European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Halm-Zielke instrumentation (HZI) was developed to eliminate the disadvantages of Zielke instrumentation (VDS) in terms of lack of primary stability and a kyphogenic effect. HZI is an anterior double-rod system. The system is composed of a lid-plate, which is fixed at the lateral aspect of the vertebral body with two screws, a sunk screw anteriorly and a VDS screw posteriorly. ⋯ All patients were treated without any additional external immobilization. In our opinion, HZI is a major improvement on the original Zielke VDS. It eliminates the kyphogenic effect and provides primary stability.