J. Abdullah, M. Aidura, A. Ranit,
Neurosurgical Division, Dept. of Orthopaedics,
School of Dentistry,
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti
Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
We report the first use of the Codman T-Frame for a complicated dens fracture followed by transoral dens drilling of the dens in Malaysia. A 35 years old Malay male developed a traumatic cervical two fracture (type 2) with posterior angulation of the dens impinging on the spinal cord causing a grade 4 tetraparesis. The patient was treated with a Jerome Halo Frame and thereafter was fixed posteriorily from the occipital bone to C4 using Codman T-frame and soft-wires. Two weeks later a transoral approach was done where the dens was removal using the Mides-Rex high speed drill system. The patient was subsequently managed for his femur fracture and discharged well.
Conclusion: The Codman T-frame is one alternative to other posterior fixation systems for stabilization.
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