Fixation of fractures of the lower cervical spine using methylmethacrylate and wire: technique and results in 99 patients. 1989

C L Branch, and D L Kelly, and C H Davis, and J M McWhorter
Department of Neurosurgery, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Surgical stabilization of traumatic fracture-dislocations of the lower cervical spine with wire and methylmethacrylate remains a controversial procedure. Yet, the resultant immediate fixation with minimal patient morbidity seems to indicate that this method provides an ideal stabilization construct. We describe and report the outcome of a technique of posterior cervical fixation with methylmethacrylate and wire for stabilization of traumatic fractures of the lower cervical spine. Over a 12-year period, 124 fracture-dislocations of the lower cervical spine in 99 patients (mean age, 32 years; range, 15-76 years) were treated at this institution using a posterior methylmethacrylate and wire technique. Eighty-two patients had a posterior element fracture; 28 had a vertebral compression with posterior ligamentous injury; and 14 had a ligamentous injury alone. Thirty-six patients were neurologically intact upon admission, while the rest had radiculopathy or partial or complete myelopathy. Ninety-one patients were available for follow-up [mean, 18.6 months; range, 1-100 months (8.33 years)]. Eighty-eight patients (97%) had a stable fixation and 77 (85%) had resumed preoperative activity or were working but with a residual deficit. Complications included fixation failure requiring a second operation in 3 patients, nonlethal pulmonary embolism in 2 patients, lethal pulmonary embolism in 1 patient, and a superficial wound infection in 3 patients (none affected the underlying fixation construct). These results indicate that this technique is a safe, simple, and effective method for stabilizing the lower cervical spine that allows rapid patient mobility with minimal morbidity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008768 Methylmethacrylates The methyl esters of methacrylic acid that polymerize easily and are used as tissue cements, dental materials, and absorbent for biological substances.
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009984 Orthopedic Fixation Devices Devices which are used in the treatment of orthopedic injuries and diseases. Device, Orthopedic Fixation,Devices, Orthopedic Fixation,Fixation Device, Orthopedic,Fixation Devices, Orthopedic,Orthopedic Fixation Device
D001864 Bone Wires Steel wires, often threaded through the skin, soft tissues, and bone, used to fix broken bones. Kirschner wires or apparatus also includes the application of traction to the healing bones through the wires. Kirschner Wire,Kirschner Wires,Bone Wire,Wire, Bone,Wire, Kirschner,Wires, Bone,Wires, Kirschner
D002574 Cervical Vertebrae The first seven VERTEBRAE of the SPINAL COLUMN, which correspond to the VERTEBRAE of the NECK. Cervical Spine,Cervical Spines,Spine, Cervical,Vertebrae, Cervical
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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