Posterior Stabilization with Halifax Interlaminar Clamps in Unstable Cervical Spine Injuries

ABSTRACT

Fifty-two patients with unstable cervical spine injuries underwent operations between January 1, 1990 to June 30, 1997 in our institution and this is retrospective study on clinical results about these patients. Patients with cervical instability resulted from injury posterior column, being included in White's criteria, were treated with Hafifax interlaminar clamps for cervical instability. We followed up forty-two cases for more than one year. All of the forty- two cervical fixations showed immediate and long term stability and there were no neurological complication. Neu rologic improvements were seen in thirty three, but thirteen cases were unchanged. These results indicate that Halifax interlaminar clamps are consider to be a safe and effective method for posterior stabilization of va rious causes of cervical spine instability.