[Anaesthetic problems arising during the surgical correction of scoliosis (harrington chnique]

Anaesthesia for the surgical correction of scoliosis with the Harrington technique carries serious risks on account of the impaired cardiac and pulmonary function, the length of the operation, the area involved and the post-operative problems. Based on the experience gained in 32 young persons who had this operation the anaesthetic procedure for these cases is described: it comprises detailted pre- operative examination of cardiac and pulmonary function, continuous monitoring during the operation, a careful technique that takes into account the massive blood loss and stress associated with the operation, a careful technique that takes into account the massive blood loss and stress associated with the operation and close surveillance during the post-operative stage. Controlled hypotension (60 mm Hg) succeeded in reducing the blood loss during operation to 2,500 ml, compared with 4,500 ml without hypotension. If the pre-0perative examinations have established adequate cardiac function, if surgeon and anaesthetist work in close collaboration and if the heart action, pulse, arterial and venous pressure (catheter) and body temperature are continuously monitored, then controlled hypotension offers a means to reduce the, generally massive, blood loss during the surgical correction of scoliosis.