Between 1986-1993, we have treated 51 patients with fractures of the thoracolumbar spine at the Departe-ment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in Ege University with a combination of Harrington distraction rods and interspinous vviring.
We have combined the Harrington distraction rods and interspinous wiring in unstable fractures according to Dennis's "Three column theory" in order to prevent the over-distraction forces of the rods and to direct the distrac-tive forces through the hooks to the middle and anterior columns. By doing this, we achieved a better reduction of the fragments, and a more stable internal fixation with baianced distraction.
Keywords: Fractures of Vertebrae, Harrington, Thoracolumbar Spine.