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Craniocervical fusion with contoured Luque rod and autogeneic bone graft
1Division of Neurosurgery, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
Objective:
To examine the efficacy of internal craniocervical fixation with a Luque rod and autogeneic bone graft for craniocervical instability.
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 Luque rod wired to the occiput and a variable number of vertebrae overlaid with autogeneic bone graft, followed by bracing with either a halo vest or a removable, stiff, plastic cervical orthosis.
Main Outcome Measures:
Craniocervical fusion and neurologic stability.
Results:
All patients maintained good craniocervical alignment. Radiologic bony fusion was achieved in five patients. Three patients remained neurologically stable and three had improved neurologic status.
Conclusion:
Craniocervical fusion with the contoured Luque rod and autogeneic bone grafting, usually in combination with a temporary plastic cervical orthosis, is of value in managing craniocervical instability.