Surgical treatment of severe lower cervical fracture by one stage anterior and posterior approach / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of one stage ante rior and posterior approach in the treatment of severe lower cervical injury. Me thod 8 cases of severe lower cervical injury underwent reduction, decompression and fixation through one stage anterior and posterior approach. 6 cases had fra cture and dislocation of cervical spine, and 2 cases cervical spine burst fractu re with cervical stenosis. Their clinical and radiographic records were reviewed retrospectively. Results Follow-ups of a mean period of 14 months showed that satisfactory recovery of neurological function was achieved. The Frankel Grade w as A in 7 cases and B in 1 case before operation, but D in 2 cases, C in 3 cases , and B in 1 case after operation except in 2 cases who had no improvement and r emained A. X-ray film demonstrated satisfactory stabilization of the fracture a nd dislocation, complete fusion of autograft, and preservation of the normal int ervertebral height and cervical lordosis. Conclusion One stage anterior and post erior approach operation is essential, safe and effective when radiographs demon strate that lower cervical canal is compressed from both anterior and posterior directions and clinical symptoms show severe neurological defects.