Assuring optimal physiologic craniocervical alignment and avoidance of swallowing-related complications after occipitocervical fusion by preoperative halo vest placement.
METHODS
A retrospective review.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the utility of preoperative halo immobilization in the avoidance of swallowing complications-associated occipitocervical fixation.


BACKGROUND
The craniocervical region is commonly affected by a number of pathologic processes. Fixation of the upper cervical spine to the occiput provides an excellent means of treating these conditions. Occipitocervical fixation, however, is associated with a number of potential complications. One under-reported postoperative complication is the swallowing difficulty that some patients experience. Another is the overall patient dissatisfaction with postoperative head position. One means that the authors have used to avoid these complications is the use of preoperative halo vest fixation.


METHODS
In this article, we report our experience with preoperative halo vest immobilization for occipitocervical fusion in 12 consecutive patients over a 5-month period and its effect on postoperative complications. We also report our experience with the index case of this series in which the patient required operative revision because of severe postoperative dysphagia and stridor after an occipitocervical fusion.


RESULTS
All patients achieved satisfactory postoperative head position using the preoperative halo immobilization technique. One patient experienced transient dysphagia, which did not require intervention. No patients experienced any complications related to the placement of the halo vest itself.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative halo immobilization allows patients, who are going to have their head permanently fixed in a particular position, to determine if they are able to tolerate the new head position. This allows the surgeon to adjust the head position before permanently locking the patient in the position, if necessary. We, therefore, advocate the use of preoperative halo immobilization as a means of assuring physiologic craniocervical neutrality and the avoidance of the resultant complications.
Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, USA.
Carlos A
CA
Bagley
Timothy F
TF
Witham
Jonathan A
JA
Pindrik
Randy F
RF
Davis
Ali
A
Bydon
Ziya L
ZL
Gokaslan
Jean-Paul
JP
Wolinsky
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016267:External Fixators / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014103:Torticollis / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult