[Treatment of fractures of the lower cervical spine (C3-C7)]

Spinal surgery dealing with reparation of injury consequences by stabilisation implantates is a relatively new surgical branch. The experience and results at individual departments in Slovakia in this field differ significantly as to their qualitative degree. The Trauma Surgery Department IVZ in Bratislava and the National Rehabilitation Center in Kovácová cooperate since 1989 in a mutual spinal programme. 177 out of 189 patients survived after undergoing a surgical treatment due to the injury of the lower cervical spine performed from 1988 to 1994. 68 patients (Frankel A, B, C) were included into the spinal programme. The authors present the therapeutical results evaluated according to morphologic, neurologic, functional and subjective criteria. The most frequently used stabilizing method is the so-called method of Caspar and the technique of Morscher, the latter being less frequently applied. Both methods are fully secure, causing minimal blood loss, perfectly stable as to the angle and axis. Both techniques enable a sufficient approach to the decompression of the spinal cord. Since they do not demand any additional external rigid fixation, they are excellently tolerated by patients and only minimally restrict movement. (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 8.)