CRANIOCERVICAL FUSION WITH CONTOURED LUQUE ROD AND AUTOGENIC BONE-GRAFT

Objective: To examine the efficacy of internal craniocervical fixation with a Luque rod and autogeneic bone graft for craniocervical instabi lity. Design: A case series. Setting. A university-affiliated hospital . Patients: Six patients with craniocervical instability from diverse causes. Interventions: Craniocervical fusion with a custom-formed Luqu e rod wired to the occiput and a variable number of vertebrae overlaid with autogeneic bone graft, followed by bracing with either a halo ve st or a removable, stiff, plastic cervical orthosis. Main Outcome Meas ures: Caniocervical fusion and neurologic stability. Results. All pati ents maintained good craniocervical alignment. Radiologic bony fusion was achieved in five patients. Three patients remained neurologically stable and three had improved neurologic status. Conclusion: Craniocer vical fusion with the contoured Luque rod and autogeneic bone grafting , usually in combination with a temporary plastic cervical orthosis, i s of value in managing craniocervical instability.