[The improvement of pulmonary function after scoliosis treatment via Harrington's method (author's transl)]

53 spine fusions using Harrington's method were performed in adolescents (average age 14 years) between 1966 and 1972. Follow-up examination at early intervals showed that the values for pulmonary function, particularly the vital capacity, are lower one year after operation but then definitely increase in the following years. The percentual increase is not statistically significant. The evaluation must take into account, however, that the normal values for pulmonary function in these patients increase markedly because they become 4--5 cm taller on operation. Spine fusions using Harrington's method not only prevent deterioration of pulmonary function but also lead to its improvement. Further evaluations should be carried out to discover to what degree scoliotic patients are trainable without increasing the danger of pulmonary vascular obstruction.