The most common severe cervical spine injury involving the posterior elements is subluxation or dislocation in which the posterior ligamentus complex is completely torn. Late instability is more common than previously reslized, because
ligamentous
structures do not reconstitute normally, even with prolonged external rigid fixation. Subluxation of the cervical vertebrae in a flexion injury can be reduced by skeletal traction ; howerver, they usually require posterior stabilization.
Unilateral
and
bilateral facet dislocation freqently require open reduction and posterior stabilization,. The authors have used interlaminar clamps for the stabilization of thirty cases of unstable cervical spine.
Advantages of this method are 1) immediate and rigid stabilization without cord injury, 2) early ambulation and prevention of respiratory complication and pressure sore. And also, posterior cervical stabilization with Halifax clamps is an easier,
safer
and faster technology in treatment of unstable spine.
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