First clinical experiences with a new cervical fixation device - technical report.

In a first clinical series of ten patients the new cervical fixation device StarLock trade mark (Synthes, Umkirch, Germany) was implanted.[nl]Characteristics of the device are deep threaded screws with higher pullout resistance and a high angular tolerance while inserting the rods thus simplifying the implantation.[nl]62 lateral mass screws in ten patients were inserted. In 2 cases placement of screws was insufficient (3.2 %) because of surgical difficulties not attributable to the system technique.[nl]In all other cases a radiologically proven stabilization was created. [nl]Due to the high angular tolerance of the screw clamps bending of rods is simplified, especially in cases of longer constructs, and shortens the operation time.[nl]The design of the StarLock trade mark system allows an easy application of computer-navigated placing of transpedicular screws.[nl]This new cervical fixation device is easy to handle and simplifies rod application especially in longer constructs.