Back pain
persisted in four. No patient had residual spinal deformity. Twenty-one
patients with incomplete or cauda equina lesions regained some neural
function, while all twelve with complete lesions remained unchanged. The
advantages of this technique include effective stabilization of the spine,
early mobilization and rehabilitation, and prevention of late deformity.
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