Luque Rod

In the late 1970s,

Dr. Eduardo Luque, an orthopedic surgeon in Mexico specializing in Neuromuscular diseases, developed the segmental stabilization system. In Luque's system, the rods were wired to each of the vertebrae. Luque-To achieves a more stable, stronger fixation, Two flexible L-shaped rods are placed on either side of the spine. The rods are contoured or bent to conform to the curve, and wires are threaded through the spinal canal at each vertebral level. The wires are then twisted around the rods on either side of the spine. The rods apply pressure on the spine to correct the curve. Because there are multiple points of fixation with the Luque technique, the patient generally does not have to wear a brace after surgery as with the Harrington Rod. However, since the wires pass through the spinal canal, this system poses a greater risk of neurological damage than other systems. Luque rods or variations on the Luque technique are still often the preferred instrumentation for neuromuscular curves

Drummond instrumentation

Drummond instrumentation, also called Harri-Drummond instrumentation, uses a Harrington rod on the concave side of the spine and a Luque rod on the convex side. The advantage is that each vertebra segment is fixed, with the risk of nerve injury decreased over Luque rod instrumentation. The disadvantage is that, like Harrington rod instrumentation, the patient must wear a cast and a brace after surgery.

Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation 1984

A new concept in spinal instrumentation developed by Drs. Yves Cotrel and Jean Dubousset in France.

It uses hooks and rods in a cross-linked pattern to realign the spine and redistribute the biomechanical stress. The main advantage of Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation is that, because of the extensive cross-linking, the patient may have to wear a cast or brace after surgery. The disadvantage is the complexity of the operation and the number of hooks and cross-links that may fail.

Surgery Approach

Surgery as a treatment for scoliosis was first performed in 1911 by Dr. Russel Hibbs. He performed the first spinal fusion in the New York Orthopedic Hospital. Bone grafts from the hip were placed between each vertebra and fused into place. Patients endured a long period of postoperative casting, which immobilized them and provided stability while the spine healed. Surgical techniques have improved since Hibbs' time; it was found that the placement of metal rods on either side of the spine speeded recovery and stabilized the bones, without the use of casts.

Posterior (From the Back)

The incision is made down the patients back. When I had my surgery I had a posterior correction with Harrington Rod and a Spinal Fusion.

Anterior (from the front)

The incision is made through the patients chest wall and a rib is removed to get to the spine