The place of Dwyer anterior instrumentation in scoliosis

The technique of Dwyer instrumentation and fusion has now become estabilished as having a definite place in the surgery of scoliosis. It is complementary to the Harrington technique of posterior instrumentation and fusion. The latter is especially suited to thoracic and double scoliotic curves, while the particular indication of the Dwyer method is the lumbar curve. Thoracolumbar curves maybe treated by either method, and paralytic curves are often best handled by a combination of the two. A significant element of kyphosis constitutes an absolute contraindication to the Dwyer procedure.