The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D.
This historical vignette is a tribute to Professors Frederick P. Dewar and Edward H. Simmons who were pioneers in the evolution of posterior cervical fusion. In response to failures of other wiring techniques, they developed a posterior cervical fusion construct based on sound biomechanical principl...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | World Neurosurgery: X |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590139725000171 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849314648531140608 |
|---|---|
| author | Morgan P. Lorio Avi J. Bernstein William N. Capicotto Edward D. Simmons Jon E. Block |
| author_facet | Morgan P. Lorio Avi J. Bernstein William N. Capicotto Edward D. Simmons Jon E. Block |
| author_sort | Morgan P. Lorio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This historical vignette is a tribute to Professors Frederick P. Dewar and Edward H. Simmons who were pioneers in the evolution of posterior cervical fusion. In response to failures of other wiring techniques, they developed a posterior cervical fusion construct based on sound biomechanical principles. The so-called “Dewar” technique utilized contoured double cortico-cancellous iliac grafts as internal graft-splints fixed to the spine with threaded pins and wire to enhance posterior cervical stability. This technique has since been replaced by lateral mass screw constructs and interfacet fusion techniques which facilitate midline decompression while maintaining stability. This paper provides an historical perspective on the Dewar technique, illustrating its impact with previously unpublished findings from a radiographic case series of patients treated with the Dewar procedure and a comparative group of patients treated with interspinous wiring or triple wiring fusion technique. The Dewar procedure served as an important evolutionary step toward our contemporary approach to fusion of the posterior column that minimizes tissue disruption and maximizes interfacet stabilization. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9242cb2eb6cf48a690d6ef7792603c20 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-1397 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | World Neurosurgery: X |
| spelling | doaj-art-9242cb2eb6cf48a690d6ef7792603c202025-08-20T03:52:24ZengElsevierWorld Neurosurgery: X2590-13972025-04-012610044310.1016/j.wnsx.2025.100443The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D.Morgan P. Lorio0Avi J. Bernstein1William N. Capicotto2Edward D. Simmons3Jon E. Block4Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, 7011 Kiran Patel Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787, USADepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, 60068, USACapicotto Spine, 6580 Main Street, Suite 2, Williamsville, NY, 14221, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, 235 North Street, Buffalo, NY, 14201, USA2210 Jackson Street, Suite 401, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA; Corresponding author.This historical vignette is a tribute to Professors Frederick P. Dewar and Edward H. Simmons who were pioneers in the evolution of posterior cervical fusion. In response to failures of other wiring techniques, they developed a posterior cervical fusion construct based on sound biomechanical principles. The so-called “Dewar” technique utilized contoured double cortico-cancellous iliac grafts as internal graft-splints fixed to the spine with threaded pins and wire to enhance posterior cervical stability. This technique has since been replaced by lateral mass screw constructs and interfacet fusion techniques which facilitate midline decompression while maintaining stability. This paper provides an historical perspective on the Dewar technique, illustrating its impact with previously unpublished findings from a radiographic case series of patients treated with the Dewar procedure and a comparative group of patients treated with interspinous wiring or triple wiring fusion technique. The Dewar procedure served as an important evolutionary step toward our contemporary approach to fusion of the posterior column that minimizes tissue disruption and maximizes interfacet stabilization.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590139725000171CervicalSpinePosteriorFusionFacetBone graft |
| spellingShingle | Morgan P. Lorio Avi J. Bernstein William N. Capicotto Edward D. Simmons Jon E. Block The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D. World Neurosurgery: X Cervical Spine Posterior Fusion Facet Bone graft |
| title | The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D. |
| title_full | The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D. |
| title_fullStr | The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D. |
| title_full_unstemmed | The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D. |
| title_short | The evolution of posterior cervical fusion: A tribute to Frederick P. Dewar, M.D. and Edward. H. Simmons, M.D. |
| title_sort | evolution of posterior cervical fusion a tribute to frederick p dewar m d and edward h simmons m d |
| topic | Cervical Spine Posterior Fusion Facet Bone graft |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590139725000171 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT morganplorio theevolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT avijbernstein theevolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT williamncapicotto theevolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT edwarddsimmons theevolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT joneblock theevolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT morganplorio evolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT avijbernstein evolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT williamncapicotto evolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT edwarddsimmons evolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd AT joneblock evolutionofposteriorcervicalfusionatributetofrederickpdewarmdandedwardhsimmonsmd |