Fracture and Dislocation of Cervical Spine

Lee, Han Koo; Choi, In Ho; Han, Tai Ryoon

Abstract

Reviewing 31 patients of fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine treated and managed at department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital from Jan. 1970 to Dec. 1979. We came to the following conclusions: 1. The incidence of trauma was high in the young men, most frequent in the 3rd decade. 2. Most of injuries were the results of automobile accidents (39%) or of fall (32%) on the head & neck. 3. The most frequent mechanism of injury was flexion-rotation type (46%). 4. The most frequent level of body fracture was C5 and the most frequent dislocation level was C6-7. 5. Mild or severe cord damage signs had developed in 19 of 31 patients (62%) and almost complete recovery was only 4 patients. 6. Improvement ef neurologic signs were related to immediate posttraumatic neurologic signs and there's no significant difference between conservative & operative treatment but early mobilization and prevention of complication was better in operative treatment.