[Early stabilization in severe cervical vertebral and spinal cord injuries]

In the cervical vertebral-myelic trauma a high incidence of bronchopulmonary, metabolic, thromboembolic complications and bedsores is present. The authors, in agreement with the most recent literature (Tator, 1987), affirm that adoption of the precocious stabilization, allowing an equally precocious mobilization, considerably reduces the above-said complications. Thirty patients with vertebral-myelic lesions needing operation for stabilization have been followed. Twenty-one of these, presented irreversible myelic damages and nine cases had partially or completely reversible damages. Only in five cases severe bronchopulmonary affections and bedsores occurred. Thrombo-embolic complications did not occur. The authors conclude that the precocious mobilization allowed by the stabilization realized in acute state, permits a drastic decrease in the complications typical of this kind of affections.