HALO USE IN A REGIONAL SPINAL UNIT – MORBIDITY & MORTALITY REDUCTION STRATEGY, A 10-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Introduction: A high incidence of pin loosening, infection and discomfort as well as pressure ulceration from the jacket were noted in a study performed in 1986¹ we aimed to compare our figures with published literature.

Methods: A retrospective case note review (1994–2004). One investigator reviewed the casenotes and corroborated these with a spinal database, theatre database and microbiology results system.

Results: 74 halos were applied in the 10-year period. A complete dataset was obtained for 37 patients (others had been destroyed either entirely or relevant volumes). Age range was 22–83 years (median 49), 20 males and 17 females.

28 were applied under local anaesthetic (LA), one with LA and sedation and 8 were applied under general anaesthetic (either for another trauma procedure or due to head injury). All halos applied were Bremer Halo Crown with Classic or Classic II vest (DePuy Spine, Warsaw, IN, USA).

Indications for application included fractures (n=21), tumours (n=6) or subluxations (n=10).

8 patients required pin repositioning. This was due to poor position (n=2), pain (n=5) and pin loosening (n=1, 3%). Pin site infection was diagnosed using an accepted definition2. This occurred in 5 patients. 3 settled with antibiotics, one with debridement and one with repositioning. Overall infection rate was 13.5%, which compares favourably with published rates of 20–22%. Pin site infection dropped significantly after introduction of a pin care regimen introduced and published by our limb reconstruction team² from three patients to one patient. Pin torque was also checked daily for seven days followed by weekly thereafter.

The halo vest was a cause of significant morbidity in terms of pressure ulceration (3 patients) pneumonia (3 ventilated ITU patients of whom 2 died) and pain in one patient.

Conclusion: Our pin loosening rate was significantly lower than published figures, which we ascribe to regular torque checking and use of a 0.90 Nm torque wrench³.

Our pin site infection rate dropped significantly after use of our limb reconstruction teams pin care regimen. We now utilise this regimen in all halo patients with good effect. A prospective study is ongoing.