A Clinical Study of the Surgical Treatment of the Cervical Spine Injuries

Sohn, Sung Keun; Park, Seung Rim; Kim, Kyu Hyoung

Abstract

Cervical spine injuries are increasing recently due to increasing traffic accidents. Many patients have been treated with cervical laminectomy but stabilization of the cervical spine has been neglected as a part of the treatment. 30 patients with cervical spine injuries who were admitted to our hospital from January 1, 1973 to December 31, 1978 were evaluated. The following observations were made: 1. The ratio between male and female was 2:1 and the majority(43%) were found in the 4th decades. 2. The common causes of cervical spine injuries were traffic accident(40%) and falls(33.3%). The most common site of the lesion was the 5th and 6th cervical spine level (33.3%). 3. Among 30 cases, 10 cases(33.3%) had complete paralysis, 12 cases(40%) incomplete paralysis, 6 cases (20%) had nerve root injury and no neurological change is 2 cases. 4. The mechanisms of cervical injuries were classified morphologically and flexion-rotation injuries (55.5%) were the most common. 5. We evaluated the results of treatment neurological & radiographically. In complete paralysis, there was no neurological improvement and cervical kyphosis increased after laminectomy. In incomplete paralysis and nerve root injury, anterior fusion showed slight neurological recovery but mild cevical kyphosis and displacement of the graft were observed. In posterior fusion or cast immobilization, we had a satisfactory result with a high fusion rate and normal cervical curvature. 6. lt is impossible to compare anterior interbody fusion with posterior fusion for neurological recovery. For early mobilization and rehabilitation, we emphasize early stabilization by anterior or posterior fusion according to the mechanism of injury.