Spine
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Comparative Study
Effects of the combined VDS-Zielke and Harrington operation on the frontal rib cage deformity of double major curves in idiopathic scoliosis.
This study analyzed the changes in the frontal plane of the deformed lower rib cage and the scoliosis-related alterations on the spine in patients with double major curve-pattern idiopathic scoliosis. ⋯ Only the anterior VDS-Zielke instrumentation significantly corrects severe spinal deformities, elevates the three lower ribs on the concavity, and increases the droop of the two lower ribs on the convexity in the severe idiopathic double major curve-pattern scoliosis combined operated (Zielke-Harrington). Therefore, the Harrington instrumentation should have only limited use in cosmetic scoliosis surgery and should be replaced with posterior multi-hook instrumentation with a derotation effect.