Boakye M et al. – Fusion patients had greater overall complication rates, increased length of stay, and greater resource utilization but were discharged home in a greater proportion. Both fusion and halo were associated with significant increase in complication rates in elderly patients aged 80 years or older. Given the similar mortality rate between the fusion group and the halo group and the higher cost and complication rate in the fusion group, the study supports the use of halo–vest immobilization in patients where operative therapy is contraindicated. [more...]