Preoperative Cotrel traction in idiopathic scoliosis

Eighty consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis were treated preoperatively with Cotrel traction. Distraction X-rays were taken 2 or 3 days after start of traction and 8-10 days later. In 47 patients equal distraction force was applied in both instances. The force, averaging 28 klb, was measured on the head sling. Cotrel traction reduced the spinal curve 37.5 per cent in the first and 38.9 per cent in the second measurement. The difference is not significant. Preoperative Cotrel traction did not improve the surgical curve correction. Postoperative loss of correction and complication rate was insignificantly reduced compared with the results in a previous study. Cotrel traction does, however, give some indication of the surgical correction achievable.