Surgical treatment of acute cervical fracture-dislocation

The authors describe their experience in the surgical treatment of acute cervical fracture-dislocation by reporting the results obtained after the observation and follow-up examination of 53 cases. The surgical procedure adopted, after realignment of bone segments was obtained, depended on type of fracture. Posterior fixation with wire or wire and acrylic was performed in 31 cases. The anterior route was chosen in 19 cases, performing a ventral subtotal resection of the vertebral body with the use of acrylic. Three patients were treated by both procedures (anterior plus posterior approach). The authors describe the surgical technique and recommend the rapid mobilization of the patient, so as to avoid complications which could impede his recovery.