THE FIXATOR

The halo fixator.

The halo fixator may be used for the definitive treatment of cervical spine trauma, preoperative reduction in the patient with spinal deformity, and adjunctive postoperative stabilization following cervical spine surgery. Halo fixation decreases cervical motion by 30% to 96%. Absolute contraindications include cranial fracture, infection, and severe soft-tissue injury at the proposed pin sites....

Radiolucent Wrist Fixator

The safe zone for external fixator pins in the femur.

OBJECTIVE To define the anatomic "safe zone" for placement of external fixator half pins into the anterior and lateral femur. METHODS In 20 fresh-frozen hemipelvis specimens, the femoral nerve and all branches crossing the femur were dissected out to their final muscular locations. The location where the nerves crossed the anterior femur was measured from the anterior superior iliac spine and...

A new application technique of circular fixator for the treatment of open tibial fractures: circular fixator-hinge technique.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to present and validate a hinge-fixator technique for the treatment of open tibial fractures, which has advantages in application and the follow up period. METHODS The technique was used in open tibia fractures of 14 adult patients. Using this method, initial anatomic reduction was achieved and temporary stability was obtained on the hinge-fixator after...

Care of external fixator pin sites.

External fixators include pins and wires placed by surgeons to stabilize fractures such as those involving the tibia. In critical care, external fixators are more commonly used to stabilize cervical spine fractures. Because halo fixators secure cervical alignment, these devices allow early mobilization and shortened stays. However, halo-fixator complications include cranial pin loosening, local...