Salvage and reconstructive surgery for spinal deformity using Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation.

Sixty consecutive patients who underwent Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation as part of their reconstructive surgery (failure of previous surgery) were reviewed. The average follow-up was 3 years (range, 2-4.5 years). There were no deaths or major neurologic problems. Pseudarthrosis occurred in six patients, all of whom had long fusion to the sacrum; all six were successfully repaired. Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation provides a far superior method of correction of deformity and internal fixation than that available previously.