The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 61, Issue 4 496-503, Copyright © 1979 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Surgical management of thoracic kyphosis in adolescents
TC Taylor, DR Wenger, J Stephen, R Gillespie and WP Bobechko
Twenty-seven patients of a group of twenty-nine who underwent posterior
spine fusion using Harrington compression instrumentation for Scheuermann's
disease or postural roundback deformity were reviewed with a mean follow-up
of 27.6 months. The mean curve before operation was 72 degrees and at
review, 46.1 degrees. The mean loss of correction in the fusion from
initial examination to final follow-up was 5.7 degrees. This procedure can
achieve satisfactory correction of deformity as well as pain relief. We
think that Harrington compression instrumentation and spine fusion is
indicated in selected cases of roundback deformity.