Methylmethacrylate stabilization of the cervical spine

Abstract

Several conditions that lead to instability of the cervical spine require surgical fixation, and on occasion that procedure may include the use of methylmethacrylate. In the series that we are reporting, there were eighteen patients with malignant disease, seventeen with fractures, twelve with rheumatoid arthritis, and five with osteoarthritis. In the survivors, a four-year follow-up showed excellent relief of instability and no complications attributable to the methacrylate except for one fracture of the methacrylate that did not produce symptoms.