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The use of the Hartshill system for the cervical spine
1Spinal Service, Stone-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Insights
The Hartshill system offers secure posterior spinal fixation for various cervical spine disorders. This simple, inexpensive method has shown a low complication rate in clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- The Hartshill system is a modification of the Luque system for posterior spinal fixation.
- It has been routinely used for five years across the entire spine for diverse spinal disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the clinical experience with the Hartshill system specifically in the cervical spine.
- To evaluate its efficacy and safety in treating various cervical spine conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 34 cases using the Hartshill system in the cervical spine.
- Minimum two-year follow-up period.
- Analysis of complications and technical considerations.
Main Results:
- The study included 34 patients with conditions such as trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, facet osteoarthritis, tumors, congenital issues, and myelopathy.
- A minimum follow-up of two years was achieved for all patients.
- Only one serious complication was reported, indicating a high safety profile.
Conclusions:
- The Hartshill system provides secure and adaptable posterior fixation for the cervical spine.
- Attention to technical detail is crucial for successful implementation.
- Recent modifications by Ransford and Fidler enhance its utility.
Abstract:
The Hartshill system is a modification of the Luque system for posterior segmental wiring of the spine and has for five years been our routine means of posterior spinal fixation throughout the spine from skull to sacrum and for all varieties of spinal disorders. This paper presents our experience with the use of the Hartshill system in the cervical spine. There have been 34 cases with a minimum two year follow-up (trauma 11, rheumatoid 8, facet osteoarthritis 7, tumor 5, congenital 2 and myelopathy 1). There has been only one serious complication. The system is essentially simple and inexpensive but, nonetheless, attention to detail in technique is important and this will be emphasized. Recent modifications of the Hartshill system for the cervical spine by Ransford and Fidler will be discussed. With proper attention to detail the Hartshill system provides a secure adaptable posterior fixation system that can be used throughout the cervical spine.