Roy-Camille plates in unstable spinal conditions. A preliminary report

From 1979 to 1982, 21 consecutive patients with posttraumatic or pathologic fractures of the spine were treated at the University of Sherbrooke by Roy-Camille plates to provide stabilization. Ten burst fractures and 11 fracture-dislocations were treated in this manner. Nine patients had complete paraplegia, 6 had various neurologic deficits, and 6 had no neurologic problems before operation. Using the technique described by Roy-Camille, the authors stabilized the spine with two plates in 18 patients and one plate plus fusion in 3. No major complications occurred with surgery nor after a follow-up of 1-3 1/2 years. Sixteen patients had no loss of correction, and 5 lost 10 degrees-12 degrees. This technique was safe and effective and thought to be a valid alternative to conventional forms of spinal fixation, particularly in paraplegic patients, in those with spinal metastasses, and in those necessitating extensive laminectomies impairing spinal stability.