Anterior plate stabilization for bursting teardrop fractures of the cervical spine

This report details eight patients who had bursting teardrop fractures of the cervical spinal column treated by decompressive vertebral corpectomy and anterior fusion with plate stabilization. The fracture involved C5 in six patients, C6 in one patient, and C7 in one patient. The neurologic deficit was complete in five and incomplete in three patients. At an average follow-up of 3 years, all grafts were fully incorporated, all cervical spinal columns were stable and had no deformity, and none of the fixation devices had loosened. All complete neurologic deficits have remained complete, and all patients with incomplete deficits have had significant recovery and are walking independently. There were no operative complications. After decompressive vertebral corpectomy, anterior plate stabilization followed by short-term halo-vest fixation is a safe and useful alternative for unstable bursting teardrop fractures of the cervical spinal column.