MODIFIED TECHNIQUE OF TENSION BAND WIRING IN FLEXION INJURIES OF THE MIDDLE AND LOWER CERVICAL-SPINE

Study Design. This study evaluated simple modifications in tension-ban d wiring for 52 patients with acute flexion injuries of the middle and lower cervical spine. Objective. To determine the usefulness and effe ctiveness of a modified technique for stabilizing unstable flexion inj uries of the cervical spine. Summary and Background Data. The prevalen t surgical techniques of Segal et al and Davey et al fix unstable inju ries of the cervical spine by passing two transverse ''K'' wires throu gh the skin and the spinous process itself, with tricortical iliac cre st grafts placed on the sides. This is supplemented with ''figure of 8 '' wiring for long-term stability. Methods. Fifty-two patients with ac ute flexion injuries of the cervical spine were fixed with tension-ban d wiring with slotted grafts placed over the ''K'' wires and passed th rough the spinous process, instead of the ''K'' wire being passed thro ugh grafts. Results. Patients free of neurologic symptoms achieved mob ility early with the cervical collar. All patients achieved posterior bony fusion. There was no migration or rupture of tension bandwires or tricortical graft in our series. Conclusions. The modifications used were simple to apply and resulted in good fixation and fusion in patie nts with acute flexion injuries of the cervical spine.