The anterior approach and plates in lower cervical posttraumatic lesions

Between 1949 and 1982, 290 patients were operated on for lesions of the lower cervical spine. Since 1970 the combined use of the anterior approach and more and more sophisticated osteosynthesis equipment has led us to revise our therapeutic policy with regard to 160 patients. The results, advantages, and disadvantages of this policy are discussed hereafter.