Dynamic Scoliosis Correction as Alternative Treatment for Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: a Non-Fusion Surgical Technique

In 1958, when Paul Harrington presented his new surgical method for the treatment of scoliosis during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Chicago, his work was described as "abomination!" by a leading spinal surgeon [1]. cent scoliosis. Growth modulation and sometimes intraoperative curve correction is achieved by convex insertion of segmental screws and a flexible polyethylene cord. The present review analyses and discusses the current literature and proposes a new treatment algorithm that is based on our own experience. Short term results are published for approximately 100 patients from different institutions. Fusion could be prevented in the vast majority of patients. Perioperative complication rate is very low but a few cases of cord rupture and overcorrection are reported. Anterior dynamic scoliosis correction has promising short term results but there is a paucity of literature and optimal criteria for the best candidate has yet to be defined.