One hundred and fifty consecutive patients on whom the halo-pelvic
apparatus was used were analyzed. Sixty-six per cent had tuberculous
kyphosis or paralytic scoliosis. The apparatus was of great value in
holding and correcting spines with tuberculous kyphosis and the results
were gratifying, even though the average correction of the kyphos was only
20 per cent. In paralytic scoliosis a 46 per cent correction was obtained,
but presently Dwyer and Harrington instrumentation are used for the
majority of such cases. The halo-pelvic apparatus was effective in holding
and correcting severe congenital curves and kyphoscoliosis secondary to
neurofibromatosis, especially when there were signs of cord compression.
The complication rate was high early in the series, but has been lowered by
strict patient selection and close adherence to specific guidelines in the
application of the apparatus. The apparatus should be reserved for severe
deformities when other means of correction or stabilization are
inadequate.