Outcome of halo immobilisation of 104 cases of cervical spine injury.
METHODS
Retrospective review.


OBJECTIVE
To present and discuss the outcome of halo jacket immobilisation of cervical spine injuries.


METHODS
National Spinal Injuries Unit in a Scottish University teaching Hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective review of case-notes and radiographs of all patients treated with halo jacket both as primary means of immobilisation or as adjunct to surgical stabilisation between 1992-1999 and followed up at a weekly halo clinic.


RESULTS
Out of a total one hundred and four patients with cervical spine injury, eighty-six were treated with Halo jacket as primary means of cervical immobilisation. Halo was used as adjunct to surgical stabilisation for the rest. There were nine cases of true failure. This is a failure rate of 10% for primary halo immobilisation. Of the nine patients who had failure of bony healing, four had fibrous healing, three had surgery to stabilise spine, two were subsequently lost to follow-up. The highest incidence of recurrence of subluxation occurred in patients with fracture/subluxation with a healing rate of 85%. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis did well. Odontoid fractures had 18% failure rate. The commonest complication was loss of reduction, followed by pin-site infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Halo is an effective non-surgical treatment for the injured cervical spine at both upper and lower levels.
Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow. munierh@doctors.org.uk
M
M
Hosssain
A
A
McLean
M H
MH
Fraser
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome