Cervical stabilization with halo fixation: anesthetic implications--case reports

Halo fixation is often used to provide stability in patients with unstable cervical spine. These fixation devices pose unique challenges to the anesthesiologists encountered while securing an airway. Management of airway in patients with halo fixation is complicated by the fixed position, limited access to the face, and immobilization of neck. We managed two different patients, one in which halo fixation was done for atlanto-axial dislocation (AAD); and the other, who came with halo fixation and underwent wound debridement under general anesthesia. In the former case, procedure was carried out with laryngeal mask anesthesia and patient breathing spontaneously whereas, in the later case, procedure was performed after securing the airway using awake fiberoptic intubation technique.