Inverted-hook occipital clamp system in occipitocervical fixation. Technical note.
The authors describe an occipitocervical fixation procedure in which they use inverted occipital hooks inserted through a burr hole drilled in the squamous part of the occipital bone. Fifteen patients with unstable lesions of the occipitocervical junction underwent occipitocervical internal fixation. The mean follow-up period was 21 months (range 2-63 months). No implant failed, and postoperative immobilization was not required. The placement of a posterior occipitocervical graft (for which fusion is uncertain) can be avoided in certain conditions.
Faure
Alexis
A
Department of Neurotraumatology, University Hospital (Hôtel-Dieu), Nantes, France. alexis.faure@chu-nantes.fr
Monteiro
Ruy
R
Hamel
Olivier
O
Raoul
Sylvie
S
Szapiro
Jacek
J
Alcheikh
Marwan
M
Bord
Eric
E
Robert
Roger
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects