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Placement of pedicle screw in the subaxial cervical spine is a challenging and complex technique but provides significant biomechanical advantages. Despite its potential complications, the role and use of cervical pedicle screw (CPS) are growing. A literature review of the significant articles on applying pedicle screws in the subaxial cervical spine was done (articles between 1994 and 2020). Furthermore, our center´s experience of 15 years related to CPS is also discussed in this study. Transpedicular instrumentation in the subaxial cervical spine requires profound anatomical knowledge and meticulous surgical technique. This technique provides superior biomechanical stability compared to the other cervical fixation techniques. Pull-out strength of CPS is twice as compared to the lateral mass screws. There have been numerous variations in the technique of CPS, varying from open techniques to minimally invasive and the use of biomodels and templates during this procedure. Clinically, CPS can be used in different cervical trauma situations, such as fracture-dislocations, floating lateral mass, and fractures associated with ankylosing spondylitis. Despite the possibility of neurovascular injury due to the proximity of the vertebral artery, spinal cord, and spinal nerves to the cervical pedicles, scientific literature, and our center × s experience show low risk, and this technique can be performed safely. CPS placement is a safe procedure, and it has great potential in the management of cervical spine trauma.

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ABSTRACT Objective: Spinal traction by a cranial halo is a method with more than half a century of application, presenting the possibility of gradual correction of deformities while the patient is awake, also improving respiratory and nutritional patterns. This study aimed to evaluate the complications of pins and traction during their use in treating severe spinal deformities. Methods: We evaluated 27 patients undergoing surgical treatment using halo-gravitational traction pre or interoperatively between 2014 and 2020. Inclusion criteria were the presence of severe deformity (>100º) in the coronal and/or sagittal plane and traction for at least seven days. Two subgroups were identified: patients presenting only severe coronal deformity (Group 1) and patients with severe deformity in the sagittal plane accompanied by coronal deformity (Group 2). Clinical and radiological data were analyzed retrospectively, evaluating the variables: age, sex, weight, height, etiological diagnosis, number of pins, traction time, sagittal and coronal Cobb angle before and after traction, and complications related to pins and traction. Results: Age and weight showed a significant correlation with the occurrence of complications related to the pins (p=0.007; p<0.001), as well as the congenital etiology of deformity (p=0.001), and those patients in group 2 (p=0.006). There was no significant correlation between the variables studied and the occurrence of neurological complications. Conclusion: Halo-gravitational traction is an important adjunctive method in treating severe spinal deformities. Despite having a considerable complication rate, there were no serious events. Level of evidence IV; Case series.

Resumo: Objetivo: A tração espinhal por halo craniano é um método com mais de meio século de aplicação, apresentando a possibilidade de correção gradual de deformidades com o paciente desperto, além da melhoria do padrão respiratório e nutricional. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as complicações relacionadas aos pinos e à tração durante o seu uso no tratamento de deformidades graves. Métodos: Foram avaliados 27 pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico com uso de tração halo-gravitacional pré ou inter-operatória, entre 2014 e 2020. Os critérios de inclusão foram a presença de deformidade grave (>100º) coronal e/ou sagital, e duração mínima de 7 dias de tração. Dois subgrupos foram identificados: pacientes com deformidade grave coronal (Grupo 1) e pacientes com deformidade grave sagital acompanhada de deformidade coronal (Grupo 2). Os dados clínicos e radiológicos foram analisados retrospectivamente, incorporando as variáveis: idade, sexo, peso, altura, diagnóstico etiológico, número de pinos, tempo de tração, ângulo de Cobb sagital e coronal pré e pós tração, complicações relacionadas aos pinos e à tração. Resultados: Idade e peso demonstraram correlação significativa com a ocorrência de complicações relacionadas aos pinos (p=0,007; p<0,001), assim como etiologia congênita (p=0,001), e os pacientes incluídos no grupo 2 (p=0,006). Não houve correlação significativa com a ocorrência de complicações neurológicas. Conclusão: A tração halo-gravitacional é um importante método adjuvante no tratamento de deformidades graves da coluna vertebral. Apesar de ter apresentado taxa de complicações considerável, não ocorreram eventos graves. Nível de evidência IV; Série de casos.

Resumen: Objetivo: La tracción espinal por halo craneal es un método con más de medio siglo de aplicación, presentando la posibilidad de corrección gradual de las curvas con el paciente despierto, mejorando el patrón respiratorio y nutricional. Este estudio evaluó las complicaciones relacionadas con los tornillos y la tracción durante el tratamiento de deformidades espinales graves. Métodos: Se evaluó a 27 pacientes sometidos a cirugía con uso de tracción halo-gravitatoria pre o inter quirúrgica, entre 2014 y 2020. Los criterios de inclusión fueron la presencia de deformidad severa (>100º) en el plano coronal y/o sagital y tiempo mínimo de tracción de 7 días. Dos subgrupos fueron identificados: pacientes con deformidad severa en el plano coronal (Grupo 1), y pacientes con deformidad sagital severa acompañada de deformidad coronal (Grupo 2). Los datos clínicos y radiológicos se analizaron retrospectivamente, evaluando edad, sexo, peso, talla, diagnóstico etiológico, número de tornillos, tiempo de tracción, ángulo de Cobb sagital y coronal pre y post tracción, complicaciones relacionadas con los tornillos y tracción. Resultados: Se demostró que la edad y el peso eran factores significativamente correlacionados con las complicaciones de los tornillos (p=0,007; p<0,001), así como la etiología congénita (p=0,001), y los pacientes incluidos en el grupo 2 (p=0,006). No hubo correlación significativa entre las variables estudiadas y complicaciones neurológicas. Conclusión: La tracción halo-gravitacional es un método adyuvante importante en el tratamiento de deformidades espinales severas. A pesar de haber presentado una tasa de complicaciones considerable, no hubo eventos graves. Nivel de evidencia IV; Series de casos.

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Introduction: The standard treatment for a fixed coronal malalignment of the craniovertebral junction is an anterior and/or posterior column osteotomy (PCO) plus instrumentation. However, the procedure is very challenging, carrying an inherently high risk of complications even in experienced hands. This case series demonstrates the usefulness of an alternative treatment that adds a unilateral spacer distraction (USD) to the subaxial cervical facet joint to promote coronal realignment and fusion. Materials and Methods: A single-center retrospective study of the patients with fixed coronal malalignment of the craniovertebral junction caused by different etiologies treated with USD in the concavity side with PCO in the convexity side of the subaxial cervical spine. Demographic characteristics and radiological parameters were collected with special emphasis on clinical and radiological measurements of coronal alignment of the cervical spine. Results: From 2012 to 2019, four patients were treated with USD of the subaxial cervical spine complementing an asymmetrical PCO at the same level. The causes of coronal imbalance were congenital, tuberculosis, posttraumatic, and ankylosing spondylitis. The level of USD was C2-C3 in three patients and C3-C4 in one patient. A substantial coronal realignment was achieved in all four. One patient had an iatrogenic vertebral artery injury during the dissection and facet distraction and developed Wallenberg's syndrome with partial recovery. Conclusions: USD of the concave side with unilateral PCO of the convexity side in the subaxial cervical spine is a promising alternative treatment for fixed coronal malalignment of the craniovertebral junction from different causes.