Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Treatment of severe cervical spine injuries by anterior interbody fusion with early mobilization

  • Published:
Acta Neurochirurgica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A follow up study of 24 patients treated for severe injury of the cervical spine is presented. The dislocation was initially reduced by skull traction, which was later replaced by anterior fusion using a tibial graft. Solid fusion occurred in all patients. The neurological improvement was unaffected by the operation.

Our conclusion is that anterior fusion as opposed to conservative treatment leads to earlier mobilization, shorter hospitalization, and less costly rehabilitation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Austin, G., The Spinal Cord: Basic Aspects and Surgical Consideration. Springfield, Ill.: Ch. C Thomas. 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bailey, R. W., The cervical spine. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bailey, R. W., Badgley, C. E., Stabilization of the cervical spine by anterior fusion. J. Bone Jt. Surg.42 A (1960), 565–694.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bedbrook, G., Pathological principles in the management of spinal trauma. Paraplegia4 (1966), 43–56.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Benassy, J., Blanchard, J., Lecoq, A., Neurological recovery in para- and tetraplegia. Paraplegia4 (1967), 259–261.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Campbell, J. B., DeCresito, V., Tomasula, J. J.,et al., Experimental treatment of spinal cord contusion in the cat. Surg. Neurol.1 (1973), 102–106.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Cheshire, D. J. E., The stability of the cervical spine following the conservative treatment of fractures and fracture-dislocations. Paraplegia7 (1969), 193–203.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Cloward, R. B., The anterior approach for removal of ruptured cervical discs. J. Neurosurg.15 (1958), 602–617.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Cloward, R. B., Treatment of acute fractures and fracture-dislocations of the cervical spine by vertebral body fusion. A report of eleven cases. J. Neurosurg.18 (1961), 201–209.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Dereymacker, A., Mulier, J., La fusion vertébral par voie ventrale dans la discopathie cervicale. Rev. Neurol.19 (1958), 597–616.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Frankel, H., Hancock, O., Hyslop, G.,et al., The value of postural reduction in the initial management of closed injuries of the spine with paraplegia and tetraplegia. I. Comprehensive management and research. Paraplegia7 (1969), 179–192.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Guttmann, L., Spinal cord injuries. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific. 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Heiden, J. S., Weiss, M. H., Rosenberg, A. W., Apuzzo, M. L. J., Kurze, T., Management of cervical spinal cord trauma in Southern California. J. Neurosurg.43 (1975), 732–736.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Holdsworth, F. W., Early orthopaedic treatment of patients with spinal injury. Proceedings of a symposium on spinal injuries (Harris, P., ed.), pp. 93–100. Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. 1963.

  15. Luck, J. V., Bone and joint diseases. Pathology correlated with roentgenological and clinical features, p. 219. Springfield, Ill.: Ch. C Thomas. 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Meinecke, F. W., Early treatment of traumatic paraplegia. Paraplegia1 (1964), 262–270.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Penning, L., Functionel pathology of the cervical spine. Baltimore: The Williams and Wilkins Co. 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Raynor, R. B., Severe injuries of the cervical spine treated by early anterior interbody fusion and ambulation. J. Neurosurg.28 (1968), 311–316.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Robinson, R. A., Anterior and posterior cervical spine fusion. Clin. Orthop.35 (1964), 34–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Robinson, R. A., Southwick, W. O., Surgical approaches to the cervical spine. Instructional Course Lecture. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,XVII, 299–330. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby. 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Rossier, A. B., Berney, J., Rosenbaum, A. E., Hachen, J., Value of gas myelography in early management of acute cervical spinal cord injuries. J. Neurosurg.42 (1975), 330–337.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Schneider, R. C., The syndrome of acute anterior cervical spinal cord injury. J. Neurosurg.12 (1955), 95–122.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Schneider, R. C., Kahn, E. A., The significance of the acute flexion or “teardrop” fracture dislocation of the cervical spine. J. Bone Jt. Surg.38 (1956), 985–997.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Thienprasit, P., Bantli, H., Bloedel, J. R., Chou, S. N., Effect of delayed local cooling on experimental spinal cord injury. J. Neurosurg.42 (1975), 150–154.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Verbiest, H., Anterior operative approach in cases of spinal cord compression by old irreducible displacement of fresh fracture of cervical spine. J. Neurosurg.19 (1962), 389–400.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Verbiest, H., Anterolateral operations for fractures or dislocations of the cervical spine due to injuries or previous surgical interventions. Clin. Neurosurg.20 (1973), 334–366.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. N. Aa. Svendgaard M.D.

    Present address: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, S-221 85, Lund, Sweden

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Neurosurgery and Diagnostic Radiology, University of Lund, Sweden

    N. Aa. Svendgaard M.D., S. Cronqvist, T. Delgado & L. G. Salford

Authors
  1. N. Aa. Svendgaard M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Cronqvist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Delgado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. G. Salford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Svendgaard, N.A., Cronqvist, S., Delgado, T. et al. Treatment of severe cervical spine injuries by anterior interbody fusion with early mobilization. Acta neurochir 60, 91–105 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01401754

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01401754

Keywords

Search

Navigation