Analysis of results with Zielke instrumentation for thoracolumbar and lumbar curvature.

Thirty-nine patients (idiopathic in 26, paralytic in 11 and congenital in 2) treated by Zielke instrumentation with fusion for thoracolumbar and lumbar curvature were reviewed. The average follow-up was 34 months. The corrections of scoliosis was 76% in the adolescent idiopathic group, 59% in the adult idiopathic group and 55% in the paralytic group; rotation corrected (38%). Kyphosis was reduced from 61 degrees to 20 degrees on the average by derotating the spine using the derotator followed by placing bone graft in the anterior disc spaces. The tilt angle of the lower end vertebra in the idiopathic group and the pelvic obliquity angle in the paralytic group were corrected remarkably. Fusion rate was 92.3%. Two of three pseudarthrosis were repaired by Harrington instrumentation and fusion. One was free from symptoms. Complications were frequent, though in most cases only minor.