Twenty patients presenting with single-or bi-faceted traumatic dislocation of the cervical spine treated by means of arthrodesis and anterior fixation have been studied. Patients were assessed by clinical, X-ray, and functional parameters. The patients were followed up during a period ranging from 1 to 14 years. Union of the arthrodesis, as evidenced by X-ray, was noticed in all patients, with one patient presenting with late loosening of one of the screws. Angulations at sagittal plane of the injured vertebral segment showed a change preoperatively, with reduction being achieved at the early postoperative period and maintenance after one year post-surgically. The clinical and functional assessment according to SF-36 and to Denis’ pain and effort scale showed good clinical results with the major postoperative complaints being resultant from the neurological injury degree. The hematoma observed on surgical wound, which required surgical drainage was the only complication reported in a patient. The approach employing arthrodesis and anterior fixation for treating single- or bi-faceted traumatic dislocations of the cervical spine showed good clinical, X-ray, and functional outcomes, as well as a small complications rate, thus justifying our preference for this method when treating these kinds of cervical spine injury.
Spinal injuries; Spinal cord injuries; Arthrodesis; Cervical vertebrae
