Traumatic Fractures And Dislocations Of Upper Cervical Spine Treated With Halo-Vest External Immobilization

ObjectiveTo study the treatment effect with Halo-Vest device in traumatic fractures and dislocations of upper cervical spine.MethodsFifteen cases with traumatic fractures and dislocations of upper cervical spine were treated with Halo-Vest device. By following-up, the treatment effects of Halo-Vest device were evaluated.ResultsAll 15 cases were followed up for 2 to 28 months, an average of 16 months. The fixed time of Halo-Vest was from 2.5 to 5 months, an average of 3.5 months. After fracture healing, the fixator was removed, and no displacement occurred again. The spinal cord function apparent recovered in six patients with spinal cord injury after removing the fixators, and the average increasing was about one level of the score. And the neck movements in all directions restored to normal range in the majority of patients after 3 months of removing the fixators.ConclusionThe treatment effects with Halo-Vest fixation are safe, convenient and effective in traumatic fractures and dislocations of upper cervical spine.