Spinal fusion using zielke instrumentation: a preliminary report.

Nineteen patients underwent anterior spinal fusion with Zielke instrumentation, followed by a posterior spinal fusion with Harrington instrumentation, for severe thoracolumbar and lumbar scoliosis. The transthoracic-retroperitoneal approach and Zielke technique used by the authors are presented, in addition to surgical results and complications. The Zielke method of anterior spinal instrumentation provided improved correction of scoliosis, derotation, and rigid stabilization.