[Long-term results of the Harrington operation. Apropos of a series of 200 cases (1964-1986)].

The authors present a series of 200 patients who underwent vertebral arthrodesis with Harrington's distraction rods for idiopathic scoliosis reviewed after a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (maximum: 24 years). The surgical procedure consisted of either simple distraction or distraction associated with convex compression or a transverse traction device or insertion of double rods according to Armstrong's technique. The operative gain was 44%, the angular loss was 12% and the definitive gain was 32%. The results were better in girls and in juvenile scoliosis type III and adolescent scoliosis. The best long-term correction was obtained in cases of lumbar scoliosis. The best operative reduction was obtained in thoracic and thoracolumbar scoliosis and the greatest angular loss was observed with major double scolioses. The most favourable results were obtained in cases of scoliosis were severe angulation. The best system was Armstrong's followed by Dollar's and the least effective was simple distraction. Heavy pre- and intra-operative vertebral traction improved the angular score. Rupture of the rod, when it occurred late, was not equivalent to pseudarthrosis. Angular deterioration over time was essentially observed over the first 10 years but led to disappointing results.