[Harrington's operative treatment of scoliosis in combination with segmental transverse stabilization with Luque cerclage (the Harrington-Luque operation). Early results of the first 31 personal cases].

Early postoperative results in 31 cases of scolioses of varying etiology using the new combination of Harrington's distraction system together with Luque's segmental wiring are presented. Starting from an average preoperative COBB angle of 70 degrees (40 degrees-120 degrees), postoperative average correction to 35 degrees (15 degrees-80 degrees) could be achieved. This represents an average correction of 49.7% (28%-73%). One deep wound infection (cleared by removal of the material) and one transient monoradicular nerve irritation complicated the follow-up in total. The superior stability of the Harrington-Luque-combination (detailed description of the operative procedure) allows the reduction of the postoperative time of external splinting to only 6 months. The Technique described can be estimated as a considerable improvement of the classical Harrington-operation and has already replaced it in our department.