Long-term Outcome of Posterior Cervical stabilization with Halifax Interlaminar Clamp

ABSTRACT

Posterior cervical fusion is still the procedure of choice in the cases of spinal instability caused by flexion injuries. Halifax interlaminar clamp system can be used whenever posterior cervical fusion is to be performed. Thirty-one consecutive patients were treated with Halifax interlaminar clamp for cervical instability from Jan. 1991 to Jan. 1995. We followed up all of the cases for more than one year. All of the twenty-six mid-and low-cervical fixations showed immediate and long-term stability and there were no neurological complications. Two cases among the five C1-2 fixations were failed due to loosening of clamps. Fifteen cases of mid-and low-cervical fixations showed facet sclerosis and interbody fusion on the plain X-ray films after more than one year.