Surgical stabilisation of fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine by Harrington's technique.

The authors review twenty-four cases of fracture and fracture dislocation of the thoracic and lumbar spine treated by open reduction and stabilisation with Harrington's rods. In twenty-one cases posterior arthrodesis was also performed. Distraction rods were used in eighteen patients, compression rods in three and both types in three. In twenty-two cases it was possible to carry out a long term review. Stabilisation was achieved in all but one case. There was an average loss of correction of the kyphosis amounting to 10.5 per cent. Marked improvement was noted in nine patients who had incomplete neurological lesions. In thirteen patients with complete neurological lesions, no improvement was noted. In all the cases the treatment made post-operative nursing easier and the patient was more quickly mobilised.