[Fractures of the odontoid process. 94 cases, 61 treated by arthrodesis]

The authors have reviewed 94 cases of fractures of the odontoid process, 21 of the with neurological signs. The conclusions were as follows: 1) Conservative treatment in 26 cases led to 9 non-unions; 2) 27 recent fractures were operated on (arthrodesis) with 24 fusions; 3) 54 cases were treated more than 30 days after the accident: 15 ot them demonstrated neurological involvement, 34 of them were operated on; 4) The surgical technique is fully described, usually the operation aimed at fusing C1 to C2; 5) One patient died, none was aggravated, all were somewhat improved on the neurological standpoint; 6) On a functional standpoint neck mobility was less decreased after conservative treatment than after cervical fusion.