Craniocervical stabilization using Luque/Hartshill rectangles.

Untreated craniocervical instability is associated with a high morbidity and a significant mortality. Existing methods using bone grafts, interlaminar wires, or acrylic eventually produce stability but require prolonged periods of immobility and have a high failure rate. The ideal method of fixation should provide for permanent correction of deformity and relief of symptoms, with immediate stabilization, at a single procedure. Posterior fixation of the occiput to a stable part of the cervical spine with a molded metal rectangle held in place by interlaminar wires was used to accomplish this. We report 20 patients treated consecutively who have undergone craniocervical fusion by this method using Luque/Hartshill rectangles. Fourteen patients had preexisting atlantoaxial instability and 6 had cord compression, but would become unstable after decompression. All operations were performed under general anesthesia; 9 patients (40%) were awake for intubation/positioning, and 7 patients had a simultaneous decompression. Sixteen patients made an uncomplicated recovery and became mobile 3 days postoperatively. Symptomatic and neurological improvement occurred in 70% of all patients. Neurological complications occurred in 4 patients (20%), reflecting the serious nature of the condition; 2 patients (10%) showed no change. Scrutiny of their presentations and operations failed to identify avoidable risk factors, except faulty wiring techniques. In all patients, permanent stabilization was achieved immediately, facilitating early mobilization with a real chance of improvement, which indicates that the method merits wider application.