BONE REGENERATION AFTER HALO-TRACTION FOR ATLANTO-AXIAL TRAUMATIC DISLOCATION
Objectives. To analyze the outcomes of halo-traction for treatment of the upper cervical spine injuries. Materials and Methods. The outcomes of treatment of 354 patients with the trauma of the cervical spine were analyzed. Out of them 150 patients had injuries of С1–С2 (42,4 %). Bipolar halo-traction was used for treatment of fresh, old and neglected injuries with fragment dislocations in the upper cervical spine. Clinical, radiological and CT examinations of the cervical spine were performed. Results. Bipolar halo-traction was performed in 31 out of 59 patients with transdental dislocations, in 14 out of 26 patients with traumatic spondylolisthesis, and in 9 out of 13 patients with multifocal disorders. Monopolar halo-traction was used in 3 out of 7 patients with С1 Jefferson fractures. Satisfactory results were achieved in 47 out of 48 patients treated by halo-traction. The treatment has failed in one patient with a false joint of the dens and atlanto-axial instability. Conclusions. Bipolar halo-traction is effective for acute monofocal or multifocal injuries of the cervical spine, and for pathological course of bone regeneration after fractures of the upper cervical vertebrae.