The acrylic-wire option in cervical spine fixation. A retrospective study.

This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the stability of the cervical spine after fixation with acrylic wire implants. Of the 44 patients with various pathological conditions of the cervical spine selected for this treatment in the course of 20 years, 36 were considered suitable for long-term follow-up evaluation. In 30 cases (83%) the stability of the spine was rated good. It is concluded that the acrylic-wire combination is a valuable surgical option in certain conditions i.e. old age, short life expectancy, poor general health, mental disease, in which long confinement in bed or in orthopaedic appliances is poorly tolerated.