From January, 1983 through December, 1993, 20 different types of operations were carried out to treat a total of 54 cases from trauma or deformities around the occipitocervical region, in which 4 patients died. The causes of the deaths were analyzed, and the main factors responsible for the mortality were improper selection of the wires for internal fixation, inadequate decompression from operation, incorrect operative technique and errors in the selection of anesthesia.
From Jan. 1991 to Jan. 1994, 11 cases ofdifferent hip lesions with flexon contracture deformity were treated by combination of SmithPeterson and WatsonJones incisions in replacement of hip joint. All of them were followed-up for 1 to 3 years (an average of 1.9 years). According to pain, joint function, the excellent and good results were rated at 90.9%. This showed that from using the combined incisions, the hip joint was very well exposed, and release of hip flexion contracture could be acomplished in the same time. Bleeding fromoperation was reduced and the procedure was simple.