Walter P. Bob Bobechko, M.D.

Several studies have been published evaluating the effectiveness of new scoliosis instrumentation systems introduced since the "golden standard" Harrington Rod in 1950. Surgeons, however, remain skeptical of the neurological risks, complex techniques, lengthy learning curves and substantially increased cost associated with many of the newer systems. In 1979, Dr. Walter P. Bobechko, Dallas, Texas, sought to correct the one main disadvantage of the explicitly simple Harrington system.

He achieved this by putting double, self-adjusting rotating laterals within the sublaminar hooks. The hooks spread the load equally at two adjacent levels and during the correction process automatically rotate simultaneously in three dimensions. The result is a simple, safe and economical system with virtually no neurological risk.

Over 95% of all scoliosis problems can be managed with this method. Dr. Bobechko routinely achieved 100% total correction in curves up to 65 degrees. Since December 1979, over 700 patients have had no complications with his design modification of the Harrington Rod.

References
1. Webb JK, Burwell RG, Cole AA, Lieberman I Posterior instrumentation in scoliosis European Spine J 1995;4(1):2-5

   Guay J, Haig M, Lortie L, Guertin MC, Poitras B Predicting blood loss in surgery for idiopathic scoliosis Can J Anaesth 1994;41(9):775-781

   Spivak JM, Balderston RA Spinal instrumentation Curr Opin Rheumatol 1994;6(2):187-194

   Stokes IA, Gardner-Morse M Three dimensional simulation of Harrington distraction instrumentation for surgical correction of scoliosis Spine 1993;18(16):2457-2464

• Total Run Time: 15:54 minutes
• Catalog Number: 8015
• Publication Date: December 1996

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