Segmental spinal instrumentation using short closed wire loops.

The Luque technique of segmental sublaminar instrumentation is now an established method of internal fixation in spinal surgery. The major difficulty encountered with the current technique is the danger of neurologic injury during the passage and handling of conventional wires, especially in extensive procedures. Great care is required to prevent inadvertent percussion of the wires already passed. The authors believe that by using short closed wire loops, these dangers have been minimized. Simple additional instrumentation has been devised to facilitate application of these loops. Apart from ease of application and handling, the short wire loops may offer a safer method of segmental sublaminar fixation.