Surgical Treatment for Fracture-Dislocations and Fractures of the Cervical Spine

We have treated patients with spinal injuries surgically to obtain neurological recovery, rigid stabilization and to allow for early rehabilitation. 119 patients with fractures or fracture-dislocations of the cervical spine underwent surgical treatment. In fracture-dislocations and flexion-tear drop fractures, we employed a surgical method called one-staged anterior-posterior reduction, decompression and stabilization. In burst fractures, we employed anterior decompression and fusion. 48% of the patients operated on within 48 hours after the injuries gained neurological recovery but only 30% of the patients operated within 2 weeks after the injuries recovered. Among patients treated surgically within 48 hours after the injuries, those suffered from fracture-dislocations showed better neurological recovery than those with fractures.Our method of surgical treatment seemed to be benefit for neurologocal recovery and early rehabilitation.