Crutchfield tongs [William G. Crutchfield, American neurosurgeon, 1900–1972; ME, tonges] , an instrument that is attached to the skull to hyperextend the head and neck of patients with fractured cervical vertebrae for the purpose of immobilizing and aligning the vertebrae. ▪ METHOD: The tips of the tongs are inserted into small burr holes drilled in each parietal region of the skull; the surrounding skin is sutured and covered with a collodion dressing. A rope tied to the center of the tongs passes over a pulley at the head of the bed and is attached to a weight of 10 to 20 pounds, which hangs freely. ▪ OUTCOME CRITERIA: A patient may be immobilized by Crutchfield tongs before surgery is performed. During an operation on the cervical spine and spinal cord, the tongs may be left in place for proper alignment.
