Objective To investigate the development made in the reparation and reconstruction of the postburn deformity and functional disability in the advanced-stage patients. Methods Based on the reviewedliterature at home and abroad and combined with our clinical experience, the new reparative and reconstructive techniques for the patients with advanced stagedeformity and functional disability were evaluated. Results The reparative and reconstructive microsurgical techniques achieved a significantdevelopment in treating the following pathologic changes after burn: deformity due to proliferation and contracture of the scars, severe hand deformity, defects occurring in the muscle tendons and nerves due to electricity burn, and defects occurring in the long tubular bones of the extremities. Concl usion Although there has been a great achievement in this field, there is still a hard task of finding out newer therapeutic approaches and achieving more effective results in the future.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of Halo-vest in treatment of unstable upper cervical spine. Methods From March 1997 to October 2002, 16 cases of unstable upper cervical spineswere treated and immobilized by Halovest, aged from 14 to 53 years. There were 3 cases of isolated Jefferson fractures, 4 cases of isolated Hangman fractures and 1 case of Anderson type Ⅱ fracture. The 8 cases were immobilized for 3-4 months by Halovest. There were 3 cases of old odontoid fractures with dislocations treated by occipitocervical plate fixation and fusion, 1 case of C1 malignant tumor by posterior resection and internal fixation, 2 cases of C2 malignant tumor by anterior resection, fusion, and internal fixation; these cases were immobilized by Halo-vest during surgery. There were 1 case of C2,3 tuberculosis were treated by anterior debridement and fusion, and 1 case of gooseneck deformity by anterior decompression, fusion and screw fixation after resection of C2-7 , the 2 cases were immobilized for 3 months by Halo-vest.Of 16 cases, there were 8 cases accompanied with spinal cord syndrome. Results Fifteen cases were followed up 6 months to 5 years. Anterior arch ununion and posteriorarch osseous healing occurred in 1 case of Jefferson fracture. Other fractures and embedded bones became osseous fusion. One case of C2 malignant tumorrecurred 8 months after operation. Spinal cord syndrome of all patients disappeared. Conclusion Halo-vest immobilization is an effective method for conservative treatment and stable reconstruction of unstable upper cervical spine.