[Initial results of the surgical treatment of scoliosis with the Cotrel and Dubousset CD instruments].

At the Orthopaedic University Hospital Muenster 50 patients were surgically treated according to the Cotrel and Dubousset technique from June 1985 to October 1986. An outstanding characteristic of this method is the three-dimensional correction of the curve without exclusive application of distraction or transverse forces, bringing about excellent stability. By means of this operation an average preoperative angle of 63.4 degrees could be diminished to 33.9 degrees, meaning a gain of correction of 46.5%. Complications occurred essentially due to insufficient experience with this technique in the first patients operated on. After sufficient training this procedure is as practicable as the Harrington technique.