Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures
Introduction: Fractures of the upper cervical spine are often but not always amenable to either internal fixation or conservative management using a rigid cervical collar. For all other fractures in this area, management with a halo-vest orthosis is indicated, but it also has limitations. Here, we p...
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2021-01-01
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doaj-4758e58b3c134860939681079f3249492021-03-31T06:58:43ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine0974-82372021-01-01121101410.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_118_20Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fracturesKhalid AlSalehMuteb AbulrasOsama AlrehailiIntroduction: Fractures of the upper cervical spine are often but not always amenable to either internal fixation or conservative management using a rigid cervical collar. For all other fractures in this area, management with a halo-vest orthosis is indicated, but it also has limitations. Here, we present an operative alternative to the halo-vest orthosis that provides more secure stability and less complications. Methods: Three patients presented to our hospital with atypical fractures of C1 and C2 and were given the choice of either a halo-vest orthosis or secure internal fixation without fusion and accepted the latter. Internal fixation without fusion from occiput to the subaxial spine was performed for all three and then removed-6 months later -after radiologic confirmation of healing. Results: All three patients underwent the procedure successfully and achieved and maintained acceptable alignment. Range of motion was preserved, and no intermediate-term issues were observed. Conclusion: Spanning internal fixation provides a safe and effective technique in the management of complex upper cervical spine injuries without the drawbacks of using a halo-vest orthosis.http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2021;volume=12;issue=1;spage=10;epage=14;aulast=AlSalehcervical spinespine fracturesinternal fixation |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Khalid AlSaleh Muteb Abulras Osama Alrehaili |
spellingShingle |
Khalid AlSaleh Muteb Abulras Osama Alrehaili Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine cervical spine spine fractures internal fixation |
author_facet |
Khalid AlSaleh Muteb Abulras Osama Alrehaili |
author_sort |
Khalid AlSaleh |
title |
Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures |
title_short |
Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures |
title_full |
Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures |
title_fullStr |
Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures |
title_full_unstemmed |
Temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures |
title_sort |
temporary spanning internal fixation for management of complex upper cervical spine fractures |
publisher |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
series |
Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine |
issn |
0974-8237 |
publishDate |
2021-01-01 |
description |
Introduction: Fractures of the upper cervical spine are often but not always amenable to either internal fixation or conservative management using a rigid cervical collar. For all other fractures in this area, management with a halo-vest orthosis is indicated, but it also has limitations. Here, we present an operative alternative to the halo-vest orthosis that provides more secure stability and less complications.
Methods: Three patients presented to our hospital with atypical fractures of C1 and C2 and were given the choice of either a halo-vest orthosis or secure internal fixation without fusion and accepted the latter. Internal fixation without fusion from occiput to the subaxial spine was performed for all three and then removed-6 months later -after radiologic confirmation of healing.
Results: All three patients underwent the procedure successfully and achieved and maintained acceptable alignment. Range of motion was preserved, and no intermediate-term issues were observed.
Conclusion: Spanning internal fixation provides a safe and effective technique in the management of complex upper cervical spine injuries without the drawbacks of using a halo-vest orthosis. |
topic |
cervical spine spine fractures internal fixation |
url |
http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2021;volume=12;issue=1;spage=10;epage=14;aulast=AlSaleh |
work_keys_str_mv |
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