RESUMO
[Objective] To evaluate the efficiency of Halovest external immobilization on the treatment of traumatic cervical fracture or dislocation.[Method]From February 1997 to July 2005,129 patients with cervical fracture or dislocation were treated in our hospital;all the patients were divided into two groups randomly.First group: 70 patients were treated with Halo-vest traction,among them 31 patients were treated with Halo vest combined jacket orthosis;others were treated with Halo vests and surgery(anterior route approach 18 cases,posterior route approach 17 cases,4 patients operated by anterior and posterior approach).The second group: 59 patients were treated with skull traction.Among them 13 patients were treated with skull traction and orthosis,others were treated with skull traction and surgery(anterior route approach 22 cases,posterior route approach 20 cases,4 patients operated by anterior and posterior approach).[Result]All the patients were followed 6~48 months(average 12 months).There was no statistical significance in two groups with reduction of upper cervical spine fracture and dislocation.However on the reduction of lower cervical injury groups,the prognosis with Halo-vest is significantly better than the other group.And the time for bed rest was much less than the skull traction.All the patients' spinal cord function improved obviously after treatment.[Conclusion]Halo-vest external fixation is an easy and effective way to treat cervical injuries.It can improve the reduction of the cervical injuries and it's capability of reduction and maintenance are much better than skull traction.