Posterior stabilization of the cervical spine with hooks and screws. A clinical evaluation of 26 patients with traumatic, degenerative or metastatic lesions, using a new implant system.

Abstract

We operated on 26 patients with cervical spine disorders (13 with traumatic lesions, 3 with spinal stenosis and myelopathy, 1 with osteomyelitis and 9 with metastasis) with posterior stabilization. A new implant system (Cervi-Fix) based on rods, enabling a choice of either screw or laminar hook fixation in a free combination, was used. The system was evaluated for ease of use, for safety, regarding complications related to the system, and for efficacy, regarding loss of correction and signs of instability. The patients were followed for a mean period of 11 months, with ordinary and flexion/extension radiographs and clinical examination. No complications related to the implant system were observed. Loss of correction was observed in one patient. We found constructs with few vertebral fixation points, especially with screws, easy to handle, whereas multiple-claw constructs were time consuming. This implant system seems to be versatile, safe and efficient, but could be improved by the development of instruments for the insertion of the hooks.