脊柱畸形后路内固定矫形术后深部感染的治疗

目的:探讨脊柱畸形后路内固定矫形术后深部感染的治疗效果。方法:2012年6月~2014年12月167例脊柱畸形患者行后路内固定矫形术,11例术后并发切口深部感染,男3例,女8例,年龄14.6±4.7岁(11~27岁);其中早发性感染(术后90d内)9例,迟发性(术后90d后)感染2例。9例早发性感染患者中,伤口渗出液或在B超引导下深层穿刺取脓液细菌培养阳性6例,其中2例为耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)、3例为甲氧西林敏感金黄色葡萄球菌(MSSA),1例为大肠杆菌;另3例培养阴性者,依据伤口脓性渗液、持续胀痛及术中大量脓性积液而诊断为早发性切口深部感染。2例迟发性感染患者分别于矫形术后7个月和10个月时因腰背部持续性疼痛不适,经MRI检查提示切口深部积液形成,以及血沉、C反应蛋白等炎性指标显著高于正常值而确诊,清创术时取内固定旁组织细菌培养均为表皮葡萄球菌感染。均行彻底清创、置管持续冲洗引流,同时联合敏感抗生素治疗。结果:9例早发性感染经一期切口清创、置管持续冲洗引流及联合敏感抗生素治疗后,伤口均愈合,感染获得控制,内置物得以保留;随访13.5±5.8个月(6~36个月),无内置物松动及感染复发迹象。2例迟发性感染经多次清创、置管持续冲洗引流及联合敏感抗生素治疗仍无法控制感染,于矫形术后1年时取出内置物后治愈,取出内置物后分别随访6个月和14个月,无感染复发迹象,但分别有25°和17°的矫形丢失。结论:对脊柱畸形后路内固定矫形术后早发性深部感染,积极采取彻底清创、置管持续冲洗引流联合敏感抗生素治疗,可有效控制感染,避免取出内置物;而迟发性感染则可能需取出内置物才能控制感染,但有矫形丢失风险。     

脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术后深部感染的治疗

背景背景:感染是脊柱侧凸手术后较严重的并发症之一。目的目的:探讨脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术后深部感染的处理方法及治疗效果。方法方法:回顾分析2000年1月至2011年12月行脊柱后路矫形融合术的脊柱侧凸病例的临床资料,共2780例,深部感染患者19例。根据距首次手术时间分为早期感染和迟发感染,早期感染患者彻底清创后保留内固定物,迟发感染均取出内固定物,清创后一期闭合切口,并根据临床经验使用抗生素。结果结果:所有深部感染患者均有切口局部症状,19例感染患者中,男6例,女13例,特发性脊柱侧凸5例,先天性脊柱侧凸6例,成人脊柱侧凸6例,强直性脊柱炎后凸1例,经13-144个月随访,患者愈合良好,无感染复发情况。结论结论:局部脓肿、渗出或窦道常常为深部感染的诊断依据。对于脊柱侧凸术后深部感染患者清创是主要的,如无内固定松动等情况早期感染不一定必须取出内固定物。而对于迟发感染,植骨已融合患者可取出内固定物,根据情况使用抗生素。     

椎弓根螺钉固定三维矫治特发性脊柱侧凸的疗效观察

目的 探讨椎弓根螺钉固定在特发性脊柱侧凸矫形术中的治疗效果.方法 自2000年1月至2008年8月,对21例特发性脊柱侧凸患者行脊柱侧凸矫形术,术中采用徒手技术置入椎弓根螺钉行侧凸矫形,术后佩戴胸腰支具3～5个月.结果 随访8～36个月,平均22个月.切口均获得Ⅰ期愈合.患者术前Cobb角平均为67.1°,术后Cobb角平均为25.4°,畸形矫正率为62%,随访中角度丢失平均为3.3°,身高平均增加约6cm.所有病例术中术后均无脊髓神经根损伤表现,均获得满意的脊柱融合.结论 椎弓根螺钉固定能提供强大的三维矫正力,效果可靠、并发症少,应用椎弓根螺钉固定治疗特发性脊柱侧凸具有较好的临床效果.     

脊柱椎弓根螺钉系统内固定术后迟发性感染的处理

[目的]探讨脊柱后路椎弓根螺钉内固定系统术后深部感染的特点与治疗方法。[方法]对36例脊柱内固定术后感染患者的临床表现、生化和细菌学检查及治疗进行分析。根据发生感染时间的不同分为早期感染12例，迟发性感染24例。[结果]早期感染一般伴有全身症状，白细胞计数及红细胞沉降率（ESR）升高，脓液培养主要为金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌等致病力强的细菌，迟发性感染一般无全身症状，白细胞计数不升高，ESR升高，脓液培养主要为类白喉杆菌、表皮葡萄球菌等致病菌力较弱的皮肤正常菌群。早期感染患者予以清创、持续冲洗引流。除3例反复清创无效，将内固定取出以外，其余内固定均予保留。迟发性感染者予以内固定取出、清创、持续冲洗引流。经上述治疗后仅1例患者早期深部感染迁延不愈致椎体骨髓炎，术后3个月伤口再次出现流脓，其余均愈合。[结论]脊柱后路椎弓根螺钉内固定系统术后早期感染及迟发性感染的发生机理可能存在差异。早期感染由致病力强的细菌引起，累及范围广。而迟发性感染由致病力弱的细菌引起，发展慢且较局限。对早期深部感染可以保留内固定行病灶清除，持续冲洗引流，多次清创无效，感染控制不佳则需要早日将内固定取出，以免炎症扩散。而迟发性感染则需取出内固定，否则难以消除炎症。     

脊柱侧凸后路术后矫正度丢失的原因

分析经长期随诊脊柱侧凸术后矫正度丢失的程度及原因。１４２例脊柱侧凸采用后路器械矫正固定，８６例随诊６个月～８年６个月（平均３年４个月），术前、术后及随诊的Ｘ线片对比，分析丢失度与侧凸类型、年龄、内固定种类等之间的关系。２８例（３２．５％）丢失度大于１５°，丢失度与年龄、侧凸类型无明显关系，而与内固定节段的选择、内固定种类及融合技术明显相关。正确选择内固定种类及融合节段，提高融合技术，减少假关节及脱钩的发生率，是长期维持脊柱侧凸术后矫正度的关键。     

各型内固定矫形术治疗脊柱侧凸效果评价

目的评价不同内固定矫形术治疗脊柱侧凸的效果。方法对１９８４～１９９７年用不同手术方法矫治１２５例１００°以内脊柱侧凸患者的治疗和随诊资料进行研究,手术方法包括Ｈａｒｉｎｇｔｏｎ、Ｌｕｑｕｅ、联合ＨａｒｉｎｇｔｏｎＬｕｑｕｅ、ＣＤ、Ｚｉｅｌｋｅ、前路松解加后路手术和俄式手术等,对不同方法的优缺点及各自的矫正情况、身高变化、手术时间、术中输血量、住院时间、术后并发症和矫正度丢失情况及其原因进行比较分析。结果Ｈａｒｉｎｇｔｏｎ法矫正效果比其它方法差而且并发症多;Ｌｕｑｕｅ法费时且有潜在脊髓损伤之忧;ＣＤ法有三维矫正作用,矫正效果好,未见脱钩、断棍;含前路手术的方法远期Ｃｏｂｂ角度丢失少,其中前路松解加后路手术（ＣＤ术）方法简便易行,效果好;俄式手术作为一种探索中的不影响脊柱生长发育的新型脊柱侧凸内固定矫形术,有一定优越性。结论在不进行脊柱融合的新技术发展成熟前,ＣＤ术对生长发育中的青少年脊柱侧凸患者是一种较好的治疗方法     

脊柱后路内固定术后迟发性感染的治疗

目的:探讨脊柱后路内固定术后迟发性感染(首次感染发生时间≥术后1个月)病例的治疗方法 ,并进行分析总结。方法:自2005年8月~2013年12月共收治脊柱后路内固定术后迟发性感染病例18例,其中颈后路单开门椎管扩大成形术1例,腰椎后路减压固定融合术17例,单纯切口深部感染9例(组1),单纯椎间隙感染7例(组2),同时合并切口深部及椎间隙感染2例(组3),分析迟发性感染的特点,比较3组迟发性感染在体温、炎症指标(WBC计数、ESR、CRP)、临床表现等方面的差异,并进行相应治疗。结果:发生迟发性感染的平均间隔时间为术后17个月(1~101个月),三组病例间感染在发病时间、体温、WBC、ESR、CRP中,仅组2与组3间的体温存在统计学差异(P0.05),其余检验均无统计学差异(P0.05);组1中8例患者行清创+对口冲洗引流术,其中4例取出内固定,组2中1例合并局部不稳定行手术治疗,组3中1例因明显的深部感染行手术治疗,其余病例单纯应用抗生素治疗。所有病例均获治愈,平均随访18个月(12~40个月),未见感染复发。结论:对迟发性脊柱后路术后切口深部感染病例,清创+对口冲洗引流术是有效治疗,对于手术节段融合满意的患者,可积极取出内固定;迟发性单纯椎间隙感染,首选抗生素保守治疗,对于合并明显的切口深部感染或存在不稳定的病例,可行手术清创治疗。     

一期前路松解后路三维矫形治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸

目的探讨一期前路松解后路三维矫形治疗重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸的手术策略,并评价其疗效。方法1997年7月～2003年1月应用一期前路松解后路三维矫形治疗重度脊柱侧凸36例,男9例,女27例;年龄13～39岁,平均17.2岁。其中特发性脊柱侧凸33例,神经纤维瘤病性脊柱侧凸3例。术前冠状面Cobb角85°～116°,平均96.2°;矢状面异常20例。前路行凸侧松解、椎间植骨后,同次麻醉下再行后路CD(4例)、CD-Horizon(5例)、TSRH(10例)或Isola(17例)脊柱内固定器械三维矫形内固定及植骨融合,其中31例行胸廓成形术。结果全部病例随访6～48个月,平均24个月。术后冠状面Cobb角30°～65°,平均47.6°,平均矫正率48.5%;80.6%的患者术后维持或达到矢状面平衡。未发生严重的神经系统并发症,无脱钩、断棒及深部感染。术后气胸2例,创伤性胸膜炎1例,术后2年假关节形成1例,术后11个月躯干失平衡1例。随访1年后矫正度丢失大于10°者2例,平均丢失5.2°。结论对重度僵硬性脊柱侧凸应用一期前路松解、后路三维矫形的方法矫形满意。正确选择病例、术前仔细评估、术中应用SEP及唤醒试验可减少神经系统并发症的发生。其远期疗效尚待进一步观察。     

胸腰椎后路内固定术后深部感染的治疗

目的 探讨胸腰椎后路内固定术后深部感染的特点与治疗方法。方法对36例胸腰椎内固定术后感染患者的临床表现、生化和细菌学检查及治疗进行分析。根据发生感染时间的不同分为早期感染14例,迟发性感染22例。结果早期感染一般伴有全身症状,白细胞计数及红细胞沉降率（ESR）升高,脓液培养主要为金色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌等致病力强的细菌,迟发性感染一般无全身症状,白细胞计数不升高,ESR升高,脓液培养主要为类白喉杆菌、表皮葡萄球菌等致病菌力较弱的皮肤正常菌群。早期感染患者予以清创、持续冲洗引流。除3例反复清创无效,将内固定取出以外,其余内固定均予保留。迟发性感染者予以内固定取出、清创、持续冲洗引流。33例平均随访2．6年,经上述治疗后仅1例患者早期深部感染迁延不愈致椎体骨髓炎,术后3个月伤口再次出现流脓,其余均愈合。结论胸腰椎固定后早期感染及迟发性感染的发生机理可能存在差异。早期感染由致病力强的细菌引起,累及范围广。而迟发性感染由致病菌弱细菌引起,发展慢且较局限。对早期深部感染可以保留内固定行病灶清除,持续冲洗引流,多次清创无效,感染控制不佳则需要早日将内固定取出,以免炎症扩散。而迟发性感染则需取出内固定,否则难以消除炎症。     

一期后路经椎弓根半椎体切除节段固定治疗先天性胸腰椎侧后凸畸形

目的评价一期后路经椎弓根半椎体切除节段固定术治疗完全分节的胸腰椎半椎体畸形所致的先天性脊柱侧后凸畸形的疗效。方法采用一期后路经椎弓根半椎体切除内固定矫形术治疗了12例完全分节的胸腰椎半椎体畸形所致的脊柱侧后凸畸形。其中男8例，女4例，年龄为7～17岁，平均11．3岁。观察并测量术前术后及随访时站立位脊柱X线片冠状面和矢状面Cobb角、侧凸的顶椎偏移。结果随访10～34个月，平均16个月。术后冠状面平均矫正64．1％，随访中无明显丢失。后凸由术前平均32。矫正至平均19°，随访中无明显丢失，顶椎偏移由术前平均4．5cm矫正至平均1．2cm。无脊髓损伤及切口感染等并发症。结论一期后路经椎弓根半椎体切除内固定矫形术是治疗完全分节的胸腰椎半椎体畸形所致的脊柱侧后凸畸形的有效方法。     

Incidence of surgical site infection following adult spinal deformity surgery: an analysis of patient risk

Surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery is a frequent complication and results in higher morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Patients undergoing surgery for spinal deformity (scoliosis/kyphosis) have longer surgeries, involving more spinal levels and larger blood losses than typical spinal procedures. Previous research has identified risk factors for SSI in spinal surgery, but few studies have looked at adult deformity surgeries. We retrospectively performed a large case cohort analysis of all adult patients who underwent surgery for kyphosis or scoliosis, between June 1996 and December 2005, by our adult spine division in an academic institution to asses the incidence and identify risk factors for SSI. We reviewed the electronic patient records of 830 adult patients. SSI was classified as deep or superficial to the fascia. 46 (5.5%) patients were found to have a SSI with 29 patients (3.5%) having deep infections. Obesity was found to be an independent risk factor for all SSI and superficial SSI (P = 0.014 and P = 0.013). As well, a history of prior SSI was also found to be a risk factor for SSI (P = 0.041). Patient obesity and history of prior SSI lead to increased risk of infection. Since obesity was related to an increased risk of both superficial and deep SSI, counseling and treatment for obesity should be considered before elective deformity surgery.     

Vacuum-assisted closure for deep infection after spinal instrumentation for scoliosis

Our aim was to review the efficacy of the wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system in the treatment of deep infection after extensive instrumentation and fusion for spinal deformity in children and adolescents. A total of 14 patients with early deep spinal infection were treated using this technique. Of these, 12 had neuromuscular or syndromic problems. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 44 months (24 to 72). All wounds healed. Two patients required plastic surgery to speed up the process. In no patient was the hardware removed and there was no loss of correction or recurrent infection. We believe that the wound VAC system is a useful tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon dealing with patients susceptible to wound infections, especially those with neuromuscular diseases. It allows for the retention of the instrumentation and the maintenance of spinal correction. It is reliable and easy to use.     

脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的治疗

目的评价清创术后置管冲洗、负压吸引及一期关闭伤口对脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的治疗效果。方法回顾1984年2月～1997年10月924例行脊柱后路矫形融合术的脊柱侧凸病例,发现感染15例,男5例,女10例,年龄11～32岁,平均17.5岁;特发性脊柱侧凸7例,先天性脊柱侧凸8例;内固定系统包括Harrington Luque3例,Harrington8例,CD4例。结果7例诊断为术后早期感染,平均发现时间为术后15d,清创术后除2例内固定物取出外,其余5例均予保留。8例迟发感染,平均发现时间为术后5.5个月,所有病例均予彻底清创,4例内固定物完全取出(其中1例因并发呼吸功能衰竭死亡),2例内固定物部分取出,2例保留。所有病例清创术后均置管持续冲洗及负压吸引,一期关闭伤口。平均置管冲洗2.8周,清创术后静脉使用抗生素19d。14例患者平均随访3.5年,未见感染复发。结论清创术后置管冲洗、负压吸引及一期关闭伤口,是治疗脊柱侧凸后路矫形融合术术后感染的有效方法。保留植入物,对多数病例并不影响对感染的控制。     

Retrospective study of deep surgical site infections following spinal surgery and the effectiveness of continuous irrigation

Surgical site infection (SSI) is an unfortunate and unpreventable complication of any surgical intervention including spinal surgery. Early deep SSI (EDSSI) after instrumented spinal fusion are particularly difficult to manage due to the implanted, and possibly infected, instrumentation. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review patients who underwent spinal surgery, investigate the rate of EDSSI, identify patient-related and surgery-related risk factors and to assess the effectiveness of continuous indwelling irrigation on the eradication of these infections. A total of 814 patients (319 women and 495 men) who underwent spinal surgery were enrolled. Mean age at the initial surgery was 57.4 years old. Infections that penetrated the deep fascia within 1 month after the initial operation were considered as EDSSI. The rate of EDSSI, causal organisms, infection management and resolution were studied. Furthermore, we examined the patient-related and the operation-related risk factors. An overall incidence of EDSSI of 1.1% was found. In 177 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), two patients (1.1%) developed EDSSI. In 28 patients receiving chronic haemodialysis (HD), two patients with infections (7.1%) were identified, which was statistically significantly greater than the other patient populations. Both operative time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly greater in patients with EDSSI than in non-infected patients. Furthermore, the rate of EDSSI in patients undergoing instrumented spinal fusion (3.8%) was significantly higher than that in the other patients. In the nine patients who developed EDSSI, the causal organisms were identified and treated by surgical debridement, antibiotic therapy and continuous indwelling surgical site irrigation. All infections resolved, and no recurrence has been observed at final follow-up. Removal of the instrumentation was required in only one patient. Based on our results, we believe that continuous surgical site irrigation is an effective adjunct in the surgical treatment for early SSI following spinal surgery.     

Vacuum-assisted wound closure of deep infections after instrumented spinal fusion in six children with neuromuscular scoliosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The rate of infection after spinal fusion in neuromuscular scoliosis is reported to range from 4% to 20%. Infection persists in about 50% after traditional treatment including debridement and closure. Instrumentation removal is necessary in up to 28%. PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) in combination with antibiotics for the treatment of deep wound infection after instrumented spinal fusion in pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis. STUDY DESIGN: Six prospective consecutive neuromuscular patients with scoliosis. PATIENT SAMPLE: Between 2001 and 2005, six consecutive pediatric patients (average age, 12.6 years) with neuromuscular scoliosis with a postoperative deep wound infection after instrumented spinal fusion were included in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement of the duration of wound closure and infection parameters during treatment. METHODS: The patients were treated with a VAC system in combination with antibiotics. RESULTS: Wound closure averaged 3 months. Infection parameters were normalized within 6 weeks. Removal of the instrumentation was not necessary in any patient, and there were no signs of infection at follow-up ranging from 9 to 42 months. CONCLUSION: The VAC system, in combination with antibiotic therapy, seems to be a useful method for treatment of deep wound infections after spinal fusion in pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis. It may prevent removal of the instrumentation and multiple surgery for irrigation and closure of the wound.     

Subcutaneous rodding for progressive spinal curvatures: early results

This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and radiographs of 11 patients with progressive early-onset scoliosis who failed to respond to nonoperative management and who underwent consecutive distraction of subcutaneous rods. Eleven children were treated by consecutive distraction of subcutaneous rods, and in two patients with rodding and anterior apical fusion. At surgery, the average patient age was 5.66 years, with a mean Cobb angle of 74 degrees and an average Pedriole angle of 39 degrees. The etiology of the scoliosis included four syndromic and one each congenital, post-rib resection, post-spinal tumor resection, neurofibromatosis, myelomeningocele, infantile idiopathic, and juvenile idiopathic. Subcutaneous rodding halted curve progression in all patients. At an average of 5.1 years after surgery, one patient showed no deterioration of the curve and nine patients showed an improvement of > or =40% in the magnitude of the original curvature. Eight of these patients had already had definitive surgery performed with segmental spinal instrumentation and fusion. Spinal growth occurred in all 11 patients and ranged from 0.5 to 4.5 cm (mean 2.0). Early results from these patients show that subcutaneous rodding with consecutive distraction allows correction of progressive early-onset scoliosis that failed to respond to nonsurgical management, preserving the individual growth potential of the spinal column and delaying definitive surgical treatment. Rotational deformity did not deteriorate radiographically, but clinical deformity increased subjectively. The amount of growth achieved and the number of procedures required to obtain these results raises the question of whether patients would be better served by a single anterior, posterior fusion and instrumentation at a young age.     

Scoliosis in childhood

Scoliosis is the most frequently encountered spinal deformity of childhood. It is a three-dimensional deformity with lateral curvature in the coronal plane and associated rotation. Scoliosis is classified according to its a etiopathogenesis; it can be idiopathic (80%), congenital, neuromuscular or syndromic. Treatment depends on the etiology, age and maturity at presentation and magnitude of the deformity. The mainstay of treatment for significant scoliosis is surgery by way of spinal instrumentation, correction and bone grafting to achieve a selective fusion of the spine. Surgical aims vary depending on aetiology; late onset idiopathic -improve cosmesis, neuromuscular optimize function and early onset optimize lung development and growth.     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis: features and surgical treatment

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a de novo deformity of the spine occurring after the fourth or fifth decade of life in patients with no history of scoliosis in the growing age. We evaluated complications and functional and radiographic outcomes of twelve patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis, treated by spinal decompression associated with posterolateral and/or interbody fusion. Mean lumbar scoliosis angle was 18° (SD=4°) and mean age at surgery was 57 years (SD=6 years). Average follow–up was 3.5 years. Surgical treatment consisted in decompression of one or more roots, associated with stabilization with pedicle screws and posterolateral fusion. To correct the deformity, the collapse of the disc was corrected by implanting a cage in the anterior interbody cage. Clinical symptoms and functional tolerance for daily activities improved after surgery. Radiographic evaluation showed a reduction in the deformity on the frontal and sagittal planes. There were no infections, evidence of pseudoarthrosis, instrumentrelated failures or re–operations in this series. In patients with persisting pain caused by degenerative scoliosis associated with spinal stenosis, in whom conservative treatment has failed, spinal decompression and segmented fusion with instrumentation represents a valid treatment option.     

脊柱侧凸后路三维矫形融合术后并发迟发性深部感染

目的：评估脊柱侧弯患者后路矫形术后深部迟发性感染的发病机理，早期诊断和治疗。方法：回顾性研究自1998年8月～2002年1月共509例行后路矫形的脊柱侧凸患者，其中有5例病人发生了深部迟发性感染。对深部迟发性感染距初次手术的时间，影像学资料，血沉，假关节的发生情况，分泌物的培养和药敏结果，伤口闭合类型和抗生素的使用情况进行了分析。结果：5例患者发生了迟发性感染(0．98％)。距初次手术平均时间为19．2个月，病人都有窦道的形成，2例患者背部疼痛，仅有1例患者在窦道形成前有发热史。平均血沉55．5mm／h，无患者发生假关节，培养结果均为金黄色葡萄球菌，所有患者均行内置物去除，一期闭合伤口并最终愈合。结论：皮下脓肿和窦道形成是迟发性感染的明确的诊断依据。人体皮肤上低毒性细菌的术中种植和金属腐蚀可能是迟发性感染的主要发生机理，一期闭合能使伤口早期愈合，短期内静脉使用抗生素(7d)，然后口服抗生素(10d)是值得推荐的方法。     

Adult idiopathic scoliosis treated by posterior spinal fusion and Harrington instrumentation

Ninety-one patients with idiopathic scoliosis, who underwent posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation from January 1977 to December 1982, were reviewed. All patients were 20 years or older at the time of surgery and none had undergone a prior surgical procedure. Indications for surgery included pain, progressive deformity, and pulmonary symptoms. All patients had a posterior spinal fusion with Harrington instrumentation and autogenous iliac bone graft, with the addition of segmental wiring in only eight. No patient had an anterior fusion or fusion to the sacrum. Follow-up averaged 3.5 years (range: 2-7 years). The average correction at the time of surgery was 38%, and 32% at the time of last follow-up. Seventy-nine percent of the patients reported complete relief of the symptom(s) for which they had surgery. There were 34 complications in 30 (33%) patients. Pseudarthrosis occurred in 14 (15%), requiring 15 additional procedures to achieve a solid arthrodesis. Urinary tract infection occurred in 8 (9%) patients and Harrington hook dislodgement in 5 (5%). One patient sustained a partial paraparesis with recovery to a minimal deficit. No deaths occurred. Although largely successful, posterior fusion with Harrington instrumentation for adult scoliosis has a significant incidence of pseudarthrosis and instrumentation problems.