Interspinous process segmental instrumentation with bone-button-wire for correction of scoliosis

From May 1985 to May 1988, 55 patients with scoliosis were given interspinous process segmental spinal instrumentation with bone button-wire. The Harrington distraction rod and Luque's rod were placed separately in the concave and convex sides of the curvature fixed with bone button-wire. The fixations were subjected to biomechanical analysis, and the patients were followed up for an average of 18 months with satisfactory results. The curves were corrected from 69.4 degrees to 33.2 degrees, with a corrective rate of 47.8%. The merits of this procedure lie in (1) no injury to the spinal cord and minimal neurological complications, (2) strong fixation for correcting deformities, and (3) minimal blood loss and short time for operation.