The medical and economic impact of closed cervical spine dislocations

The current study examined the medical and economic impact of various treatment modalities of unstable cervical spine dislocations. Thirty-five patients with dislocations of the cervical spine were reviewed retrospectively from two large university hospitals. There were 23 unilateral and 12 bilateral facet dislocations. Fourteen patients were treated nonoperatively and 21 patients were treated with early surgery. Nine of the 14 patients treated nonoperatively redisplaced their dislocations while in an orthosis and required late surgery. Analysis of variance shows that it is the amount of injury (unilateral versus bilateral) that results in statistically significant difference in the injury severity score, Glasgow coma scale, trauma motor index, and the number of complications. Of the treatment groups (operative versus nonoperative), the operative group showed a statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay. Also noted in the operative group was less traction time, earlier erect physical therapy, an average financial savings of $18,407.00, and equal morbidity or mortality to the nonoperative treatment group. Based on this limited experience, it would appear that "diagnosis related groups" are not capable of supporting traumatic spinal care and, if adopted by other states and third party payers, the concept of trauma and/or spinal cord injury centers may be in jeopardy.