title: A new technique for stabilization of injuries at C2-C3 in young children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reported surgical treatment for injuries and instabilities of the paediatric cervical spine most commonly involves posterior fusion with internal fixation, usually posterior wiring.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a new simple technique of stabilization without fusion of the upper cervical spine of young children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A technical report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detailed description of the surgical procedure carried out for stabilizing an unstable flexion-distraction injury in a 23 month-old toddler, with severe head injury and pneumothorax is presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A rare unstable flexion-distraction injury in the upper cervical spine of a toddler was successfully treated with a posterior Number 2 Vicryl (polyglactin 910) suture fixation, with good healing of the ligaments and endplates, without fusion. Preservation of motion was achieved without obvious instability at 63 months post-surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In selected cases of cervical spine injuries in the young paediatric population, a limited approach to the injured spinal segments and simple stabilization using suitable degradable sutures, can provide sufficient stability until healing occurs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  fusion is avoided, growth disturbances are prevented and spinal motion maintained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Poriya Medical Center, Tiberias, Lower Galilee, Israel; Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Zefat, Israel; Zefat Academic College, Zefat, Israel. Electronic address: k_hamoud@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamoud
authors.affiliation: Zefat Academic College, Zefat, Israel.
authors.forename: Janan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abbas
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Biodegradable suture; Cervical spine; Flexion-distraction; Internal stabilization; Paediatric trauma; Vicryl suture